Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 144

A month has passed since my meeting with Priest Nicolo, and the time has come to present the method of business evaluation that we promised. We have thoroughly prepared the text for this purpose.

To maintain secrecy from the nobles, we decided to hold the meeting in a church within the second district. The first district is under stricter scrutiny from the nobles, and all entries and exits through the district gates are recorded, making it easier for secrets to be leaked.

For the same reason, Priest Nicolo himself cannot attend, but three of his chosen talented young priests will participate. From our side, only Sara joins as a secretary.

We use a small room in the church as a classroom, with me sitting at a large desk in the front as the instructor, and the three young priests seated in small chairs facing me as students. It resembles a small seminar room.

The three young deacons are all quite young and appear intelligent. However, this makes me apprehensive. They all have the look of someone who has never faced failure. Additionally, they seem to hold a certain disdain, wondering what an adventurer like me could possibly teach them.

In this situation, it is clear that the lecture will likely become chaotic. Therefore, I decided to establish some rules for proper learning from the start.

“Everyone, I am Kenji. While I am teaching, you are all students regardless of your status. If any other relationship is brought up, I will report it to Priest Nicolo. You may engage in discussions with me, but you cannot give me orders. If that happens, I will also report it to Priest Nicolo. If anyone shows a lack of motivation, I will consider it a waste of time and request a replacement. This too will be reported to Priest Nicolo.I believe the future of the church depends on this project. I cannot teach those who lack this understanding. It would be a waste of both our time, so please leave immediately. In such cases, I will not report it to Priest Nicolo. The exit is over there,” I say, pointing to the exit.

They probably never expected someone like me, a common adventurer, to speak so assertively and, from their perspective, rudely. The young priests’ faces turn bright red with anger after their initial look of surprise.

However, since I am still wearing my sword, they cannot just strike me, so they challenge me with a tense expression.

“You–, you…”

“First, please address me properly. That is a matter of courtesy in discussions.” I take the initiative to correct their rudeness. If dealing with Priest Nicolo was like a high-level sword fight, what I am doing now is a low-level brawl, but I cannot afford to lose.

“…I am Clement. I serve as a deacon under Priest Nicolo.”

“Then, Deacon Clement, What is your concern?”

“You…”

“Please correct that to ‘you are.’ Isn’t that the proper etiquette for learning from each other?”

Clemente, his face reddened with anger to the point where it almost looks black, manages to squeeze out his words.

“…I heard that you prepared the report delivered to Priest Nicolo. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that is correct. Although, it seems that was a copy of the report.”

“I also heard that you devised those strange symbols represented by sticks and circles. Is that true?”

“I did not invent them; they were used elsewhere. Is there a problem with that?”