Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 345

“Kenji, a former adventurer and merchant.”

Father Nicolo stands up and gives me a piercing look, so I hurriedly stand as well.

“You are a former adventurer, yet you possess great insight and have made significant contributions to the church. It is truly admirable. We have unanimously agreed that the church should reward you for your achievements. It was unanimous,” he says, placing strange emphasis on the word “unanimous.”

Glancing sideways at the faces of the gathered clergy, I think I see a few who seem slightly dissatisfied.

“Therefore, I would like you, Kenji-dono, to demonstrate your skills as a governor in the Isani church territory. What do you think, Kenji-dono?”

“Yes. I will graciously accept.” I reply reflexively, though I’m extremely confused.

What is a governor? Where is Isani church territory? Could a commoner really become a governor? Well, it’s church territory, so is there no problem?

However, it seems I’m not the only one who’s confused, as the murmurs of the priests suggest.

Father Nicolo pays no mind to the public’s reaction.

“Well then, today’s celebration will come to an end. May God have mercy on the earth.” He announces the end of the feast, and the other clergymen make sure not to linger.

“May God’s mercy be upon the earth.”

And with that, the unusual celebration comes to a close.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Somehow, we manage to avoid making fools of ourselves during the celebration with our makeshift etiquette. Now, all that’s left is to follow the instructions and head home.

Today, I just want to have a beer with Sara and go to sleep.

But the moment I see Deacon Michelino waiting for me near the exit, it becomes clear that my simple hopes won’t be fulfilled.

After the political performance, would the political truth finally be revealed?

I have a mountain of questions I want to ask Father Nicolo, so I would have liked to meet with him. Unfortunately, I’m exhausted from the celebration, which had been full of unfamiliar things.

In this state, it would be very difficult to counter Father Nicolo’s sharp tongue.

Or perhaps Father Nicolo has intentionally set up this stage to gain an advantage in his negotiations with me.

I hope it’s just unfounded worry, but lately, it feels like my false image has taken on a life of its own, so I can’t let my guard down.

Following Deacon Michelino, we soon arrive at a room with calm furnishings and a moderate size, in stark contrast to the extravagant banquet hall we had been in earlier. Father Nicolo is waiting for us there.

“Sit down.”

I’m actually relieved that he isn’t using the same unpleasant honorific language as before.

“I’ll leave the territory to you. Do as you like.” He says this bluntly about the matter he had just mentioned.

“Um, why me? I’m neither a noble nor a clergyman.”

“Even commoners are recognized as governors. The territory entrusted to them becomes their own. There should be no problem.”

“I don’t quite understand why I was appointed as governor…”

When I try to ask about the circumstances that led to my appointment, Father Nicolo glares at me and motions for Deacon Michelino to explain in an annoyed manner.

“Kenji-san, you’ve achieved too much success for the church in a short period of time. As things stand, if the business continues to grow steadily, the church will have to pay you a large sum of money. Therefore, rather than paying you in cash, a movement has arisen within the church to grant you the position of tax collector for a certain period of time, so the money can be used to make the payment.”

“I see…”

It’s true that there has been an increase in business with the church recently. The church is wealthy, but perhaps the sudden surge in cash payments has been halted somewhere within the organization.

“Besides, weren’t there various things you wanted to try in the countryside? This would be a godsend.” Father Nicolo says with a straight face.

This person remembered the words he had said back then.