The Kicked Out S-rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild

10 - CHAPTER X -- THE LOVE OF A GIRL

What is it?"

The elf girl backed away as if wary of the man who had suddenly spoken to her.

She seemed afraid of Roland.

Why would an elf have alchemy skills ......?"

The elf girl then huffed and looked at Roland.

(Why is this man using my skills ......)

For a while, they looked at each other curiously at the other.

'Um, can I help you with my daughter?'

When Roland turned toward the voice, he saw an elf who appeared to be the girl's mother.

She had a youthful appearance, as elves do, and it was hard to believe that she had children, but on the other hand, her expression and gestures conveyed a certain melancholy that is characteristic of mothers.

Like her daughter, she was shy and looked at Roland with fearful eyes.

I'm sorry," she said. I am the representative of an alchemy guild called "Arsenal of Spirits.

Alchemy ......"

I was somewhat curious about your daughter's skills, and when I asked to have her skills appraised, I was surprised to see that she possessed a number of alchemical skills, including silversmithing, and I just had to ask her for help.

I'm at ......, and by that I mean are you an appraiser?"

Yes," he said. That's unusual. I can't believe that you have 'silversmithing', 'product development', and 'product design' even though you are an elf. And it looks like you still have a lot of room to grow.

(This guy ...... saw that much of this girl's skills in a split second when we passed each other and ....... I've never seen such a skilled appraiser before.)

Excuse me, but how on earth did your daughter come to acquire alchemy?"

Here's a little ......"

She scurried around as if she was concerned about the looks she was getting from those around her.

'If you don't mind, I'd like to talk to you in the store?'

The elf's mother said with a bit of a laugh.

It was a smile that you could tell she was forcing herself to laugh.

Roland decided to follow her suggestion and go indoors.

The florist owned by the elf was filled with a wide variety of flowers in all sorts of colors.

Elves have the ability to communicate with nature and promote the growth of plants and trees.

The flowers must have been grown by the elves, as they had a wonderful assortment of flowers.

The store was filled with seasonal flowers and even flowers that should not be in bloom at this time of the year, and it seemed as if there was not a single flower that was not in bloom in the store.

However, the display of merchandise and the way price tags were attached were not up to par, and it seemed as if the business was not doing well.

After closing the store, the elf's mother gave Roland a room in the back.

There she again introduced herself with her daughter.

Her daughter's name is Cheal.

Her mother's name is Sils.

She used to live in the cave of the dwarves when she was a child.

Dwarves?　How in the world?

There was once a war between the elves and dwarves. Our settlement was attacked once, and in the ensuing confusion, the child was taken from us.

Such is ...... the case."

He was treated as a prisoner of war, so he wasn't treated badly or violently, but somehow he learned alchemy from the dwarves he met there.

That's why I have so much alchemy skill ......"

Many dwarves were skilled in alchemy because they lived in caves and made their living processing the ores that could be extracted from them.

If they learned alchemy from dwarves, it is not surprising that they have such alchemical skills.

The dispute with the dwarves was over and this girl was returned safely, but she seems to have been practicing alchemy in secret even after her return.

When Sills said this, Cheal slumped down in embarrassment.

Apparently, it was not considered very acceptable for daughters to learn alchemy in elven households.

I would like her to work in my workshop, if you don't mind.　My workshop is currently looking for a good alchemist. It may be a little complicated for your parents, but if you have such great alchemical skills and qualities, I can treat you as an immediate asset right away, and I will provide you with the same treatment as an S-class silversmith."

S-class ......."

Sills looked a little breathless.

It was a surprise, even to her, to be told that her daughter had that much talent.

It would be a shame to have all these qualities and not put them to use," she said. Please, will you let me hire her at my place?"

I'll have to discuss that with my ...... husband."

The elf's mother, in the manner of an obedient wife to her husband, smiled troubledly and replied ambiguously.

Roland suggested to Thial's father that he let his daughter work in the workshop.

The reply from the elf's father, however, was curt.

No!　I will not allow my daughter to work in an alchemist's workshop.

Cheal's father, Isua, was a typical stubborn old man.

He, too, had a youthful appearance like an elf, but even so, he could never disguise the age that oozed from his atmosphere.

When he was grumpy, the deep crease between his brows revealed the stubborn stereotypes he had developed over the years.

Alchemy is the work of dwarves. I would never allow my daughter to imitate those metal-beaters in that cave.

He was prejudiced against dwarves.

There was a deep-seated conflict between elves and dwarves, and they hated each other.

Isua was rooted in the fact that the dwarves had previously dumped mercury into the forest river in his homeland.

So, with the logic of "if you hate the monk, you will hate the kesa," the elves were also prejudiced against alchemy, which many dwarves practiced for a living.

Roland said that all he wanted Thial to do was silversmithing, not roughing him up, but Isua was not convinced.

He said, "Besides, a workshop is a place of smoke, soot, and bad air. We elves need to be surrounded by greenery and clean water, or we will soon become suffocated. We are starved for clean air in a city like this, and we can't let our daughter stay in an unclean space any longer."

Isua was a merchant from the land of the elves.

Everyone, regardless of nationality, race, or species, came to this free city to trade and explore, but Isua had come here to buy weapons.

Although he has a prejudice against dwarves and alchemy, the elven nation is not immune from wars and territorial disputes, and must rely on weapons.

He was sent to the city, which was a poor choice, but he was able to make ends meet by selling flowers and buying weapons for the elves' country.

Anyway. I'm not going to let my daughter work for you. You need to go home."

Roland left the elf flower shop disappointed.

The next day, Roland had a meeting with Lilianne at the coffee shop.

The next day, Loran had a meeting with Lillianne at the coffee shop.

Lillianne said, looking at the documents Roland presented.

'Yes, please.

'It will soon be time for a new dungeon to appear. We need to have Earthcraft ready for when that happens."

'Do you think you'll be able to conquer more than two dungeons in the next month?'

It's still tough.

Last month, the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" obtained possession of one dungeon, but as for the other two dungeons, they were taken by the "Golden Eagle.

In this town, three dungeons appear every month, but until last month, all three dungeons were occupied by the Golden Eagle.

Therefore, the second-tier adventurers' guilds, including the "Guardians of the Magic Tree," were able to earn money by collecting resources before the "Golden Eagle" conquered the dungeons, by completing quests, or by being allowed to participate in resource gathering after the dungeons had been cleared.

This month, the main force of the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" led by Lilianne managed to conquer one dungeon before the "Golden Hawk," but the remaining two dungeons were taken by the "Golden Hawk" as usual.

It was not unreasonable.

The basic unit of a dungeon search team is 30 people.

GOLDEN EAGLE" has three units consisting of 30 elite members who can withstand deep dungeon exploration.

It was impossible for other guilds to prepare that many units.

Even the second largest guild in town, the "Guardians of the Magic Tree," could only manage to prepare one unit of 30 elite members.

I see. It must be tough for you, too, Lillianne.

Yes, really. Yes, really. The pressure is enormous.

Lillianne looked a little tired.

'Somehow, I hope we can build another main force. ......

...... I see."

Roland replied with a look of absentmindedness.

Lillianne looked wistfully at Roland.

（Lillianne looked wistfully at Roland, "Have you recovered from the pain of your exile yet?)

Lillianne remembers Roland when he had just been expelled from the guild.

At that time, he was just like an abandoned puppy.

Compared to that time, he seems to have recovered a lot.

But Lilianne could see that he was still dragging his feet somewhere.

Lillianne would like to see him return as an adventurer, even though Roland is now supporting her behind the scenes.

And if possible, she would like Roland to create another mainstay unit of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree.

And if possible, he would like Roland to create another mainstay unit of the "Guardians of the Magical Tree.

If that were to happen, it would not be a dream to occupy two dungeons and gain the upper hand against the "Golden Eagle.

She was about to say something, but then she saw Roland's somber expression and held her tongue.

(We shouldn't be in a hurry yet.)

She smiles softly again as she watches over Roland.

(Slowly wait for him to regain his confidence)

Roland, on the other hand, was preoccupied with Cheal, the elf girl he met yesterday.

（I'm not qualified to get involved in the affairs of an elf's family. But that girl is ......)

Roland reminds her again of her skill structure.

It's not just that she has the qualities.

She had an extraordinary interest and enthusiasm for alchemy.

（I couldn't miss that.)

Shall we leave now?"

Lilianne rises from her seat as Roland is lost in thought.

Loran came to himself at the sound of her voice.

（I shouldn't have done that. Lillianne is right in front of him right now.)

Roland put Cheal aside for a moment and returned his attention to dealing with her.

I'll walk you on the way."

Oh, thank you."

Lillianne beamingly accepted Roland's offer.

Lillianne smiled and accepted Roland's offer.　Count Elsen's Silversmithing Fair."

As we were walking down the street chatting and laughing, Lillianne broached the subject.

Silversmithing?　I seem to have heard it somewhere."

(Oh, that's what Mr. Zensu said. Some aristocrat is going to hold a silversmithing fair for his daughter's wedding present.)

I heard that," he said. I heard that a colleague of mine is in a jam because of the fair. He said he's in trouble because Lukius is making unreasonable demands again.

Why don't you enter the "Arsenal of Spirits" as well?

What?　Can we exhibit our products?

Count Elsen is looking for alchemists to participate in the fair, regardless of the guild's prestige or size. It seems that he expects the alchemy industry as a whole to push forward, strengthen competitiveness, and discover talent.

I see. ......"

So why not join the 'Arsenal of Spirits' as well? All you have to do is sign up at the quest office.

Yes, but we have a silversmith at .......

Well, you'll have to think about that later. By the way, ......."

Lillianne smiled wickedly.

'You still can't seem to get out of your corner, Mr. Roland.

?"

A pretty girl has been giving Mr. Roland the hot eye since a few minutes ago.

She glances behind her.

Loran, too, looked in that direction and saw pointy ears peeking out from the shadows of the building.

They were the ears of an elf.

Oh, Cheal?

I knew you knew Roland-san. I'll leave you now.

What?"　But ......"

He wants to talk to Mr. Roland. I'm sure Mr. Roland has something he wants to talk to her about, too."

Lillianne said with a smile that seemed to see through everything.

Loran chuckled.

(I knew I couldn't compete with this guy.)

I'm sorry," he said, "....... I always make you feel so uncomfortable."

No, no, no. If it allows you to concentrate on your own work, it's a small price to pay.

Lillianne suddenly turns serious eyes on Roland.

Lillianne suddenly turned serious eyes on Roland. Only you can do that. Please be more confident.

'Thank you. Lilianne. Surely her talents will benefit not only the "Arsenal of Spirits," but also you and the "Guardians of the Magic Tree."

Oh," he said. That's exciting. I wonder what kind of talent Mr. Roland will develop from that child. I have high hopes for him.

With that, Lillianne bowed and walked away, leaving Roland in his place.

Roland approached the pointy ears peeking out from the building and spoke to them.

What's the matter?　Here in the middle of nowhere."

It was Cheal who was there, after all.

She smiled wryly.

Come here," she said. I can't offer you much, but I can entertain you in my workshop.

Roland ushered her into the parlor of his workshop.

She did not speak for a long time, but when Roland broached the subject, she finally began to talk.

When she relaxed, Roland cut to the chase.

She said, "Chiar, your father told me that he doesn't want you to work at the workshop, but what about yourself? Are you going to try your hand at alchemy?"

When I asked her this, she looked embarrassed, but nodded her head with a small nod.

I see. I see. That's all I need to know. Cheal. The guild "Arsenal of Spirits" would like to officially recruit you as a silversmith. Will you accept?

But your father is ......

I'll be fine. I'll convince him.

The next day, a new house was built next to the elf's flower shop.

The wooden walls were covered with wood ivy and a door made of vines, just like an elf's house itself.

The inside of the house was also uninhabitable.

Everything inside the house was surrounded by greenery, as if it were a forest.

It was a space filled with springs of fresh water and trees growing indoors.

The rooms are always filled with fresh air.

All the plants were purchased from an elven florist.

This is ......."

Isua, who had bought the flowers from the owner of this building and came to deliver them, was puzzled by the room.

It was like their hometown.

In the center of the building, where the spring gushed forth, there was a small wooden desk on which were placed a minimum of metal fittings, including a hammer with a carefully crafted wooden handle, and a variety of silversmithing items.

The elf girl, Cheal, sitting at the desk, is still hammering and bending silver with the metal fittings to create the silversmith's wares.

'Excuse me,' she said. I don't know why. She came in on her own, and I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen.

Roland calls out to Isua from behind his back.

'You are ...... of the ...... alchemy guild.'

I'm Roland.

You built this building?"

Isua had mixed feelings.

It was a state of mind that emerged from two emotions: the feeling that he now had a superior customer who bought a lot of goods from his store, and the feeling that he now had a troublesome neighbor.

Look at this.

Roland shows Isua a number of items made by Cheal.

'These are the things she made in this building.

Ridiculous. There's no way they could have built something this elaborate in a facility that can't even make fire. ......"

She is a silversmith with that much skill. Look at her."

With a hammer, Cheal taps the silver and changes its shape at will, as if she were kneading clay.

The silver is faintly reddish and emits heat.

Cheal was able to manipulate the heat of the silver at will by adding a spirit to the silver.

Cheal worked feverishly with a twinkle in his eye.

(Amazing. I've never seen such high quality silver before. (I've never seen such high quality silver before.) It's so easy to make it exactly the way I want it.

Isua was awed by Chial's alchemy, which exceeded her expectations.

Roland spoke to Isua again just as she finished her work.

Isua," he said. I would never let her work in a dark and airless cave. We will not harm your daughter's health, and we will not make her do rough work such as refining and molding. Please let her work for us in our guild."

Dad," he said. I want to work for Roland. Please. Please forgive me.

Isua flinched at her daughter's devotion.

...... do what you want."

Isua says this and leaves the place early.

His face was bitter, yet somewhat happy.

The next day, highly refined, high quality silver is brought into the "Forest House" in large quantities.

The silver brought in was turned into jewelry such as rings, necklaces, hair ornaments, brooches, earrings, and bracelets, as well as everyday items such as deep and flat plates, spoons, forks, and goblets, and delivered one after another to a warehouse outside of town.

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