Chapter 544: The People Who Built Evergreen

The following morning, Sage Alistair invited several familiar faces to join him for breakfast in one of the private dining rooms at the Adventurer Guild Headquarters.

Gregor, Lyana, Vanthrice, and Valeria arrived shortly after the appointed time, accompanied by Boren, who had already spent most of the morning dealing with administrative matters. Unlike the formal meetings Sage occasionally held with merchants and nobles, this gathering required neither elaborate preparations nor strict etiquette.

A large table had been prepared with freshly baked bread, roasted meat, fruits, and several other dishes from the Guild’s Dining Quarter.

Gregor was the first to make himself comfortable.

"Now this is what I’m talking about!" Gregor declared as he examined the food. "Guildmaster, I have to admit, you’ve really improved your hospitality since Evergreen. Back then, I was lucky if you offered me something to drink."

Sage looked at him with an offended expression. "Gregor, I provided you with the opportunity to become the world’s first Adventurer. What greater hospitality could you possibly ask for?"

"A free breakfast would’ve been nice," Gregor replied, helping himself to a generous portion of roasted meat.

Lyana shook her head at her brother’s behavior. "You know, Gregor, most people would at least thank their host before attacking the food."

Gregor glanced at her while reaching for another piece of bread. "I already thanked him yesterday. Besides, Sage knows how much I appreciate him."

Boren chuckled as he poured himself some tea. "Considering how often you remind everyone that you’re the first Adventurer, I doubt Guildmaster could ever forget your appreciation."

Vanthrice laughed at the remark, while Valeria quietly took her seat beside Mina, who had insisted upon joining the gathering after learning that her older sister would be present.

Sage watched the familiar exchange with considerable amusement.

Despite everything that had changed since Evergreen, the people sitting around the table remained remarkably similar to how he remembered them.

Gregor was still loud and competitive, Lyana continued keeping her brother from becoming completely insufferable, and Vanthrice had lost none of her enthusiasm for teasing the others.

Even Valeria remained as cold and intimidating as ever.

Mina, meanwhile, appeared delighted to have so many familiar people gathered in one place.

"Big Sister, you should try this!" Mina exclaimed, placing a small pastry upon Valeria’s plate. "Maura makes them every morning, and they’re really delicious."

Valeria examined the pastry before calmly picking it up. "If you recommend it, I’ll try it. But don’t think I’ve forgotten what Boren said about you eating too many sweets."

Mina immediately turned toward Sage with an accusing expression. "Uncle Sage, you promised you wouldn’t let Big Sister find out!"

Sage nearly choked on his tea.

Gregor burst into laughter.

Valeria slowly turned her cold gaze toward the Guildmaster. "Sage, it seems we have something to discuss."

Sage carefully placed his cup upon the table. "Now, Valeria, before you misunderstand anything, I believe children should enjoy their childhood."

"Interesting," Valeria replied without changing her expression. "Then perhaps you should enjoy yours somewhere I can’t reach you."

Vanthrice laughed so hard that she nearly spilled her drink.

For the next several minutes, the room was filled with familiar teasing and conversation. Nobody seemed particularly concerned that the man sitting at the head of the table now controlled one of the fastest-growing organizations in Westmark.

To them, Sage was still Sage.

Eventually, Gregor leaned back in his chair and looked around the dining room.

"You know, it’s strange," he remarked. "When I first registered as an Adventurer, I never imagined we’d end up somewhere like this."

Sage glanced toward him.

Gregor continued, his expression becoming unusually thoughtful. "Back then, most Warriors didn’t even understand what an Adventurer was supposed to be. Now I walk into this enormous Headquarters and find hundreds of people wearing Adventurer Badges."

Lyana nodded in agreement. "I remember how much work it took just to organize the first registration records. Now the Guild has entire departments handling matters that used to occupy our whole day."

Boren set down his cup. "And somehow, the paperwork has only increased."

Sage sighed dramatically. "Don’t remind me. I’m beginning to suspect the true enemy of every great organization is administration."

Lyana gave him a pointed look. "That’s a rather dangerous opinion to express in front of two administrators, Sage."

"Three, if you count the person who has to approve the expenses," Boren added.

Gregor grinned. "Careful, Sage. They might organize a rebellion."

Sage regarded Lyana and Boren suspiciously. "You two wouldn’t betray me over paperwork, would you?"

Lyana answered with a perfectly innocent expression. "That depends. Are you planning to sign the reports we’ve been sending you?"

The laughter that followed reminded Sage of countless conversations they had shared in Evergreen.

However, beneath the humor lay something considerably more important.

These were people who had helped establish the Adventurer Guild before it possessed wealth, influence, or widespread recognition.

Their contributions hadn’t disappeared simply because the organization had grown.

Sage turned toward Gregor.

"Speaking of Evergreen, there’s something I want to make clear," he said. "No matter how many Adventurers register in the future, you’ll always be the first."

Gregor blinked.

Sage continued before he could interrupt. "That might sound obvious, but I don’t want the Guild to forget the people who helped establish it. The first Adventurer, the people who managed our original Headquarters, and those who trusted the organization before anyone knew whether it would succeed deserve recognition."

Gregor straightened in his chair.

"Finally!" he exclaimed. "Someone appreciates my historical importance!"

Lucan wasn’t present to challenge the declaration, which probably saved the conversation from another lengthy argument.

Lyana rolled her eyes. "You were doing so well until that last sentence, Brother."

Sage chuckled before continuing. "I’m serious, though. As the Guild grows, I want its history preserved properly. Not exaggerated stories about how brilliant I supposedly am, but an accurate record of the people who built it."

Vanthrice raised an eyebrow. "You’re saying we shouldn’t exaggerate your brilliance? That’s going to disappoint Gregor. He’s already planning a statue of himself."

Gregor pointed toward her indignantly. "That was Lucan’s idea!"

Valeria calmly lifted her teacup. "Then perhaps the statue should depict both of you arguing. It would be more accurate."

Even Sage couldn’t resist laughing at that.

After breakfast, Boren suggested showing the returning companions several facilities they hadn’t visited during their initial tour.

The group left the dining room and made their way through the Grand Guild Hall, passing registration counters crowded with Warriors and mission boards displaying assignments from across the Royal Capital and surrounding territories.

Boren gestured toward the administrative offices overlooking the main hall.

"Marcelline Dacre oversees reception, while Garran Holt manages mission administration. Irene Valcrest handles the Guild’s finances, and Tobias Merrow coordinates logistics and supplies."

Lyana examined the offices with professional interest. "You’ve separated responsibilities much more extensively than we did in Evergreen. That must make it easier to manage large numbers of employees."

"It does," Boren replied. "Although coordinating the departments creates its own difficulties. Tobias and Irene occasionally disagree about expenditure requests, particularly when construction materials are involved."

Sage sighed. "Irene seems to believe every gold coin personally belongs to her."

Boren glanced toward him. "Considering some of your spending proposals, Guildmaster, I can’t say I blame her."

Gregor laughed as they continued toward the training facilities.

Along the way, Boren explained that Cassian Rook supervised security, while Selene Arkwright managed the Guild’s hotel. Maura Bellamy oversaw the Dining Quarter, Bramdir Coppervein directed smithing operations, and the medical facilities operated under Elowen’s supervision.

He also mentioned the Guild Library, which Lucien Marrow continued developing as its collection of books, maps, and records expanded.

Vanthrice listened with growing amazement.

"You’ve practically built a town inside the capital," she remarked. "Adventurers can eat, sleep, train, purchase equipment, and accept missions without leaving the Guild District."

"That’s the intention," Sage replied. "The more services we provide, the easier it becomes for Adventurers to concentrate on their work."

They eventually reached a balcony overlooking another section of the district.

Several buildings were still under construction, with workers transporting stone, timber, and other materials between partially completed structures.

Gregor leaned against the railing. "You’re still expanding? How much bigger does this place need to become?"

Sage followed his gaze toward the construction site. "We’re preparing for future demand. The number of registered Adventurers keeps increasing, and our current facilities won’t remain sufficient forever."

Boren nodded. "We’re expanding accommodation capacity, improving storage facilities, and preparing additional administrative space. The Guild District is already busier than our original projections anticipated."

Lyana studied the construction carefully. "You’re planning beyond the capital, aren’t you?"

Sage turned toward her.

She continued, "You wouldn’t need this much administrative capacity if you only intended to manage Kingsford and Evergreen. Some of these departments look like they’re being prepared to coordinate operations elsewhere."

Boren glanced at Sage, who appeared thoroughly impressed.

"See?" Sage remarked. "This is why I wanted Lyana here. She notices things before I even explain them."

Gregor folded his arms. "I noticed the construction too."

Vanthrice looked toward him. "Yes, Gregor. You noticed that buildings were being built. An extraordinary achievement."

Gregor gave her an offended look while the others laughed.

Sage then gestured for everyone to follow him back toward the administrative wing.

There, inside a spacious meeting room, an enormous map of Westmark had been spread across a table.

The fifteen administrative regions were clearly marked, along with major cities, important roads, and numerous noble territories.

Valeria examined the map silently while Lyana immediately moved closer.

Gregor frowned as he studied the markings. "What’s all this for?"

Sage rested both hands upon the table.

"Evergreen was our beginning, and Kingsford has shown us how much larger the Guild can become. But I don’t intend to stop with two major Headquarters."

Vanthrice looked toward him with renewed interest. "You’re planning another branch?"

"Several," Sage replied.

Lyana studied the map again, her expression growing increasingly serious. "How many are you considering?"

Sage glanced around the table, taking in the faces of the people who had accompanied him through the Guild’s earliest days.

He had invited them to Kingsford for more than a reunion.

The next stage of the Guild’s development would require experienced people, trusted administrators, and capable Adventurers willing to help establish its presence throughout the Kingdom.

And there were few people he trusted more than those standing before him.

"Gregor, Valeria, Vanthrice, Lyana," Sage began, his expression becoming serious, "what we accomplished in Evergreen was only the beginning. The Royal Capital was our next step, but now it’s time to think about the entire Kingdom."

Gregor slowly straightened.

Lyana’s eyes moved across the map.

Even Valeria turned her full attention toward Sage.

Sage placed his finger upon the Royal Region before tracing a path across the surrounding territories.

"My next goal is to establish the Adventurer Guild throughout Westmark," he declared. "Not just in a few important cities or territories, but across the entire Kingdom."

He looked at his companions. "I want the Adventurer Guild operating in all fifteen regions of Westmark."