Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 347

“I am appointed as the deputy governor.”

After being released from the series of events, the craftsmen at the workshop, eager to hear the details, are back at the company. Exhausted, I give them a half-hearted explanation.

The reaction is dramatic.

“What?! Sub-captain, have you become an official?”
“You’ve been promoted. That’s great!”
“Well, I’ve always thought you were impressive, but now you’re a government official…”

They shower me with praise without much concern for how it might affect me. Since their words are sincere and without hidden meaning, it’s hard to know how to respond.

That careless commotion is instantly silenced with one word from Sara.

“Kenji, are you closing the workshop?”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

In this world, where media is still undeveloped, the aristocracy are literally people living in the clouds.

Portraits are rarely displayed, so it’s common for people not to know the faces of the nobles who rule their territories.

As a result, whether someone is related to the nobility is determined by their clothing, behavior, and coat of arms.

To commoners, nobles are seen as people who simply collect taxes without doing much, and governors seem to fall squarely within that category.

In short, now that I’m in a position where I can earn passive income without much effort, people probably assume I don’t need to continue working hard on the shoe business — hence the assumption that I’d close the workshop.

“I’m not going to close the workshop. Do you know how much effort I, and everyone else, have put in to get to this point? Even though I’m going to become the governor, it’s only for a few years, and it’s not something I’ll start right away. I’m planning to make the workshop even bigger from now on!”

When I announce this loudly, the craftsmen all look relieved.

For them, finding a stable job that offers a decent salary from a young age along with hot meals is a rare opportunity, and more and more of them are getting married.

Looking back, I realize the burden I carry has only grown.

I know I can’t just do as I please and leave them in the cold. That’s why I continue to do what I must — and why I’ve reached this position.

We can’t afford to go on the defensive just yet.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“But what are you going to do? Wouldn’t it be difficult to be both governor and shoemaker?” Kiriku asks, unusually speaking up about management.

Now that I think about it, though Kiriku treats me like family, he’s also the one overseeing our relationship with the Sword Fangs Legion.

We’ll need to discuss what to do with our major backers, the Sword Fangs Legion.

I’ll ask Kiriku to arrange a meeting with Jilboa, but first, I need to settle things within the company.

More than anything, I want Sara to understand.

Ever since I said, “I’ve been appointed as the governor,” Sara’s behavior has been strange.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Sara, is something bothering you?”

Even when I ask, she just shakes her head and says, “No, it’s nothing.”

I’m older now — I’m not going to say, “I don’t understand what women are thinking.”

Taking Sara’s hand, I ask while looking at her face,

“Are you worried about me becoming a governor?”

“…Yeah. I mean, I don’t think Kenji is capable of imitating an aristocrat.”

If she can say harsh things like that, she’ll be fine.

“That’s right,” I say lightly. “These clothes are borrowed, and I almost tripped over the hem at the banquet. I’ll never become a noble.”

Hearing that, Sara laughs in relief.