The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 106

Chapter 106   Each person’s Intentions

While Laurent and the others were still being chased by Alzea in the “Metal Line,” Lizetta wandered through the city, troubled by the reasons for her recent defeat in battle.

(My “Fire Spear” lost. Why… Why did this happen? I can’t accept it. Hmm? Is that…?)

Lizetta spotted a familiar figure at a street corner.

“Are you Lina Hart?”

“Oh? Is that you, Lizetta?”

Lizetta’s eyes were drawn to the emblem Lina was wearing.

(Is that… the emblem of the “Spirit’s Workshop”?)

“Is it alright, Lizetta? You’ve treated me to so much.”

Lina’s eyes sparkled at the feast laid out on the table. She had been invited by Lizetta to a local diner.

“Yes, of course. Please, eat as much as you like.”

“Well then, I’ll enjoy it without hesitation.”

Lina started eating eagerly.

Lizetta smiled warmly, but her eyes were sharp and observant as she watched Lina’s behavior.

(Lina is a member of the “Spirit Workshop”? This is an opportunity. If I can get some insight into the “Spirit Workshop,” I might find a weakness of Aina’s. And also understand why my “Fire Spear” lost…)

“So, you’ve joined the “Spirit Workshop.” I was surprised. How is Pat doing?”

“Yes. Since joining the “Spirit Workshop,” I’ve been under the guild master’s favor, and my work has been going well.”

“Even back when you were with the “Dragon’s Ember,” you were doing excellent work. Losing Pat was a significant loss for us.”

“Yes, but perhaps it was for the best. Thanks to Laurent, I was able to activate my Unique Skill.”

(As expected, the rapid progress of the “Spirit Workshop” seems largely due to the skill of the S-rank appraiser, Laurent.)

“You’re so lucky. I ended up losing to Aina’s equipment. I was heavily criticized within the “Dragon’s Ember” for that.”

“I’m sorry to hear that…”

“By the way, Lina.”

Lizetta leaned forward on the table.

“Yes?”

“Could you tell me more about Laurent?”

Lina hesitated but began to speak, sensing Lizetta’s intense interest.

“…I see. He uses his appraisal skills to enhance both alchemists’ and adventurers’ abilities, and he’s also good at equipping them according to their development.”

“Yes. Both Pat and I find our work much easier now, and we’ve leveled up significantly compared to when we were with the “Dragon’s Ember.” Even Wayne, who was like a mad dog back then (though he was weak against superiors), is managing things well now.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Let me think… Oh, he was also very skilled at equipment management.”

“Equipment management?”

“Yes. I once accompanied Laurent on an adventurer’s exploration…”

“Accompanied him on an exploration? You were in a dungeon?”

“Yes. During that time, Laurent guided the adventurers on how to manage their equipment and coordinate their team actions. Their skill improvement was very rapid.”

“Equipment management… Could you tell me a bit more about that?”

“Well, let’s see… Ah, I really need to get going now.”

“Oh, that’s a pity. I was going to treat you to a second serving.”

“I’ll accept that.”

Lina adjusted her seat.

In the end, she ended up divulging all the details about Laurent’s work at the “Spirit Workshop.”

By the time she realized she might have said too much, Lizetta had already gotten all the information she wanted.

Lizetta left the shop, satisfied.

(Aina Burke’s rapid growth is indeed largely due to the expertise of the appraiser Laurent. And equipment management… If only I had the power of an S-rank appraiser, perhaps…)

Lizetta sharply focused her gaze on the dungeon.

The roar of the “Dragonhead’s Gauntlet” echoed through the area.

It was certainly powerful, but it also seemed to have a certain emptiness to it.

Laurent, having defeated Alzea and his group, seized their equipment just as he had with the “Winged Dragon’s Torch.”

He returned to the “Spirit Workshop” with four B-class “Dragonhead’s Gauntlet” and ten “Magic-Enchanted” swords and armors.

Aina, who welcomed him at the entrance of the “Spirit Workshop” and saw the equipment, immediately realized that Laurent and his team had won.

Overcome with emotion, she spontaneously hugged Laurent and kissed him.

Laurent was flustered by the soft lips pressed against his cheek and the voluptuous curve pressing against his arm.

“Whoa. Aina, wait a minute?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Aina, embarrassed, pulled back.

The bystanders burst into laughter at the exchange between the two.

“Well, anyway…”

Clearing his throat to refocus, Laurent said,

“Thanks to you, we managed to win against the Quartet. Now, you’re officially the best alchemist on the island.”

“Eh!? The best on the island… Really? I still can’t quite believe it. Haha.”

Wayne was stunned by the “Dragonhead’s Gauntlet” and “Magic-Enchanted” swords and armors Laurent had brought back.

(Seriously? This guy… He actually won against all the Quartet’s equipment. Are you telling me that even when the four of them teamed up, they couldn’t beat Aina? …No, wait.)

Wayne refocused on Laurent.

Despite achieving such great results, Laurent continued to commend his subordinates and collaborators, rather than focusing on himself.

(It’s Laurent. Laurent’s leadership. His command must have amplified Aina’s equipment’s potential many times over.)

At “Dragon’s Ember,” Raoul was diligently working as usual.

The thought of defeat never crossed his mind; victory seemed as if it were guaranteed.

Thus, when he saw that Aram and Liam had returned stripped of their gear, he was rendered speechless.

“What happened to your equipment? Could it be…”

“We apologize, Lord Raoul. We tried our best to utilize the ‘Dragonhead’s Gauntlet,’ but… we were outmaneuvered by the enemy’s terrain tactics, and their armor was unexpectedly tough…”

“In the end, we were overpowered by their unexpectedly high firepower and lost all the equipment we were wearing.”

“…”

Raoul staggered slightly.

It was as though the ground had lost its balance.

He finally managed to utter the next words.

“What about the Master… Lord Alzea?”

“Unfortunately, the Master was injured in the recent battle and could not come here…”

“He asked us to give this letter to you, Lord Raoul.”

Raoul glanced at the letter Aram handed him.

“I am retiring.

Alzea”

Raoul’s hand trembled as he held the letter.

(That old man. Retiring is fine, but… if you’re going to lose, at least come and say something. We paid for it, after all. No, more importantly…)

Raoul shook his head and looked down at the floor.

(Forget about the old man for now. Why did I lose? Certainly, Aina Burke’s equipment is troublesome, but overall, I should still be superior as an alchemist. Why did I lose?)

Raoul felt as though everything he had built up was collapsing with a crash.

(‘Spirit Workshop’—what are these people? What am I fighting against?)

It was a fear of the unknown.

His previous methods were completely ineffective.

He now felt like an apprentice alchemist who had just arrived at his workplace, clueless about where to start and at a loss.

Faced with the stark contrast between his once-glorious career and his current pitiable situation, he was on the brink of self-destruction, barely managing to stand.

“Just what are you all doing!?”

In the office of “Dragon’s Ember,” Medes’s furious voice was echoing.

The Quartet could only stand in awe before Medes.

“You made the ‘Fire Spear,’ the ‘Dragonhead’s Gauntlet,’ and even enchanted equipment, and on top of that, you spent a fortune to hire adventurers, and yet you achieved nothing? Seriously. The moment I took my eyes off, this is what happens. Raoul, what are you doing while you’re supposed to be supervising!”

Raoul remained solemn while being yelled at, but inside, he was seething with frustration.

(This bastard. Acting so high and mighty. If anything, we’re the ones cleaning up the mess you made.)

However, it was also true that they had pushed ahead with their own plans this time, so even Raoul couldn’t retort strongly.

“Since when did we become an adventurer’s guild? Since when did we start interfering in what happens inside dungeons? Since when did we start mimicking a thief’s guild? Raoul, don’t get it twisted. Alchemists are supposed to just make good equipment. Don’t lose sight of your domain by doing unnecessary things.”

Despite his yelling, Medes was secretly relieved.

(Phew. At least I managed to regain control over the Quartet. For a while, I thought everyone would rebel, but I’m saved. From now on, I need to tighten my grip even more.)

“So? What are you going to do from now on? Hmm?”

“Well, that is… um…”

“What? After doing whatever you wanted, now when it gets tough, you have nothing to say? Really troublesome people!”

“…”

“Well, I also thought Raoul’s methods were not right. Too dictatorial.”

Suddenly, Edgar, who had been standing next to Raoul, stepped forward and spoke.

Raoul widened his eyes and looked at Edgar.

(What the hell is this guy up to…?)

“Because, isn’t it true? Everything was decided by Raoul’s single command. Even if there were objections, other people’s opinions were completely ignored. With that kind of atmosphere, it’s natural that morale drops and we can’t win.”

“Raoul. This failure is your responsibility. Is that understood?”

(Shit. I have nothing to say in response.)

“… Yes.”

Reluctantly, Raoul agreed.

“From now on, Edgar, you’ll be in charge of countering the ‘Spirit Workshop.”

“Understood. Leave it to me. I will surely meet your expectations.”

Edgar replied immediately.

“Good! Then, from now on, the Quartet will follow Edgar’s lead.”

(This is ridiculous. Why does it have to be Edgar, of all people? Is this guy out of his mind?)

Raoul looked at Medes resentfully and then glared at Edgar.

(This guy… must be plotting something behind the scenes.)

As Raoul had suspected, Medes and Edgar were conspiring behind the scenes.

Medes, having successfully implemented his plan, was inwardly smirking.

(Phew. I’ve managed to regain control over the Quartet. For a moment, I thought everyone would rebel against me, but I’m saved. From now on, I’ll need to tighten my grip even more. If Edgar is in charge, I can keep Raoul under control for a while. Additionally, by stoking the enmity between the Quartet members, I can enhance their competitive spirit. Heh, I must say, my management skills are superb.)

Raoul could clearly understand what Medes and Edgar were plotting.

(These idiots. Is this really the time to be fighting amongst ourselves? Can’t they see that the old methods won’t work against Laurent? But… )

Despite his frustration, Raoul was still reeling from the shock of his defeat.

Fighting the ‘Spirit Workshop.’

Just thinking about it made his hands tremble and his legs go weak with fear.

(But even so, I don’t know how to defeat Laurent. It’s pathetic, but right now, I can’t win against anything.)

Realizing this, Raoul reluctantly stepped back.

Lizetta silently observed these scenes.

While “Dragon’s Ember” showed signs of internal collapse, the “Spirit Workshop” held a modest celebration to commemorate their victory, and by the next day, they immediately began planning their next moves.

Laurent convened a meeting with the staff, including Dylan.

“Recently, we achieved the remarkable feat of defeating the ‘Dragonhead’s Gauntlet. Through our work in equipment production, dungeon exploration, and adventurer support, I have demonstrated that if we harness our potential and work together, we can even overcome the Quartet. Defeating ‘Dragon’s Ember’ was once a dream, but it’s now clear that it’s not impossible. At the same time, I believe everyone has understood what I want to do and what I am trying to achieve. To support the local guild and make it powerful enough to compete with external guilds.”

Laurent scanned the faces of those gathered at the meeting.

It seemed no one had any objections.

Laurent continued.

“‘Dragon’s Ember’ is inherently an individualistic organization. On top of that, their defeat by the Quartet has shaken their previously perceived invincible status. Until now, we have focused solely on increasing our power, and had no choice but to defend against their attacks. But now, we have the chance to counterattack. We will take advantage of this opportunity to deal a further blow to ‘Dragon’s Ember’ and enhance the ‘Spirit Workshop’s’ strength. To start with, we will plan to recruit outstanding alchemists from ‘Dragon’s Ember’. Ideally, we aim to recruit one of the Quartet members.”