Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 163

Priest Nicolo, who initially reacts with a wry smile to the business expansion of the shoes, now turns serious and says, “About the matter we discussed…”

The matter in question, of course, is the hidden fields that have not been previously mentioned. I tighten my expression and wait for Priest Nicolo’s next words. But the words that come out of his mouth are unexpected.

“Just leave it alone.”

When I remain silent, Priest Nicolo continues, “Are you dissatisfied? Perhaps you are. It seems the same goes for the priests. Though it wasn’t mentioned in the report, they were voicing their frustration, saying things like ‘This is the first I’ve heard of it,’ ‘It’s unacceptable,’ and ‘Something must be done.’ But you see, the existence of hidden fields has long been known to both the church and the nobles. It’s been a problem since ancient times, even dating back a thousand years. Since the time when farmers began creating fields and nobles started taxing them, it has been a persistent issue since the creation of the world. To claim you can solve it is a delusion.”

It is an unusual sense of resignation for Priest Nicolo.

Unable to remain silent on behalf of the farmers, I counter, “But if we continue to develop the area, the situation will change. If the church and the nobles invest in the development of the rural areas, and if even the lowest-level farmers can have relatively good jobs, the need to cultivate dangerous hidden fields will decrease.”

Priest Nicolo nods. “Yes, that might be true. For the developed areas, it could work out that way. As human territories expand and agricultural development progresses, the problem of hidden fields will be obscured. As long as the development continues, this may be achievable. However, it will be impossible in areas that are not developed. Poverty in rural areas cannot be resolved, and hidden fields will persist.”

“Moreover, the issue of farmland and hidden fields will not disappear until all land is under human management and all threats from monsters are eradicated from the surface. It is something for gods or great heroes to handle, not for you or me,” he says, standing up and placing his right hand on my shoulder.

“Kenji, you have done well enough. The rural development project will proceed as a core initiative of the church. The priests have grown sufficiently in a short period. Your intention to reinvest the profits from the shoe business into the villages is commendable.

However, revealing the problem of hidden fields that has been tolerated for a thousand years and challenging the policies of kings and nobles is beyond your station. Even I lack the power to do so. You should give up.”

With those words, Priest Nicolo walks away.

I remain seated, looking down at my clenched fists.

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

When I return to the workshop office, I slump into a chair, and Sara makes tea for me.

“How did it go? Was the conversation with the priest successful? Did he praise the training of the priests?”

Since I only told Sara that I was going to discuss matters with Priest Nicolo, she seems to think the report on the priests’ training was the topic.

“Yeah, the report went well. And it looks like we might be able to sell shoes in collaboration with the church for those involved in development. We might be making new shoes.”

Sara’s eyes widen, and she claps her hands in delight. “That’s amazing! I’ve never heard of the church lending a hand before! And making new shoes too! It looks like you’ll be busy!”

“Yes, we will sell shoes and reinvest some of the profits into the villages. That’s the plan—combining the church’s charitable work with our business.”

“Adventurers are often from rural areas like me! I’m sure everyone will buy them! Kenji, you really come up with interesting ideas!”

Even as I respond, my heart remains heavy. Ultimately, I can’t bring up the issues of hidden fields and social status that I discussed with Priest Nicolo. The more Sara expresses concern and praises the success of the discussion, the more I bite my lip, struggling with my own sense of helplessness.