Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 125

I rotate my shoulders unconsciously. I have laid out grand theories up to this point, but even scholars can do that. My true expertise begins here.

My motto is simple: strategy should be clear and straightforward, tactics should be precise, and operations should be simple. No matter how lofty a theory is, it’s worthless if it’s not used in the field. If the operation is complex, no one will use it. Even if it’s used initially, it will gradually be ignored.

How many times have I seen management reforms in the previous world that were nothing more than slogans? Now, adventurers’ lives are at stake. I can’t let it fail.

After much thought, I prepare a large map. Since there is no land survey, it’s only a rough outline. Numbers from 1 to 5 are written on it, dividing each area. Only I know that these numbers represent the land’s value. Noble-born officials might notice, but this is prepared for the front-line staff.

When the person in charge accepts a request, they don’t just post it up; instead, they score the requests. If the reward is above the standard, it gets a +1. If the request comes from a noble or influential person, it gets another +1. Then, based on the map, a score from +1 to +5 is given. Requests are processed in order of highest score, and then by date.

That’s all there is to it. The large map is posted behind the staff, and they use it to check the geography of requests and assign scores according to the location. It’s a flexible system where if a request is for a location with unclear value, they can give it a score of three.

Since accurate maps don’t exist, being overly strict would hinder operations. At this stage, what’s important is that the staff can naturally score the requests.

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After observing the situation for about a week while juggling my other tasks, I see that the front-line staff, who have developed a good relationship with me through bribes and work, begin to handle their tasks smoothly. The request prioritization system seems to be reasonably well-received.

Having clear standards makes it much easier than dealing with requests forced through by influential figures or wealthy merchants. When told, “It’s because the rules are set this way,” it can be frustrating, but to streamline organizational operations, it’s necessary to establish rules that make things easier on the ground and improve operational efficiency.

In a world where status and power are everything, “compassionate management” often means allowing those in power to do as they please. It seems that the staff broadly welcome the regulations that provide protection, and I am relieved.

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As I watch over the front-line staff’s work, quietly pleased that my scheme is running smoothly without anyone noticing the intent behind it, the double-chinned Urbano beside me says, “Kenji, this is kind of boring.”

“!!”

It seems that Urbano feels bored by the smooth operation of the system, which I have kept simple with minimal explanations to avoid detection of my intent and to minimize trouble. Work is inherently boring to begin with, and truly innovative things are innovative precisely because they are done naturally and unobtrusively. How can he not see that!

I feel the urge to stretch Urbano’s double chin out of frustration but reconsider. It is indeed a problem if the results aren’t clear. If Urbano is attacked for not producing results, his political power would diminish. The weakening of Urbano’s political power would only strengthen the forces that undervalue the lives of adventurers, which would not be good.

If that’s the case, I should produce some clear results. I decide to implement another method I have been considering to improve the adventurers’ guild’s performance.