Chapter 608: The Demand for Guild Branches

The successful opening of the Adventurer Guild’s first Regional Headquarters had produced an unexpected consequence.

Within a week, the administrative offices at Kingsford Headquarters were receiving more correspondence than they could comfortably process.

Letters arrived from merchant associations, territorial administrators, independent Warriors, and representatives of several noble households.

Some requested information about Guild membership, while others wanted to know whether the organization intended to establish facilities in their respective territories.

A considerable number, however, contained something more urgent.

Requests for assistance.

That morning, Boren stood beside a long table covered with correspondence, examining the latest collection of letters delivered by the Guild’s messengers.

"Another seventeen inquiries arrived this morning," Lyana reported as she entered the office carrying a stack of documents. "And according to the reception department, several merchants are waiting downstairs to discuss regional commissions."

Boren removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead.

"Seventeen? We haven’t even finished reviewing yesterday’s correspondence," Boren remarked, looking at the growing piles. "At this rate, we’ll need another department simply to manage requests for new branches."

Lyana placed the documents upon the table. "That’s what happens when people discover the Guild is willing to establish permanent operations beyond Kingsford and Evergreen."

Boren nodded thoughtfully.

The western Regional Headquarters had demonstrated something important. Rather than requiring Warriors and merchants to travel to the Royal Capital, the Guild could establish a permanent administrative center within a region and gradually develop subordinate branches throughout its cities, towns, and selected villages.

For territories struggling with monster threats or unreliable commercial security, the prospect was particularly attractive.

Boren opened a letter bearing the seal of a northern territorial administration.

The document described repeated monster attacks near several agricultural settlements. Local militias had managed to defend the larger towns, but smaller communities remained vulnerable.

"They’re requesting a Guild branch near their northern market town," Boren observed. "Apparently, traveling Warriors occasionally accept private commissions there, but the settlements have no reliable way to contact them."

Lyana examined the accompanying report. "A local branch might eventually help, but we’d need a Regional Headquarters capable of supervising its operations first."

"Precisely," Boren agreed. "We can’t scatter independent offices across the kingdom without establishing a proper administrative structure."

He placed the letter into a separate folder.

Another inquiry came from a southern merchant association whose caravans regularly traveled through forested territory.

Several shipments had been attacked by monsters during the previous month, and the merchants were requesting access to registered Adventurers willing to undertake escort commissions.

"They’re offering to contribute toward the cost of establishing a local Guild facility," Lyana remarked after reading the letter. "That’s certainly worth investigating."

Boren considered the proposal. "Perhaps, although we shouldn’t confuse financial enthusiasm with long-term viability. A branch needs sufficient activity to justify its employees and operating expenses."

By midday, the two administrators had established three preliminary categories for evaluating regional expansion requests.

The first concerned urgency, including monster activity, threats to settlements, and dangerous commercial routes.

The second addressed financial feasibility, particularly the cost of property, construction, staffing, and maintaining operations.

The third concerned personnel availability.

Even a prosperous territory could not receive a fully functioning Guild administration without qualified employees capable of managing its responsibilities.

Later that afternoon, Boren convened a meeting with Tobias Merrow, Irene Valcrest, Garran Holt, and Marcelline Dacre.

A large map of Westmark occupied the center of the conference table, with the kingdom’s fifteen regions clearly marked.

"We’ve received inquiries from nine regional administrations, although only five have submitted formal proposals," Boren explained, placing several documents beside the map. "The remaining requests come primarily from merchants and local communities."

Tobias examined the marked locations. "Nine regions already? That’s considerably faster than our construction department anticipated."

"Interest doesn’t necessarily mean immediate construction," Boren replied. "We’re evaluating where negotiations should begin, not authorizing nine new Regional Headquarters."

Irene nodded approvingly. "I’m glad we’re making that distinction. The first project demonstrated that construction costs can change unexpectedly, particularly when transportation arrangements become unreliable."

Tobias sighed. "Believe me, I haven’t forgotten."

Marcelline studied the regional proposals. "Several administrations appear willing to negotiate long-term property arrangements. However, their conditions vary considerably. Some want the Guild near their commercial districts, while others prefer locations closer to military roads."

Garran examined the reports concerning monster activity.

"From the mission department’s perspective, the northern and southern requests deserve particular attention," Garran observed. "Both territories appear to have consistent demand for escort work, monster extermination, and settlement protection."

"Would that be enough to support permanent branches?" Irene asked.

"Potentially," Garran answered. "But we’d need to examine the number of available Warriors and the frequency of commissions. A region with dangerous monsters isn’t automatically suitable if there aren’t enough qualified Adventurers willing to work there."

Boren nodded and recorded the observation.

The discussion continued for nearly an hour as each department evaluated the proposals from its own perspective.

Tobias identified territories with reliable transportation routes and accessible construction materials.

Irene compared projected expenses against possible revenue, while Garran considered the availability of missions and the likely movement of Adventurers between regions.

Marcelline focused on the willingness of territorial authorities to recognize the Guild’s administrative independence.

Eventually, they narrowed the immediate priorities to three regions.

Two possessed established commercial networks and demonstrated demand for Guild services. The third faced persistent monster threats but required further investigation before any major commitment.

"These are the strongest candidates for our next negotiations," Boren concluded, arranging the selected documents together. "However, we should present the findings to the Guildmaster before proceeding."

That evening, Sage received the department heads inside his office.

He listened as Boren explained the growing demand and presented the proposed expansion priorities.

"So the opening has attracted attention from nearly every direction," Sage remarked, examining the regional map. "That’s encouraging, although I imagine it’s also creating plenty of work."

"More than enough, Guildmaster," Boren replied with a weary smile. "Several territorial administrators seem to believe we can construct a Regional Headquarters within a fortnight simply because they send us an invitation."

Sage chuckled.

"If only buildings appeared that easily," Sage remarked before returning his attention to the reports. "What are your recommendations?"

Marcelline stepped forward and indicated two regions on the map.

"Guildmaster, I recommend opening formal negotiations with these administrations," Marcelline explained. "Both have expressed willingness to provide suitable property, and neither has demanded authority over our internal operations."

She then pointed toward the northern territory.

"The third region requires further discussions," Marcelline continued. "Its officials want immediate assistance with monster threats, but they haven’t provided sufficient information concerning property arrangements or long-term operating conditions."

Sage considered the proposal.

"Begin negotiations in all three regions," Sage instructed. "But make it clear that negotiations don’t guarantee immediate construction."

Tobias nodded. "That would allow us to prepare future projects without overloading our construction resources."

"Exactly," Sage replied. "For now, we’ll maintain our existing limit on major construction projects. I don’t want us starting more Regional Headquarters than our departments can properly supervise."

Irene looked relieved. "That will also protect our finances. We can reserve funds for approved projects while keeping enough available for unexpected expenses."

Sage turned toward Boren.

"Continue developing the regional administration system," Sage instructed. "Every Regional Headquarters should eventually supervise its own network of city, town, and village branches. But those subordinate branches must be established according to actual demand, not simply because someone wants a Guild building nearby."

Boren inclined his head. "Understood, Guildmaster. We’ll incorporate that distinction into the expansion guidelines."

Sage then addressed Garran.

"Have your department examine the regional mission reports more closely," Sage continued. "If merchants and settlements are already submitting requests, we should understand what kind of work Adventurers can expect once operations begin."

Garran nodded. "I’ll coordinate with the regional contacts and prepare an assessment."

With the decisions made, the meeting concluded.

Over the following days, Marcelline began arranging preliminary discussions with the selected regional administrations, while Boren’s department continued screening incoming requests.

The first western Regional Headquarters also submitted its initial operational reports.

Conrad Falkenrath reported steady registration activity, growing merchant interest, and several successfully completed commissions. His staff had additionally received inquiries from neighboring towns requesting information about future subordinate branches.

For Sage, those reports confirmed that the Guild’s regional structure was beginning to function as intended.

Expansion would not simply mean constructing fifteen impressive buildings in regional capitals.

It would eventually create an interconnected network capable of serving communities throughout Westmark.

However, the Guild’s growing reputation was attracting attention from individuals whose interests extended beyond ordinary cooperation.

Three days after the expansion meeting, Marcelline received an unusual letter bearing the seal of a wealthy territorial lord.

The sender was Count Matthias von Eberstein, whose family controlled extensive estates and commercial properties in one of the kingdom’s prosperous central regions.

Unlike the other regional proposals, his letter offered exceptionally generous terms.

The Count was willing to provide a substantial property within his territory’s principal city, contribute toward construction expenses, and arrange favorable commercial agreements with several local suppliers.

Marcelline examined the proposal with increasing interest.

The financial benefits were considerable.

However, the final paragraph contained a peculiar requirement.

The Count requested that the Guild send an authorized representative to discuss one additional condition privately before any formal agreement could be concluded.

No explanation accompanied the request.

Marcelline brought the letter directly to Boren.

"Mr. Boren, we’ve received a proposal that may require the Guildmaster’s attention," Marcelline explained, placing the document before him. "The terms are unusually favorable, but the Count insists upon a confidential discussion before he’ll proceed."

Boren read the letter carefully.

"Another noble offering generosity in exchange for an undisclosed condition," Boren observed, his expression turning cautious. "After our experience with Baron Altenburg, I don’t particularly like the sound of that."

Marcelline nodded. "Neither do I. But the proposal is significant enough that we shouldn’t dismiss it without understanding what he wants."

Boren placed the letter inside a folder marked for Sage’s review.

"Then we’ll hear his condition," Boren replied. "But whatever Count Eberstein intends to request, he’ll have to understand that the Guild’s independence isn’t something he can purchase."

Far from Kingsford, Count Matthias von Eberstein sat inside his private study, examining a copy of the same proposal.

His steward stood beside the desk.

"My lord, do you believe the Adventurer Guild will accept your invitation?" the steward asked.

The Count smiled faintly.

"With terms that generous, they’ll certainly want to hear what I have to say," Matthias replied, setting the document aside. "The question is whether their Guildmaster will consider my condition worth the price."

The steward hesitated. "And if he refuses, my lord?"

Matthias looked toward the map of his territory.

"Then we’ll discover just how badly the Adventurer Guild wants to expand into my lands," the Count answered.

The offer remained open.

But the price attached to it had yet to be revealed.