Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 82

“Sara, could you help me with something?” I ask. 

Sara’s eyes widen with delight, but then she suddenly pouts. “I won’t give up white bread for breakfast!”

“It’s not about bread.”

I want to consult Sara because she has a close understanding of novice adventurers. Although I was a mid-tier adventurer for about five years, my time as a struggling rookie was brief, and since I’m not from this area, I don’t have a good sense of it.

There’s also a reason for holding the meeting at the Adventurers’ Guild in the 3rd District. Being in the refined and clean inns of the 2nd District or the well-equipped offices of the top-tier Sword Fangs Legion might make me lose the perspective of rookies who are close to rock bottom.

I need to stay close to their tattered armor, hole-ridden pants, scuffed sandals, and perpetually hungry eyes. If I don’t keep that visual information in mind, I might come up with a plan that misses the mark.

It’s a case of not thinking in the conference room but going out and thinking on the street.

“So, if the rookies’ finances haven’t improved, they probably won’t be able to buy the shoes. What do you think, Sara?”

Sara shakes her head. “Definitely not possible.”

Well, that’s consistent with what I’ve heard so far.

“Do they have lottery tickets around here?” I ask.

As I explain the concept—where many people purchase small-value tickets and one person wins everything—someone asks, “Oh!! Isn’t that like the betting game at festivals where you predict the winner of the competitions?”

There isn’t an arena in this city, but during festivals, there are betting events where people wager on which skilled swordsman will win. I’ve never participated because I suspected it was rigged.

Apparently there are also jousting matches between knights, but you need to be a citizen of the 2nd District or higher to even get in, so I’ve never seen that either.

Well, there might be something similar. People love gambling. Since it doesn’t require special skills, it’s best to assume there are types of lotteries designed to stimulate people’s gambling desires.

“If you could win those shoes with a one copper coin lottery ticket, would you buy them, Sara?”

This is one of my ideas. I want to spread my shoes to novice adventurers, even if it’s just a little at a time. Selling them at a low price is not allowed by the Sword Fangs Legion, and the city merchants which have interests in shoe sales. But an advertising campaign like a lottery makes it easier to justify.

For now, I just hope that there won’t be any regulations like Japan’s Act on Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

“Hmm? You’re really giving them away? I’m not sure I trust such a sweet deal.”

Oh. I’m a bit impressed. I thought Sara would jump at the chance without hesitation. It seems that studying numbers every night was not in vain.

“Also, it might be a bit expensive.” She adds. 

For a rookie adventurer, even a single copper coin is a lot of money. With that much, they could live for two days if they scrimp. They might not be willing to spend that amount on a lottery with an uncertain outcome.

Recently, I’ve become a bit out of touch with the value of money since my financial situation has improved.

“I’ll assign numbers to the lottery tickets. Each person can only buy up to three. On the 30th, I’ll make sure one pair of shoes is won. The winning number will be decided by rolling dice at the Adventurers’ Guild or in a visible place for everyone. How much would you pay for a ticket then?”

“Hmmm… for that, maybe two small copper coins—no, maybe just one.”

Small copper coins have one-tenth the value of a large copper coin. Most street food costs two or three small copper coins.

Hmm. Well, if only one pair is given away on the 30th, I don’t mind if it results in a loss. The advertising effect should more than make up for it.

I want to give novice adventurers hope, not bankrupt them, so I need to be careful with purchase limits.

I won’t take any specific measures against reselling. It’s fine if they sell the shoes they win and use the money for food or exchange them for better equipment. That’s up to them. Besides, it’s not something that can be easily restricted. Adventurers often resort to violence if they can’t get what they want with money. It’s better to settle things with money from the start rather than risk bloodshed.

Next, there’s the handling of reservation slips from those who previously helped measure shoe sizes. It’s best to exchange those slips for lottery tickets before they get resold. I think they’d gladly make the exchange if I put out 30 tickets.

Some clever people might sell them for a high price to higher-level adventurers, but if someone is sharp enough to do that, I’d rather scout them myself. After all, we’re short on manpower.

In any case, I decide to sell the lottery tickets for adventurers’ shoes for one small copper coin each and provide one pair to novice adventurers on the 30th.