Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 343

Just as I’ve been taught in that quick and dirty etiquette training, I avoid eye contact and approach the table.

My arms are folded in front of me, placed out in plain sight — apparently, this is a symbol of good-naturedness.

Then, from a suitable distance, Father Nicolo calls out to me.

“Welcome, Kenji-san. Please, take a seat.”

Kenji-san! And using honorific language!

It feels so strange to hear Father Nicolo speaking to me so politely that, even though I know it’s proper etiquette, I nearly burst out laughing.

“I’m afraid,” he replies, bending his knees slightly in greeting.

Then, as I walk forward, keeping a slightly lowered posture, a nearby clergyman — who seems to be assisting with the banquet — prepares a seat for me, and I sit down. Up to this point, I’ve done exactly as I was taught.

Once seated, wine is poured into highly polished silverware.

Father Nicolo then offers a verse from the Divine Book, followed by the other clergy around him.

I also offer a suitable scripture in a small voice.

At the beginning of the banquet, Father Nicolo stands up, offers a toast, and gives a speech — something more like a threat than a greeting.

“Now, it is too late to invite Kenji-dono to our holy banquet, considering his great contributions to the church. There’s no need to explain this again to you, who are well aware of the circumstances up to now, but I would like to list Kenji-dono’s achievements in honor of his accomplishments.

Kenji-dono has three major achievements. The first is his contributions as the owner of the workshop. Kenji-dono used his experience as a former adventurer to develop innovative shoes, pioneering the expansion of the human world. The Cardinal was so impressed by his ambition that he even wore the shoes himself.

The second is his contribution as a believer in the church. As a former adventurer, Kenji-dono acted as a bridge between the church and the adventurers engaged in monster extermination on the frontier, seeking ways to treat their injuries. The Cardinal was impressed by his will and ordered the church in town to treat the adventurers.

The third is his contribution to the local community. Kenji-dono doesn’t monopolize the profits he makes from running his workshop but instead gives them back to the local community. As a result, not only local artisans but also mothers and children no longer have to worry about food, and there’s a constant stream of positive feedback. The Cardinal was impressed by his aspirations and asked the Church to similarly extend mercy to poor mothers and children.”

I listen in amazement, thinking there must be another way to say it.

Although it sounds like he’s praising my achievements, he’s actually praising the virtues of the Cardinal, who recognized me — indirectly speaking to the surrounding clergy about his own insight and influence, how he gained the Cardinal’s favor and discovered me.

“God’s Mercy on Earth.”

Perhaps because I’m distracted, I’m almost late for the signal for a toast.

I hurriedly make sure to time my arrival so I won’t miss Father Nicolo’s signal for the toast.

The banquet begins this way, and there isn’t even a single word of lighthearted conversation.

Every statement has a purpose, and politics lurk behind each one.

Generally, the conversation is between Father Nicolo and me, but depending on the topic, other clergy members around us chime in.

One of the strangers inside raises a glass of wine and speaks to me.

“Would you like some of this wine? It was sent to us as a donation from a church in the south.”

“I think it’s a very good thing.”

After I reply inoffensively, the priest casually drops a warning bomb.

“It seems that you’ve recently become interested in wine. I heard you ordered a wine-making machine.” He says this with a smile.

“It was needed in the workshop.”

I want to praise myself for being able to respond immediately with a smile.