Chapter 97

After defeating the "Fang Dragon," Monica and her party returned to the "Spirit Workshop."

When Roland appraised the dragon core Monica brought back, it turned out that the wolf dragon was indeed an A-class monster.

Roland lavished praise on Monica.

Just that made her chest warm.

Later, the new dragon species was registered at the quest reception office by Roland, and the monster was officially named "Fang Dragon."

Later, Monica was awarded the title of Double A.

Leon's request was an unexpected one.

"Do you want to issue a quest?"

"Yeah, there are quite a few people who have been at a disadvantage due to the alliance between the 'Guardians of the Magic Academy' and the 'Crescent Knights.' They say the equipment costs for the 'Dragon Blaze' are too high, and they can't continue anymore. They've heard that our guild has been doing well recently and want to switch to the 'Spirit Workshop' equipment, but they don't have enough funds."

"I see."

"They are people who have been on good terms with our guild. I want to help them. Can the 'Spirit Workshop' somehow recruit adventurers for a quest?"

"Hmm."

While listening to Leon, Roland recalled his conversation with Dylan.

"We're short on 'Flame-Resistant Ore'?"

"Yeah, that's right."

Dylan said, looking quite troubled.

He is also in charge of material procurement for the "Spirit Workshop."

"The 'Crescent Knights' took most of it when they withdrew the other day. The 'Dragon Blaze' has also used up all their stock. The market is out of stock everywhere. I'm at a loss. There's nothing I can do."

(The shortage of 'Flame-Resistant Ore.' The decline in the 'Dragon Blaze's' influence. This might be a good opportunity to make a move.)

"Alright. Leon, I'll try to arrange an adventurer quest for the 'Spirit Workshop.'"

"Really? I owe you one."

"Then, how about it? Which adventurer guilds want this quest? How many people are we talking about?"

"Well, it's a bit of a wild request, so I hope you won't be surprised..."

"Fifty sets of equipment?"

In the meeting room of the "Spirit Workshop."

Aina, who was in charge of the alchemists, said in amazement.

"This is quite sudden, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but this is an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

"Not only can we get many adventurers to switch from the 'Dragon Blaze' to us, but the market is currently short of 'Flame-Resistant Ore.' It's a crucial material for anti-fire dragon equipment. It's also essential for the 'Dragon Blaze,' which relies on external guilds for most of its revenue. If we can deplete the 'Flame-Resistant Ore' from the 'Volcano Dungeon,' we might gain an advantage over the 'Dragon Blaze.'"

"I see."

"So, how about it? Can everyone handle it?"

"Hmm. If we all work at full capacity, I think we can manage it."

Aina looked around at the participants in the meeting.

"Let's do it."

Pat said.

He had been wanting to repay Roland somehow.

(If we complete this project, it will significantly boost the 'Spirit Workshop's' sales. This is a chance to repay Roland.)

"If Pat can do it, I can too..."

Reina agreed.

"I have no problem with it."

"Neither do I."

Rody and Aiz followed suit.

"I think I should sit this one out. The local adventurers are unreliable."

Wayne said.

"Alright. Everyone is on board. Let's get started."

"Okay."

"Wayne, you don't have any work right now, do you? Help out."

"Ugh..."

Thus, the "Spirit Workshop" embarked on this project with all hands on deck.

Under Aina's direction, everyone tackled this opportunity with enthusiasm.

Pat's dedication was particularly remarkable, helping others with their tasks in addition to his own.

The production of the equipment proceeded at a rapid pace, and the day came to deliver it to the adventurers.

While Aina and the others were working on the equipment, Roland was handling the coordination among the adventurers.

He gathered information on their schedules, conditions, and needs to set the date for the dungeon expedition.

He promoted this plan as an alliance led by the "Spirit Workshop," inviting not only guilds connected to the "Dawn Shield" but also adventurers from all over the island.

He reached out to the "Pegasus Arrow," the magic siblings Will and Lana, and the bard Nicola, who all happily agreed to join the alliance led by the "Spirit Workshop."

However, there was one issue.

Who would lead such a large-scale team?

The "Dawn Shield," "Pegasus Arrow," magic siblings, and Nicola gathered to discuss who would be the leader.

"What do we do? There might not be anyone on this island who can lead so many guilds."

"Should we ask Monica Vermare?"

"She's not suited to leading a team, and I think she would decline."

Roland said.

"Hmm. Then who should we ask?"

The meeting room fell silent.

"I can't entrust this to someone half-hearted. I'll take the responsibility."

When Roland said this, everyone in the room looked at him in surprise.

They hadn't expected him to volunteer as the leader.

"This alliance is led by the 'Spirit Workshop.' I'll take full responsibility for it."

Roland said with a smile that was hard to read.

Finally, the day of the dungeon expedition arrived.

The adventurers gathered at the "Spirit Workshop" and put on the blue armor they were given.

"This is the 'Spirit Workshop's' equipment?"

"Wow, it's more solid than I thought."

The adventurers exchanged comments as they put on the equipment.

Roland observed them, appraising their skills and stats.

(Most of the adventurers are at best C-class. So, the ones I can rely on are these seven...)

[Leon's Skills and Stats]

'Sword Technique': C

Strength: 70-80

[Elio's Skills and Stats]

'Shield Defense': B

Durability: 80-90

[Jeff's Skills and Stats]

'Bow Shooting': C

Agility: 70-80

[Cecil's Skills and Stats]

'Dagger': C

Health: 100-120

[Hans Bergamot's Skills and Stats]

'Bow Shooting': B

'Quick Draw': B

'Magic Shooting': B

Agility: 70-80

[Clara Bergamot's Skills and Stats]

'Bow Shooting': B

'Quick Draw': B

'Keen Eyes': B

'Quick Shot': B

Agility: 60-70

[Alice Bergamot's Skills and Stats]

'Bow Shooting': B

'Quick Draw': B

'Fast Shot': B

'Concentration of Hatred': B

Agility: 80-90

(Elio, Hans, Clara, and Alice are genuinely B-class. Leon, Jeff, and Cecil have stats that are sufficient for B-class. It's only a matter of time before their skills reach B-class.)

"Mr. Roland, the equipment distribution to the adventurers is complete."

Aina said.

"Great. Let's head into the dungeon. 'Dawn Shield' and 'Pegasus Arrow,' come here."

Leon and Hans gathered.

"Regarding the dungeon, the current challenge is dealing with the 'Fire Dragons.' With the number of people we have, Monica alone can't cover everyone. So, I want 'Dawn Shield' and 'Pegasus Arrow' to take the lead in handling the 'Fire Dragons.'"

Leon, Elio, Jeff, and Cecil tensed up.

They had never defeated a 'Fire Dragon' on their own.

Roland smiled at the four of them.

"Don't worry. Your skills are more than enough to handle the 'Fire Dragons.'"

Roland taught them the tactics and gave a speech before entering the dungeon.

"Everyone, thank you for joining the alliance led by the 'Spirit Workshop.' I'm Roland, and I'll be leading this alliance. Please work with me. The material we want you to collect is 'Flame-Resistant Ore.'"

Roland held up the 'Flame-Resistant Ore,' which had a red luster.

"I promise to buy back all the 'Flame-Resistant Ore' you bring back. We will also give special bonuses to the guilds that perform well. That's all from me."

The local adventurers were puzzled.

Compared to the speeches from guilds they had allied with before, Roland's was quite brief.

He didn't boast about his strength or talk about the future.

No one in the room knew his profession or abilities, only that he was from the "Spirit Workshop" and had a deep connection with the "Dawn Shield."

They followed Roland into the dungeon with some unease.

"Why do we have to accompany the adventurers on the dungeon exploration?"

Wayne grumbled, carrying a pickaxe.

The alliance included not only the local adventurers but also the alchemists from the "Spirit Workshop," who were equipped with basic weapons and armor.

"Wayne, I want to repay Mr. Roland somehow."

Pat said.

He was the one who suggested accompanying the alliance.

"I want to contribute in some way, even if it's just a little, by mining."

"But you don't have to enter the dungeon as an alchemist..."

"It's also a chance for you to strike a blow against the 'Dragon Blaze.' You've been wanting to get revenge on them, haven't you? Let's work together."

"Still..."

"If you have complaints, you can stay behind. You can guard the workshop."

Aina said.

"Fine. I'll follow. I'll follow."

(Anyway, can Roland even lead a team in a dungeon?)

As they explored the dungeon, Monica's 'Eagle Eye' detected an enemy.

"Mr. Roland, a 'Fire Dragon' is coming from the right."

(Right. That's where the 'Dawn Shield' is.)

"Jeff, the 'Fire Dragon' is coming."

"Yeah, I can see it with my 'Keen Eyes.'"

Jeff quickly took position and drew his bow.

From behind the rocks, he could ambush the incoming 'Fire Dragon.'

Elio, Leon, and Cecil were behind him.

Roland also rushed to the scene.

Soon, the 'Fire Dragon' appeared.

The adventurers were startled by the sudden appearance of the 'Fire Dragon.'

"Wow, it's a 'Fire Dragon.'"

"Run, run!"

Before the 'Fire Dragon' could breathe fire, Jeff fired an arrow.

The arrow hit the 'Fire Dragon's' wing.

Angry, the 'Fire Dragon' dived and charged.

Elio remembered what Roland had told him.

"Shield Charge?"

"Yeah, Elio's skill 'Shield Charge.' It's the most effective attack against the 'Fire Dragon' among the skills you have."

[Elio's Skill]

'Shield Charge': C → A

"Skill 'Shield Charge.' It has low killing power but a high chance of knocking the enemy unconscious."

"But the 'Fire Dragon' is flying. How can we hit it with a physical attack?"

Cecil said.

"Yeah, so first, we use Jeff's 'Keen Eyes' and 'Bow Shooting.' The 'Fire Dragon' tends to charge when it takes damage. So, we need to hit it with an arrow as soon as we see it, and then use 'Shield Charge' to knock it unconscious when it charges."

"Hmm. Can we do it?"

"Don't worry. I've taught 'Shield Charge' before. I'll give you the timing when it's time."

(Finally, the moment has come. Can I do it?)

The switch with Jeff was complete.

The 'Fire Dragon' flew low, claws extended, straight at Elio.

"Elio, now!"

Roland pushed Elio's back.

Elio charged at the 'Fire Dragon' with his shield raised.

"Ugh, ooooh!"

Elio rammed his shield into the 'Fire Dragon's' head.

The impact knocked the 'Fire Dragon' unconscious, and it stumbled and landed on the ground.

"Good. Go, Cecil."

"Okay."

Cecil and Leon overtook Elio from both sides and attacked the 'Fire Dragon' with daggers and longswords.

Elio also pulled out a knife and stabbed the 'Fire Dragon's' belly.

"Grrrrr"

The 'Fire Dragon' let out a final cry and fell to the ground.

The area fell silent.

The local adventurers watched the scene with wide eyes.

(What are these guys...)

(They easily defeated the 'Fire Dragon.')

(They're local adventurers, but they're surprisingly strong.)

Roland rushed to Elio.

"Elio, well done. That 'Shield Charge' was great."

"Yeah, it went better than I thought."

[Elio's Skill]

'Shield Charge': B (↑1)

(His 'Shield Charge' is already B. This is a good start. It will make the rest of the exploration much easier.)

"Jeff, Leon, Cecil, you all did well. Did you get the timing for the wave attack? I'll rely on you to handle the 'Fire Dragons' from now on."

"O-Okay."

Leon, still surprised at how easily they defeated the 'Fire Dragon,' responded.

"Alright..."

Roland turned and gave a stern look to the adventurers who had tried to run away.

"I noticed that many guilds are anxious about fighting the 'Fire Dragons.'"

"Uh..."

The adventurers looked uncomfortable and uneasy.

"The frequency of encountering 'Fire Dragons' will increase as we go deeper into the dungeon. You might be attacked by multiple 'Fire Dragons' from different directions. But there's no problem. When 'Fire Dragons' appear, I want 'Dawn Shield' and 'Pegasus Arrow' to handle them. The issue is when the attacks are too much for 'Dawn Shield' and 'Pegasus Arrow' to handle. With such a large group, two guilds can't cover everything. So, I want you to think about what you can do when you encounter a 'Fire Dragon.' I'm not asking you to defeat the enemy. I want you to think of ways to support 'Dawn Shield' and 'Pegasus Arrow.' Can you focus on defense and buy time? Or will you just run and leave it to other adventurers? That's all I ask. We still have some distance to the next rest point, so discuss and report your plans to me by then."

"O-Okay."

"Got it."

The local adventurers, though puzzled by Roland's approach, started discussing and thinking.

His instructions were clearly different from the careless ones given by adventurers from outside.

Leon felt a strange sense of calm as they continued exploring.

(We've improved through training. Jeff's agility has increased, and both Leon and Cecil have higher attack power. It's not surprising that we could defeat a 'Fire Dragon.' But... why do I feel so at ease? I'm not letting my guard down...)

He felt unusually calm, as if he weren't in a dungeon at all.

Soon, another 'Fire Dragon' attacked the alliance from the left. Hans and the "Pegasus Arrow" handled it without any trouble.

"Mr. Roland, is it alright? I haven't used my 'Dragon Sound.'"

The bard Nicola said.

"Yeah, the front line can handle it. I want to see how far the other adventurers can go. Also..."

Roland looked back.

(This dungeon has a return trip. After all this commotion, I doubt the thieves will just sit and watch. They will definitely make a move. I'll save Nicola's 'Dragon Sound' and the rear guard for then.)

"Boring, brother."

Lana pouted.

"The 'Dawn Shield' and 'Pegasus Arrow' are doing all the work. We've just been watching."

"Hehe. It's fine, Lana. Let's leave it to them. Isn't it interesting?"

"What is?"

"Roland's leadership."

Will looked at Roland.

(He dispelled the anxiety that had been hanging over the entire alliance with just one speech and restored calm.

He's clearly different from the adventurers who have come from outside. Is he just a lucky find, or does he have the makings of a great leader?)

Will looked at Monica.

This time, she was just following Roland, showing no signs of fighting.

(Monica Vermare is holding back. She intends to rely on the local adventurers. This is interesting.)

"Roland, the S-class appraiser of the 'Golden Eagle.' Let's see how far he can go."

The alliance, still a bit awkward but unusually united, continued deeper into the dungeon.