Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 250

No matter what dissatisfaction I harbor within me, Father Nicolo seems to have no intention of considering it as he is busy.

“Kenji, regarding the Cardinal’s unveiling,” he says.

“Yes?”

“There are many priests from other towns who wish to participate.”

“Excuse me?”

“Can you prepare for that?”

Though his words lack explanation, it appears that there are many requests from priests in other towns to participate in the unveiling of the shoes under the pretense of requesting cooperation for a development project involving the local priests.

“A gathering of that many people…”

“That’s right. It will be held here, in the Cathedral.”

This is no longer just a private briefing or unveiling as part of a political maneuver within the church. It’s a church festival, a gathering of a scale that qualifies as an official ceremony.

“Why such a thing?”

“Well, it seems the rumors have been a bit embellished. I suppose all the churches are eager not to miss out on the trend.”

Father Nicolo says this matter-of-factly, even though, no matter how you look at it, he is probably the one who embellishes the rumors and suggests that they will miss out if they don’t align with his faction. Yet, Father Nicolo says it nonchalantly.

“How many do you need, and by when?”

Father Nicolo knows I have no influence over how the ceremony is organized at that scale. What he needs is to increase production of the Pioneer Shoes for the Cardinal’s patrons.

“300 pairs by February 2,” Father Nicolo says.

I quickly calculate in my head. If we limit production to the guardian shoes and focus on the production of pioneer shoes, it’s a number we can manage.

“How does that sound?” Father Nicolo is impatient and expects a quick response.

“It can be done.” That is my initial reply. At this stage, saying it can’t be done is out of the question. “There are two issues we need to resolve.”

However, it isn’t something I can just agree to unconditionally. Father Nicolo understands that much. Agreeing without first understanding the conditions is something only a desperate salesman would do.

“The first issue is the cost. The raw materials for three hundred pairs will be quite expensive. Please consider making partial payments.”

First, I address the cost. In reality, I have already reduced the manufacturing costs to the limit, so the cash flow issue is resolved. However, the higher-ups often mistakenly believe that they can order subordinates to live on air.

Even if our funds hold out, I can’t take on work that would starve the workshop or the craftsmen. Negotiating payment terms is also the obligation of a contractor taking on a large job.

“Very well. What’s the second issue?” Father Nicolo, who likely manages the funds for the Cardinal’s faction, understands quickly.

The previous exchange is more of a warning to the clergy under him than a discussion with Father Nicolo himself.

“The second issue is the shoe sizes. I would like to request permission to measure the foot sizes of the priests in this town in advance.”

When producing shoes for the Cardinal, I have previously measured the foot shapes of the clergy for reference, but they are quite different from the adventurers who wear the guardian shoes we have made so far. They almost seem like a different race altogether.

Specifically, the feet of the clergy are longer and thinner, with lower arches and narrower toes compared to adventurers. Additionally, the instep tends to be somewhat lower as well.

In other words, the foot shape data that the company has accumulated for the guardian shoes is useless.

Therefore, I need to collect as many samples of the clergy’s foot shapes as possible and create a standard model for pioneer shoes aimed at the clergymen.

“I see. If it’s just for the clergy in this town, I can grant permission immediately, but will that also be useful for those from other towns?”

I could have explained the concepts of statistical sampling and standard deviation, but since a straightforward answer is required, I rephrase my response.

“People have body quirks based on their professions. I’ve heard that bakers’ hands are large from kneading dough, and skilled archers have different arm lengths. Similarly, feet have quirks too. By examining the feet of many priests and understanding their quirks, we can create more comfortable shoes.”

“Hmm. That’s quite an interesting point.”

From my brief explanation, Father Nicolo seems to grasp the underlying reasoning, and his gaze sharpens.

However, it appears that time is of the essence. He turns around and gives some instructions to Deacon Michelino before returning to the meeting.

For now, it seems he is saying that since the matter is settled, I can go home.