Chapter 522: Letters From Evergreen

A thick bundle of letters arrived at the Royal Capital Headquarters shortly after breakfast, carried by a Guild courier who had spent several days traveling from Evergreen.

The envelopes bore familiar handwriting and the official markings of the Guild’s original headquarters, and Sage Alistair immediately set aside the construction estimates he had been examining.

For several weeks, his attention had been occupied by Greyfen, the Guild’s growing operations in the Capital, and the increasingly troublesome individuals attempting to interfere with its expansion.

Although he continued receiving routine reports from Evergreen, the opportunity to read personal accounts from its familiar members was something he welcomed.

Boren entered the office just as Sage began arranging the letters across his desk.

"More paperwork, Guildmaster?" Boren asked, noticing the unusually pleased expression on his face. "I was beginning to worry you might finish everything before noon."

Sage examined the first envelope. "Letters from Evergreen, Boren. Unlike the documents you keep bringing me, these might actually contain something enjoyable."

Boren approached the desk. "Then I hope they’ve discovered a way to make the Guild operate without spending money."

"An ambitious dream," Sage replied. "Perhaps one day you’ll learn to appreciate the more pleasant aspects of managing an organization."

"I’ll begin appreciating them when the expenses stop arriving," Boren answered, pulling up a chair.

Sage chuckled before breaking the seal on the first letter.

It was from Leona.

---

Leona’s report was characteristically thorough.

Evergreen’s Guild Hall remained busy, with registered Adventurers continuing to accept missions throughout the surrounding territories. Monster-hunting assignments, merchant escorts, gathering requests, and investigations of dangerous areas occupied much of the mission board.

Several companies had begun visiting Evergreen specifically because of the Guild’s reputation for providing reliable information and properly organized assignments.

Leona also reported that the number of local merchants using Guild services had increased, particularly among those requiring escorts through roads previously considered too dangerous for ordinary caravans.

Sage smiled as he read.

"Leona seems to have everything under control," he remarked. "Apparently, the Guild continues functioning even when I’m not there to interfere."

Boren leaned back in his chair. "An encouraging discovery. Perhaps we should conduct an experiment and see whether the Capital can manage the same achievement."

"Careful, Boren. Someone might mistake that for an attempt to get rid of me."

"I would never dream of such a thing, Guildmaster," Boren replied with an expression that suggested otherwise.

Sage returned to the letter.

Leona had included several requests concerning additional administrative personnel and improved storage arrangements. Neither problem was particularly urgent, but both reflected Evergreen’s continued growth.

He made a note to discuss the requests with the appropriate department heads.

The original headquarters was no longer a struggling new establishment.

It had become an important institution in its own right.

The next letter came from Caelista.

Her account focused upon recent missions and the activities of Adventurers operating around Evergreen. Several hunting parties had successfully cleared troublesome monsters from nearby roads, while other groups had begun accepting longer expeditions into territories previously visited only by experienced mercenaries.

Caelista also described improvements in cooperation between Adventurers who had once preferred working independently.

Sage found that development particularly satisfying.

One of the Guild’s earliest challenges had been convincing Warriors that cooperation, dependable information, and proper preparation could accomplish more than individual pride.

Apparently, the lesson was beginning to take root.

"Caelista says several Adventurers have started sharing information about dangerous areas before accepting missions," Sage explained. "That’s encouraging. It means they’re beginning to understand why the Guild maintains records instead of simply distributing rewards."

Boren nodded. "And presumably fewer of them are wandering into monster nests without knowing what lives there."

"One can only hope," Sage answered. "Although I’ve learned never to underestimate a Warrior’s ability to make an extraordinarily foolish decision."

Caelista’s letter also mentioned several familiar Adventurers who had completed increasingly difficult assignments and were beginning to earn stronger reputations among their peers.

Their progress pleased Sage.

The Guild’s purpose had never been to gather powerful individuals around him indefinitely.

It was to create an organization where ordinary Adventurers could develop through experience, opportunity, and consistent effort.

Gregor’s report was considerably less elegant.

His handwriting looked as though someone had attempted to carve letters into parchment using the blunt end of a dagger, and Sage spent several moments deciphering the opening paragraph.

"Gregor appears to have declared war upon the written language," Sage observed.

Boren glanced at the letter. "Is that actually handwriting?"

"Allegedly," Sage replied. "Although I’m beginning to suspect he trained a particularly angry chicken to write it."

Despite its appearance, the report contained useful information.

Gregor described several difficult missions completed by Evergreen’s experienced Adventurers, including the successful elimination of dangerous beasts that had threatened outlying settlements. He also mentioned improvements in the discipline of younger Warriors who had recently joined the Guild.

Sage was particularly interested in Gregor’s observations concerning combat readiness.

Several Adventurers who had initially struggled with coordinated fighting were now performing considerably better during group assignments.

The improvement wasn’t dramatic enough to attract widespread attention, but it demonstrated the value of experience gained through regular missions.

Gregor concluded his letter by complaining that the Capital had apparently stolen too many interesting opportunities.

Sage laughed when he reached that passage. "Gregor wants to know when we’re sending him something worth fighting."

Boren sighed. "Please don’t tell him about Greyfen’s deeper floors. I have no desire to receive another letter explaining why someone attempted to challenge a monster far beyond their abilities."

Sage folded the parchment. "An excellent point. I’ll remind him that Evergreen still has plenty of work requiring his attention."

Valeria’s letter was shorter than the others.

She reported that her training continued steadily and that she had been refining several techniques during her time in Evergreen.

Her recent activities included assisting other Adventurers, studying mission reports, and occasionally participating in assignments suited to her abilities.

Sage examined the final portion of the letter more carefully.

Valeria had clearly been keeping herself occupied, but her actual record of completed Guild missions remained rather modest.

That was something he intended to address.

"Interesting," Sage murmured, reaching for a separate sheet of parchment.

Boren glanced toward him. "Something wrong?"

"Nothing serious," Sage replied. "But Valeria seems to be spending considerably more time preparing for missions than completing them."

"Perhaps she’s being cautious," Boren suggested.

"Caution is admirable," Sage answered. "But Adventurer experience cannot be gained entirely through training grounds and written reports."

He considered the matter before beginning his reply.

Valeria possessed abilities worth developing, and Sage had no intention of encouraging reckless behavior merely to increase her mission record. Nevertheless, she needed regular practical experience, particularly if she intended to pursue more demanding assignments in the future.

His instruction would be straightforward.

She was to begin accepting and completing more Guild missions, choosing assignments appropriate to her current capabilities and gradually increasing their difficulty as her experience improved.

Sage also intended for her progress to be properly recorded.

After all, the Guild’s ranking structure existed to recognize demonstrated achievements, not simply personal talent.

By midday, Sage had finished reviewing the remaining correspondence from Evergreen.

Several familiar members had contributed shorter reports describing local developments, newly registered Adventurers, completed assignments, and improvements to the Guild’s facilities.

There were complaints, naturally.

One merchant believed the Guild’s escort fees were too high, while another insisted that Adventurers should receive additional rewards for protecting particularly expensive cargo.

A disagreement between two hunting parties had required intervention after both claimed responsibility for defeating the same group of monsters.

Sage found himself smiling throughout much of the reading.

Evergreen remained exactly the sort of place he remembered.

Busy, troublesome, occasionally ridiculous, and steadily improving.

"Sometimes I almost miss handling these little arguments personally," Sage admitted as he arranged the letters into separate piles.

Boren stared at him. "Then perhaps you should visit Evergreen and settle every complaint yourself."

Sage considered the suggestion before shaking his head. "On second thought, I believe Leona is doing an excellent job."

Boren chuckled.

The exchange reminded Sage that the Guild’s expansion had brought an important change to his responsibilities.

He could no longer personally oversee every mission, inspect every facility, or resolve every disagreement.

That was precisely why capable administrators and dependable Adventurers mattered.

Later that afternoon, Sage turned his attention toward the progress of two Adventurers currently operating in the Royal Capital.

Leon Drakar and Lucan had both contributed considerably to the Guild’s development, particularly during the expedition to Greyfen.

Leon remained one of the most formidable Warriors associated with the Guild. As a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight and captain of the independent Ardent Sun Knight Order, his strength and experience placed him far above ordinary Adventurers.

Yet Sage was interested in more than Leon’s combat ability.

The records showed that Leon had participated in dangerous assignments, assisted with the Guild’s exploration efforts, and demonstrated a willingness to undertake responsibilities that many powerful Warriors would have considered beneath them.

Lucan’s contributions were different but equally valuable.

His understanding of noble customs, territorial rights, and the Kingdom’s complicated legal arrangements had proven particularly useful during the struggle to secure Greyfen.

Sage examined their respective mission records.

"Leon and Lucan have both made considerable contributions," he remarked. "But their achievements aren’t always reflected through ordinary mission completions."

Boren studied the documents. "Because much of their work has involved assisting the Guild rather than accepting conventional assignments?"

"Exactly," Sage replied. "We should ensure that properly recognized missions and verified achievements are recorded consistently. Their reputations shouldn’t depend upon my personal appreciation."

He instructed Garran to review the relevant records according to the Guild’s established procedures.

Neither Leon nor Lucan would receive special treatment simply because they were familiar with the Guildmaster.

Their accomplishments would speak for themselves.

As evening approached, Sage began writing his replies to Evergreen.

He thanked Leona for her continued management of the original headquarters and approved further examination of her staffing requests.

Caelista received encouragement to continue improving cooperation among Adventurers, while Gregor was reminded that dependable mission completion mattered considerably more than finding the largest monster available.

Valeria’s reply required more consideration.

Sage dipped his quill into the ink and began writing.

He acknowledged her continued training and praised her dedication, but explained that practical experience was essential for developing sound judgment.

She was instructed to begin completing more Guild missions, maintain a consistent record of her achievements, and avoid accepting assignments beyond her present abilities merely to prove herself.

He also encouraged her to work with reliable companions whenever an assignment demanded cooperation.

When the letter was finished, Sage examined it carefully before sealing the envelope.

"That should give Valeria something to think about," he remarked.

Boren looked up from the documents he had been reviewing.

"Have you given her another troublesome assignment?"

"Nothing unreasonable," Sage replied. "I’m simply reminding her that an Adventurer must occasionally go adventuring."

Boren smiled. "A revolutionary concept, Guildmaster."

---

The following morning, the completed letters were entrusted to a courier preparing to depart for Evergreen.

Sage watched the sealed correspondence disappear into the courier’s satchel, feeling an unexpected sense of satisfaction.

The Royal Capital had become the center of his immediate attention, and Greyfen promised opportunities that could transform the Guild’s future. Yet Evergreen remained the place where everything had begun.

Its members were continuing their work, developing their abilities, and strengthening the organization without requiring his constant presence.

That was exactly what Sage had hoped to accomplish.

The Adventurer Guild was no longer merely a collection of Warriors gathered around one man.

It was becoming an institution capable of growing across the Kingdom, supported by people who understood its purpose and possessed the determination to carry that purpose forward.

And as Sage returned to his office, where another formidable collection of paperwork awaited him, he found himself looking forward to the next letters from Evergreen.