Chapter 530: The First Adventurer Team

The morning Leon Drakar returned to the Adventurer Guild Headquarters, he did not arrive alone.

Accompanying the captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order were six Warriors dressed in well-maintained traveling clothes, their weapons secured at their sides.

Although none wore the formal armor of their order, their disciplined bearing and measured movements made their military background immediately apparent.

Each carried an Adventurer identification issued by the Guild.

Their arrival attracted considerable attention inside the Grand Guild Hall, particularly when several Adventurers recognized Leon walking at the front of the group.

For months, the captain had become a familiar sight at the mission counters, where his relentless pursuit of assignments had eventually earned him the distinction of becoming the world’s first Platinum Adventurer.

Now, however, he appeared to have something different in mind.

Leon approached the reception counter and greeted the attending clerk with a smile. "Good morning. I’d like to arrange an appointment with Guildmaster Sage concerning the registration of an Adventurer Team."

The clerk glanced at the six Warriors accompanying him before straightening. "Of course, Captain Drakar. Please wait a moment while I inform the Guildmaster’s office."

Leon nodded and stepped aside, allowing the other Adventurers to continue conducting their business.

Behind him, one of his companions examined the enormous hall with considerable interest.

Despite having registered individually, several of the Warriors had spent relatively little time inside the Royal Capital Headquarters.

They were about to become considerably more familiar with it.

---

Sage Alistair received the news while examining another collection of reports concerning Greyfen.

Boren stood beside his desk, reviewing correspondence from Evergreen, when a clerk arrived to announce Leon’s request.

"Captain Drakar wants to establish a team?" Sage repeated, looking up from the documents.

The clerk nodded. "Yes, Guildmaster. He’s brought six registered Adventurers with him."

Sage leaned back thoughtfully.

He had expected Leon to take an interest in the new registration service, particularly after seeing how enthusiastically the captain had examined the Hall of Banners.

Still, the speed of his decision was impressive.

"Very well," Sage replied, setting aside the reports. "Ask Garran to join us and have Captain Drakar bring his companions to the meeting chamber."

Once the clerk departed, Boren looked toward Sage with a faint smile. "It seems our first Platinum Adventurer has decided to become our first Team Leader as well."

Sage chuckled. "At this rate, Leon will eventually insist upon being first at everything."

Boren considered that possibility before answering, "Judging by his competition with Lucan, I wouldn’t be surprised."

---

The meeting chamber was spacious enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.

Leon entered first, followed by the six Warriors who had accompanied him.

Sage recognized several faces from previous visits to the Guild, although he had not worked closely with most of them.

Their experience as members of the Ardent Sun Knight Order was evident in the respectful manner with which they greeted their captain.

"Guildmaster Sage," Leon began, offering a courteous nod. "Thank you for receiving us. As you may have guessed, I’ve decided to establish an official Adventurer Team."

Sage smiled. "I suspected as much when I heard you’d brought six companions. Before we begin, however, I’d like to confirm something. Are all six individually registered with the Guild?"

Leon nodded. "They are. Each completed the registration procedures independently, and all possess valid Adventurer identification."

Garran, who had arrived moments earlier, examined the documents presented by the Warriors.

After comparing their details with the Guild’s records, he confirmed that everything was in order.

"All six registrations are valid, Guildmaster," Garran reported, returning the documents. "There are no outstanding administrative issues preventing them from participating."

Sage nodded approvingly.

"Excellent. Then we can proceed."

---

Before discussing the team’s name or membership arrangements, Sage addressed an important distinction.

"Leon, I want to make certain we’re clear about the relationship between your new Adventurer Team and the Ardent Sun Knight Order," he began, looking directly at the captain. "The Guild recognizes individual Adventurers and their registered teams, but that doesn’t mean we’re assuming authority over independent organizations."

Leon nodded immediately. "That was something I intended to discuss myself, Guildmaster."

Sage gestured for him to continue.

Leon explained that the six Warriors accompanying him were experienced members of the Ardent Sun Knight Order who had voluntarily registered as Adventurers.

Their participation in the new team would allow them to undertake Guild missions together and develop a separate record of collective accomplishments.

However, their existing duties and obligations to the knightly order would remain unchanged.

"The Ardent Sun Knight Order will continue operating independently," Leon stated firmly. "This team will be our identity within the Adventurer Guild, nothing more. We have no intention of transferring the order’s authority, personnel, or responsibilities to another organization."

Sage smiled approvingly. "Good. That’s exactly how I intended Team Registration to function."

---

The distinction was particularly important because the Ardent Sun Knight Order possessed its own reputation, traditions, and responsibilities.

Leon was its captain, but his position within the order existed separately from his standing as a Platinum Adventurer.

The Guild had no claim over the knightly organization merely because its captain and several members had chosen to participate in Guild activities.

Similarly, the new Adventurer Team would possess its own registration, accomplishments, and Team Rank.

It would not automatically inherit the order’s reputation or achievements.

Garran explained the administrative implications while preparing the necessary documents.

"Any missions completed under the team’s registration will contribute to its collective record," he said, indicating the relevant section. "Activities undertaken solely as members of the Ardent Sun Knight Order won’t automatically count as Guild Team accomplishments."

Leon nodded. "Understood."

"Likewise," Garran continued, "your personal Adventurer Rank remains separate from the team’s rank. Although you’re Platinum individually, the new team will begin at Bronze."

One of the accompanying Warriors glanced toward Leon.

The captain merely smiled.

"That’s perfectly reasonable. We didn’t come here expecting to receive Platinum Team Rank without earning it."

---

Sage then turned his attention toward the six prospective members.

"Before anything is finalized, I’d like to hear from you as well," he said, examining their expressions. "Joining an Adventurer Team should be a voluntary decision. Your captain’s interest in establishing one doesn’t obligate you to participate."

A broad-shouldered Knight with short brown hair stepped forward.

"Guildmaster, we understand the arrangement," he replied respectfully. "Captain Drakar explained the requirements before inviting us. We’ve agreed to join because we want to undertake Guild assignments together."

Another Warrior, a woman with dark hair tied neatly behind her head, nodded in agreement. "We’ve fought alongside one another for years. Establishing a registered team gives us an opportunity to pursue accomplishments outside our ordinary duties."

Sage listened carefully.

Their responses satisfied him.

The Guild was supposed to provide opportunities for Adventurers, not create additional obligations through pressure from powerful leaders.

Once the remaining members confirmed their willingness to participate, Sage instructed Garran to begin the formal registration.

---

The process required considerably more documentation than Leon had anticipated.

Garran recorded the founding Adventurer’s identity, verified his Platinum Rank, and prepared the initial membership register.

The six additional Adventurers were entered individually, ensuring that their personal records remained distinct from the new team’s collective accomplishments.

Sage examined the documents before turning toward Leon.

"There’s one matter we haven’t settled," he observed. "Your team’s name."

Leon smiled. "I was hoping to discuss that."

Garran paused with his quill above the parchment. "Have you already chosen one, Captain?"

"Not yet," Leon admitted. "I’ve considered several possibilities, but I’d rather discuss them with the others before making a final decision."

Sage nodded approvingly. "A sensible approach. The name will represent everyone who joins, so there’s no need to rush."

The team would also require its own crest and colors.

Those designs would be established separately through the Hall of Banners.

Sage made it clear that the new team did not need to adopt the Ardent Sun Knight Order’s existing insignia.

---

"Actually, I’d prefer something different," Leon remarked, looking toward his companions. "The order already has its own traditions. If we’re establishing a new identity within the Guild, we should create something that belongs specifically to this team."

The dark-haired Knight nodded. "Agreed, Captain. We can retain our pride in the order without copying its insignia."

Sage smiled. "Then the Hall of Banners should prove useful. Its craftsmen can help you develop a design once you’ve decided upon a name and preferred appearance."

Garran examined the unfinished registration document. "In that case, Guildmaster, we can complete the membership verification and founding declaration today, then record the final name and crest before issuing the team’s permanent insignia."

Sage considered the arrangement before nodding. "Proceed. The founding registration can be recorded now, with the remaining identification details finalized afterward."

Leon appeared satisfied. "Excellent. That gives us time to make a proper decision."

Sage chuckled. "Considering how competitive you’ve become, Captain, I’m relieved you’re willing to spend more than five minutes choosing something."

Leon laughed. "Some decisions deserve careful consideration, Guildmaster."

---

Once the necessary declarations were completed, Garran placed the founding record before Sage.

For a moment, the Guildmaster examined the parchment in silence.

The document itself was unremarkable.

It contained the founder’s name, the identities of six registered members, the date of establishment, and the team’s initial Bronze Rank.

Yet its significance extended far beyond the writing upon the page.

Until now, the Adventurer Guild had recognized individuals.

Adventurers could cooperate freely, but their collective activities had never existed within a permanent Guild ranking structure.

That had changed.

For the first time, a group of registered Adventurers had formally established an organization whose accomplishments would be recognized separately from those of its individual members.

Sage signed the document.

Then he handed it to Garran.

"Record the founding of the first officially recognized Adventurer Team," Sage instructed. "Its name and insignia will be added once the members have finalized their decisions."

Garran nodded solemnly. "Understood, Guildmaster."

---

Leon and his companions rose from their seats.

"Thank you, Guildmaster Sage," Leon said, offering a respectful nod. "We’ll make certain our team earns a reputation worthy of this opportunity."

Sage returned the gesture with a smile. "I expect nothing less, Captain. Just remember that Team Rank requires collective accomplishments. You can’t simply complete every mission yourself and expect the others to watch."

One of the Knights laughed quietly.

Leon grinned. "I suppose I’ll have to share the work."

"An unfamiliar experience, I’m sure," Sage replied.

The room filled with amusement.

After collecting their documents, Leon and his companions departed for the Hall of Banners, where they intended to begin discussing their new identity.

Sage watched them leave before returning his attention to the founding record.

---

Boren entered the chamber shortly afterward.

"I heard the registration was successful," he remarked, approaching the table.

Sage nodded. "The first Adventurer Team has officially been established. Seven founding members, with Leon as Team Leader."

Boren examined the document. "And the name?"

"Still being decided," Sage replied. "They’ll develop their crest separately as well."

Boren smiled faintly. "I imagine the Hall of Banners will be pleased to receive its first proper commission."

"Very pleased," Sage agreed.

He glanced toward the window, where the enormous Headquarters complex continued bustling with activity.

The new team was only Bronze Rank.

It possessed no established Guild Team reputation, no completed team missions, and not even a finalized banner.

Nevertheless, Sage understood what its creation represented.

One day, dozens or perhaps hundreds of Adventurer Teams might operate beneath the Guild’s recognition, each possessing its own history, accomplishments, and traditions.

Some might become famous for exploring dangerous dungeons. Others could earn renown through monster exterminations, rescue missions, or expeditions into unknown territories.

Their banners and cloaks would distinguish them wherever they traveled.

And every one of those future teams would trace its origins to the system of registration established here.

Sage looked down at the document once more.

The world’s first Adventurer Team had been founded.

For the Adventurer Guild, another important Chapter had begun.