Chapter 367: Guild Shares [ 2 ]

Vanthrice, who had been listening quietly with her bronze spear resting against the wall behind her, finally spoke. "You said shareholders would vote on major decisions. Who decides which matters require a vote? If every small decision needs everyone’s approval, the Guild will stop functioning."

"That is exactly why daily operations remain under the Guildmaster and executives," Sage replied. "Ordinary decisions, missions, staff assignments, purchases within approved budgets, recruitment, training schedules, and branch management, do not require shareholder approval."

He glanced at everyone and then continued. "Votes would only be needed for major matters, such as selling important Guild property, changing the ownership structure, taking on a dangerous amount of debt, merging with another organization, removing the Guildmaster under serious circumstances, or using a large portion of the Guild’s reserves."

Vanthrice nodded once. "Then voting power depends on the number of shares?"

"Partly. But I do not want someone to buy enough shares later and control everything alone. We can create limits. Some decisions may require both a majority of shares and approval from a majority of core members. That prevents money alone from deciding the future of the Guild." Sage smile lightly and answered.

Caelis immediately began writing that down. "A double approval system. Ownership percentage and member approval."

"Exactly." Sage nodded.

Lyana had remained quiet until now, but her expression showed that she was thinking beyond the people in the room. "What about future members? If the Guild keeps growing and new people contribute a lot, will they receive shares too? If we give away everything now, there may be nothing left for those who help build the Guild later."

Sage smiled faintly because that was the kind of question he had hoped someone would ask. "We will not distribute every share. A portion will remain under the Guild itself as reserved shares. Those can be granted to future executives, branch leaders, exceptional staff, or members who makemajor contributions. We can also create new shares later, but doing that reduces the percentage held by current owners, so it would require approval."

Lyana slowly nodded. "So the people here are not simply taking ownership for themselves. We are creating a system that can reward those who come after us."

"Yes."

One of the twenty adventurers raised his hand next. "What happens if someone leaves the Guild?"

"That depends on the reason," Sage answered. "If someone retires honorably after years of service, they may keep their shares or sell them back to the Guild. If someone betrays the Guild or joins an enemy organization, the contract can force them to sell their shares back at a fair value. No one should be able to keep influence over the Guild while actively working against it."

The questions continued for some time. One person asked whether shares couldbe inherited by children.

Sage said they could, though voting rights might require the heir to meet certain conditions or reach adulthood. Another asked whether shareholders would be responsible for Guild debts.

Sage explained that their risk would be limited to the value of their shares unless they personally signed a separate guarantee.

Caelis asked how profits would be calculated, and Sage explained that wages, repairs, expansion costs, emergency reserves, and taxes would be paid before any distribution.

Gregor questioned whether the Guild could simply refuse to pay profits forever by claiming every coin was needed for growth, which caused several people to nod in concern.

"That is why the accounts must be transparent to shareholders," Sage said. "Lyana and the finance staff will prepareproper records. Shareholders will have the right to inspect the major accounts, and any decision to hold back all profits for expansion must be explained."

Boren leaned toward Gregor and whispered, "I like the part where we inspect the money."

Gregor whispered back, "You like every part involving money."

"I am being responsible."

Eventually, the room fell quiet again. The concept that had sounded strange at first was slowly becoming clear.

Instead of breaking apart the treasures and gaining a single reward, they could use those treasures to strengthen the Guild, open branches, build facilities, train more adventurers, and generate income for years.

Their reward would not disappear after being spent. It would grow alongside the organization they had risked their lives to build.Valeria, who had listened without interrupting, finally unfolded her arms.

"If the Guild grows," she said quietly, drawing everyone’s attention, "and the Evergreen Region Branch becomes more valuable, does everyone’s share become more valuable as well?"

Sage looked at her and smiled. "Exactly."

That simple question completed the explanation better than everything else he had said.

Boren’s eyes widened. Gregor leaned back as the full meaning settled in. Brutus looked toward the displayed treasures, no longer seeing only gold and weapons but the foundation of something much larger. Even Mina stopped playing with the coins in her pocket.

Boren slowly placed his sack on the floor. "So instead of taking my part of the treasure today, I can own part of a Guild that might control branches across the entire Evergreen Region later."

"Yes."

"And if those branches earn money, my share earns money."

"Yes."

"And I still keep this sack?"

Sage sighed. "Yes, the immediate expedition reward is already yours."

Boren slapped both hands on the table. "I support the share system."

Gregor laughed. "Of course you do."

The final decision did not take long after that. Lyana asked for a clear vote, and one after another, every person in the room agreed.

The treasures would remain with the Evergreen Region Guild Branch.

The Guild would use the books, Skill Stones, weapons, materials, and gold for growth, training, expansion, and reserves.

In return, everyone who took part in the Vault expedition would receive shares based on contribution, responsibility, and the risk they had carried.

Sage would prepare the full ownership percentages later, along with contracts explaining voting rights, profit distributions, transfer rules, inheritance, and protections against hostile ownership.

When the vote ended, Sage turned toward the twenty elite adventurers seated and standing along one side of the lounge.

"I have another proposal for all of you."

Their expressions became serious.

Sage rested his hands on the table. "The Adventurer Guild cannot remain only in Greyvale, although we already have ten other branches, but it’s small compared to the the entire Evergreen Region. The Evergreen Region is too large, and if we want the Guild to truly serve adventurers, merchants, villages, and towns across the region, we need branches. I want some of you to become Branch Guild Masters."

The room stirred immediately. Several of the twenty adventurers sat straighter, while others exchanged uncertain glances.

Sage continued before anyone could misunderstand. "I am not asking you to leave tomorrow and build a Guild Hallwith your bare hands. The central Guild will provide starting funds, staff, rules, contracts, training, and support."

He paused for a few moments and looked at the adventurers with a serious expression and then continued. "Your responsibility would be to lead the branch, recruit local adventurers, manage missions, protect the Guild’s reputation, and report directly to the Evergreen Region headquarters here in Greyvale. You would not be independent lords. You would be branch leaders working under one Guild system."

One broad-shouldered adventurer near the front raised his hand. "Would we choose the city?"

"You can suggest locations, but the final decision will depend on demand, safety, trade routes, local rulers, and how easily we can support the branch. Some cities may need a large branch. Smaller towns may begin with only an office and a mission counter."

A woman beside him asked, "Would we keep adventuring?"

"That would be your choice, though administration will take time. You could still lead important missions, but your main responsibility would be building and managing the branch." Sage replied softly.

Two adventurers accepted almost immediately, both eager to lead and confident they could handle the challenge.

Another three expressed strong interest but asked to know the possible locations first. Several remained hesitant, admitting that they were skilled fighters but had never managed staff, money, or disputes. Sage did not push them.

"You do not have to answer today," he said. "Think about it carefully. Leadership is not a reward you accept because it sounds impressive. If you take the position, people’s lives and livelihoods will depend on your decisions. Anyone who needs time can give me an answer after the contracts and branch plans are ready."

That removed much of the pressurein the room. Some nodded with relief, while others began quietly discussing the opportunity among themselves.

Sage accepted every response without judgment. The Guild needed capable Branch Guild Masters, not people forced into positions they did not want.

The meeting finally ended after Caelis gathered the notes and Sage promised to prepare the first draft of the share agreement.

One by one, everyone left the lounge. Boren carried his gold sack with both arms and refused offers of help. Mina followed him while demanding that he show her where he planned to hide it.

Gregor walked out with Lyana, still discussing whether Branch Guild Masters should receive additional shares. Vanthrice collected her bronze spear and quietly left with Brutus and Caelis, while Valeria paused at the doorway for a moment, looked at Sage, and gave a slight nod before disappearing into the corridor.

Eventually, Sage remained alone.

The lounge became quiet, filled only with the papers scattered across the table and the faint noise of the busy Guild below.

He leaned back in his chair and looked at the recorded questions, proposals, and decisions before a slow smile appeared on his face.

The Guild was changing. It was no longer simply a hall where adventurers accepted missions.

It was becoming an organization that could spread across the region and continue growing long after its founding members were gone.

A familiar sound suddenly rang inside his mind.

[ Ding! ]

[New Mission Available!]

Sage’s smile slowly widened.