Chapter 567: The Kingdom’s Attention

By the time Sage and his companions returned to Adventurer Guild Headquarters, midnight had already passed.

Despite the late hour, the enormous establishment remained lively, with Adventurers returning from missions, merchants conducting business, and employees attending to the needs of guests who had arrived throughout the evening.

Sage found the familiar atmosphere strangely comforting after spending so many hours surrounded by royalty and aristocrats.

Here, nobody cared about the proper manner of greeting a duke or the political implications of accepting a prince’s invitation.

Most people were simply concerned with completing their missions, earning money, and enjoying the facilities the Guild provided.

"Finally, we’re home!" Gregor exclaimed as they entered the main reception hall. "I swear, I’ve never spent so much time standing around pretending to understand conversations about politics and regional administration."

Lyana glanced at her brother with an unimpressed expression. "Gregor, you spent most of the banquet eating. The only political conversation I remember you participating in involved asking a nobleman whether his family owned any good hunting grounds."

Gregor grinned without embarrassment. "And that was a perfectly reasonable question, Sister. Some of those nobles own enormous territories. Surely they know where the best monsters are hiding."

Lucan chuckled as he removed his formal gloves. "You might be surprised how little certain nobles know about the lands they govern, Gregor. Although I wouldn’t recommend asking them that question directly."

Their laughter continued until Mina began yawning beside Valeria. The little girl had remained energetic throughout most of the celebration, but even her seemingly endless enthusiasm had finally reached its limit.

Valeria looked down at her adoptive younger sister with her usual impassive expression. "Mina, you’re going to bed. You’ve been awake long enough."

Mina rubbed her eyes before protesting weakly. "But Big Sister, I wanted to tell Uncle Sage about the cakes Princess Charlotte said she’d bring when she visits."

Sage smiled and gently patted her head. "You can tell me tomorrow, Mina. I’m sure the cakes will still be just as interesting after you’ve had some sleep."

After Valeria escorted Mina away, the remaining companions accompanied Sage toward a private meeting room on one of the upper floors. Boren had already suggested that they review the banquet’s developments before everyone retired for the night.

Once they were seated, Lucan loosened his collar and released a long breath.

"Well, Guildmaster, I believe we can safely say that tonight has changed our position in Kingsford considerably," Lucan remarked. "The Guild was already attracting attention, but now nearly every influential household in the Kingdom has a reason to discuss us."

Boren nodded thoughtfully. "That was inevitable eventually. What concerns me is how quickly the attention has arrived. We’ve barely established ourselves in the Royal Capital, and people are already considering what our expansion might mean for their interests."

Sage settled into his chair before answering. "Then we’d better make sure we understand exactly what we’re dealing with. Let’s begin with the opportunities."

Lucan leaned forward, resting his elbows upon the table. "House Auremont is the most immediate. My grandfather has made his position reasonably clear. He considers the Guild a worthwhile institution, and he’s willing to help us establish relationships with people who might otherwise hesitate to approach us."

"That’s valuable," Boren acknowledged. "Especially when we’re unfamiliar with the administrative customs of territories outside Evergreen and Kingsford."

Lucan nodded. "But Grandfather won’t support every decision we make simply because I’m involved. He’ll expect us to conduct ourselves responsibly, and he’ll withdraw from any arrangement that threatens his family’s obligations."

Sage smiled faintly. "That’s perfectly reasonable. I’d be more concerned if he offered unconditional support without asking anything about our plans."

Boren opened the notebook he’d brought from his office and turned to a fresh page. "Then there’s the Merchant Faith. From what you’ve described, Guildmaster, their processing facilities and international commercial connections could solve several problems we’ve been anticipating."

Sage nodded. "Their ability to handle large quantities of monster materials is particularly interesting. As more Adventurers begin exploring our dungeons, we’ll need more merchants capable of purchasing what they recover."

Lucan considered the implications before adding, "And their network could create markets beyond Westmark. Certain materials might be relatively common here but considerably more valuable in another kingdom."

"Exactly," Sage replied. "But Master Vermeer made it clear that they examine potential partners thoroughly. We’ll visit their processing hall, learn how they operate, and decide whether their standards are compatible with ours."

Boren wrote several notes before raising another concern. "We’ll also need to consider whether their recognized companies would receive any special privileges at Headquarters."

Sage shook his head. "They can compete with other merchants under the same rules. I’m willing to negotiate commercial services, storage arrangements, and transportation contracts, but Adventurers must retain the freedom to choose their buyers."

Lucan smiled approvingly. "I suspect Master Vermeer will appreciate knowing our position before negotiations begin."

The discussion then turned toward the less encouraging developments of the evening.

Boren closed his notebook briefly and regarded Sage with a serious expression. "Guildmaster, you mentioned that several nobles were discussing additional regulations concerning regional branches. How serious do you believe that threat is?"

Sage folded his arms thoughtfully. "Serious enough that we shouldn’t ignore it. I overheard Lord Geoffrey Lancaster discussing regional permissions, dungeon agreements, and commercial licenses with several other influential figures."

Lucan’s expression darkened slightly. "Those are precisely the areas where local authorities possess considerable discretion. Even if nobody openly prohibits our expansion, they could delay applications, demand additional documentation, or introduce requirements designed to make new branches unnecessarily expensive."

Boren frowned. "That could disrupt our construction schedules before we’ve even selected suitable locations."

"Or discourage potential partners from working with us," Lucan added. "A merchant might hesitate to invest in a new Guild branch if influential nobles are suggesting that its operating permissions could become uncertain."

Sage listened carefully. He had expected resistance from established dungeon owners, particularly those who depended upon claiming enormous portions of the resources recovered by Warriors. However, the banquet had demonstrated that opposition could emerge from several different directions.

Some nobles feared losing commercial revenue. Others disliked the prospect of thousands of independent Warriors becoming associated with an organization outside their direct influence. Still others appeared concerned that the Guild’s growing popularity might eventually translate into political power.

"Then we need to distinguish legitimate administrative requirements from deliberate obstruction," Sage concluded. "If a region has reasonable construction laws or safety regulations, we’ll follow them. But if someone invents new restrictions specifically to prevent us from operating, we’ll need a lawful way to challenge those decisions."

Boren nodded. "That means obtaining better information before committing resources. We should have our administrators examine regional requirements in advance rather than discovering complications after construction begins."

Lucan agreed immediately. "I can help identify officials familiar with those procedures. House Auremont maintains relationships across several regions, and Grandfather may be willing to recommend reliable contacts."

Sage appreciated the offer, although another concern remained at the back of his mind.

Pax’s report.

The intermediary connected to Edmund Krail, Gideon Marholt, and Roderick Halbrecht had apparently been communicating with someone associated with an influential political household. That discovery suggested the mysterious patron behind the earlier attacks might possess connections reaching far beyond the mercenary companies themselves.

Sage had deliberately withheld the details from the wider delegation. Until Pax and Fenric uncovered stronger evidence, making accusations would only create unnecessary danger.

"There’s another matter we’re continuing to investigate," Sage remarked carefully. "Pax has uncovered additional information concerning the people involved in the attacks against the Guild. Nothing conclusive yet, but I’ve instructed him to proceed discreetly."

Boren’s expression became grave. "Do you believe the people responsible are still planning something, Guildmaster?"

Sage shook his head slightly. "I don’t know. That’s why we need more information before taking action. For now, security should remain attentive without disrupting normal operations."

Lucan nodded, understanding that Sage wasn’t prepared to reveal more.

The meeting continued for some time as they reviewed the Guild’s immediate priorities. Boren would coordinate administrative preparations, Lucan would examine potential regional contacts, and Sage would arrange his visit to the Merchant Faith’s processing hall.

Eventually, however, Lucan returned to the subject they had deliberately left until last.

"Guildmaster, there’s still Crown Prince Richard’s invitation," Lucan reminded him. "You haven’t decided whether to accept."

Sage leaned back in his chair, remembering their conversation at the palace.

Richard hadn’t attempted to purchase the Guild’s loyalty or demand authority over its operations. Instead, he’d presented a practical problem affecting several communities and demonstrated a willingness to consider solutions without immediately attaching political conditions.

That distinction mattered.

"The Crown Prince seems different from his brother," Sage observed. "He understands that cooperation doesn’t necessarily require control. More importantly, he appears genuinely interested in solving problems rather than simply expanding his personal influence."

Lucan nodded thoughtfully. "Prince Richard has considerable experience with administrative affairs. He’s also the recognized heir to the throne, which means any relationship with him will attract attention."

Boren regarded Sage carefully. "And declining his invitation could attract attention as well."

Sage chuckled at the observation. "That’s the problem, isn’t it? We’ve been trying to remain outside noble politics, but apparently even refusing to participate can become a political statement."

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Sage looked through the tall windows overlooking the illuminated Headquarters courtyard. Below, Adventurers continued entering and leaving the building, unaware of the conversations taking place in royal chambers and noble residences across Kingsford.

He had established the Guild to provide Warriors with opportunities, reliable facilities, and the freedom to pursue their own ambitions. He wasn’t interested in turning it into a political faction, nor did he intend to surrender its independence to anyone.

But independence didn’t mean isolation.

If the Guild intended to operate throughout Westmark, it would inevitably encounter the Kingdom’s governing institutions. Pretending otherwise would only leave it vulnerable to people who understood those institutions better.

Sage finally straightened and regarded his companions.

"I’ve made my decision," Sage announced calmly. "We’ll accept Crown Prince Richard’s invitation. I want to hear his proposal, and if there’s an opportunity for genuine cooperation, we’ll consider it."

Lucan smiled with satisfaction. "I’ll arrange the meeting, Guildmaster. I believe His Royal Highness will appreciate your response."

Sage nodded before adding, "But make one thing clear. We’re going there to discuss cooperation, not to pledge ourselves to a political faction. Whatever arrangement he proposes must respect the Guild’s independence."

Boren closed his notebook with a relieved expression. "Then we have our direction, Guildmaster. I’ll begin preparing the relevant information tomorrow."

With their immediate plans settled, the meeting concluded, and the companions finally retired after an exhausting evening.

Elsewhere in Kingsford, however, another conversation was taking place.

Within a secluded chamber of an imposing noble residence, a powerful figure sat behind an enormous desk covered with correspondence and sealed documents. Heavy curtains concealed the windows, while a single lamp illuminated the report resting before them.

A subordinate stood several paces away, awaiting instructions.

"The Crown Prince?" the noble repeated quietly, examining the report. "You’re certain Richard Alden personally approached the Guildmaster?"

The subordinate bowed. "Yes, my lord. They spoke privately during the banquet, and our sources indicate that another meeting may follow."

The noble remained silent for several moments before setting the document aside.

"Interesting. The Guild has grown more troublesome than anticipated. If the Crown Prince decides to support its expansion, certain opportunities may disappear before we can act."

The subordinate lowered his head. "What would you have us do, my lord?"

The noble leaned back, their features concealed beyond the lamplight.

"Investigate every available means of obstructing the Guild’s expansion," the figure ordered coldly. "Regional permissions, commercial agreements, dungeon regulations, political opposition. I want to know which obstacles can be placed in its path without drawing unnecessary attention."

The subordinate bowed deeply. "Understood, my lord. I’ll begin immediately."

As the door closed behind him, the unidentified noble returned to the report concerning Sage and the Crown Prince.

The Adventurer Guild had attracted the attention of Westmark’s future king.

And someone powerful had decided that its rise must be stopped.