Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 204

I can’t leave Father Nicolo’s doubts unanswered, so I explain the effect on the project frankly.

“That’s the cost of having the church’s seal of approval stamped on the pioneers’ shoes. This allows the shoes to be widely recognized as contributing to the development project and improving the lives of farmers. We hope adventurers and church members compete to purchase them.”

However, Father Nicolo is not convinced. “I see. But that’s not all, Kenji. If the seal makes the shoes more popular, merchants in the city likely compete to get the seal as well.”

“That’s right. I want those merchants to participate in the project and support rural areas.”

“But it won’t be that simple. There will be those who bypass the church entirely—people who neither ask for approval nor give donations, yet still manage to use the seal.” Father Nicolo’s point is valid.

“That could happen,” I admit.

“Hmm. And if it does, it would be a problem.”

“Yes, it would. People should be equal before God.”

“That’s right. There must not be those who attach the same mark to their goods while some make donations and others do not.”

“You’re right.”

“Is that your reason?”

“…Yes.”

“Are you planning to use the church as a watchdog? That’s completely godless.” Father Nicolo finishes with a wry smile. “But Kenji, this system definitely has great potential for the church’s future. Don’t you agree?”

Father Nicolo realizes the substantial profits that this method can generate. It’s clear that those profits far exceed the issues surrounding my shoe business.

“Yes. If we handle this system carefully, I’m sure it will greatly assist the Cardinal,” I reply.

It will also increase Father Nicolo’s influence, but there’s no need to mention that.

“So, why do you consider having another organization manage it? Why not the church?”

From Father Nicolo’s perspective, he wants to keep it under his jurisdiction, so it’s natural for him to seek an explanation, and he likely appreciates being told the reason.

I choose my words carefully as I respond. “I believe the church’s management methods aren’t suited to this new approach.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it would be difficult to manage a diverse group of merchants who want to use the mark on their products.”

“You mean that in a large organization like the church, management can be lax, making it easier for unscrupulous individuals to arise?”

“It’s hard to say definitively, but I think this is likely true for both merchants and the managers.”

“I see. So it’s unavoidable, then.”

“That’s why it needs to be a nimble organization capable of actively and flexibly changing its rules.”

“It seems you have a solid vision of the overall structure for that organization.”

I nod and present him with the rolled parchment. “This is a draft for the organization that will manage the profits.”

Father Nicolo quickly unfurls the parchment, reads it in a short time, and then rolls it up again. “…So, it states that the financial details will be made public and that bribery is not allowed. Kenji, it’s truly a shame that you are not a priest.”

“Thank you.” I bow my head as I say this.

Thus, a new department is created within the church to manage its brand, with the pioneer shoes becoming the church’s first product to generate income through this church brand.