Chapter 587: The Council Proposal

Inside his spacious office at Adventurer Guild Headquarters, Sage sat behind his desk, examining a document that had arrived from Crown Prince Richard’s residence earlier that morning.

Several pages had already been marked with annotations, while the remaining sections lay spread across the polished wooden surface.

Across from him sat Boren, Lyana, and Lucan, each holding a copy of the proposal submitted by House Lancaster during the recent consultation with the Five Great Houses.

The document recommended establishing a Crown-appointed supervisory council responsible for overseeing the Adventurer Guild’s major operations throughout Westmark.

At first glance, its language appeared reasonable. The proposal emphasized public accountability, administrative coordination, financial transparency, and the protection of territorial interests. However, the further Sage read, the clearer its actual implications became.

"Well, this is certainly ambitious," Sage remarked as he turned another page. "They’ve managed to describe taking control of the Guild without actually using those words."

Lucan leaned back in his chair, his expression troubled. "House Lancaster has considerable experience drafting administrative proposals. They know how to present extraordinary powers as ordinary regulations."

Boren adjusted his glasses before pointing toward the third section.

"Guildmaster, this provision requires the supervisory council’s approval before any senior Guild administrator can be appointed or dismissed," Boren explained. "That would include department heads and potentially branch administrators."

Sage examined the paragraph again.

Under the proposed arrangement, the Guild would retain responsibility for managing its facilities and personnel, but appointments to important administrative positions would require confirmation from the external council.

The implications were obvious.

If the council disliked a particular candidate, it could refuse approval regardless of the individual’s qualifications. Worse, political disagreements could leave important positions vacant indefinitely.

"So even if I find someone perfectly qualified to manage a new branch, I’d have to wait for a group of royal appointees to approve the appointment?" Sage asked.

"According to this wording, yes," Boren answered. "And the proposal doesn’t establish a strict deadline for reaching a decision."

Lyana frowned as she examined her own copy.

"That could create serious problems," Lyana observed. "Our administrators already handle substantial workloads. If every important personnel decision requires outside approval, we’d spend more time waiting for permission than managing the Guild."

Sage nodded before turning to the next section.

The proposed council would also possess authority to review and approve major dungeon management agreements. Any acquisition of additional dungeon operating rights would require its authorization, and existing arrangements could be subjected to periodic reconsideration.

Lucan pointed toward a particularly troubling sentence.

"This provision allows the council to recommend suspension of dungeon operations when it determines that continued activity conflicts with the Kingdom’s broader interests," Lucan explained.

Sage raised an eyebrow.

"And who decides what those broader interests are?"

Lucan shook his head. "The document doesn’t provide a precise definition."

Sage gave a quiet sigh.

He had expected opposition to the Guild’s Dungeon Pass arrangements. The petition submitted by dungeon-owning nobles had already made their concerns clear. However, granting an external council the authority to interfere with dungeon operations would create a far greater problem than ordinary commercial competition.

The Guild’s income depended heavily upon maintaining reliable access to its controlled dungeons. Adventurers purchased passes with the expectation that the agreed conditions would be honored.

Allowing political appointees to suspend those arrangements without clearly established legal grounds would undermine that reliability.

"And here’s another one," Lyana remarked as she turned to the section concerning regional expansion. "The council would approve all new Guild branches before applications could proceed through the ordinary territorial authorities."

Boren frowned. "That effectively creates an additional licensing authority above the existing regional administrations."

"Exactly," Lucan agreed. "Even if a branch satisfies every lawful requirement, the council could prevent its establishment by withholding approval."

Sage closed the document and rested his hands upon the desk.

"So they want authority over our administrators, our dungeons, and our expansion," Sage summarized. "At that point, what exactly would remain independent?"

None of the others answered immediately.

The question didn’t require an answer.

The Adventurer Guild might retain its name, facilities, and membership, but its most important decisions would depend upon the approval of individuals appointed by the Crown.

Sage had no intention of accepting such an arrangement.

However, he also understood that simply rejecting the proposal wouldn’t resolve the broader political problem.

House Lancaster had framed its recommendations around accountability, public safety, and the Kingdom’s legitimate authority. Those concerns couldn’t be dismissed merely because the proposed solution was unacceptable.

"We need a proper response," Sage decided. "Not just a statement saying we refuse."

Boren nodded. "Then we should distinguish the responsibilities we’re willing to accept from the powers we believe the council shouldn’t possess."

Sage looked toward Lucan.

"Can you arrange another meeting with Crown Prince Richard?" Sage asked. "I’d like to understand his position before we prepare our formal response."

Lucan nodded. "I’ll send a message immediately, Guildmaster."

That afternoon, Sage and Lucan arrived at Richard’s residence in the royal district.

The Crown Prince received them inside his study, where a copy of House Lancaster’s proposal lay beside several administrative reports.

Richard gestured toward the available chairs.

"I assume you’ve reviewed the supervisory council proposal," Richard remarked as Sage took his seat.

Sage gave a faint smile. "Thoroughly, Your Royal Highness. I must admit that House Lancaster has an impressive talent for making interference sound like assistance."

Richard chuckled quietly before his expression became serious.

"I anticipated that you would object to several provisions," Richard replied. "Frankly, I have concerns of my own."

Sage leaned forward slightly.

"Then you understand why I can’t accept it?"

Richard nodded.

"The Guild’s usefulness comes partly from its ability to respond efficiently to circumstances that ordinary institutions struggle to address," Richard explained. "During Marrowford, your administrators classified the reconnaissance mission, qualified Adventurers accepted it, and the resulting information allowed us to authorize an appropriate extermination commission."

He tapped the Lancaster document.

"Imagine requiring a supervisory council to approve the personnel involved, review the operational arrangements, and authorize every significant administrative decision," Richard continued. "We might still be discussing the first commission while merchants continued dying along the road."

Sage nodded in agreement.

"That’s exactly the problem," Sage answered. "The Guild already has established procedures. We don’t need nobles deciding which Adventurers should accept missions or who should manage our departments."

Richard considered the matter.

"Nevertheless, House Lancaster has raised questions that the Crown cannot simply ignore," Richard observed. "Your organization possesses considerable resources, and its activities affect multiple regions. There must be lawful mechanisms for investigating misconduct and ensuring compliance with the Kingdom’s regulations."

"I agree," Sage replied. "But accountability doesn’t require surrendering control of the organization."

Richard looked interested.

"What alternative would you propose?"

Sage took a moment to organize his thoughts.

"First, the Guild should remain responsible for its internal administration," Sage began. "That includes appointing personnel, managing departments, classifying missions, and determining which qualified Adventurers may accept them through our established procedures."

Richard nodded for him to continue.

"Second, our branches and facilities should comply with applicable territorial laws," Sage explained. "If we violate construction regulations, fail to pay lawful taxes, or create genuine public safety problems, the relevant authorities should be able to investigate and take appropriate action."

"Provided those powers are exercised through established legal procedures," Richard added.

"Exactly," Sage agreed. "Inspections should have defined purposes. If an official alleges misconduct, there should be identifiable grounds for the investigation and a proper record of the findings."

Richard leaned back thoughtfully.

"And what about financial accountability?"

"We can provide periodic financial declarations and cooperate with lawful audits," Sage answered. "Irene already maintains detailed accounts. But confidential commercial information shouldn’t be accessible to every noble who decides he’s curious about our income."

Richard smiled slightly.

"A reasonable distinction."

Sage continued outlining his ideas.

For regional expansion, he proposed standardized registration requirements and written decisions from territorial authorities. Applications could be rejected for legitimate reasons, but the Guild would possess a defined appeal process when officials acted arbitrarily.

For dungeon operations, Sage suggested that the Charter recognize existing lawful arrangements while requiring future management agreements to respect property rights, safety obligations, and applicable regulations.

The Guild would retain control over its Dungeon Pass system within dungeons it lawfully operated, without receiving automatic claims over dungeons belonging to other owners.

Richard listened carefully before speaking.

"That framework addresses several concerns raised by the Great Houses," Richard observed. "Hohenberg’s interest in public security, Valois’s commercial obligations, and Falkenberg’s administrative consistency could all be accommodated without establishing an external council to manage the Guild."

Sage nodded.

"That’s what I’m hoping," Sage replied. "I’m willing to accept reasonable obligations. I simply won’t accept an arrangement that turns the Guild into another noble-controlled institution."

Richard studied him for several moments.

"Then you should prepare a formal counterproposal," Richard advised. "House Lancaster’s recommendations will be considered during the Charter discussions. If you want the royal advisers to reject their supervisory framework, you must demonstrate that your alternative provides sufficient accountability."

Sage considered the suggestion.

"Would the advisers be willing to hear directly from me?"

Richard nodded. "A formal consultation can be arranged. However, understand that the council won’t simply accept your arguments because I support the Guild’s work. You’ll need to defend the proposal before officials who may disagree with you."

Sage smiled.

"That sounds preferable to having them make decisions about the Guild without asking us anything."

Richard chuckled.

"Then I suggest you prepare carefully."

Upon returning to Headquarters, Sage immediately summoned Boren, Lyana, Lucan, Irene, and Garran Holt to his office.

The administrators gathered around the large table as Sage explained the outcome of his discussion with the Crown Prince.

"We’re preparing an alternative framework," Sage announced as he placed the Lancaster proposal before them. "It needs to establish clear legal accountability without giving an external council authority over our appointments, missions, or dungeon operations."

Irene nodded thoughtfully. "I’ll prepare the financial reporting provisions, Guildmaster. We can explain how lawful audits would work without exposing confidential commercial arrangements unnecessarily."

Garran examined the section concerning mission administration.

"I’ll document our classification and acceptance procedures," Garran offered. "That should help demonstrate why allowing outside officials to interfere with individual assignments would create unnecessary delays."

Boren adjusted his glasses.

"Lyana and I can prepare the provisions concerning internal governance, branch registration, and administrative appeals," Boren added. "We’ll also need to ensure the language is consistent with the recommendations from House Auremont."

Lucan nodded. "I’ll contact Lord Benedict and request that their legal advisers examine the completed draft before it’s submitted."

Sage looked around the table with satisfaction.

The work ahead would be demanding, but at least they now possessed a clear direction.

They weren’t attempting to escape the Kingdom’s authority. They were establishing the distinction between lawful oversight and political control.

"Good," Sage replied. "Then let’s prepare something the royal advisers can actually examine. I don’t want vague promises or arguments about how trustworthy we are. I want clear provisions explaining what the Guild is responsible for, what the authorities can lawfully investigate, and where their powers end."

The administrators immediately began dividing the work.

As the meeting concluded, Sage returned his attention to the Lancaster proposal lying upon his desk.

House Lancaster had made its position clear. It wanted a supervisory council capable of influencing the Guild’s most important decisions.

Sage had an equally clear answer.

Rather than allowing the matter to become another private negotiation between powerful nobles, he intended to defend the Guild’s independence before the Kingdom’s governing institutions themselves.

"Lucan, inform His Royal Highness that I’ll attend the formal consultation," Sage instructed as he closed the document. "I’ll present our alternative directly before the Royal Advisory Council."