Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 108

With the commotion over the noble visit finally over, we return to a peaceful routine. Now, I can focus on expanding my business. Or so I think, but…

“What’s wrong, Kenji?”

“We don’t have any money,” I reply, glaring at the ledger. No matter how much I glare, the numbers in the ledger don’t increase.

“Really? But we were making a huge profit not long ago! We had lots of orders from the nobility!”

Yes, we did. And we made a profit. But that profit has been nearly exhausted due to the recent commotion and countermeasures. On top of that, the workshop was halted, so there’s no immediate influx of cash.

“So, what are we going to do? Maybe we could sell the rights to the shoes or something?”

“That’s one option.”

“Or we could borrow from Jilboa or Swiberry’s father-in-law?”

“That’s another option.”

So, it’s not like we’re facing bankruptcy or anything, but it’s still frustrating. If that thin-faced Roro hadn’t caused trouble, we wouldn’t be in this situation…

Just as I think of that, a little prank crosses my mind.

“Sara, let’s head to the Sword Fangs Legion.”

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

Upon hearing my plan, the first to stand up is Swiberry. “This sounds interesting. I’m on board.”

Jilboa is deep in thought, likely weighing the risks and rewards of the plan.

Honestly, I think the returns from the Sword Fangs Legion are minimal. So, it surprises me that Swiberry is on board.

“So, is the preliminary information accurate?” I ask. Since the plan is based on the information I’ve gathered, it’s natural to want to confirm it. I’ve spent quite a bit on this information myself and am confident in it.

“Um… is this really going to be okay?” Sara asks worriedly. It’s understandable for a typical adventurer to be concerned.

However, apart from Sara’s concern, the other members of the Sword Fangs Legion around me are excited.

I stand up and shout, “Alright, let’s go sell them together!”

◇　◇　◇　◇　◇

As dawn breaks, the men advance through the streets. The surroundings are still dimly lit, so details are unclear. There are about twenty of them, perhaps.

Each one is rugged, large, and equipped with well-used armor, glossy black boots, and large weapons such as axes, spears, and crossbows. They clank and clatter as they walk.

When the group reaches the front of a large mansion in the Second District, they come to a precise halt, showing their well-trained discipline.

One man steps forward and shouts loudly at the mansion.

“Roro-sama! We’ve come to sell shoes!”

“““We’ve come to sell shoes!””” The large number of armed men chant and stomp their feet.

The once-quiet mansion erupts into a panic, and the gate guards run out in a flurry.

“Wh-what’s going on? At this early hour?”

I step forward to respond. “We made a promise at the castle the other day. We’ve come to sell shoes.”

“““We’ve come to sell shoes! Let us through! Let us through!”””

The Legion members find it amusing and bang their weapons against their shields while stomping their feet. Some even swing their crossbows around.

The guards, panicking, scramble to escape into the mansion.

“They said we can pass! Alright, let’s go!”

“““Yeah!”””

It’s already known that the guards in the Second District don’t patrol during dawn. We have also sent a bribe just in case.

Since the Sword Fangs Legion often departs early in the morning for expeditions, walking through the city armed doesn’t raise suspicion.

Moreover, this is just a sales pitch. We are merely accompanying the Sword Fangs Legion on their way to an expedition and making a brief stop. There’s nothing suspicious about it.

We continue advancing deeper into the mansion, with no servants attempting to stop us. One can understand the level of his influence by observing his master.

The reason Roro, despite holding a decent position, has a mansion in the Second District is exactly this. Roro is disliked among the nobility. He comes from a low-ranking background and, despite his abilities, is treated poorly. In his resentment, he earns under-the-table money, gives bribes, uses threats, and tries to infiltrate the upper class. That is the true nature of Roro that I investigated.

Teaming up with someone like him would turn me into an enemy of the nobility as well.

Moreover, firmly collecting debts is a basic principle of business. The Sword Fangs Legion must respond to this nuisance or risk being disrespected and hampering future business.

That’s why we’re conducting this early morning sales push.

We proceed through the empty corridor and open a particularly grand door to a room.

Inside, Roro looks flustered, with his clothes and hair disheveled, as if he has hurriedly dressed.

“Oh, so you’re here. Roro-sama. The Sword Fangs Legion has come to sell shoes.”

“““Oh!!”””

The twenty armed men stomp their feet and bang their weapons against their shields in unison.

Roro turns pale, his mouth opening and closing in shock, unable to speak.