Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 340

A reception room sits within the city’s cathedral, where only those of high status are allowed to enter. The walls are decorated with religious paintings, and the table is carved from thick wood, covered with brightly dyed, finely woven cloth. The table and a single piece of cloth are enough to buy a house in a second-class block.

Above it are gorgeously decorated candlesticks and tableware shining with gold and silver. The glow from the candles makes them sparkle even more.

In this clearly out-of-place setting, I find myself facing Father Nicolo one-on-one.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“This invitation is impressive.”

Recently, I’ve been teaching Sara how to read and write, and I’ve been entrusting her with handling simple documents and orders. So, I’ve developed an eye for distinguishing things like the quality of parchment and the coat of arms stamped into the wax. It seems I’ve become attuned to what I’d call “special features.”

Even Sara notices that the summons from Father Nicolo is, well, quite different.

“And it’s so shiny and gold.”

The document is made of parchment, but the frame surrounding the text is gaudy, decorated with what appears to be gold leaf. Each stroke of this decoration is likely handwritten, probably the kind of document exchanged officially between nobles.

So, what exactly does being summoned mean?

“The priest is getting serious now.”

Up until now, my relationship with Father Nicolo has been, at best, that of a trusted aide, and at worst, that of a merchant in partnership with him.

Due to my status as an adventurer, I’ve been operating behind the scenes as a trusted adviser to Father Nicolo, the Cardinal’s trusted aide.

By doing so, I’ve managed to create a system and business to support adventurers. Father Nicolo gains power, and the Cardinal’s faction becomes stronger. Everyone’s happy. No one’s losing out.

However, there are forces that would be troubled if we were to succeed.

They are a faction opposed to the Cardinal, rivals for promotion with Father Nicolo, and rivals in my business.

Besides, perhaps I’m too well-known in this town to stay in the shadows.

Personally, I thought I was hiding behind the Sword Fangs Legion, but it seems that’s no longer the case.

“So, what does it say?” Sara asks.

Letters from nobles or high-ranking members of the clergy often contain complicated phrases and expressions, making it difficult to understand their meaning at first glance.

The letter starts with what seems to be seasonal greetings, moves on to giving thanks to God, and includes what seems to be a fable. The meaning of the fable appears to lead to the reason for my summons.

“This needs to be deciphered. Basically, I understand it’s telling me to come, but I don’t understand why. There may be some meaning behind the quality of the letter or the coat of arms…”

Even I can manage to imitate and deal with slightly refined merchants, but when it comes to interacting with the truly upper class, my level of education won’t help me.

While I’m feeling uncertain, my guard, Kiriku, speaks up.

“I can introduce you to the ghostwriting agency my family used to use. There’s a ghostwriting agency that caters to wealthy merchants and nobles.”

So I decide to have him arrange it for me.

“Even the Sword Fangs Legion must have received letters from nobles. Did they ask that ghostwriter to write them?” I ask Kiriku.

“The Captain was able to handle that kind of thing,” he replies.

Jilboa, who the hell are you?