Chapter 580 The Second Prince’s Countermove

The success of the Marrowford commission had accomplished more than restoring an important trade route.

It had brought the Adventurer Guild into conversations taking place among some of the most influential nobles and administrators in Westmark.

For Crown Prince Richard, the development represented an opportunity to establish a more effective approach to regional security. For Sage, it offered the possibility of expanding the Guild’s operations under a consistent legal framework.

For Second Prince Cedric Alden, however, the situation required a different kind of consideration.

Cedric sat inside his private study at the royal palace, examining a collection of reports concerning the Adventurer Guild’s recent activities.

Across from him sat Lord Frederick Merton, accompanied by two nobles whose families maintained longstanding relationships with House Lancaster.

"The Crown Prince has apparently held another private meeting with Guildmaster Sage," Frederick reported, placing a document upon the desk. "The subject hasn’t been formally disclosed, but several officials believe they’re discussing arrangements for future cooperation."

Cedric turned a page without immediately responding.

He was already aware that Richard had commissioned the Guild to resolve the Marrowford crisis.

The operation’s success had been discussed extensively throughout the palace, and the administrative departments were now examining whether similar commissions could prove useful elsewhere.

What interested Cedric was the speed with which his elder brother’s relationship with the Guild appeared to be developing.

"Has Richard submitted another commission?" Cedric asked.

"Not yet, Your Royal Highness," Frederick answered. "However, several regional administrators have requested information about the Guild’s procedures. There’s growing interest in using Adventurers for problems that local authorities have struggled to resolve."

Cedric set the report aside.

During the King’s birthday banquet, he had personally approached Sage with an offer of assistance. In exchange for resources and political support, Cedric had sought influence over the Guild’s appointments and administrative decisions.

Sage had rejected the arrangement.

The Guildmaster had been courteous, but there had been nothing ambiguous about his refusal. He wasn’t interested in allowing a royal prince to influence the internal administration of his organization.

Cedric had understood the answer perfectly.

He also understood that repeating the same offer would accomplish nothing.

"The Guildmaster is rather protective of his independence," Cedric remarked thoughtfully. "I doubt Richard has persuaded him to surrender anything substantial."

Frederick frowned. "Then perhaps the Crown Prince is simply being more patient."

"Perhaps," Cedric replied. "But we shouldn’t mistake every agreement between two people for a conspiracy. Richard has always preferred practical solutions, and the Guild provided one at Marrowford."

One of the other nobles, Lord Vincent Calder, leaned forward.

"With respect, Your Royal Highness, practical cooperation can become political influence over time," Vincent observed. "The Guild controls valuable dungeons, possesses considerable wealth, and has powerful Warriors among its members. If royal commissions increasingly pass through Richard’s office, the Guild may eventually become dependent upon his patronage."

Cedric considered the argument.

There was some merit to it, although the Guild’s existing income made financial dependence upon a single royal household unlikely.

More importantly, attacking the organization directly would be counterproductive. Its reputation had improved considerably following Marrowford, and merchants were already praising the benefits of its services.

Cedric needed an approach that could withstand public scrutiny.

"Then we should examine the commissions themselves," Cedric suggested. "Not whether the Guild is capable of completing them, but whether the process for awarding them is fair."

Frederick looked interested. "You mean requiring royal departments to consider other organizations before selecting the Guild?"

"Among other things," Cedric answered. "There are independent mercenary companies, regional associations, licensed security contractors, and established noble institutions that provide similar services. If the Crown begins awarding substantial commissions to one organization without a consistent selection process, questions will naturally arise."

Vincent nodded slowly. "Especially if that organization has a personal relationship with the Crown Prince."

Cedric raised a finger.

"Be careful with that accusation," Cedric cautioned. "The Marrowford commission was lawful, and the Guild completed its obligations. We gain nothing by pretending otherwise. What we should ask is whether the Kingdom possesses adequate regulations for future arrangements."

Frederick smiled with understanding.

Rather than challenge the successful commission, they could encourage a broader discussion about transparency, competition, and the responsibilities of organizations operating across territorial boundaries.

Such arguments would be difficult for Richard to dismiss without appearing opposed to administrative accountability.

"Then I can speak with several members of the Royal Administrative Council," Frederick offered. "Lord Harcourt has already expressed concerns about independent organizations receiving Crown-sponsored assignments."

Cedric nodded. "You may discuss the issue with him. But I want any proposal to appear reasonable. We shouldn’t introduce restrictions so excessive that even the neutral administrators refuse to consider them."

The meeting continued as the nobles identified individuals who might share their concerns.

Several merchants maintained longstanding contracts with noble households and could be persuaded to question the economic consequences of unrestricted Guild expansion. Regional officials might also worry about an independent organization establishing branches without clearly defined administrative obligations.

Cedric didn’t need every one of them to oppose the Guild.

He only needed enough influential voices to demand stricter regulations.

Later that afternoon, Frederick visited a commercial residence belonging to Master Roland Bexley, a wealthy merchant whose company operated transportation and security services across several regions.

Bexley received him inside a spacious office overlooking a courtyard filled with merchant wagons.

"Lord Merton, this is an unexpected pleasure," Bexley remarked as he offered his guest a seat. "I trust His Royal Highness is in good health?"

"Quite well, Master Bexley," Frederick replied. "I came because the royal administration has been discussing the growing role of independent organizations in regional commerce and security."

Bexley raised his eyebrows. "You mean the Adventurer Guild?"

"Among others," Frederick answered. "The Guild’s success at Marrowford has attracted considerable attention. Some officials believe similar organizations should be permitted to operate throughout the Kingdom under broader arrangements."

Bexley considered the statement carefully.

His company regularly hired guards to escort caravans, maintained warehouses in several cities, and negotiated transportation contracts with regional authorities. The Guild’s expansion could create opportunities for cooperation, but it might also introduce competition.

"What sort of arrangements?" Bexley asked.

"That’s precisely what remains uncertain," Frederick replied. "If an organization establishes branches across multiple regions, should it be subject to the same licensing requirements and commercial obligations as existing companies? Should it be allowed to accept royal security contracts without undergoing comparable scrutiny?"

Bexley leaned back in his chair.

"Those are reasonable questions," he admitted. "Although I wouldn’t object to the Guild simply because its Adventurers are competent. My merchants have benefited from the reopening of Marrowford."

"Naturally," Frederick answered. "Nobody is suggesting that the Guild’s accomplishments should be ignored. The concern is whether expansion might create unequal conditions for other organizations."

Bexley tapped his fingers against the desk.

"If the Guild begins offering escort services throughout Westmark, some established companies will certainly complain," he observed. "But I’d prefer clear regulations over restrictions designed merely to protect existing businesses."

Frederick smiled politely. "Then perhaps you’d be willing to provide your perspective to the appropriate administrative committee."

Bexley considered the request before nodding.

"I can submit a statement concerning commercial licensing and regional obligations," he replied. "But I won’t support anything that prevents merchants from hiring capable Adventurers when they need them."

Frederick accepted the condition without argument.

Similar conversations took place over the following days.

In the western districts, a regional official expressed concern about the possibility of Guild branches operating under different administrative arrangements from ordinary businesses.

A representative of a longstanding mercenary association questioned whether royal commissions should require competitive applications.

Several merchants raised questions about taxation, transportation permits, and the movement of valuable monster materials between regions.

Not everyone agreed with the concerns.

Some merchants argued that the Guild’s services improved trade and reduced the cost of obtaining reliable protection. Others pointed out that its Dungeon Pass arrangements had created commercial opportunities unavailable under traditional noble-controlled dungeons.

Nevertheless, the discussions produced enough uncertainty to attract attention.

At Adventurer Guild Headquarters, Sage remained occupied with the organization’s ordinary operations.

The success at Marrowford had generated additional mission requests, but Garran Holt and his department were processing them through established procedures. Tobias Merrow was reviewing transportation requirements, while Irene Valcrest continued examining the finances associated with future expansion.

Sage had just finished discussing several administrative matters with Boren when Lucan entered carrying a letter.

"Guildmaster, I’ve received some interesting information from my family’s contacts," Lucan remarked as he approached the desk.

Sage glanced up. "Something concerning the Royal Charter?"

"Possibly," Lucan answered. "Several nobles have been speaking with merchants and regional officials about the Guild’s expansion. The discussions appear focused on licensing requirements, commercial fairness, and the authority of independent organizations operating across multiple territories."

Boren frowned. "Those questions aren’t entirely unreasonable. We would need consistent licensing arrangements if we established branches throughout Westmark."

"That’s true," Lucan agreed. "But the timing is suspicious. These discussions began shortly after the Crown Prince’s cooperation with the Guild became widely known."

Sage examined the letter.

He had expected opposition once the possibility of a Royal Charter entered the conversation, although he hadn’t anticipated that the arguments would begin spreading quite so quickly.

"Do we know who’s encouraging these discussions?" Sage asked.

Lucan hesitated.

"Several individuals involved have connections to nobles who support Prince Cedric," Lucan replied. "That doesn’t prove His Royal Highness is directing them, but the pattern is worth watching."

Sage sighed quietly.

"So we’re back to royal politics."

Boren adjusted his glasses. "Regardless of who’s responsible, Guildmaster, we should prepare a clear explanation of our existing licenses, financial obligations, and branch procedures. If officials begin asking questions, it’ll be better to have the information ready."

Sage nodded approvingly.

"Agreed. We aren’t going to oppose reasonable regulations simply because someone else proposed them," Sage replied. "But we also won’t accept restrictions that exist solely to make the Guild dependent upon noble approval."

Lucan smiled faintly. "That distinction may become increasingly important."

Meanwhile, inside the royal administrative complex, Lord Percival Harcourt was meeting with several officials responsible for reviewing commercial and regional regulations.

The failure of his earlier proposal for direct noble supervision had been disappointing, but the Marrowford dispute had exposed broader questions that remained unanswered.

Harcourt placed a document before the committee secretary.

"The Kingdom currently lacks a comprehensive licensing framework for independent organizations operating across multiple regions," Harcourt explained. "Given the recent developments, I believe the matter deserves formal consideration."

The secretary examined the document.

Its provisions called for expanded registration requirements, periodic reviews of cross-regional operations, and additional authorization before independent organizations could establish facilities or accept certain commissions outside their original territories.

Some provisions appeared ordinary enough.

Others granted regional authorities considerable discretion to delay or reject applications.

"Has this proposal received support from the relevant departments?" the secretary asked.

"Several merchants and regional officials have expressed concerns," Harcourt replied. "Their statements are attached. I believe the committee should examine the matter before the Kingdom finds itself dealing with organizations whose influence exceeds our existing regulations."

The secretary reviewed the signatures and supporting documents before entering the proposal into the committee’s register.

By the end of the afternoon, the Royal Administrative Committee on Regional Affairs had formally received a proposal calling for stricter licensing of independent organizations operating across multiple regions.

And although the Adventurer Guild wasn’t mentioned by name in its opening provisions, everyone familiar with the recent political discussions understood which organization had prompted it.