Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 240

A total of 20 pairs of shoes are made for the Cardinal. Unfortunately, the clay mold for the Cardinal’s feet never arrives, so apart from estimating the length from the blueprints and sample shoes, we have to make educated guesses.

We create three patterns for the width of the foot, taking molds from the feet of clergymen who live a similar lifestyle to the Cardinal. There are also three patterns for the height of the instep, resulting in nine pairs per set. We make two sets, keeping two pairs as spares—one set at the Saber Fang Corps office and the other at our company office.

With that, we are basically ready for delivery.

After contacting Assistant Priest Michelino from the church, we arrange to meet in a room of the cathedral two days later. When I see Deacon Michelino, he looks much better than the last time I saw him when he appeared quite pale. In fact, I might look worse now, having been holed up in the office for several days.

As usual, I am offered a chair and sit down while Sara and Kiriku stand behind me. Deacon Michelino gives me a suspicious look. Typically, only Sara and I remain in the room, with Kiriku, our guard, waiting outside.

“Did something happen?” he asks.

I inform him that I have been targeted by a magician hired by a noble but have managed to fend him off.

“Oh! Kenji-san, I’m surprised you’re safe. I’m sure there is no one in your household who can use magic, right?” Deacon Michelino seems genuinely concerned.

“Yes. We’re not particularly wealthy or high-ranking,” I reply, “but I’ve confirmed that we have many reliable allies.”

Deacon Michelino looks relieved. “We were careless. I can think of a few names, but I never thought they would go that far…” He falls silent.

I continue, “We were able to fend them off once, but could you please take steps to prevent this from happening again in the future?”

When I ask, Deacon Michelino nods vigorously. “I understand. I’ll work with Father Nicolo to come to an agreement.”

Deacon Michelino is more cooperative than I thought. If it is something like this, I should have consulted him a little earlier.

Perhaps noticing my surprise, Deacon Michelino adds, “Using a magician to interfere with the presentation to the Cardinal is tantamount to showing rebellion against the Church. I promise we will conduct a strict investigation and ensure appropriate punishment.”

It seems the use of a magician has infuriated those connected to the Church. I think the same applies to the workshop that sends the blueprints and samples of different sizes, but this is entirely different. I don’t fully understand their feelings on the matter.

“By the way, regarding the shoe delivery…” I shift the topic to today’s main focus.

Deacon Michelino’s face lights up with joy. “Oh! Are they finished?”

I gesture to Sara, who enters the wooden box and takes out the pioneer shoes wrapped in cloth. “Here is the first pair.”

“I see…”

The pioneer shoes, crafted with great care by Gorgoro, are still standard in design. However, the well-polished and neatly sewn leather, combined with their functional shape and light color scheme, gives the impression of a spirit that is ahead of its time. In fact, they are packed with sophisticated technology that is hundreds of years ahead of the history of shoes.

Deacon Michelino appears more than satisfied.

“These are the spares from the many pairs I made. I have prepared nine pairs with subtle changes in size and shape.”

His eyes widen as he explains. “Oh! Why?”

It seems that people in this world aren’t particularly concerned about the shape and size of shoes. Deacon Michelino has received protective shoes before, and while he likes them, he hasn’t pursued why they are so comfortable.

“In my hometown, they say that the feet are the second heart. A shoe that fits perfectly is like meeting a soulmate. That’s how important the compatibility between actual feet and shoes is. Given my status, I cannot measure the Cardinal’s feet directly, so I have prepared several pairs. I would like you to choose the one that suits him best.”

Deacon Michelino nods as he continues, “That’s quite an admirable idea. So, when will the main body be delivered?”

“That’s something I wanted to discuss with you today. It can be delivered at any time, but I’m worried that if we don’t review our security measures, there might be another attack…” I express my concerns about a potential attack.

“I see; you can’t say it won’t happen,” Deacon Michelino replies, folding his arms in thought. The church doesn’t have a task force, so he must be considering how to protect it.

“How about we do it in a spectacular way?” I suggest.

Deacon Michelino blinks at my proposal.