Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 311

A few days later, I visit the Baron’s studio with Jilboa.

We are accompanied by guards from the Sword Fangs Legion, but with Jilboa in the group, it’s clear that it looks more like Jilboa and his attendants are the ones being guarded, rather than the other way around.

The servant who guides us at the baron’s estate tells us, “The Baron is working on his artwork in the back room,” so we head toward the large open space we had visited previously.

There, we find the Baron, intently focused on his brush as it moves across what appears to be a canvas.

On the canvas, about half the height of a person, is an image that seems to depict an entire goblin. But it isn’t just any depiction—it lacks the typical skin that would give it its external appearance. Instead, it’s more of a semi-anatomical diagram, showing the muscles, internal organs, and bones in intricate detail.

Even Jilboa, who has seen many strange things, is left wide-eyed and speechless.

I, on the other hand, speak up. “Baron, that’s the monster from the other day, isn’t it?”

The Baron, who has just finished sketching a cross-section of the stomach, looks up and smiles. “Oh, you’re here! We’ve been waiting for you. We wanted to hear your thoughts on it.”

He gestures proudly to the life-sized anatomical diagram in the background.

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“This is a diagram of a goblin,” the Baron explains.

“It seems to be in a rather unusual format…” Jilboa, still looking confused, asks for further clarification.

“Yes! The observation trip the other day was incredibly valuable!” the Baron exclaims. “I’ve never had the chance to see a monster’s internal organs actually moving before! Well, I think I’ve drawn it well, don’t you think?” The Baron proudly points to the anatomical diagram. “And over here—these are the internal organs, and here are the feet. Goblins have very well-formed feet. For such a small foot, they have large, well-developed claws, and the soles are covered in hard hair. This helps them move around on rocky ground without slipping or injuring themselves. See the footprints? I also drew those. Young goblins have thinner hair on the soles of their feet, so the shape of their footprints is different. You can see it more clearly with the younger ones.”

With great enthusiasm, he continues to share the new knowledge he has gained from his observations.

Jilboa and I spend a good amount of time listening to the Baron’s explanations, as he goes on about goblins and wolves—anatomical diagrams, footprints, and close-ups of various body parts.

We find ourselves nodding along, as if on autopilot.

After a few hours, the Baron’s excitement at having his long-held research finally taking shape begins to subside. With a satisfied grin, he shifts gears.

“So, now, about the main reason I called you here…”

I blink, wondering if he is about to brag about the finished drawings.