Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 207

I continue my explanation to Deacon Michelino. “Yes. I believe the church’s seal this time represents a promise to support pioneering efforts. Since we agree with that promise, we donate a certain percentage of the sales from the pioneers’ shoes to the seal management department.”

“Hmm. I understand the reasoning. A promise… Indeed.”

“And I believe that products or businesses that go against this promise should not be allowed to use the church’s seal. For example, jewelry aimed at nobles that has no direct relation to pioneering, or lavish ceramics, shining knightly armor, and robust warhorses—no matter how much donation is given, the mark should not be permitted for these. This is what I mean by limitations. A promise without limitations is not a promise. It’s the same as rules without penalties being powerless as a law.”

“Rules without penalties are powerless as a law…”

“Once we start implementing it, similar to applying laws, there will undoubtedly be many cases where we’ll hesitate about how to apply the law, just like in legal matters. For instance, while an axe used for logging in the pioneering area may be permitted to bear the mark, can an axe used in combat by adventurers also have the mark? What if a noble funding the pioneering effort wants to put the mark on a carriage? Many such scenarios can be imagined. We need to establish certain criteria to accumulate examples of judgments regarding the approval or disapproval of mark usage.”

Deacon Michelino appears astonished by my explanation. “….That sounds almost like being a judge, isn’t it?”

“Exactly. The attitude required for managing the seal is of the same nature as that of a judge. And since the authority of the law is given by the power and fairness of its application, I believe that the management of the seal also requires careful operation and accumulation of cases based on promises and limitations.”

After I finish speaking, Deacon Michelino lets out a deep sigh. “This seems to require a considerably greater commitment than I had anticipated. It’s no wonder that Father Nicolo was happy to send me off.”

I point out to Deacon Michelino an even more troubling picture of the future. “That’s right. I believe a commitment is necessary. Once the system starts, various interferences and political dynamics will come into play. This is because it has the potential to generate significant revenue. However, that means we must establish clear operational principles from the beginning. Otherwise, there could be individuals selling ineffective talismans under the pretext of the church’s finances being in decline, which would ruin the church’s authority and system.”

Deacon Michelino doesn’t seem to agree with my point. “You can’t seriously believe that such a disrespectful person would emerge…”

“No, it’s entirely possible,” I assert firmly. I won’t allow anything resembling the sale of indulgences that happened in my original world. Such loopholes in the system must be closed. I’ll patch up any vulnerabilities in the system now. “People and organizations are susceptible to temptation. Therefore, we must establish clear rules from the outset and ensure the fairness of the operation. Additionally, the results must always be made public to maintain the organization’s transparency.”

“Kenji, you seem quite particular about organizational transparency.”

“Of course. For adventurers and merchants, their earnings are equivalent to life itself. Since we will be receiving their donations, the seal management department has an obligation to inform them of that. This attitude will generate the next round of donations. Poverty is power, isn’t it?”

When I recite a passage from a holy scripture that I have heard, Deacon Michelino chuckles wryly. “Goodness, I can’t keep up with you.”

Thus, Deacon Michelino and I reach an agreement and understanding, though the other members of the meeting are left gaping.