第１８６１堀：人の才能って見抜く大変だよね (Part1)
Chapter 1861: Discerning Talent is No Easy Task
Side: Yuki
"Huh, you’ve got a keen eye. Is that the wisdom of age talking?"
Having finished deciding on the interior for the shop, I returned to find Ria watching the footage of Vilia and the others—or rather, their assessment of the candidates' capabilities.
The results confirmed that Archbishop Dodona was no mere talker; she possessed genuine, substantial skill.
"Perhaps so. Do you think I should have them take a look at me, too?"
Ria, clearly mulling something over, posed the question. I wasn't quite sure how to respond. Dismissing it outright felt wrong, but...
"If the opportunity arises, I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Though, since it would be a problem if your identity as a Hero were exposed over there, it’ll have to wait."
"Ah, right. I keep forgetting I’m a Hero, don't I?"
"Getting found out would cause all sorts of headaches. Just settle for being my bodyguard, Ria."
"I know, and being your bodyguard is my true calling, Yuki-san. But watching that footage... I just started wondering if relying solely on 'Hero power' to push through things is really the right way to go."
"I see your point. That said, you’ve undergone combat training with Deryu, Jessica, Stasia, Fioria, and Seraria. You’ve accumulated a wealth of tactical experience. You aren't just some one-trick pony who relies only on Hero abilities. Is that what you're getting at?"
"Exactly. It feels like... there’s something more I need."
"I understand that feeling," Fioria chimed in, nodding in agreement. "I often feel like I’m lacking, too."
"You feel that way as well, Fioria?"
"I do. In fact, the reason I sought you out, Yuki-sama, was precisely because of that perceived inadequacy—or, at the very least, it was the catalyst."
"Ah, the water incident. No one else could have conjured it, could they?"
"No, Yuki-san. You solved that problem by creating the water yourself."
"That’s true. Not only the water, but you even managed to persuade Coral-dono, the dragon who was the root of the entire crisis. It made me keenly aware of how much I still lack."
*Ah, they’re pinning that success on me again.*
"Calm down, both of you. It’s true that I led the effort to resolve those issues, but the technology to produce water was thanks to the technical development department, led by Zargis. And persuading Coral was only possible because of the cooperation between Steve’s combat unit and Gaul, who shares his lineage."
"Well, that may be true, but..."
"It is precisely why gathering and preparing such talent is so important. I failed to do that."
"That’s just the luck of the draw sometimes. Even if you want to gather people, you can’t do it alone, and it costs money. The important thing is not to try and solve everything by yourself, but to be able to ask for help from many others. There are plenty of things I can’t do, especially when it comes to manpower."
Numbers truly are strength. Without the headcount, you’re stuck. From there, you sort through them—though "sorting" might be a harsh word—to identify their strengths and nurture them. It would be wonderful to have someone like Zargis as an ally, but talented individuals are usually already tied to some organization.
"You’re always like that, Yuki-san. You say you’re lacking in everything, so you get everyone to help you."
"Because it’s the truth. Is there anything I can actually brag about? Maybe just the fact that my Dungeon Master skills allow me to supply resources and reshape the terrain."
"Even that alone is more than enough to be incredible. Regardless, I admire your way of life, Yuki-sama. It’s a fine example, and I intend to learn from it."
"Please do. If Ria, Fioria, and the others can find good talent, it only strengthens Weed."
I can only search for talent so far on my own. It would be a huge help if more people took up that mantle.
"Though, Fioria, you’ve been hiring personnel for the military, so you must know the ropes by now."
"I wouldn't call it 'the ropes.' In my case, I’m just conducting interviews alongside Jessica and Stasia. Plus, since we’re hiring specifically for military roles, the criteria are quite clear."
"Ah, right. Military personnel are easy to gauge. You look at their stats, and you know their aptitude to a certain extent."
"Yes. Because of the status system, it’s easier for the candidates to accept their assignments. However, for the shops that Orelia and the others are starting, status doesn't determine success or failure."
"That’s true."
If it’s about strength or performance, stats are straightforward, and those joining the military find them easy to accept. After all, you’re never going to be thrown onto the front lines if you’re weak. While there’s something to be said for knowing the atmosphere of real combat, Weed doesn't send people into certain-death scenarios.
But as Fioria said, when it comes to shops or inventions, having high intelligence stats doesn't guarantee a booming business or a brilliant invention. Well, even with strength, luck plays a part, so there are factors that don't show up on a status screen, but since you want soldiers to be strong, the level of conviction is different.
"Anyway, putting that aside, it looks like Vilia and the others are starting the next part of their discussion."
"Tea time is over, then?"
"Well, it is an urgent matter."
Before I knew it, Vilia and the others had finished their break and were diving back into the conversation.
*"Now, regarding the capabilities of Kishua-dono and her group, I have judged them to be sufficient. There are a few points of caution, but I believe we can manage them."*
Normally, one might wonder why the evaluation is so high, but the members of the Holy Sword group are veterans, and Vilia has been training them relentlessly here in Weed, so the assessment is fair. It speaks volumes of Archbishop Dodona’s character that she can acknowledge the strength of her opponents even after losing to them. After all, Kishua and her group look like mere girls at a glance; it’s not easy to admit that they are stronger than seasoned warriors.
But moving on, the real issue is the plan ahead.
*"And so, although the schedule is being moved up significantly, the four of you will begin adventurer activities immediately. We will register at the Adventurer’s Guild in the Royal Capital of Giadana, using this Cleara Church as your base."*
*"This Cleara Church?"*
*"I see. So, we’re going to claim we’re newcomers who just emerged from the Cleara Church?"*
*"As Kishua-dono says. Though, to explain why no one has seen you until now, we will claim you were training in the remote regions."*
*"...Will that really hold up?"*
Yeah, as Sia said, it feels like a pretty flimsy excuse...
*"My, the only ones who know the exact number of orphans are Sister Kui and myself. It is fortunate that our numbers have been dwindling."*
*"Should we really be happy about that...? No, I suppose 'fortunate' is the word."*
*"Indeed. Besides, I am sure the children will be overjoyed to see heroes born from this very church."*
Ah, yeah. What she’s saying isn't wrong, but it’s such a self-deprecating joke that we can’t even bring ourselves to make a quip.