Chapter 9: Don’t treat your subordinates rudely

“…Phew.”

‘Kane… as expected.’

Scarlet’s words brought Kane back to Sane’s mind.

He already knew, through reliable sources, that Kane had quit his teaching job.
But the news about him aiming to become an adventurer instructor was new.

‘My oversight. To think I’d miss Kane’s movements.’

As a hardcore Kane admirer, he felt deeply regretful for being late to this information.

“…Still, as expected, you’re moving forward.”

If Kane had said he was returning to the marquisate, Sane might have been slightly disappointed.
That could mean settling for a comfortable life.

‘But of course, Kane. You’re still striving to move forward.’

New land, new job, new people.
Imagining Kane working to guide others brought a small smile to Sane’s lips.

If anyone who knew Sane saw him now, they’d be bedridden from shock for days.
He was infamous for never smiling, the epitome of a cold-blooded noble.

‘I’d love to sit down and talk with him…’

It had been like that since childhood.
Ever since he began admiring Kane, he wanted to discuss politics and economics with him, seek his advice.
But for some reason, he always got too nervous and ended up treating Kane coldly.
Perhaps that’s why Kane avoided him too.

‘I should contact him sometime.’

Determined not to tense up this time,
Sane’s face was already freezing over like ice at the mere thought of meeting Kane.

‘I feel a bit bad for Jenny too.’

He had planned to attend Jenny’s hero appointment ceremony, partly to see Kane.
But a serious issue had arisen, preventing him from going to the capital, Carmen.

“…Heroes, huh.”

Muttering something cryptic, he returned to his study.
He needed to discuss the problem facing the marquisate with Scarlet’s Party, known as the world’s greatest adventurer party.

“Phew, is this good enough?”

A week had passed since I holed up in the Adventurers’ Guild in Carmen.

During that time, I read and analyzed the books and records in the archives.
A week might seem short, but there wasn’t that much material, so I got through it quickly.

As expected, heroes and adventurers weren’t fundamentally different, so my existing knowledge was a big help.
That made organizing everything even faster.

“Well, I’m done here.”

Sure, just skimming some knowledge wouldn’t make anyone an adventurer instructor—otherwise, anyone could do it.
But I have a trump card.

“Here’s my recommendation letter. Show it to the Hassler guild master; it’ll help.”
“You didn’t have to go that far…”

A recommendation letter from Guild Master Tachi.

A letter from the master of the empire’s capital guild.
In a backwater city like Hassler, it’ll carry absolute weight.

…Feels a bit underhanded, but so what?
Life’s easier when you play a little dirty.

Not to brag, but I’m no stranger to getting jobs through recommendations.

But why did Tachi suddenly recommend me?
Because I’m Scarlet’s acquaintance?

That’s likely.
He probably thought helping me would score points with Scarlet.

In that case, I’ll have to sing Tachi’s praises to Scarlet later.

“Are you heading out right away?”
“Yes, it’ll take at least ten days.”

Hassler isn’t far in distance, but the detour around Ode Swamp makes it a long trip.
At least ten days on foot.
Even by carriage, it’s three or four days.

Me?
I don’t have much luggage to load onto a carriage.
Nor do I have the money to buy one.

Well, technically, I could afford a carriage.
I saved most of my academy salary since I had little to spend it on.

But after Marquis Harkur passed, they barely paid me properly because I’m a commoner.
Not that I cared much—I wasn’t in it for the money.

Anyway, if I bought a carriage and horse, I wouldn’t have enough left for food or escorts.

Escorts.
Right, I need to hire escorts.

Not some elite ones, though.
A D-rank party should do, right?

The monsters on the way are just goblins or wild beasts.
At worst, maybe a hobgoblin or orc.

Unless they come in a pack of ten or more, a D-rank party can handle it.

More importantly… anything higher would cost too much.

“Then you’ll be posting an escort request.”
“Yes, please list it as a D-rank request. The fee… 1,200 bretts.”

1,200 bretts.
Considering the average D-rank request pays 500–600 bretts, that’s a hefty sum.
But escort missions take longer and carry more risk, so fees are typically two to three times higher.

…Honestly, 1,200 bretts is the minimum, not the ideal amount.

But it’s the most I can afford.
I need to budget for food and some extra cash in case I don’t get the instructor job…

Ugh, I could cry.
Is this the reality of an “honorable” Hero Academy teacher?
…No, it’s just because I’m a commoner.

As I lamented my situation, Tachi smiled and offered a lifeline.

“1,200 bretts… The guild will subsidize the request. With a 500-brett subsidy, let’s make it 1,700 bretts total.”
“…!!”

Five hundred bretts in support?!
Sure, that’s not much for the guild, but it’s still a profit-driven organization.
Is scoring points with Scarlet that valuable?

“…Thank you.”

You’re too good, man…
I’ll tell Scarlet that Tachi is a god among men.

Thanks to the hefty 1,700-brett fee, a party was found quickly.
A three-person team making a name for themselves in the capital, called the Silver Sword Party.

“Silver Sword, huh. Like Blood Empress… pfft. Do adventurers just love names like that?”

Not that it matters to me.

The Silver Sword Party.
According to guild records, it consists of a D-rank swordsman,
an E-rank archer, and an E-rank buff mage.

One ranged, one decently durable melee,
and a support casting buffs from the back.

Not a bad balance.
For a low-tier adventurer party, they’re pretty top-tier.

Their track record is solid too.
A 70% mission success rate, among the highest for D-rank parties in Carmen.

On paper, you couldn’t ask for a better party.

But according to Tachi’s notes, the party’s leader, the D-rank swordsman ‘Kogel,’ has a bad personality.
He treats his E-rank teammates like objects
and picks fights with weaker adventurers or villagers.

“…As long as they do their job, I don’t care.”

Still, I’m a bit worried they’ll cause trouble.

Well, we won’t encounter others during the escort, so it should be fine, right?
They wouldn’t act rudely to the client paying them, would they?
They’re a top-tier D-rank party with a 70% success rate, after all.

I was a bit uneasy, but since this was my first time being escorted,
I was excited to meet the Silver Sword Party.

“Hello.”
“…Hey.”
“Greetings.”

At the designated spot, a man with a longsword at his hip and sharp, glaring eyes stood waiting,
along with two women who seemed slightly intimidated.

The guy with the cocky, sharp eyes is clearly the leader, Kogel.
Among the two nervous women, the cute one with blue eyes and brown hair in twin braids holding a bow must be the archer, Reina.

Lastly, the woman with short blue hair under a hood holding a staff is probably the buff mage, Sonya.

“…Tch, no carriage?”

Kogel eyed me up and down,
clicking his tongue as if displeased.

This guy was already rude with his greeting earlier,
and now he’s getting on my nerves.

It’s like he’s saying,
“No carriage? This is gonna be a pain in the ass. What a cheapskate.”

Sure, I am a cheapskate, and it will be a hassle,
but that really pisses me off!

“That’s factored into the fee.”

Since we’ll be together for over ten days, I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot,
so I put on a polite smile and respond.

Honestly, 1,700 bretts is pretty good pay for a ten-day escort, right?

“…Tch, let’s go.”

Kogel clicks his tongue again, reluctantly agreeing.

Every action of this guy grates on my nerves.
In a way, that’s a talent of its own.

“…”

Speaking of talent,
this party… is kind of unbalanced?

[Name: Kogel]
[Aptitude]
[Swordsmanship – E]

[Name: Reina]
[Aptitude]
[Spearmanship – D]
[Enhancement Magic – E]

[Name: Sonya]
[Aptitude]
[Healing Magic – C]

The highest adventurer rank means Kogel has the most experience and strength overall.
But their aptitudes tell a different story.
Reina and Sonya’s aptitudes—their talents—are far superior to Kogel’s.

Kogel has likely already maxed out his aptitude.
In other words, his abilities won’t grow further.
He can improve through experience and knowledge, but at best, he’ll peak as a C-rank adventurer.

Reina and Sonya, though, are different.
If they gain experience, knowledge, and fully develop their aptitudes?

Hmm… with just a bit of proper training, they could surpass Kogel in no time.

I haven’t even become an adventurer instructor yet,
but my teaching instincts are already kicking in.

Just a little… maybe just a tiny bit…
Should I meddle just a smidge?