Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 222

Deacon Michelino continues his explanation.

“…Basically, almost all the items worn by the Cardinal are gifts from distinguished nobles and great merchants. The remaining garments are traditional items that have been passed down since the era of the gods, so they are off the table.”

I have heard this story before, so I simply respond with, “I see.”

However, sensing my lack of engagement, Deacon Michelino presses on with another question. “Where do you think they are made?”

“I suppose it’s a favored workshop or craftsman of the nobles, isn’t it?” I answer vaguely, but that isn’t enough for him.

“They are top-notch craftsmen from traditional workshops favored by great nobles for generations! Only the best of the best, those who have dedicated their lives to perfecting their skills, are selected. They must undergo magical tests and religious rituals before they can even join the waiting list for the clothes the Cardinal will wear!

If you try to cut in line for these elite products, you’ll be left with, to put it bluntly, shoddy shoes made by craftsmen from a new workshop downtown who can hardly be called top-notch! Do you understand how difficult this is?”

“You don’t have to say it like that!” Sara whispers, looking down at her own red shoes, sulking in anger.

These are the unique red Guardian shoes I have given her, which she loves very much and cares for every day with fragrant oil. Michelino’s words seem to imply that even those shoes are being insulted.

I don’t agree with his assessment of my shoes as shabby, but I am starting to grasp what Deacon Michelino is trying to convey.

The situation feels similar to that of shoes supplied to the imperial or royal household.

It is a significant event for a leader who could become a social symbol to be chosen to wear these clothes for official occasions. I have never experienced anything like this in my previous world, so I still don’t fully understand it.

“By the way, how many workshops in this town have provided clothing and accessories to the Cardinal?” I ask, hoping to clarify the situation.

“There is a record that 83 years ago, the Karvonen Workshop provided shoulder ornaments to the Cardinal three generations ago. There haven’t been any since. It seems that this town has not produced any skilled craftsmen capable of providing clothing to the Cardinal. Moreover, there is an unwritten rule that only workshops that have been in business for three generations can become partners with great nobles, so this is inevitable.”

I take in this information. In other words, for the craftsmen in this town, this is a significant event that hasn’t happened in a long time.

“…Is there any way to withdraw our offer now?” I ask, feeling anxious about the impending situation and potential troubles.

“That’s impossible. Please prepare as much as you can from now on,” comes the merciless reply.

Deacon Michelino puffs out his chest as if to say, ‘Do you finally understand now?’ but he is also a part of this matter, so we are in the same boat.

Somehow, both my head and stomach begin to ache.