Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 375

Paperino continues his questioning. “What exactly is the benefit of going this far? If the sole purpose is for Lord Kenji to efficiently manage his deputies from afar due to his busy schedule, it seems like an excessive amount of preparation. Moreover, considering the resistance this new method might face in the field, along with the extensive training required for us officials, wouldn’t the effort involved be overwhelming?”

Claudio follows up. “I also think this proposed method is groundbreaking. I understand that Priest Nicolo intends to use detailed record-keeping to introduce a new model of territorial management across the entire kingdom through the church. However… just because something is correct doesn’t necessarily mean it will be widely accepted.”

“That’s a good point,” I say, nodding at both of their observations.

This new governance method is undeniably more labor-intensive than the current system.
Of course, I plan to streamline the paperwork and administrative tasks as much as possible to minimize the burden. But even so, new ideas, by their very nature, impose a challenge on those expected to adopt them.

The question they’re asking is: what justifies this added burden?

So, I respond concisely. “The goal of this new system is to record everything in detail and detect issues at an early stage. It has two key advantages: transparency and reproducibility.”

I try to keep my explanation as simple as possible, but it seems some of the terms are unfamiliar to them.

“I understand what you mean by reproducibility—you’re saying it should be a system that can be implemented in other territories as well. But what do you mean by transparency?” Claudio asks.

In this world, the concept of government accountability is weak.
As long as things don’t seem blatantly unreasonable, those under rule generally don’t complain. And even if they do, they’re often silenced by force.
Even priests trained in governance aren’t familiar with the idea of transparency.

“To put it simply, it means eliminating unexplained expenditures and keeping records of everything,” I explain.

“I see,” the priests nod in understanding.

However, Rodolf, a noble by birth, raises an objection. “Aspirations of such high ideals are admirable. But isn’t it unrealistic to assume that corruption and bribery can be entirely eliminated?”

“Eliminating corruption and bribery is a secondary concern. The real goal is to attract larger investments.”

“Larger investments?” Rodolf asks.

Instead of answering directly, I pose a question of my own. “Are you aware that both the church and the nobility have been increasingly investing in territorial development?”

“I’ve heard about it from my family,” Rodolf replies.

“The church has also been getting more involved in investments. Apparently, a groundbreaking report from an administrative official in a certain Count’s domain has inspired the upper ranks to take action,” Claudio adds, reporting on the church’s activities.

“The Sword Fangs Legion has also been receiving more requests to exterminate certain types of monsters,” Luc chimes in.

I look around at everyone’s faces, take a brief pause, and then say, “I was the one who wrote that report.”

“What?!”

The rookie officials stare at me, mouths agape. Their reactions are quite the sight.