Chapter 598: The Crown Prince’s Alliance

Two days after the Adventurer Guild received its Royal Charter, Sage returned to the Royal Palace at the invitation of Crown Prince Richard.

Unlike his previous visits, which had involved lengthy negotiations with ministers, legal advisers, and opposing nobles, this meeting was considerably less formal. Richard had requested a private discussion concerning the practical relationship between the Crown Prince’s office and the newly recognized Guild.

Sage arrived shortly before noon, accompanied by Lucan, who had been invited to participate in the administrative discussions.

A royal attendant escorted them through the eastern wing of the palace toward Richard’s private study.

The room was spacious but relatively modest compared to the ceremonial chambers elsewhere in the palace.

Several bookshelves occupied the walls, while maps of Westmark and its surrounding territories were arranged beside a large desk. A separate conference table stood near the windows overlooking the gardens.

Richard was examining a document when they entered.

"Guildmaster Sage, Lucan, welcome," Richard greeted them, rising from his chair. "I trust the celebrations at your headquarters haven’t interfered too much with your work."

Sage smiled as he approached. "Not particularly, Your Royal Highness. Although some Adventurers seem convinced the Charter means every problem in the Kingdom will suddenly become our responsibility."

Richard laughed. "I imagine your administrators are already trying to correct that misunderstanding."

"Among other things," Sage replied. "Boren has spent the last two days reviewing our procedures, while Irene is preparing the financial reporting arrangements required under the Charter."

Lucan took the seat Richard indicated.

"The Guild’s administrative departments are adapting well, Your Royal Highness," Lucan added. "However, we’ll need to establish proper communication procedures with the relevant royal offices before expansion begins."

Richard nodded. "That’s one of the reasons I invited you here."

Once refreshments had been served and the attendants withdrawn, Richard placed a folder upon the conference table.

"The Charter has changed the legal position of the Adventurer Guild," Richard began. "Until now, much of our cooperation depended upon individual commissions and arrangements negotiated as circumstances required. We now have an opportunity to establish a more consistent working relationship."

Sage examined the folder without opening it.

"What sort of relationship do you have in mind, Your Royal Highness?"

Richard settled into his chair.

"One based upon lawful commissions, reliable communication, and cooperation where our interests overlap," Richard explained. "My office frequently receives reports concerning regional security, trade disruptions, and administrative problems. Some of those matters could benefit from the Guild’s services."

Lucan nodded thoughtfully. "That would allow potential commissions to reach the Guild through an established channel rather than depending upon personal introductions."

"Precisely," Richard replied. "But I want to make one thing clear from the beginning. I’m not proposing that the Guild become an extension of my household."

Sage looked toward him with interest. "I’m glad to hear that, because I wouldn’t agree to such an arrangement."

Richard smiled. "I suspected as much. Your position during the Charter negotiations made that rather obvious."

He opened the folder and removed a short memorandum.

"The agreement I’m proposing would recognize the Guild as an independent institution," Richard continued. "My office could submit commissions through the Guild’s established procedures, provide relevant information when legally authorized, and coordinate with your administrators on matters involving public security or regional development."

Sage considered the proposal. "That sounds reasonable, provided those commissions are handled like any others. The Guild would assess their requirements, determine the appropriate classification, and post them for qualified Adventurers to accept."

Richard nodded. "I have no intention of choosing your Adventurers or interfering with your internal assignments."

Lucan examined the memorandum. "Would the Crown Prince’s office be responsible for funding every commission it submits?"

"Only those formally commissioned through my office," Richard answered. "If another royal department or territorial authority requests services, that institution would remain responsible for its own contractual obligations unless a separate arrangement is approved."

Sage approved of the distinction. "Good. We don’t want confusion over who authorized a mission or who is responsible for payment."

Richard turned to the next page.

"The Marrowford commission demonstrated why those details matter," Richard observed. "The reconnaissance report provided enough information for us to authorize the subsequent extermination mission without committing additional royal troops unnecessarily."

Sage nodded. "And the Guild was able to handle the work because the objectives were clear. We knew what needed investigating, what information the client required, and what conditions would determine successful completion."

Richard leaned forward. "That’s the kind of cooperation I’d like to continue. Not every problem requires the Royal Army, and not every matter should be left entirely to local officials."

The conversation then turned toward information sharing.

Richard explained that his office received regular reports from territorial administrators, military officers, merchant representatives, and royal inspectors.

While much of that information concerned routine administration, some reports identified monster activity, dangerous travel routes, or disturbances affecting settlements.

He proposed establishing a designated liaison within his office who could communicate with the Guild’s authorized administrators.

Lucan examined the suggestion carefully.

"That could help us identify commissions requiring urgent attention," Lucan remarked. "But we’ll need to distinguish information intended for public mission notices from material that remains confidential."

Richard nodded. "Naturally. My office cannot disclose protected military or administrative information simply because the Guild might find it useful."

Sage considered the arrangement before responding. "Then any information we receive should come with clear restrictions concerning its use. If a report contains confidential details, our administrators need to know what can be included in a mission description."

"Agreed," Richard replied. "The same principle should apply in reverse. If the Guild provides reports under a commission, my office will respect the terms governing their disclosure."

Lucan made a note. "We should establish a written procedure for transmitting reports, confirming receipt, and identifying the officials authorized to access them."

Richard approved the suggestion. "I’ll have my secretary coordinate with your administration."

The discussion continued into the afternoon, covering practical matters such as emergency contacts, commission approvals, and the handling of disagreements.

Sage insisted that the Guild retain the right to decline commissions that fell outside its capabilities or conflicted with existing obligations.

Richard accepted the condition, provided the Guild communicated its decision promptly enough for the requesting authority to consider alternatives.

They also agreed that any substantial change to a commission’s objectives would require proper authorization rather than an informal instruction from a royal official.

Eventually, Richard set his pen aside and regarded Sage more seriously. "There’s another matter we should address before finalizing this understanding, Guildmaster."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "I’m listening, Your Royal Highness."

Richard folded his hands.

"My position as Crown Prince makes almost every relationship I maintain subject to political interpretation," Richard explained. "Some nobles already believe that because I supported your Charter, the Guild has become associated with my interests."

Lucan’s expression grew thoughtful. "That interpretation has circulated among certain noble circles for some time, Your Royal Highness."

"I’m aware," Richard replied. "And I don’t intend to encourage it."

Sage leaned back in his chair. "Then we’re in agreement. The Guild isn’t joining a royal faction, and our cooperation doesn’t mean we’ll support anyone’s claim to the throne."

Richard nodded without hesitation. "That’s understood. My position as the recognized heir doesn’t entitle me to the Guild’s political loyalty."

Sage regarded him for a moment.

"At the same time, I recognize the value of maintaining a productive relationship with your office," Sage replied. "You’ve demonstrated that you’re willing to work with us through proper agreements, and you’ve helped resolve several problems without demanding control over our organization."

Richard smiled faintly. "I appreciate that assessment."

"But the same standards will apply when other princes, royal departments, or noble households approach us," Sage continued. "If they submit lawful commissions that meet our requirements, we’ll consider them."

Richard nodded. "That’s exactly how an independent institution should operate."

Lucan looked between them. "Then perhaps the memorandum should explicitly state that cooperation with the Crown Prince’s office is nonexclusive and creates no political obligations."

"Include it," Richard instructed. "I’d rather have the matter settled in writing than spend the next several months answering rumors."

With that question resolved, they reviewed the final memorandum.

It established a practical framework for communication and lawful commissions without creating exclusive privileges, political commitments, or authority over the Guild’s internal administration.

Richard signed the memorandum first, then passed it across the table.

Sage examined the completed text before adding his signature.

Lucan witnessed the exchange and accepted a copy for the Guild’s records.

Richard extended his hand.

"Then I look forward to continuing our cooperation, Guildmaster."

Sage shook it. "As do I, Your Royal Highness."

After the documents had been collected, Richard approached the large map of Westmark hanging beside his desk.

"There’s something else I’d like to show you before you leave," Richard remarked.

Sage and Lucan joined him.

The map displayed Westmark’s fifteen administrative regions, with major cities, important roads, rivers, and territorial boundaries carefully marked.

Richard opened a drawer beneath the map and withdrew another folder.

"Over the past several weeks, I’ve asked my office to compile reports concerning regions where additional security and commercial services could be particularly valuable," Richard explained. "The findings aren’t comprehensive, but they may be useful as you consider your next steps."

Sage accepted the folder and opened it.

Inside were several regional summaries, each containing information about trade routes, monster activity, local economic conditions, and existing administrative difficulties.

Lucan leaned closer to examine the first page.

"These reports cover multiple regions," Lucan observed.

"Yes," Richard replied. "Some areas have recurring monster problems. Others suffer from dangerous roads, limited access to skilled Warriors, or disruptions affecting merchants and nearby settlements."

Sage turned another page, noticing several locations marked for further investigation.

"Are these requests for immediate Guild intervention?" Sage asked.

Richard shook his head. "No. Consider them preliminary information rather than official commissions. Any actual work would require proper authorization, and establishing branches would involve the relevant territorial procedures."

Sage nodded, appreciating the distinction. "Then we’ll review the reports and determine where our services might be most useful."

Richard gestured toward the map. "Westmark has fifteen regions, Guildmaster. Their circumstances differ considerably, and not every regional authority will welcome your organization with the same enthusiasm."

Sage closed the folder. "I never expected them to."

Richard regarded him seriously. "Then I suggest you study that list carefully. The Charter has given your Guild the legal standing to expand, but deciding where to begin may prove just as important as obtaining the Charter itself."

Sage looked down at the regional reports once more.

For the first time, he held a preliminary assessment of the opportunities and difficulties awaiting the Adventurer Guild beyond Kingsford.

And with fifteen regions spread across Westmark, there was considerably more territory to examine than he had initially anticipated.