Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 62

While Sara studies, I sit across from her with my eyes closed. I need to focus on one thing: how to make adventurer shoes affordable and widespread. At the same time, I need to figure out how to protect myself from predators who flock to profits. I need ideas to solve these two challenges.

First, I need to acknowledge that while I can build a business on my own, I can’t defend it alone. Whether it’s through force, power, or wealth, I’m just a fallen adventurer. If assassins are sent after me, I’ll be killed; if caught by guards, I won’t be able to get out of jail; if craftsmen are bribed, I’m out of options. Therefore, I’ve decided to give up on monopolizing profits individually. I need a team.

In the modern world, this would be called a company. Of course, since there are no company laws in this world, it can’t be strictly called a company organization. It isn’t a professional interest group, so it can’t be called a guild either. Given the high risk of inter-city trade, there might be an early form of mutual insurance-like company organizations, but I’ve never confirmed that.

Anyway, this business needs backing. It’s about having a powerful ally who would make it clear that anyone who crosses me will face consequences.

Currently, the best potential backer seems to be Jilboa, the commander of the Sword Fangs Legion. With the Sword Fangs Legion backing me, deterrence against adventurers would be perfect. Ordinary merchants and craftsmen would likely refrain from direct interference. Considering their recent reputation in town, even regular nobles might stay away. However, as Jilboa pointed out, I have no knowledge of nobility, so this is more of a gut feeling.

At first glance, this plan seems good.

But it is risky. I know Jilboa’s dream for the Sword Fangs Legion: to grow bigger and stronger, and to move from being a hero of this city to a hero of the world. Achieving this dream requires money. If he needs it for the realization of his dream, he might not hesitate to sell out the business. That wouldn’t work for me.

I need to think even more deeply about how to govern the deterrence that a backer will provide.