Chapter 512: Rumors [ 2 ] [ GT Bonus - ]

The nobleman hesitated.

Sage continued calmly. "Until then, I’d appreciate it if people stopped treating tavern gossip as though it were a royal decree."

Several onlookers chuckled.

The gathering eventually dispersed, although Sage noticed that some of the petition’s supporters appeared dissatisfied rather than reassured.

That troubled him more than the accusations themselves.

People genuinely seeking clarification usually became less concerned after receiving an explanation.

Those determined to preserve an accusation rarely behaved the same way.

-----

Later that afternoon, Sage summoned a meeting with several department heads.

Irene Valcrest attended on behalf of Finance, Garran represented Mission Administration, and Cassian provided reports from the Security Department.

Boren remained beside Sage, while Tobias Merrow joined them to discuss possible disruptions to Guild transportation and supply arrangements.

"First, the good news," Sage began, examining the documents spread across the table. "Most of these rumors are doing an excellent job of embarrassing themselves."

Boren grinned. "The private army story seems particularly popular. Someone apparently claims you’ve recruited an entire regiment of Grandmaster Knights."

Sage sighed. "If I possessed an entire regiment of Grandmaster Knights, Boren, I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here worrying about delayed warehouse shipments."

Irene interrupted before the conversation could deteriorate further. "Unfortunately, several merchants have begun requesting additional assurances before entering long-term commercial agreements. They’re concerned that the dispute over Greyfen might affect their investments."

Tobias nodded. "We’ve also received inquiries from transport contractors asking whether Guild shipments could become involved in legal disputes. Nothing has been interrupted yet, but the uncertainty is creating unnecessary complications."

Garran placed another report upon the table. "Mission registrations remain steady overall, although some new applicants are hesitating. More concerningly, several mercenary captains have begun repeating the same accusations about Adventurer Ranks."

Cassian’s expression remained serious. "My guards have heard similar stories in different districts, Guildmaster. The wording changes slightly, but the accusations are remarkably consistent."

Sage leaned forward.

That was the detail he’d been waiting for.

"Consistent in what way?" he asked.

Cassian opened his report. "The same claims appear in taverns, markets, mercenary gathering places, and commercial establishments. Different people repeat them, but many use almost identical arguments. Several witnesses also mentioned unfamiliar individuals encouraging conversations before disappearing."

Boren’s smile vanished. "That doesn’t sound accidental."

"No," Sage agreed quietly. "It doesn’t."

---

The meeting continued as Sage examined the reports more carefully.

Individually, none of the rumors seemed particularly sophisticated. Together, however, they targeted almost every important foundation of the Adventurer Guild.

The private army accusation threatened its political legitimacy.

Claims about destroying mercenary companies encouraged hostility among established Warriors.

Attacks against Adventurer Ranks undermined the Guild’s reputation and membership system.

Rumors concerning the Mana Cultivation Tower threatened one of its most valuable facilities.

Questions about Greyfen’s ownership endangered commercial confidence, while accusations against Dungeon Passes challenged the very mechanism through which the Guild controlled access to its claimed dungeons.

Someone had selected those targets deliberately.

"Whoever organized this understands our operations," Sage observed, tapping the documents. "They’re not simply spreading random insults. They’re attacking the reasons people trust us."

Irene folded her arms. "Then we should issue a formal response."

"We will," Sage answered. "But not a desperate one. Publish clear explanations of our policies, provide the relevant documentation where appropriate, and ensure our employees answer legitimate questions consistently."

Garran nodded. "And the rumors that are obviously ridiculous?"

Sage smiled faintly. "Let people laugh at them. There’s no need to dignify every absurd accusation with an official proclamation."

Cassian leaned forward. "Should Security begin investigating the individuals spreading these stories?"

"Document incidents and protect Guild operations," Sage instructed. "But don’t start arresting people merely because they’ve repeated something unpleasant. That would make the private army rumor considerably more convincing."

Boren chuckled despite the seriousness of the situation.

Sage continued, "I want to know where these stories originated, who benefits from them, and whether anyone is paying people to repeat them."

---

That evening, after the department heads departed, Sage remained inside his office reviewing the day’s developments.

The Guild’s reputation was strong enough to withstand ordinary criticism. Its members had personally experienced the benefits of its missions, facilities, and Dungeon Pass arrangements.

Merchants had already earned substantial profits through Greyfen, and Adventurers who retained their dungeon loot had little reason to believe every accusation directed against Sage.

But public confidence wasn’t indestructible.

A sufficiently persistent campaign could create uncertainty even when its accusations lacked evidence.

And uncertainty was often enough to discourage investment, delay decisions, and weaken relationships.

A quiet knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," Sage called, setting down the documents.

Pax entered without ceremony.

The intelligence operative had been working within the Royal Capital long before Sage established the Kingdom Headquarters, cultivating contacts and gathering information that rarely appeared in official reports.

"You’ve attracted some interesting enemies, Guildmaster," Pax remarked, closing the door behind him.

Sage regarded him thoughtfully. "I was beginning to wonder when you’d appear. Have you discovered something?"

"Not enough to identify everyone involved," Pax answered. "But enough to confirm that several individuals spreading these rumors are receiving instructions rather than acting independently."

Sage’s eyes narrowed. "From whom?"

Pax shook his head. "That’s what I’m investigating. Whoever is coordinating them has been careful about using intermediaries."

Sage leaned back in his chair.

The rumors were no longer merely an inconvenience.

Someone had begun organizing a campaign against the Adventurer Guild, and the people responsible possessed enough resources and influence to operate across several districts of the Royal Capital.

After a moment, Sage smiled. "Very well, Pax. Keep investigating, but don’t let them know we’ve noticed the pattern."

Pax raised an eyebrow. "You intend to let the rumors continue?"

"For now," Sage replied. "People spreading lies are troublesome, but people who believe their lies are working can become wonderfully careless."

Pax considered those words before returning the smile.

Outside the Headquarters, the Royal Capital continued buzzing with speculation about Sage Alistair and his rapidly expanding Guild.

But inside his office, Sage had already stopped worrying about the rumors themselves.

He was considerably more interested in discovering who had paid for them.