Chapter 577 A Prince’s Reputation [ 2 ]

Cedric hadn’t ordered an attack upon the Guild, but neither had he dismissed the political concerns surrounding its growing relationship with Richard.

Elsewhere in the palace, Third Prince Adrian was examining the Marrowford commission from an entirely different perspective.

Several documents lay across his desk, including the original authorization, the territorial objection, and the Royal Administrative Council’s preliminary findings.

Adrian turned toward an elderly legal adviser seated opposite him.

"What’s your assessment of the commission’s legality?" Adrian asked, tapping the original authorization. "Not whether it was useful. I want to know whether the Crown possessed sufficient authority to issue it."

The adviser adjusted his spectacles. "The authorization appears lawful, Your Royal Highness. The Crown has long commissioned independent specialists for particular services. The difficulty lies in how those arrangements interact with territorial jurisdiction."

Adrian nodded. "And the proposed noble supervision requirement?"

"That would require careful drafting," the adviser replied. "As written, Lord Harcourt’s proposal grants appointed representatives extensive discretionary powers without clearly defining the limits of their authority."

Adrian frowned as he examined the relevant provision.

"An appointed official could suspend an operation indefinitely without establishing that the organization had violated any law," Adrian observed. "That creates an obvious opportunity for abuse."

The adviser inclined his head. "Precisely, Your Royal Highness."

Adrian continued reading

.

"The Guild should remain accountable for its conduct, but accountability must operate through defined procedures," Adrian remarked.

"Otherwise, every territorial official who dislikes an investigation could simply demand its suspension."

He made several notes in the margin.

The Marrowford dispute interested him because it exposed a gap in Westmark’s administrative framework.

Independent organizations had existed for generations, but few possessed the Guild’s combination of geographical reach, financial resources, and organized membership.

Existing regulations had never been designed with such an institution in mind.

Adrian closed the documents thoughtfully.

"If this Guild intends to establish branches throughout the Kingdom, these questions won’t disappear," Adrian told his adviser. "Someone will eventually need to establish a consistent legal framework."

Meanwhile, Fourth Prince Julian’s reaction to the news was considerably more enthusiastic.

Inside a Royal Knights training courtyard, Julian had just finished a sparring session when one of his companions mentioned the Marrowford operation.

"Apparently, two Adventurer parties eliminated an entire monster nest," the young Knight reported while removing his training gloves.

"The larger creature was supposedly strong enough to threaten experienced Warriors."

Julian immediately turned toward him.

"Which Adventurers?" Julian asked with interest.

"The Ironwood Party and the Silver Pike Party," the Knight answered. "Their leaders are Darius Fenner and Beatrice West, if I remember correctly."

Julian grinned. "Now that sounds interesting. Did they defeat the larger monster together?"

The Knight nodded. "According to the reports, they coordinated their attacks while a mage restricted the creature’s movements."

Julian rested his practice sword against his shoulder.

"I’d like to meet them," Julian declared. "The Adventurer Guild keeps producing interesting Warriors. First Leon Drakar joins their ranks, and now these parties are accomplishing things that have the entire capital talking."

His companion laughed. "You’re not planning to challenge every successful Adventurer to a duel, are you, Your Royal Highness?"

Julian chuckled. "Of course not. I might ask them to demonstrate a few techniques first."

Back at Adventurer Guild Headquarters, Sage was reviewing the latest administrative reports when Lucan entered his office.

"Guildmaster, it seems the Marrowford commission has attracted more attention than we expected," Lucan remarked as he placed several documents upon the desk.

Sage glanced up. "Good attention or troublesome attention?"

Lucan smiled faintly. "Both, unfortunately. Several merchants have submitted inquiries about future Guild commissions, and we’ve received requests from regional officials interested in similar arrangements."

Sage nodded approvingly. "That’s encouraging."

"However, there are also rumors circulating among certain nobles," Lucan continued.

"Some are suggesting that the Crown Prince is using the Guild to cultivate an independent force of powerful Warriors."

Sage sighed.

"We complete one royal commission, and suddenly we’re somebody’s private army?" Sage asked incredulously.

Lucan chuckled. "Welcome to royal politics, Guildmaster. Apparently, even clearing monsters from a trade road can become a question of succession."

Before Sage could respond, a receptionist arrived with a sealed letter bearing the Crown Prince’s insignia.

Sage opened it and discovered a request for a private meeting that evening.

Several hours later, he arrived at Richard’s residence, where the Crown Prince received him inside the same study in which they had negotiated the Marrowford commission.

Richard greeted him warmly before gesturing toward a chair.

"Guildmaster, congratulations on a successful operation," Richard remarked. "Your Adventurers have accomplished precisely what we hoped."

Sage smiled as he took his seat. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness. I’m pleased the road is reopening. Hopefully, the territorial authorities will maintain it properly this time."

Richard nodded. "I’ve instructed the relevant departments to review the new patrol arrangements. We won’t allow the matter to disappear simply because the monsters are gone."

The Crown Prince paused before his expression became more serious.

"However, there’s another reason I invited you here," Richard continued. "Our cooperation has attracted considerable attention within the palace."

Sage nodded. "Lucan mentioned that certain nobles are questioning our relationship."

"That’s putting it mildly," Richard replied. "Some believe I’m attempting to cultivate the Guild as a personal military organization. Others are concerned about the precedent established by an independent institution accepting Crown-sponsored assignments."

Sage folded his arms. "The Guild has no intention of becoming involved in royal succession disputes. I made that clear when we negotiated the commission."

"And I haven’t forgotten," Richard assured him. "But political suspicions don’t always disappear simply because the facts contradict them."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Guildmaster, I wanted to warn you personally," Richard said, his expression grave. "The success at Marrowford has strengthened the Guild’s reputation, but it has also made your organization considerably more visible to those who view independent power as a threat."

Sage regarded him silently.

Richard continued, "Until now, many influential people considered the Guild an unusual organization that controlled dungeons and employed Adventurers. After Marrowford, they’re beginning to understand that it can influence matters of regional security and administration."

The Crown Prince’s gaze remained steady.

"And that means, Guildmaster, our cooperation has made the Adventurer Guild a much more attractive political target."