Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 296

Drawing natural objects exactly as you see them is a common concept and skill for those with modern art education, but it doesn’t seem to be common in this world.

In places like restaurants and weapon shops, there are signs that appear to be for illiterate commoners, but they are simple pictures, more symbolic than accurate. Religious paintings in churches depict abstract human forms rather than realistic representations.

I’m only speaking from my experience with painting in this small town, so portraits in other towns or noble homes might actually depict things as they are. But when it comes to monsters, the Baron’s habit of collecting them and his strong desire to depict them exactly as he sees them are truly exceptional in this world.

“The sketch of this giant bird’s feather is amazing. It seems like you’ve captured even the finest structure of the feather. It must have been a lot of work,” I say.

The Baron seems pleased and replies excitedly, “Of course, of course! At first, I tried to sketch the feather of an ordinary-sized bird, but when I looked closely, I noticed there were fine, almost invisible hairs growing on it. When you touch it, it’s quite fluffy. So, I decided to get a larger feather from the same kind of bird. It cost quite a bit, but I think it was worth it!”

“I see. So, you believe that even though the size of the feathers of large and small birds differs, their structure is the same.”

“Yes. Well, maybe yes, maybe no. I was only able to obtain one feather from this giant bird. Apparently, it’s lightweight and flame-resistant, so it’s been used to make armor and protective gear for adventurers. It’s really barbaric to take something as beautiful as this and turn it into armor.”

The Baron seems deeply bothered by the thought of the beautiful feathers being torn apart for adventurers’ use.

I can understand the adventurer’s perspective—how precious materials are used to craft armor that they trust their lives to. I also understand the Baron’s reluctance to see such valuable materials used for something so utilitarian. So, I just nod vaguely, unsure of how to respond.

After listening to the Baron talk about his collection for about two hours, he seems quite happy and asks me to join him for tea.

Just then, several maids appear from where they have been hiding and quickly set up tea on the terrace. The Baron invites us to join him.

When nobles have tea together, the host typically leads the conversation, but when a noble and a commoner share the table, the commoner is expected to provide the conversation to entertain the noble.

I recall the etiquette I learned during my special training when the Count called me to the castle, so I initiate the conversation. Naturally, we talk about monsters and paintings.

It seems the Baron doesn’t have many opportunities to hear stories directly from adventurers, so he shows great interest when I speak about the ecology of the monsters we encounter during our time as adventurers.

“Ah, so the magic wolves are not afraid of fire?”

“That’s right. They aren’t completely fearless of fire, but when there are several of them, maybe ten to a dozen, they try to drag themselves away from the campfire. It seems they understand that they have the advantage in the darkness of night.”

“For a beast, they’re pretty clever. Their mouths are big, but their heads are small.” In response, the Baron lifts the upper jaw of a wolf’s skull from the table and peers into its cavity, nodding repeatedly.

“There are some big males who seem to be the leaders among the wolves. That one’s head might be a size larger.” I hold the skull the Baron has lifted up between my hands, showing how large it is.

As the men continue talking, Anne and Sara sit next to us, uncomfortably sipping their tea.