Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 176

I raise my index finger and begin my explanation while looking into Gooljin’s eyes. “Right now, we have an opportunity in front of us.”

“An opportunity?” Gooljin repeats.

“Yes. An opportunity to capitalize on the flow of money.”

“Interesting. Do tell,” Gooljin says, leaning forward.

Seeing his interest, I nod and continue. “Are you aware that the nobility and the church are competing to pour funds into land development in the kingdom?”

“I wasn’t aware of that. I’ve heard it’s becoming harder to hire people, and the market for adventurers is rising. The shoes are selling well. So, they’re investing money into development, is that it?”

In a feudal society, the upper echelons aren’t very eager to explain policy changes, so it takes time for information to trickle down to lower-class individuals like adventurers.

However, sharp-eyed merchants like Gooljin can catch on to changes through daily price fluctuations and shifts in people’s movements.

“Yes. My point is to ride that wave.”

“What? Are you thinking of starting a development business now?”

It would be natural to think that if land development is trending, one would want to get involved. But I deny it.

“When land development is trending, starting a land development project yourself isn’t the way to go. The ones who make the most money are those selling the tools for development.”

There are many examples of this from my original world. For instance, during the American Gold Rush, the companies that sold durable workwear, like jeans, to the hopeful miners from all over America made the most profit.

“I see. So, what’s your point?”

“So, I’ve established connections with the church. I’ve also succeeded in selling shoes to the young group leading the church’s development efforts. From there, I’ll be selling shoes to everyone involved in the church’s development projects across the entire kingdom.”

“…That’s a big deal.”

“Yes. As one of our company’s backers, I’d like you to support the expansion of the business.”

“Will I have a say in this?”

“I’m not sure. Honestly, I think it depends on you.”

“Depends on me, you say?” Gooljin frowns, looking displeased.

“Yes. This is a major opportunity. It will likely be led by the church. I have the manufacturing technology and connections with the church, so I can penetrate deeply into the business. However, the church already has its own distribution network across the entire kingdom. I might be able to make recommendations, but I don’t think I can monopolize them like I did with the Guardian’s Shoes.”

“…I see. It would be tough going against the church.”

“Also, I want to take this opportunity to significantly increase our shoe production in the near future.”

“By how much?”

“Initially, tenfold in three years.”

When I say this matter-of-factly, Gooljin becomes enraged. “Tenfold? Are you dreaming or something?”

“Is that so? You started from scratch and now lead a group of over a hundred people. Compared to that, a tenfold increase should be no big deal.”

“Adventurers are different from skilled shoemakers who can make protective shoes! There’s no way you can increase the number of such skilled artisans tenfold in three years!”

“Yes, we can. After all, even now we’ve increased from one person to twenty in just a year. Increasing tenfold in three years is certainly within reach.”

Rather than being angry, Gooljin seems dumbfounded by my refusal to give in.

“Are you serious? You’re crazy.”

“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. So, what are you going to do? Are you planning on making the caravan bigger than it is now?” I ask, looking Gooljin straight in the eye.

Depending on his answer, I might end up dying.