Twilight Alchemist 17

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17. You Just Need To Get The Things You Want, Isn't It?

The pioneering efforts began and about half a year passed.

"It's about time... the right timing."

Led by Raidoc's adventurer party, there were now around 10 to 20 parties stationed. 

The circulation of magic stones was also smooth. 

The Adventurers Guild buys them at the standard price and sells them to the production guild at the contracted price. Using the funds from Golden Dawn Village's pool, we allocate them to magic stones and process them into finished products. 

The amount of potions flowing outside the village significantly gets reduced.

Rumor has it that they're already fetching a premium price. 

Essentially, we prioritize distribution or sales to the village residents and adventurers active in the village. 

Thanks to adventurers bringing in various monster materials, the planned new items were already completed.

"Leafan. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"You mentioned before that you wanted to go for ore exploration and extraction, right? I think now might be a good time."

"Yeah, that's right. The price of iron ore has also gone up..."

"It's because there are only a handful of merchants coming to this pioneering village."

"That's unavoidable. Few merchants are willing to come all the way to the pioneering village."

"Well, we can consult with the Commercial Guild about that soon."

"Yeah."

"But, about the ore. Leafan, I want you to come for this."

"Of course, but... oh, right! Hard Forging Oil and Sharpness Oil!!"

"That's right. Have all the pickaxes made with hand-forged iron. And make sure to apply plenty of sharpness, of course."

"Yeah! I think that'll work!"

"Not only that, I have another thing prepared."

"...Craft-kun? No secrets, okay?"

"Yeah, I know, but... I haven't tested it yet. Let me unveil it during the test at the site."

"I have a bad feeling about this."

"Rude."

Alchemy was quite difficult to make even with a lot of effort.

◆

"Craft, thanks for the request."

"I just chose the most outstanding party currently stationed."

"The request fee is low, but if they say they'll reward with Healing Potions, Cure Potions, and Sharpness Oil, they'll drop any other request to come."

"Haha. Right now, we're mostly making profits from monster subjugation and magic stones."

"Caught red-handed, huh?"

"You bet."

Raidoc and I exchanged fist bumps.

"So, who are the escorts?"

"Me, Leafan, and Jitaro."

"For some reason, he insisted on coming, so I let him join us."

"...Bandits?"

"Yeah, I said it."

"What!? Adventurer-san, that's not good!"

"Sorry, Jitaro-san. I thought you were doing it on purpose."

"What!?"

He had no clue!

"Haha, just kidding. I've seen you use a bow at the village's training facility. You'll be fine."

"Don't scare me like that. It's my life we're talking about."

"Easy there."

"Alright, let me introduce myself. I'm Raidoc, the leader of the party. I'm a swordsman with the emblem. And this unpleasant-looking lady here—"

"Do you want to die, Leader?"

"—is our very tough lady. She's Soral, a ranger with the emblem."

"Pleased to meet you."

"Long time no see, Soral. I've seen your face occasionally in the village, but we didn't get many chances to talk. Glad to see you."

"I've been busy, so there hasn't been much time to chat. Nice to meet you."

"You can rely on her. I've asked her."

"Yes."

Soral and I used to be in a party together. 

I had a bit of a crush on her, but I could tell she liked Raidoc, so it ended as an unrequited love.

"And the skinny guy over there is the priest, Bepp."

"Nice to meet you, Craft-san."

"Yeah, good to see you're doing well."

Bepp, in slightly pale priest-like armor, bowed his head. 

He's also a member who used to be in the party. 

He became an adventurer due to family circumstances despite being a valuable priest. His personality is compassionate, fitting for a priest.

"And the dark-skinned guy is Bardock the mage. He doesn't have an emblem, but he's quite skilled. He's also our brain."

"Counting on you."

"Yeah."

He must have joined after I left the party. 

He's a first-time encounter. Dark-skinned and lean, but with a solid build. 

I wonder how much he struggled to use magic without an emblem. Although it might be easier to learn magic without an incompatible emblem, it's still impressive.

"And the big guy over there is Moda, the warrior. No emblem, but his strength is extraordinary, making him quite powerful. His only flaw is that he's quiet, and doesn't talk much."

"..."

"Oh, yeah, nice to meet you."

He silently reached out for a handshake, so I shook his massive hand in return. 

I see. Without an emblem, he may not have high expectations for techniques, but as a pure muscle-powered fighter, he's probably quite powerful. 

He's also a first-time encounter.

"If you have any luggage, feel free to tell me. I can store as much as you need."

"You've really changed, Craft."

"Yeah. Don't be too reassured just because you have an emblem."

"Maybe I should have you check my compatibility next time?"

"I think Raidock is perfectly fine."

"Haha. I think so too. Well, let's get going. As for the guide..."

"I'll do it!"

"Thanks, Leafan. Alright! Departure!"

"Ooh!!!"

And so, we entered the forest.

◆

Deep within the poorly lit forest, we progressed.

Along the way, we encountered goblins, orcs, and giant spiders.

But Raidock's party handled them all skillfully. It was a brilliant coordination.

"Is it okay if we take the rights to the magic stones and materials the adventurers defeat, as usual?"

"Yeah, of course."

The rights to monsters defeated by the escorting adventurers belong to those adventurers. 

Taking that from them, especially when their rewards are already low, could lead to war. 

However, since merchants like to claim rights, it's good to confirm just in case. 

We can sell the magic stones bought by the Adventurers Guild to this village's guild, so the magic stones and materials are enough.

"Ugh, unlimited Stamina Potions make it so easy."

"Yeah. Having unlimited shots with skills is the best."

"If magic could be shot unlimitedly, we could provide more support."

Hearing Bardock's words, I took out a small bottle.

"Well, let's give this to Bepp and Bardock then."

"What's this?"

"Mana Potion. It's a magic power medicine."

"What!?"

It's natural for Bardock to be surprised. Mana Potions are quite expensive.

"I can't give you a large amount, so it's for emergency use."

"Is it okay? To receive..."

"Yeah. Make good use of it."

"I promise."

For priests and mages, magic power is their lifeline. It's good to give them something for emergency use. 

Since a large amount can't be produced due to the large amount of magic stones required for production, it's not available in the market. 

However, its quality is still 'legendary', so its effect is exceptional.

"With this, we could defeat a Cyclops-class monster even if it appeared."

Can you stop raising weird flags?