By the Grace of the Gods

Today, two chapters are posted simultaneously.

This is the first chapter.

The candidate selection was quickly completed.

Since the data was neatly organized, it was easy to determine at a glance who met the conditions and who didn’t.

However... even after extracting only those who met the conditions, more than 50 people remained.

That was still too many, so I wanted to narrow it down further...

“...I hate to say this, but everyone seems pretty much the same...”

Most had experience as adventurers but had failed or faced setbacks. Some even had histories of accumulating debt from failures.

“Generally, most people with combat skills have been adventurers. Occasionally, some have background as bodyguards, but that too usually means they have proven themselves as adventurers and truly possess strength.”

“I see...”

But with such similar backgrounds, on what basis should I choose?

“Mr. Fay, do you have any ideas?”

“It’s difficult, you know...”

“Have you ever had experience leading subordinates?”

“I have, yes. But I’ve never selected people like this before. I just train whoever comes. If they don’t listen or aren’t suited, we don’t consider them. Those people naturally disappear.”

“Oh, is that so...”

By “disappear,” does he mean they’re corrected during training? Or something else...?

Better not to dwell on it. Right now, I need to focus here.

The personality assessments might include some sales pitch, but probably aren't wildly off-base. After all, if they exaggerated just to sell slaves, the buyers would find out eventually, and I doubt such a shop would earn Mr. Reinhardt’s group’s trust.

...Since we’re hiring for store guards, “combat ability” is absolutely essential. That’s the primary criterion.

From the candidate data, I selected only those whose combat skill was level 3.

That alone reduced the candidate pool sharply to 12 people, about a quarter of the original.

“Just a difference of one skill level cuts the number down a lot, doesn’t it?”

“Heh heh heh...”

Did I say something strange?

“My apologies. Yes, skill level usually rises after appropriate training and combat experience, and it’s not uncommon for it to take years to move up even a single level. Plus, the higher the level, the harder it is to raise, sometimes taking decades to reach the next. Therefore, a difference in level corresponds to a clear difference in ability. At least when two people proficient with the same weapon face off one-on-one, the one with the higher level usually has a better chance of winning.”

Mr. Moulton said this decisively, then added, “However...”

I didn’t quite catch what he meant at first.

“To Lord Takebayashi, the difference between level 2 and 3 probably means nothing at all.”

“...Could you explain that?”

When I asked, he gave a faint smile.

I sensed Mr. Reinhardt and the others growing more cautious...

“Lord Takebayashi is also an adventurer, correct? A very strong one. I have no knowledge of martial arts, but to be honest, I’ve been researching you for quite some time.”

“Researching me? Not just hearing rumors?”

Judging by his frank way of speaking, he seemed to have no guilty conscience.

“May I ask why?”

“There are several reasons. First, I heard that the three of you and Ms. Griciela are your backing... any merchant with some influence would have heard that. The Commercial Guild’s information network subtly spreads that kind of news.

Second, as a slave trader, I conducted preliminary investigations. Your laundry business using slime was somewhat unusual, unprecedented even. New ventures always carry risks of failure, and many entrepreneurs come to us after failing.

That’s why we keep an eye on new, prominent, or struggling shops. You have four strong backers, so they probably thought you wouldn’t be cornered easily, but...

Thirdly, and simply put, I became interested in you personally. Considering your wide connections and the new business you devised, I wondered what kind of person Ryoma Takebayashi really is.”