Chapter 581 The Third Prince’s Judgment

The proposed licensing regulations had barely entered the Royal Administrative Committee’s records before copies began circulating among the officials responsible for reviewing Westmark’s laws.

Most regarded the document as another attempt to resolve the growing uncertainty surrounding independent organizations, but Third Prince Adrian Alden approached it with considerably greater interest.

Inside his private study at the royal palace, Adrian sat behind a large desk covered with legal documents, administrative records, and several volumes concerning the Kingdom’s territorial laws.

His dark brown hair was neatly combed, and his thoughtful grey eyes moved steadily across the proposal before him.

Unlike his brothers, whose interests leaned toward politics, administration, or military affairs, Adrian had devoted considerable time to studying the legal institutions governing Westmark.

He believed that poorly written regulations could cause more damage than the problems they were intended to solve.

"Who prepared the initial draft?" Adrian asked, turning toward his legal adviser, Master Benedict Ormond, who sat opposite him with a collection of reference books.

"Lord Percival Harcourt submitted it to the Committee on Regional Affairs, Your Royal Highness," Benedict answered as he consulted his notes.

"Several regional officials and merchant representatives provided supporting statements. The proposal is being presented as a comprehensive framework for organizations conducting activities across multiple territories."

Adrian examined the opening provisions. "The stated purpose is reasonable. Organizations operating across regional boundaries should have clearly defined responsibilities. What concerns me is whether these provisions actually establish consistent standards or merely grant additional powers to officials who already possess considerable discretion."

Benedict nodded approvingly. "That distinction is precisely what the committee will need to examine. Some clauses concern ordinary registration and financial accountability, while others introduce restrictions that don’t appear to have equivalents in existing commercial regulations."

Adrian placed the proposal beside an older volume concerning merchant associations. Westmark already permitted trading companies, religious-commercial institutions, and other recognized organizations to conduct business across territorial boundaries.

Those institutions were required to obey local laws, but their operations weren’t generally subject to arbitrary interference from individual nobles.

The new proposal appeared to establish a different standard for organizations employing armed personnel.

"There’s a legitimate distinction between commercial activity and security operations," Adrian observed as he compared the documents. "But that distinction must be defined. Otherwise, a regional official could classify almost any Guild activity as a security operation and impose additional requirements."

Benedict adjusted his spectacles. "Would Your Royal Highness like the committee to request an opinion from the Adventurer Guild?"

Adrian considered the suggestion before nodding. "Yes. We should hear directly from the organization most likely to be affected. Invite its Guildmaster to a formal consultation, along with representatives from the relevant administrative departments. I want to understand how the proposed regulations would interact with the Guild’s existing procedures."

Two days later, Sage arrived at the royal administrative complex accompanied by Lucan and Boren.

The invitation had surprised him, particularly because it came from the Third Prince rather than Richard.

Nevertheless, after reviewing the proposed regulations, Sage had welcomed the opportunity to explain the Guild’s position before the committee reached any conclusions.

Their meeting took place inside a modest consultation chamber rather than one of the palace’s ceremonial halls.

Adrian occupied the central seat, with Benedict beside him and three administrative officials arranged along the opposite side of the table. Several copies of the licensing proposal had been prepared for the participants.

"Guildmaster Sage, thank you for accepting our invitation," Adrian greeted him as he rose from his seat. "I understand your organization has been rather busy since the Marrowford commission."

Sage inclined his head respectfully. "Your Royal Highness, the Guild has certainly received more attention than usual. Although I must admit that I would prefer receiving mission requests over answering questions about whether we’re permitted to complete them."

Adrian smiled at the response before gesturing toward the available chairs. "Then perhaps today’s discussion will help prevent similar disagreements in the future. I’m interested in understanding your procedures, not manufacturing additional obstacles."

Once everyone was seated, Adrian opened the consultation by explaining the proposal’s stated objectives.

The regulations sought to establish licensing requirements for independent organizations operating across multiple regions, including registration, financial reporting, public safety obligations, and procedures for resolving disputes with territorial authorities.

Sage listened without interruption. Several of those requirements were already familiar to him, and he saw little reason to oppose them merely because they originated from nobles whose political interests differed from his own.

"Guildmaster, does your organization currently maintain separate records for its branches and major operations?" Adrian asked as he examined the Guild’s administrative summary.

Boren opened a folder and placed several documents upon the table. "We do, Your Royal Highness. Each branch maintains operational records, while Headquarters supervises financial reporting, membership registration, and the administration of missions. Our departments also maintain procedures for reviewing complaints and investigating misconduct."

Adrian studied the documents with visible interest. "And if an Adventurer violates local law while completing a Guild mission?"

Sage answered without hesitation. "The Adventurer remains subject to the Kingdom’s laws, Your Royal Highness. The Guild may also impose disciplinary measures under its membership regulations, depending on the circumstances. We don’t consider registration with our organization a protection against lawful prosecution."

One of the administrative officials, Minister Aldous Pembroke, nodded as he reviewed the explanation. "That corresponds with the procedures the Guild submitted during the Marrowford inquiry. Their internal regulations are considerably more developed than those of many independent companies."

Adrian made a note before turning another page. "Then requiring the Guild to maintain records and cooperate with lawful investigations wouldn’t necessarily interfere with its independence."

"Not at all, Your Royal Highness," Sage replied. "My concern is with provisions that allow officials to control our personnel, dictate internal appointments, or suspend legitimate operations without sufficient justification. Accountability and administrative control are different matters."

Adrian regarded him thoughtfully. "I agree that the distinction deserves careful consideration. However, the Guild’s independence cannot prevent territorial authorities from enforcing legitimate safety requirements. Suppose a branch operates a facility that endangers nearby residents. Surely the local administration must possess authority to intervene."

Sage nodded. "Of course. If one of our facilities violates construction regulations or creates a genuine public danger, the authorities should be able to take appropriate action. But their decisions should be based upon identifiable violations, not simply their personal dislike of the Guild."

Lucan leaned forward slightly. "That becomes particularly important when an organization operates across several regions, Your Royal Highness. Without consistent standards, one territorial administration might approve an activity that another prohibits for reasons unrelated to public safety."

Adrian considered the observation before addressing Benedict. "That suggests our framework should establish minimum Kingdom-wide standards while preserving legitimate local requirements. A regional authority should be able to enforce its laws, but it should also be required to explain the legal basis for its decisions."

The consultation continued with questions concerning branch registration, commercial activities, mission authorization, and the movement of Adventurers between regions. Adrian repeatedly compared the proposed restrictions against existing laws governing merchants, mercenary companies, and other independent institutions.

What surprised Sage was the Third Prince’s willingness to challenge arguments regardless of which side presented them.

When Boren suggested that recognized Guild branches should be permitted to accept ordinary commissions without seeking fresh administrative approval for every assignment, Adrian agreed in principle but questioned how the Guild would distinguish ordinary work from operations involving restricted military facilities or sensitive territorial matters.

Boren acknowledged the distinction, and the participants discussed how existing laws could provide the necessary boundaries without creating an entirely new permission system.

At another point, an administrative official suggested that regional authorities should possess broad powers to inspect Guild facilities whenever they considered it necessary.

Adrian immediately requested clarification.

"Inspection powers must have defined purposes," Adrian stated as he examined the proposed wording. "If an official suspects a violation of safety regulations, there should be a lawful procedure for investigating it. But allowing unrestricted inspections without stated grounds could expose any independent organization to harassment."

The official accepted the criticism and agreed that the provision required revision.

By the time the consultation approached its conclusion, Sage had developed a considerably more favorable impression of the Third Prince.

Adrian wasn’t particularly interested in flattering him, nor did he appear determined to oppose the Guild simply because Richard had supported its first royal commission.

Instead, he examined each argument according to its practical consequences and consistency with existing law.

"Your Royal Highness, may I ask something?" Sage inquired as Adrian gathered the documents. "Do you believe these regulations are necessary?"

Adrian considered the question carefully. "Some form of clarification is necessary, Guildmaster. The Marrowford dispute demonstrated that our existing arrangements leave too much uncertainty concerning independent organizations. However, that doesn’t mean this particular proposal should be accepted as written."

Sage nodded. "Then I hope the final regulations will address those uncertainties without creating unnecessary restrictions."

"That is my intention," Adrian replied. "But I won’t promise unconditional support for the Guild’s position. If your organization seeks privileges that cannot be justified under the law, I’ll question those as readily as I question unreasonable restrictions proposed by nobles."

Sage smiled. "That’s fair, Your Royal Highness. I wouldn’t expect anything less."

Adrian returned the smile briefly before continuing. "What I can promise is that any regulation I support must possess a legitimate legal purpose. Administrative convenience alone isn’t sufficient justification for granting officials unlimited authority over independent institutions."

The consultation concluded shortly afterward, and Sage departed with Lucan and Boren.

As they crossed the administrative courtyard, Lucan glanced toward the building behind them. "Well, Guildmaster, what did you think of the Third Prince?"

Sage considered the question before answering. "He asks difficult questions, but at least they’re useful questions. I’d rather negotiate with someone who openly disagrees with me than someone who pretends to agree while preparing restrictions behind my back."

Boren nodded approvingly. "His suggestions concerning consistent registration standards could actually benefit the Guild if they’re implemented properly."

Meanwhile, Adrian remained inside the consultation chamber, reviewing the proposal with Benedict after the other officials had departed.

Several provisions had already been marked for revision, but the prince wanted to examine the remaining sections before submitting his recommendations.

Near the end of the document, he encountered a clause concerning temporary administrative suspensions.

Adrian read it once, then slowly returned to the beginning of the paragraph.

"Master Benedict, take a look at this provision," Adrian instructed, sliding the document across the table. "Tell me whether I’m interpreting it correctly."

Benedict adjusted his spectacles and examined the clause. His expression gradually changed.

"Your Royal Highness, this appears to authorize regional administrators to suspend the operations of a licensed independent organization whenever they determine that its activities may conflict with territorial interests," Benedict explained. "The suspension remains effective until the issuing authority considers the matter resolved."

Adrian frowned. "And where does it require the official to establish misconduct, identify a legal violation, or provide a deadline for reviewing the decision?"

Benedict searched the surrounding provisions before looking up. "I cannot find such a requirement, Your Royal Highness. Nor does the clause appear to provide an independent appeal procedure."

Adrian stared at the document.

Under the proposed wording, a regional official could suspend an Adventurer Guild branch merely by claiming that its activities conflicted with territorial interests. The suspension could continue indefinitely, even without evidence that the Guild had violated any law.

Adrian slowly placed his finger upon the offending paragraph.

"Then this isn’t merely a licensing requirement," Adrian declared, his expression hardening. "It’s a provision that would allow territorial officials to shut down lawful Guild operations indefinitely without ever having to prove that the organization did anything wrong."