Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 241

On that day, Leather Street in the third district is packed with people, so crowded that it feels as though one could suffocate from the heat of the throng.

Wading through the crowd, a cart loaded with tightly wrapped wooden boxes adorned with fabric decorations parades down the street, flanked by strong, armed men. These men are from the Sword Fang Brigade, a top clan among the city’s adventurers.

Devout citizens offer prayers at the items on the cart, while the curious whisper excitedly to one another. After all, this town hasn’t sent gifts to the Cardinal in over 80 years. The honor of a skilled craftsman is also the honor of the town’s citizens.

The line of people surrounding the items to be presented to the Cardinal stretches all the way to the cathedral, uninterrupted. Thanks to the efforts of a prominent clergyman residing in the city, the cathedral is open to the public at a time it is usually closed.

Though few shout loudly, the citizens accept the heavily guarded procession of gifts as part of a sacred ritual, moving along in a steady stream.

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I walk beside the cart carrying the Cardinal’s shoes, smiling but unable to hide my nervousness. My suggestion to Deacon Michelino is to make the delivery itself a kind of ritual. This way, it is difficult to attack secretly, as the citizens’ eyes focus on the procession, and attackers risk incurring their resentment.

While it might be possible for attackers to blend in with the crowd, it is challenging to break through the wall formed by the Sword Fang Brigade, who are skilled in maintaining formation during marches. Moreover, having the clergy lead the procession means that an attack equates to hostility against the church. If the enemy resorts to dark means like conspiracy or assassination, it is best for us to stand in a well-lit place and fight, appealing to the people for support.

Above all, this approach suits both me and Jilboa.

Thanks to the citizens surrounding us, the procession moves slowly but eventually reaches the square in front of the cathedral. At the entrance to the cathedral, Father Nicolo, dressed unusually flamboyantly and wearing a frown, awaits with the other clergy. The procession naturally forms a circle around us and the clergy as they gaze at the ceremony.

As the person responsible for manufacturing the Cardinal’s shoes, I approach Father Nicolo and kneel at his feet. In response, he raises one hand and begins to recite some words of blessing. When the crowd surrounding us lets out a loud cheer, I look up to see the shoeboxes piled on the cart glowing. Perhaps this is a sign that they have been blessed.

With that, the cart disappears into the depths of the cathedral, pulled by the clergy next to Father Nicolo, marking the end of the delivery ceremony.

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“Phew, it’s finally over,” I sigh as I rest in the office, with Sara making me some tea. Anne, who is in charge of PR, bursts in, looking frustrated.

“Kenji, you’re really stupid! With all this fuss, there’s no way we can get away with this for free!”

I blink at her, not fully understanding. It is true we might not escape unscathed, but the Cardinal’s unveiling of the pioneer shoes is still some time away, so surely we can take a moment to enjoy our tea.

Anne stomps her foot in frustration. “Oh, come on! What you did is the same as shouting to the townsfolk that your workshop is a supplier to the Cardinal! People from the town are bound to flock here!”

When I look outside the workshop through a gap in the office, I see a crowd gathering. I think they are just lingering from the excitement of the procession, soaking in the aftermath.

“…Could all those people possibly be customers?” I ask.

“Yes! So you need to hurry up and think of something to do!”

With that, Anne slaps me hard on the back.