Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 105

Jilboa places his hand on the hilt of his magic sword and opens the door with a click, using one hand. Naturally, I hide behind Jilboa and stay alert for any possible surprise attacks from behind.

The room’s size is similar to the previous audience waiting room, but it has very little furniture or decor. A long, large table dominates the space, and on the other side sits a man with a thin face, resembling a bureaucrat.

Though it seems that only one person is in the room, you never know.

“Well, are you alone?” I ask.

“Yes, please come in,” the thin-faced man responds with an oddly high-pitched and raspy voice, pointing to a seat in front.

As I approach cautiously, still on guard for any sudden attacks, I address him while standing.

“I was told this is the waiting room for our departure, but I didn’t see you in the audience waiting room.”

The thin-faced man laughs with a wheezy, unpleasant sound, as if he has heard a funny joke.

“Well, that’s to be expected. I work here at the count’s place, you see.”

So, he’s one of the castle’s bureaucrats.

“May I ask your name?” Jilboa inquires.

I suspect this man is behind the recent attack. Jilboa grips the hilt of his sword, and the belt buckle makes a clicking sound.

“Oh my, my, my, how dangerous! I’m really, you know, not good with such violence. Yes, ah, introductions, was it? My apologies, my apologies. When stared at with such sharp eyes by Jilboa, the leader of the renowned Sword Fangs Legion, well, you see…”

He breathes out and laughs.

This man’s way of speaking is irksome in every way. Is it some sort of provocation?

“No, no, no. Yes. My name is Roro. I hold a small position here in the castle through the connections of Lord Lund. I wanted to become acquainted with the Sword Fangs Legion, and that’s why this situation has arisen.”

“Is that so?” Jilboa’s voice drops lower.

While Jilboa is handling the situation, I desperately try to think in the background. Roro. This name came up in my investigation. I’m sure he handles tasks like purchasing supplies for the castle.

In terms of a company, it’s like a purchasing manager; in military terms, it’s akin to logistics or supply. In this world, since the military rarely undertakes expeditionary missions, it’s more of a desk job. Financially, it’s a position where one can receive bribes and gifts, so it should be quite well-off. It seems like a job where one needs to handle numbers, so it’s likely a position for someone capable but of low status.

From that perspective, Roro’s outfit, despite his pale face and eerie laughter, isn’t bad. The fabric is quite luxurious, and the accessories are flashy. And then I notice something.

He’s wearing guardian shoes.

Perhaps noticing my gaze, Roro cheerfully continues speaking.

“Yes. Oh, these guardian shoes, they are something, aren’t they? I used to wear stylishly pointed wooden clogs from the Zuium Workshop, but after wearing these, those clogs feel like wearing a box, you see? Don’t you think so?”

Roro seems to get more enthusiastic as he goes on.

“I used to suffer from a condition where my big toe would curve inward. I showed it to the castle doctor, but they said it was just an aging phenomenon. But I’m only forty! Yes. So, I had been searching for new shoes, but none of them were quite right. However! These guardian shoes! They’re great! Yes, very good! My toes that were bent like an old woman’s are now straight, and I don’t get tired walking in them. Also, I can still wear the shoes I put on in the morning and in the evening! They’re great shoes! Revolutionary!”

It’s nice to hear praise for the shoes, but honestly, having it come from this creepy man somehow diminishes the compliment.

“Thank you very much,” Jilboa replies, smiling faintly as he stands.

“And you know, I’ve been thinking! This shoe business is a good venture. It should be spread more! So, how about I lend my support to expand the business? Yes, that sounds good, don’t you think?”

Roro finishes his one-sided spiel and laughs, “Hee, hee, hee.”