Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 359

Claudio from Team B begins his explanation.

“We are honored to have been given this opportunity today. I would like to present the results of our preliminary investigation and our future investigation plans.

Now, we have discussed and considered how to proceed with the investigation plan assigned to us by the deputy.

First, regarding the deputy and his position — under nobility law, a deputy is typically defined as someone with the authority to temporarily govern a noble’s territory in remote areas or when the noble’s head is unable to do so due to unavoidable circumstances. This role also grants the right to collect taxes.

However, since this particular deputy is from a church territory, the situation is different. Under church law, a deputy is someone appointed by the church upon the donation of a present. This position grants them the authority to govern and collect taxes as a proxy, assisting in the dispatch of clergy to the church territories they oversee.

The key difference is that under nobility law, the deputy acts as a proxy for the nobles, while under church law, the deputy functions more as an assistant to the church clergy. In practical terms, this means that when a deputy governs a church territory, they must cooperate with the clergy already stationed there.”

So far, this is just legal theory — something clergy excel at.

It’s an interesting explanation, but Team A’s members don’t seem to follow it well. In fact, I doubt anyone in Team B fully understands it either, aside from Claudio.

He continues.

“The territory in question was entrusted to the management of Bishop Nicolo as a priest. However, as you know, Bishop Nicolo is often based at the central church, so a representative was appointed some time ago. That person was transferred when Kenji was appointed.

We reviewed the predecessor’s documents within our authority and compiled the results. According to those records, the population is 157, with 50 households. There’s no mention of the size of the cultivated land.

Regarding donations, we do not yet have permission to access the tax records, so we are still waiting for authorization. There was also no mention of any major industries of note.

We believe monster damage may be a factor affecting the territory’s management. However, when we inquired with the Adventurer’s Guild, they stated they haven’t received any requests for assistance in recent years. Therefore, we believe there are no significant issues with monsters at this time.

As for our future investigation plans, we believe it’s necessary to examine records beyond our current authority, such as tax documents, and to investigate in coordination with the development plan.

This concludes the results of our three-day preliminary investigation.”

For now, that seems to be all.

Although each person has their own thoughts, they decide to ask Team A if they have any questions before continuing.

“Any questions?”

For commoners, understanding someone else’s explanation and forming questions is an unfamiliar practice. There’s a sense of confusion — as if they don’t fully understand yet aren’t sure how to phrase their concerns.

Just as I’m about to prompt someone, a hand goes up.

It’s Sara.

“Um, I didn’t really understand what you were saying at the beginning, but does that mean there’s a priest stationed in the territory?”

“Yes,” Claudio replies confidently.

“So, if the priest opposes what Kenji is doing, does that mean he can stop him?”

Claudio looks taken aback at the question.

“In legal theory, that’s true.”

“So, what kind of person is this priest? Do you think he’ll cooperate with Kenji?”

“Um… I know his name, but… that’s all…”

Claudio’s responses are starting to falter, so I step in to help.

“That’s an important point. Let’s make his character a key point of investigation. Any other questions?”

It seems they’ve gotten the hang of the Q&A, as hands start going up one after another.

The Q&A that follows leaves Claudio’s team overwhelmed, struggling to keep up with the barrage of unexpected questions.