Chapter 569 The Marrowford Crisis

Sage examined the documents spread across the table, his expression growing increasingly serious as he studied the reports concerning Marrowford and its surrounding territories.

The figures were considerably worse than he had expected.

According to the records, seventeen merchant caravans had been attacked along the eastern trade route during the past two months.

Several had managed to escape with damaged wagons and injured guards, while others had disappeared entirely.

The number of confirmed deaths had already exceeded forty, and that figure didn’t include travelers whose bodies had never been recovered.

"Seventeen caravans in two months?" Sage asked, raising his gaze toward Richard. "Your Royal Highness, how has the situation been allowed to deteriorate this badly?"

Richard released a weary sigh as he selected another document. "That’s precisely the question I’ve been asking, Guildmaster. Unfortunately, the answer involves a combination of territorial disputes, inadequate patrols, and several unsuccessful attempts to eliminate the monsters responsible."

Lucan leaned closer to examine the map positioned beneath the reports.

The eastern trade route connected Kingsford to several agricultural districts and commercial settlements before continuing toward the Kingdom’s eastern regions.

Marrowford occupied an important position along that route, serving as a resting point for merchants transporting grain, livestock, timber, and other commodities.

Richard indicated a narrow stretch of road passing through a large woodland.

"This section is where most of the attacks have occurred," the Crown Prince explained. "The road passes through the woodland surrounding Old Harrow Bridge before continuing toward Marrowford. Unfortunately, the bridge and the surrounding forest lie near the boundary between two separate territorial jurisdictions."

Sage studied the markings. "And both authorities believe the other should be responsible for securing it?"

Richard nodded. "Lord Bernard Wycliffe governs the western district, while Baron Oswald Fenwick controls the neighboring eastern territory. Both acknowledge that the route requires protection, but neither wishes to assume the entire financial burden."

Lucan frowned as he examined the boundary line. "Surely there must be an existing agreement concerning road maintenance and patrol responsibilities."

"There is," Richard replied, tapping a section of the document. "An agreement established decades ago. Unfortunately, its wording has become the subject of considerable disagreement."

He explained that the original arrangement required both territories to contribute toward maintaining the road and protecting travelers. However, the agreement had been written when the surrounding woodland was considerably smaller and monster activity remained relatively uncommon.

Over the years, the forest had expanded, several villages had been established nearby, and commercial traffic had increased substantially.

Neither territorial administration had updated the agreement to reflect those changes.

"Lord Wycliffe argues that the eastern district benefits more from the trade route and should therefore contribute additional funds," Richard continued. "Baron Fenwick insists that most attacks occur west of the boundary and should be handled by Wycliffe’s soldiers."

Sage shook his head slowly. "Meanwhile, the merchants and villagers are paying the price for their disagreement."

"Precisely," Richard answered, his expression hardening. "And the situation has become more complicated because both authorities have already suffered losses attempting to resolve it independently."

Sage turned to another page containing a summary of previous military operations.

The first response had involved a patrol of twenty-four soldiers dispatched after several caravans reported attacks near Old Harrow Bridge.

They had encountered a group of monsters shortly after entering the woodland, successfully killing several before withdrawing.

Unfortunately, the attacks resumed less than a week later.

A second expedition had been organized by the neighboring territory, this time involving forty soldiers and several hired trackers. They advanced farther into the forest but encountered resistance from a much larger concentration of monsters.

Seven soldiers were killed, and more than a dozen suffered injuries before the expedition retreated.

"These casualties are substantial for a relatively small territorial force," Sage observed. "Did either lord request assistance from the Royal Army afterward?"

Richard nodded. "Both submitted requests, although each presented the situation somewhat differently. One described an unusually aggressive monster population, while the other claimed the neighboring territory had failed to maintain adequate patrols."

Lucan sighed. "So instead of presenting a unified account, they submitted competing explanations."

Richard gave a humorless smile. "Exactly. By the time the requests reached the appropriate military offices, several additional attacks had occurred."

The Crown Prince explained that a Royal Army detachment had eventually been dispatched to investigate the woodland.

However, the soldiers had encountered difficulties locating the monsters’ primary nesting grounds.

The creatures appeared to move through different sections of the forest, attacking isolated travelers before retreating into areas where visibility was poor and movement became difficult.

After several days of searching, the detachment eliminated a number of monsters and declared the immediate route sufficiently secure for limited travel.

Unfortunately, the attacks resumed shortly after the soldiers departed.

Sage frowned as he examined the military report.

"Did they identify what kind of monsters were responsible?" he asked.

Richard selected another document. "That’s another problem. The descriptions aren’t entirely consistent. Most survivors reported large wolf-like creatures, but several soldiers encountered something considerably larger."

Lucan examined a witness statement before speaking. "The larger creature could be directing the others. If that’s the case, eliminating ordinary monsters wouldn’t necessarily solve the problem."

Sage nodded thoughtfully. "It’s possible. But we’d need reliable observations before reaching that conclusion. Survivors fleeing an attack aren’t always in a position to identify what they’re seeing accurately."

Richard appeared pleased by the cautious response.

"That uncertainty is one reason I believe the Guild could help," he explained. "Your organization regularly handles monster-related missions. More importantly, you have procedures for gathering information, assessing danger, and assigning appropriately qualified Warriors."

Sage understood the distinction Richard was making.

The Royal Army possessed experienced soldiers and powerful commanders, but its primary responsibilities extended far beyond monster suppression. Deploying substantial military forces whenever dangerous creatures appeared near a commercial road would place considerable strain upon regional garrisons.

The Adventurer Guild, however, had been established specifically to organize independent Warriors for missions of varying difficulty.

That didn’t mean every Adventurer was qualified to confront a dangerous monster population, but the Guild possessed the administrative framework necessary to distinguish routine assignments from serious threats.

"Before we discuss possible missions, Your Royal Highness, I’d like to understand the commercial consequences," Sage remarked. "How much traffic normally passes through Marrowford?"

Richard gestured toward another set of records. "Before the attacks intensified, approximately thirty to forty merchant wagons used that section of the route each day, although the numbers varied considerably with the season."

Lucan raised his eyebrows. "That’s substantial traffic for a regional road."

"It is," Richard agreed. "Marrowford serves several agricultural settlements. Much of their produce travels toward Kingsford through this route, while manufactured goods and other supplies move in the opposite direction."

He explained that merchants had begun avoiding the woodland entirely, choosing a southern detour that added several days to their journeys.

The longer route increased transportation expenses and exposed caravans to additional risks.

Some merchants had simply stopped traveling to the affected settlements.

As a result, farmers were struggling to sell their produce, local merchants were facing shortages, and several roadside establishments had closed.

"The most troubling reports concern the villages nearest the woodland," Richard continued. "Their residents depend upon regular trade. If the road remains unsafe, some families may be forced to abandon their homes."

Sage’s expression became grave.

He had seen how monster threats could devastate communities that lacked sufficient protection. A settlement didn’t need to be destroyed outright to suffer catastrophic consequences. Sometimes the disappearance of merchants and travelers was enough to cripple its economy.

"Then reopening the road is only part of the problem," Sage observed. "Even if the monsters are eliminated, people won’t immediately trust the route again. They’ll need assurances that the danger won’t return."

Richard nodded approvingly. "Precisely, Guildmaster. A temporary military victory won’t be sufficient. We need to understand why the attacks have continued and what measures would prevent the situation from recurring."

Lucan studied the map thoughtfully. "Has anyone considered establishing permanent patrol stations near the woodland?"

"Several proposals have been submitted," Richard answered. "Unfortunately, they all return to the same disagreement concerning funding and responsibility. Neither territorial authority wishes to maintain additional soldiers indefinitely."

Sage leaned back in his chair, considering the information.

The situation was beginning to resemble an administrative failure as much as a monster crisis.

Even if a powerful group of Adventurers entered the forest and exterminated every dangerous creature they encountered, the underlying disagreement between the two territorial administrations would remain unresolved.

"Your Royal Highness, I believe the Guild can assist with the investigation," Sage said after a moment. "But I wouldn’t recommend beginning with a large-scale extermination mission. We don’t yet know the monsters’ numbers, their exact locations, or whether something is causing their unusual behavior."

Richard folded his hands upon the table. "What would you suggest instead?"

Sage indicated the woodland on the map.

"An initial reconnaissance assignment," he explained. "We send experienced Adventurers to examine the affected road, investigate the attack locations, gather information from survivors, and determine what kind of monsters we’re dealing with. Once we have reliable findings, we can recommend an appropriate response."

Lucan nodded in agreement. "That would also provide the Crown with an independent assessment rather than another report influenced by the disagreement between the two lords."

"Exactly," Sage replied. "And if the situation proves more dangerous than the existing reports suggest, we’ll know before committing a larger force."

Richard considered the proposal carefully.

For several moments, the only sound came from the distant movement of servants beyond the chamber doors.

Finally, the Crown Prince nodded.

"That seems reasonable, Guildmaster. I would like to formally commission the Adventurer Guild to investigate the Marrowford crisis and recommend a practical solution."

Sage inclined his head. "I’m willing to consider the commission, Your Royal Highness. We’ll need to establish the precise scope of the assignment, compensation, reporting requirements, and the authority under which our Adventurers would operate."

Richard smiled faintly. "Naturally. I anticipated that you would insist upon proper arrangements."

Before their discussion could continue, a knock sounded at the chamber door.

Richard glanced toward the entrance. "Enter," he instructed.

The household secretary stepped inside carrying a sealed document.

"Your Royal Highness, forgive the interruption," the secretary said with a respectful bow. "An urgent report has arrived from the eastern administrative office. The messenger requested that it be delivered immediately."

Richard accepted the document and broke its seal.

As he read, his expression gradually darkened.

Sage noticed the change immediately.

"Has something happened, Your Royal Highness?" he asked.

Richard lowered the document and looked toward the map.

"It appears the situation has become considerably worse," the Crown Prince answered grimly. "Three additional settlements have reported monster sightings within the past forty-eight hours."

Lucan straightened in his chair. "Three settlements? Were they located near the existing attack sites?"

Richard shook his head. "No, Lord Lucan. That’s what concerns me."

He placed the report upon the table, directly beside the map of Marrowford. "According to the latest information, the monsters have begun spreading beyond the original woodland. They’re now appearing in territories where no attacks have previously been recorded."