Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 233

“Isn’t there anything we can do? But, but…” Sara, with tears in her eyes, presses me for answers, and I have to stop her.

In the daytime office, I am concerned about the people around us.

“Well, calm down. What we’ve been discussing is just a worst-case scenario. The nobles might try to sabotage us, and they might employ magicians. I’ve stacked up several hypotheses: that the nobles’ information gathering and analysis is perfect, and they’ll be targeting me. However, the information about the cardinal wearing the pioneer shoes shouldn’t have spread that far.”

Even as I try to reassure Sara, I am not entirely convinced myself. I have asked several workshops to send me blueprints and actual shoes to find out the Cardinal’s foot size, so those with good intuition might notice that something is amiss. I hope that Father Nicolo and Assistant Priest Michelino are disguising the purpose and destination of their deliveries well enough. I should expect that much ingenuity from them since they’ve survived the power struggles within the church.

However, even if the probability of such a scenario is low, it is necessary to prepare for the worst-case scenario. That is what crisis management is all about.

“Well, for example, I do this.” After closing the door to my office, I take out my sword sheath and swing it around at waist height, parallel to the floor, toward empty space. I repeat this several times, then turn to the stunned Sara.

“Even if they use magic to make themselves invisible, that doesn’t mean they disappear. If I check when entering the room like this, at least the room itself will be safe. Well, it’s just reassurance.”

I then combine a piece of metal and a leather cord from my desk to make a makeshift rattle.

“Hang this on the opening and closing parts of the door or window of the office or workshop. If it rings and there’s no one there, that’s proof that someone has broken in. Then I’ll swing the stick around. If I can just make them visible, the guards from the Sword Fangs Legion should be able to handle it.”

I place the makeshift rattle on the desk and turn to Sara. “Next, we need to address the situation if our thoughts are misled. All we can do is keep an eye on each other. If there’s anything strange about someone’s behavior, we need to ask them about it and confirm it. I hate to say it, but we have only a short time until the unveiling, so we need to bear with it.”

Up to this point, we discuss how to strengthen the defenses of the office. If possible, we should also establish another line of defense outside.

“Next, we could request cooperation from the folks in Leather Street. If there are any unfamiliar outsiders, they should let us know.”

As I say this, Sara asks me a question. “But you don’t know what the other person’s face looks like, right?”

I answer, incorporating some speculation. “Yeah. But I’ve heard that magicians have been training in magic since childhood and don’t focus much on physical training. Compared to the adventurers and the folks in Leather Street, they’ll likely have a thinner appearance. Plus, those who make a living off killing tend to have a distinct darkness about them. A magician retained by the nobles should be wealthy, and their appearance would be decent. If a thin, dark-eyed outsider with a somewhat decent appearance enters Leather Street, they’ll definitely stand out. Normally, they wouldn’t just show up for an assassination. They’d probably come a few times for reconnaissance. After all, they can’t cast that magic spell that makes them hard to see on everyone they pass on Leather Street.”

“Well then, let’s start making rattles tonight. But first, it’s time for dinner. What do you want to eat?” I ask,

She blushes slightly and says, “I want to say white bread, but it’s not possible at this time of day. Let’s ask the lady next door to make some stew!”