Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 330

“I see, I understand the situation,” the merchant master quickly agrees.

I’ve explained everything thoroughly by then.

First, I mention that Elan’s talent for drawing, which is being wasted in the merchant house, is something we can make use of here. I also assure him that I am willing to offer continuous employment to Elan in order to expand our business. Lastly, I express my sincerity by saying that I will visit his parents to introduce myself.

It seems that the merchant master decides I am a trustworthy person, especially after hearing the last part.

“We had planned to train Elan to become a full-fledged merchant since we took him on, but he has a very strong personality. When he becomes absorbed in something, he can’t focus on anything else. He doesn’t seem suited to being a merchant. I was even wondering if I should have made him a craftsman instead.” That is the merchant’s opinion of Elan.

If you manage people to a certain extent, you probably notice these traits. But in a world where people have little freedom to choose their profession, it’s hard to force someone into a different role just because they’re not suited to it.

As the head of a merchant family, he would have corrected Elan’s behavior and personality, even if it went against Elan’s nature, and trained him to be a good merchant.

But Elan simply can’t stand it. Even if Elan isn’t suited to be a merchant, if he has talent as a craftsman or painter, it’s better to nurture those abilities.

“Do your best,” the merchant master says.

And with that, Elan’s career change is settled without much issue.

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

Next, they head to Elan’s parents’ house, but Elan’s steps suddenly grow heavy.

“Ummm… do we really have to go?” he asks, looking up with a weak expression.

“You have to go! Your parents are worried about you!” Sara insists.

Sara has no tolerance for this kind of reluctance. Having been separated from her own family, she likely finds Elan’s desire to avoid his family incomprehensible.

Resigned, Elan starts walking toward his home, entering the residential area of the second-tier district.

“Well, it looks like they live in a nice place,” Kiriku remarks.

Since Kiriku grew up in this town, he can appreciate the quality of the area. Growing up in a second-class block means one is either a successful craftsman or the child of a small merchant. If someone isn’t, it’s difficult to become an apprentice in such a block. In such neighborhoods, families know each other well, making it less likely that someone would steal from the shop. It’s similar to how I only hire people for my workshop who are acquainted with other craftsmen.

Elan’s family lives on the second floor of a stylish four-story building in the second-tier district. When all four of us climb the stairs, it becomes crowded, so Elan goes ahead, and I follow behind, with Sara and Kiriku waiting downstairs.

It seems Elan has resigned himself, as he knocks on the door and calls out.

“It’s Elan. I’m home.”

Suddenly, the sound of someone running inside the room is followed by a loud bang as the door flies open.

“Big brother?! What? You’re still alive?” A little girl, about Elan’s height, yells from the entrance, then quickly runs to the back of the house, shouting, “Mom! Dad! My big brother’s still alive!”

Left standing in the entryway, I secretly sigh, bracing myself for what is surely going to be a chaotic family meeting.