Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 100

A letter from a noble about purchasing the shoe manufacturing rights. In reality, it carries the same coercive force as an order, but they respond too quickly. I expect there to be a year before business interests become public and cause friction with the vested interests.

Currently, the product should still be a high-priced, rare item produced with artisan skills. Something seems off about this letter.

“There’s something wrong,” I say aloud, and Jilboa agrees.

“Yes, this is not targeting you, Kenji. It’s harassment aimed at me and the Sword Fangs Legion.”

The Sword Fangs Legion has been expanding its influence in this city. Moving beyond just adventurers, it’s now becoming prominent as a city hero. With the vice-captain marrying the city’s major merchant, we’ve become more involved in city politics. Thus, we face political harassment from opposing forces.

Direct attacks on the Sword Fangs Legion might be too risky, so they target the shoe business instead.

Ridiculous.

I won’t let such harassment derail the business.

“Who is this Count Lund? Is he important?” Sara asks. Adventurers usually have nothing to do with nobility.

Jilboa points to the window of the leader’s office and says, “That’s it.”

I shift my gaze in the direction of his fingertip and see the inner wall of a first-class block and beyond that, a large castle.

In other words…

“The Count is in that castle. So, Lord Lund is the owner of this city.”

It’s the worst scenario I had imagined.

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

What starts as a simple report meeting quickly turns into a strategy session. First, we need to prepare to escape. Regardless of what happens next, it’s better to be prepared and have it go to waste than to not be prepared at all.

“Sara, go back to the workshop and pack all the jigs and tools into the cart. Also, take the parchment documents from the office.”

“Okay!” Sara says, dashing out of the Sword Fangs Legion’s office.

“Kiriku, sorry, but could you help me guard Sara?”

Kiriku looks at Jilboa, and upon seeing him silently nod, he runs after Sara.

“For now, I’ll prepare to escape the city. As long as I have the procedural documents, tools, and funds, I can rebuild the business in another city.”

I would prefer to take some craftsmen with me, but it’s probably going to be difficult.

“So, what will you do?” I ask Jilboa, but he just replies, “Nothing in particular. I can’t be flustered by such minor annoyances. First, I need to determine the enemy’s attack targets and their main target.”

Big shots are different. Here I am, nearly losing everything due to these “minor annoyances.”

“The Count is too big a piece to use for harassment. I suspect this letter itself.”

“So, you think it might be a forgery?”

“It may not be a complete fake, but there are definitely suspicious points in its content and format. First, I’ll have a herald I know check it out. Swiberry, your father-in-law might be a potential target. Investigate the opposing merchants and related nobles.”

“Understood.”

“Kenji, you should hide yourself. If the enemy’s goal is to harass me, they might send your corpse as a political message.”

“Even if I tell you to hide… hiding isn’t really an option for me…” Given my condition, I can’t run away if attacked. If I can’t escape, I’ll have to face things head-on. “I’ll stay in this office. I want to see how things develop.”

When I say that, Jilboa looks at me and nods, saying, “Well, that’s fine too.”

I thought things were going a little well, but then this happens.

I just want to make shoes, but I’m on the verge of losing everything due to mere harassment.

This world is anything but kind.