Chapter 96

The Crescent Knights withdrew.

As a result, the job that was supposed to be done by the Dragon's Blaze was canceled, and Edgar was being scolded by Medes in the Guild Master's office.

"Edgar! What's going on? Didn't you say that if they were reluctant to contribute ore, we could squeeze more gold coins out of the Crescent Knights? What happened? Not only did they not drop any money, but they pulled out of the island, didn't they?"

"Ah, that's strange. According to the information, they still had their third exploration left..."

"At this point, there's no third exploration or anything. You're too soft. If we had supported them normally, we might have been able to charge for the third manufacturing and repair costs. Because of you, it's all over. How do you intend to take responsibility for this? Huh?"

(Gah. This bastard. He's trying to make me take all the responsibility. He gave the green light to my plan enthusiastically.)

"Edgar, you didn't meet your target last month, right? If you can't do it this month, you know what will happen, right? It won't be cheap."

Edgar was lectured for about an hour.

Medes' shouting could be heard in the Quartet's workshop.

"Edgar is really getting squeezed. Is he okay?"

Charles said worriedly.

"Hmph. It's because he got carried away with greed. He's a fool for stealing other people's jobs."

"Really, that's true."

Raul and Rizetta said coldly.

At the Spirit Factory, which successfully manufactured the Dragon Sound's harp and magic stone staff, Roland was trying to come up with new challenges to train Wayne and Pat.

However, before he could, Wayne had already caught Pat and was proposing a certain scheme.

"Lower the quality of the equipment?"

Pat frowned at the words that had just come out of Wayne's mouth.

"Yeah, with this wimpy approach, we'll never beat the Dragon's Blaze. The only way to take them down is to steal their customers. To do that, we need to lower the price. To lower the price, we have to lower the quality of the equipment to some extent. Even if it's shoddy, we need to grab as many customers as possible. Don't worry, the adventurers on this island are all fools who only think about the immediate future. They won't notice even if the quality drops a bit."

"That's not right. That goes against the Spirit Factory's way of doing things."

"Yeah, Roland would probably oppose it first. But that's why it's now. With our current performance, Roland won't dismiss our proposal. If we both suggest it, it will definitely go through. Once we get the job, it's ours. Seeing the increase in customers, Roland will change his mind. We need to increase the number of customers, make a profit, and only do the jobs for the well-paying guilds from outside. That way, the cheap equipment will break quickly, increasing sales, and we can use the reputation of the external adventurers to boost our brand."

"But that's the same as what the Dragon's Blaze does."

"Sure, it's the same. We can't beat the Dragon's Blaze any other way. Think about it. Roland makes equipment tailored to each adventurer. This approach won't work. We have to take action. Let's start a rebellion. What do you say?"

"Wayne!"

Pat approached Wayne with an unusually stern look.

"What is it?"

"I understand that you hate the Dragon's Blaze. I also have many things I can't accept. But I can't agree with the idea that anything is okay to take them down. I'm here at the Spirit Factory because I can provide meticulous service to local adventurers. If you're blinded by profit and deviate from the path, I can't overlook it, even if we're friends. I'll report any such behavior to Roland and Aina. That's it."

"Hey, wait, Pat. Come on."

Wayne called out to Pat's back, but Pat walked away, indicating that he had nothing more to say.

(Gah, Pat is still the same. He's a good guy, but his rigidity is a flaw. However, without Pat's cooperation, it will be difficult. ...What should I do?)

Lina was crushing and kneading the broken armor, then refining it.

(Alright, it's looking good.)

The iron pieces, which were supposed to be scrap, quickly returned to their former state.

After the refining was complete, the iron was of the highest quality ever.

"Mr. Roland, I'm done with the 'Scrap Revival.' Please take a look."

"Oh, let me see."

When Roland appraised the iron Lina brought, it was Iron B.

(Iron B. The best result so far.)

[Lina Heart's Skill]

'Scrap Revival': B (↑1)

"Good job, Lina. It's the best result so far."

"Thank you."

"With this, we can make B-class equipment. Tell Aina that we can make B-class iron and discuss incorporating it into the future B-class equipment manufacturing plan."

"Yes!"

Lina immediately took the B-class iron to Aina.

"Aina, I successfully revived B-class iron. Mr. Roland said to incorporate it into the future production plan."

"Understood. Can I also ask you to revive B-class equipment from second-hand items?"

"Sure. Aina, some equipment can't be efficiently broken down without high strength. Can I ask for Mr. Rody's help?"

"Sure. Rody, finish the design by morning and support Lina in the afternoon."

"Understood."

Aina changed the plan immediately in response to Lina's skill improvement.

Roland observed Lina's work.

(Despite being here for only a short time, she has already adapted to the cooperative atmosphere of the Spirit Factory. She's a highly adaptable girl who can easily fit into the organization's culture.)

Lina was already walking and working in the workshop as if it were her own home.

(She's already adapted to this workshop. It's probably okay to talk to her about that matter.)

"Lina, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yes?"

"When the lunch break is over, I'd like to talk to you in the Guild Master's office."

"Understood."

Roland took Lina to the workshop's rooftop, where no one else was around.

"Your 'Scrap Revival' skill is now B-class. You've been doing a great job."

"Thank you."

"Anyway, that's not the point..."

Roland looked away as he spoke.

"Lina, you're hiding something, aren't you?"

"Eh? What, what is it?"

"I received this from the Dragon's Blaze."

Roland took out a complaint.

The content was about Wayne and Lina being poached while their contract with the Dragon's Blaze was still valid.

Lina's lips tightened, and she froze.

"I also asked Pat. He really seemed to know nothing. But you're different, right?"

"Um, that..."

"If you came here in violation of the contract, you and Pat should have received a complaint as well."

"..."

"Tell me. As the Guild Master, I need to respond promptly. For your sake as well."

"..."

"Yes."

Gilbert was wandering the Dragon's Blaze corridors.

(I never thought Yugan would come back. My plan has failed. What should I do next?)

As he looked for someone he could use, he saw a familiar person walking from the other direction.

It was Roland.

(Huh?)

Gilbert quickly hid behind a pillar.

"Hey, that's a problem. You can't just enter the facility like that. Hey, a little."

Roland ignored the receptionist and walked straight in.

After Roland passed, Gilbert followed him carefully to avoid being seen.

(What's Roland doing here? Could he have sniffed out my operations?)

"Haa, that old man. He lectured me for an hour."

Edgar stretched his neck to relieve the tension as he complained.

"Hehe. You had a tough time."

Charles said with a laugh.

"It's not just tough. Put yourself in my shoes."

"The Guild Master talks a lot. Hey, isn't that...?"

Charles looked across the street, eyes wide.

"What?"

"It's the Guild Master of the Spirit Factory."

Edgar looked, and sure enough, it was Roland.

The two watched Roland pass with a look of disbelief.

Roland glanced at Edgar and appraised him.

[Edgar Rogue's Status]

Strength: 80-100

Endurance: 90-100

Agility: 80-90

Health: 100-120

(All base stats are over 80. However, he lacks deep thinking. A typical muscle-brain type. If he had paired well with the highly intelligent Pat, he might have been a good partner.)

Roland recalled his conversation with Lina.

She had said,

"Pat is in an important phase now. I wanted to help him focus. If he knew he was causing trouble for Mr. Roland, he would probably say he wants to leave..."

Lina had said,

"Mr. Roland, I'm really sorry."

Eventually, Roland arrived at the Guild Master's office where Medes was.

Just as he arrived, Medes was coming out of the room.

He was startled to see Roland.

"You... Roland!? What are you doing here?"

"I came because I was called."

Roland took out the complaint and thrust it at Medes.

"This complaint about the contract violation of Pat and Lina, you sent it, didn't you?"

Edgar, who had been watching from the shadows, panicked.

(Oh no... Are you trying to send Pat and Lina back here? Stop it. We finally got rid of them and were about to get away with the Spirit Factory's countermeasures. Don't bring it up again!)

The conversation between Roland and Medes continued.

"I see. So why did you come? Hmm? Did you come to propose another deal? If so, I'm afraid I have to turn you down. We don't have time for your transparent fraud."

"I have no intention of doing business with you!"

Roland said sternly.

"Since coming to this island, I've been observing you. I've watched the Dragon's Blaze's business model, the adventurers' strategies, and the fate of the external adventurers. As a result, I understand clearly. The disaster caused by the