Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 161

After spending several days in the village, repeating the cycle of conducting surveys during the day and discussing at night, we return to the city church.

During our stay, it seems Sara visited the tenant farmer’s home multiple times, and the children who had grown attached to her waved goodbye tearfully. Although it was only a few days, it appears to have had a significant impact on the feelings of the deacons.

On the way out, the complaints about walking and meals that had been voiced on the way there were completely absent on the return journey.

“These shoes you provided are quite something,” Deacon Michelino says as we walk.

The shoes I gave to the deacons had clearly contributed to their investigative efforts. While traveling to and from the rural village, and even within the village where major roads often diverged into overgrown areas or rocky terrains, they had ventured into such places during the survey. Thanks to the shoes, they could step into these areas without hesitation and without injury.

“Yes, they are made for adventurers who walk and fight in the wild,” I reply.

Perhaps because the survey is over and they are mentally more at ease, the deacons are finally able to appreciate the support they received.

“I will recommend to Priest Nicolo that future developers purchase these shoes,” Deacon Michelino says.

I am somewhat thrown off balance by his statement, even though targeting that demand was my intention.

“What brought this on suddenly?” I ask.

“You could use that revenue to hire the children from that village, couldn’t you?” he replies.

I hadn’t really thought about it before, but is this about using part of the sales from these shoes for charitable activities, such as promoting employment for underprivileged children?

If one plans to do business with the church, such an approach might indeed be effective.

In our company’s workshop, we need to disclose sales and profits to shareholders like the Swordfang Brigade and inter-city merchants, so we keep thorough records. Partnering with the church and running a charitable campaign with a portion of the shoe sales is certainly feasible and would likely enhance the image of our protective shoes.

While the protective shoes are designed with sturdy leather at the toes for combat, it might be time to start offering slightly lighter versions. This wouldn’t be a low-cost version but rather functional footwear, helping us expand our product line for novice adventurers without diminishing the brand’s image.

In this direction, the profit-sensitive shareholders would probably not oppose it, and it wouldn’t threaten the interests of the nobles.

Noticing my sudden silence as I pondered, Deacon Michelino peered at me with curiosity, so I hurriedly thanked him.

“No, this is very helpful. Please, go ahead with it. I will also discuss this with Priest Nicolo.”

“I—I see. I’m honored by your words,” he replies, somewhat taken aback.

As I walk and continue to consider the details of the campaign I just thought of, Sara calls out to me.

“Kenji, you look like you’ve had a revelation.”

Indeed, now that she mentions it, I feel significantly more uplifted.

In recent days, I have been completely overwhelmed by the realities of rural life, realizing the limits of what I could do. But if I focus on the shoe business I am involved with, there are countless ways to contribute, just like with a charitable campaign. That’s probably why I feel this way.

Imitating the nobility and clergy of this world and trying to find answers within the same rules won’t yield results. I need to change the rules. That’s what I tell myself as I continue walking.