Chapter 599: Fifteen Regions Await

The Adventurer Guild Headquarters was bustling with activity when Sage returned from his meeting with Crown Prince Richard.

Adventurers crowded around the Mission Boards, merchants negotiated with staff at the reception counters, and newly registered members moved between the training grounds and administrative offices.

The Royal Charter had become the principal subject of conversation throughout the building, with many Adventurers speculating about the possibility of Guild branches appearing in their home regions.

Sage made his way toward the administrative wing with Lucan following beside him. The folder containing Richard’s preliminary regional reports remained tucked beneath his arm, and he had already decided that the Guild could not afford to delay its preparations.

Upon reaching his office, Sage turned toward Lucan. "Gather the senior administrators for a meeting this afternoon. I want everyone responsible for our major departments present, including Leon, Rowan, and Iris. We have fifteen regions to consider, and I’d rather begin planning before the paperwork starts piling up."

Lucan nodded with a small smile. "I’ll arrange it immediately, Guildmaster. Should I inform them that we’re discussing regional expansion?"

Sage placed the folder upon his desk. "Yes. Tell them to bring their departmental records and whatever estimates they can prepare. We’re not making final commitments today, but I want a realistic picture of what expanding beyond Kingsford will require."

By midafternoon, the main administrative conference room had filled with the Guild’s senior personnel.

Boren and Lyana occupied seats near the front, while Tobias Merrow, Irene Valcrest, Garran Holt, Cassian Rook, Selene Arkwright, Maura Bellamy, Bramdir Coppervein, Oren Thales, and Marcelline Dacre gathered around the long table.

Leon stood near one of the windows, accompanied by Rowan and Iris, while Lucan arranged several documents beside a large map of Westmark.

Sage waited until everyone had settled before opening the meeting.

"As most of you already know, the Guild has officially received its Royal Charter," Sage began, looking around the room. "That recognition gives us a much clearer legal foundation for operating throughout Westmark. However, it doesn’t mean we can simply build wherever we please. Every regional branch will still require appropriate agreements, permissions, personnel, and resources."

Boren adjusted his glasses as he examined the map. "Guildmaster, does this mean we’re preparing to establish branches in all fifteen regions?"

"Eventually, that’s the objective," Sage replied, resting his hand upon the table. "But we’re not going to start fifteen construction projects tomorrow. We need to determine which regions should receive priority, what each location requires, and how much expansion we can support without weakening our existing operations."

Lyana opened her notebook. "Then our first task should be establishing a standard administrative structure for regional branches. We already have procedures from Evergreen and Kingsford, but we’ll need to determine which positions are essential from the beginning and which departments can be expanded later."

Sage nodded approvingly. "Exactly. I don’t want every branch improvising its own procedures. Adventurers should receive the same basic services and understand the same registration requirements regardless of which region they visit."

Tobias leaned forward and spread several sheets across the table. "Guildmaster, construction will be one of our largest challenges. Even a modest branch requires suitable land, storage facilities, reception areas, accommodation for staff, and access to reliable transportation. Larger branches would need additional space for training grounds, medical services, and other departments."

Bramdir stroked his beard thoughtfully. "And if we’re including smithing facilities, we’ll need proper workshops, equipment, and a dependable supply of materials. Building a forge is one thing, but keeping it operating is another."

Selene examined Tobias’s estimates. "Accommodation should also be considered early. If we expect Adventurers to travel between regions for missions, some branches will need lodging facilities. We don’t necessarily have to build large hotels immediately, but we should reserve enough space for future expansion."

Maura nodded in agreement. "The same applies to dining facilities. A small branch might manage with a modest kitchen, but a busy location could require considerably more staff and supplies."

Sage listened as the department heads discussed their requirements, occasionally making notes beside the regional reports.

He had expected construction to be expensive, but the conversation quickly demonstrated that buildings represented only part of the problem. Every new location would need experienced administrators, reliable communication, trained personnel, and sufficient income to support its operations.

Irene eventually raised her hand.

"Guildmaster, before we discuss specific locations, I need to establish a financial limit," Irene stated firmly. "The Guild’s revenue is substantial, particularly from Dungeon Passes and our commercial services, but that doesn’t mean every available coin should be committed to expansion. We have existing facilities to maintain, salaries to pay, and operational reserves to preserve."

Sage nodded. "I agree. Prepare several budget scenarios based on different expansion rates. I want to know what establishing two branches would cost compared to five, including their expected operating expenses during the first several months."

Irene made a note. "I’ll coordinate with Tobias and the other departments. We should also distinguish between construction expenses and recurring costs. A branch that looks affordable to establish may still require considerable support before it becomes financially sustainable."

Garran Holt, who had remained quiet until then, examined the map. "There’s another consideration, Guildmaster. A regional branch needs enough missions to justify its existence. We should investigate local demand before committing resources. Some regions might have frequent monster-related commissions, while others could provide more escort, exploration, or transportation work."

Rowan nodded thoughtfully. "The terrain matters too. Mountain routes, forests, and isolated settlements will present different challenges. We can’t assume that every region can be served through the same transportation arrangements."

Iris leaned closer to the map. "We should compile information concerning known monster habitats, dungeon locations, major settlements, and existing travel routes. That would help us identify suitable branch locations without relying entirely upon reports from regional officials."

Sage looked toward Garran. "Work with Iris and Rowan on that assessment. I want recommendations based on actual demand, not simply the largest cities."

Garran nodded. "Understood, Guildmaster. We’ll also examine whether existing Adventurers have experience operating in those regions."

Cassian Rook folded his arms. "Security will need attention from the beginning. A new branch could attract thieves, hostile mercenaries, or people attempting to interfere with Guild operations. We should establish minimum security requirements before sending staff into unfamiliar territory."

Leon turned away from the window. "And don’t assume the presence of experienced Adventurers automatically solves that problem. Adventurers aren’t permanent guards. If they’re away completing missions, someone still needs to protect the facilities and employees."

Cassian nodded toward him. "Precisely. We’ll need dedicated personnel, especially in regions where local authorities may be less cooperative."

Sage considered their observations. "Prepare a security framework that can be adjusted according to regional conditions. We don’t need an army stationed at every branch, but our employees shouldn’t be left defenseless."

Leon smiled slightly. "I’ll also speak with some of our experienced Adventurers. There may be people interested in helping establish operations in other regions, although we’ll need to make sure they understand what that involves."

The discussion continued for nearly another hour before Lucan introduced the preliminary reports Richard had provided.

"These documents identify several regions where the Guild’s services could address existing security and commercial problems," Lucan explained, distributing copies around the table.

"However, they’re assessments rather than official commissions or invitations to establish branches. We’ll still need to contact the appropriate authorities."

Boren examined the reports. "Then diplomatic coordination should begin before construction planning reaches an advanced stage. We don’t want to spend money preparing a location only to discover that the necessary agreements cannot be obtained."

Lucan nodded. "I’ll establish communication with the relevant regional administrations and identify the officials responsible for property agreements, construction permissions, and commercial registration. House Auremont may also be able to provide introductions where appropriate."

Sage looked toward him. "Good. But make sure those contacts understand we’re approaching them as an independent institution. We’re seeking lawful cooperation, not requesting political sponsorship."

"Understood, Guildmaster," Lucan replied, marking several entries in his notebook.

As the meeting approached its conclusion, Sage reviewed the assignments that had emerged.

Tobias would prepare construction and transportation assessments, Irene would develop financial projections, and Boren and Lyana would establish the administrative requirements for new branches.

Garran, Rowan, and Iris would examine regional demand, while Cassian and Leon considered security and personnel needs. Lucan would begin the necessary correspondence with territorial authorities.

It was an enormous undertaking, but for the first time, the Guild possessed a legal framework that made such planning realistic.

Sage closed his notebook. "I want preliminary reports from every department before we select our first expansion targets. Don’t rush your assessments just because everyone is excited about the Charter. If we’re going to establish branches across Westmark, we need to build something that can actually function."

Boren nodded with a satisfied expression. "We’ll begin immediately, Guildmaster."

That evening, the Guild’s dining facilities hosted a modest celebration for the staff and Adventurers who had contributed to its development.

Maura’s kitchen prepared additional dishes, while several veteran Adventurers raised their drinks in recognition of the Charter. Mina was particularly enthusiastic, moving between tables and questioning anyone willing to discuss the Guild’s future.

"Uncle Sage, does this mean we’ll have Guild buildings everywhere?" Mina asked excitedly as she approached him.

Sage chuckled and gently patted her head. "Not everywhere, Mina. At least not yet. We’re starting with Westmark’s fifteen regions, and even that will take considerable time."

Mina grinned. "Then I’ll visit every single one!"

Nearby, Leon laughed as he watched her enthusiasm. "You’d better start saving your traveling money, little miss. Fifteen regions is a lot of ground to cover."

Although Sage enjoyed the celebration, he understood that the Charter hadn’t eliminated the Guild’s enemies.

Noble families whose commercial interests were threatened would continue resisting its expansion, and legal recognition couldn’t guarantee cooperation from every territorial administrator.

Elsewhere in Kingsford, Pax Riven sat across from Fenric Vale inside a discreet rented office. Several documents concerning Edmund Krail, Gideon Marholt, and the remnants of the Black Banner lay scattered across their table.

Fenric examined a financial record. "We’ve confirmed that some payments passed through intermediaries with connections to noble households, but the original source is still concealed."

Pax studied the document carefully. "Then we keep following the money. Whoever financed those operations had resources, influence, and enough confidence to believe the people involved could remain silent."

Fenric frowned. "Do you think the Charter will change their plans?"

Pax placed the record aside. "If anything, it gives them another reason to act. The Guild is becoming harder to attack openly, which means we should expect less obvious methods."

Neither investigator knew that their concerns were already becoming reality.

Inside a private residence beyond the capital’s busiest districts, a young nobleman examined a map of Westmark marked with major trade routes and regional administrative centers. He was barely into his twenties, yet the older man standing before him waited respectfully for instructions.

"The Adventurer Guild has received its Charter," the young nobleman remarked, studying the map. "That means Sage will begin looking beyond Kingsford."

The older man lowered his head. "Shall we arrange further attacks, my lord?"

The young nobleman shook his head. "No. Attacking their headquarters would be foolish. Instead, contact our associates along the principal routes. I want delays in transportation agreements, difficulties securing suitable properties, and regional officials encouraged to examine every application thoroughly."

The older man nodded. "And if some authorities cooperate with the Guild regardless?"

The young nobleman tapped several locations upon the map. "Then we’ll deal with those situations individually. The Guild cannot expand without roads, supplies, personnel, and local agreements. Every obstacle will cost them time and money."

Back at Headquarters, Sage stood before the map in his office, reviewing the assignments prepared during the afternoon meeting.

He picked up his pen and signed the first administrative directive concerning regional expansion.

"Fifteen regions," Sage murmured, looking across the marked territories. "Then let’s get started."

With that decision, the Adventurer Guild began preparing for its next great undertaking, unaware that a powerful enemy had already started arranging obstacles along the very routes its future branches would depend upon.