Chapter 558: Before the King

For several moments following King Edmund’s invitation, the magnificent banquet hall remained unusually quiet.

Hundreds of guests watched as Sage stepped away from the Adventurer Guild’s delegation and approached the central passage leading toward the royal platform.

The attention was hardly surprising. Although distinguished individuals had received recognition throughout the ceremony, few had been personally summoned by the King for a conversation before the assembled nobility.

Lucan accompanied Sage for several steps before stopping near the designated boundary.

"Guildmaster, remember what we discussed," Lucan reminded him quietly. "Answer His Majesty respectfully, but don’t feel obligated to make promises simply because everyone is listening."

Sage gave him an amused glance. "Relax, Lucan. I’m not planning to surrender the Guild before dinner."

Lucan sighed. "Guildmaster, that’s precisely the sort of remark I’d prefer you didn’t make within hearing distance of the Royal Court."

Sage chuckled before continuing toward the platform, where two ceremonial guards stepped aside to allow him passage.

Upon reaching the designated position, he offered the King a respectful bow.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your generous recognition of the Adventurer Guild," Sage greeted him. "It’s an honor to attend your birthday celebration."

King Edmund regarded him with an expression of measured interest.

"Rise, Guildmaster Sage," the monarch replied. "I’ve heard a great deal about your organization over recent months. It seemed appropriate that I finally speak with the man responsible for establishing it."

Sage straightened and met the King’s gaze.

"I’m pleased that our work has attracted Your Majesty’s attention."

Edmund gestured toward the gathering. "As you can see, Guildmaster, you’ve attracted considerably more attention than mine. Several individuals here have been discussing your organization since its arrival in Kingsford."

A few nobles exchanged discreet glances at the remark, while Sage maintained his composure.

"I hope they’ve been saying favorable things, Your Majesty," Sage answered with a polite smile.

The King chuckled. "Some have, certainly. Others have raised questions that I believe deserve consideration."

Edmund settled into his ceremonial chair, although he remained facing Sage. "Tell me about Evergreen. From what my officials have reported, your Guild began there with relatively modest resources."

Sage nodded. "That’s correct, Your Majesty. Evergreen was where we established our first Headquarters and began organizing Adventurers through a structured mission system. At the beginning, our operations were considerably smaller than they are today."

"And what convinced you that such an organization was necessary?" Edmund asked.

Sage considered the question carefully. "Your Majesty, capable Warriors have always existed, but many communities struggle to find reliable assistance when problems arise. Meanwhile, independent Warriors often have difficulty locating suitable work or obtaining fair compensation. I wanted to create an organization that could connect those two needs."

Edmund nodded thoughtfully. "A practical ambition. Yet establishing an organization is one thing. Expanding it into the Royal Capital is another."

"That’s true, Your Majesty," Sage acknowledged. "We learned a great deal from our early operations in Evergreen. As our membership increased, we developed better procedures for evaluating missions, managing rewards, and providing services to Adventurers."

The King glanced toward several officials standing beside the platform. "My administrators have informed me that your Headquarters in Kingsford has become one of the busiest establishments in the city."

Sage smiled. "We’ve been fortunate to receive considerable support from local Adventurers and merchants, Your Majesty. The facilities are designed to accommodate their needs, although managing everything has become increasingly demanding."

"An interesting problem to possess," Edmund observed with amusement. "Many organizations would consider themselves fortunate to have more customers than they can accommodate."

Several guests laughed politely.

The King allowed the amusement to subside before continuing. "Now, regarding your membership. Are all Adventurers considered employees of your organization?"

Sage shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. Our administrative personnel and facility employees work directly for the Guild. Registered Adventurers, however, remain independent individuals who accept missions according to their qualifications and preferences."

Edmund leaned forward slightly. "Then they aren’t obligated to obey your instructions outside their accepted responsibilities?"

"Not in the manner soldiers obey military commanders, Your Majesty," Sage explained. "Adventurers must follow Guild regulations, honor accepted contracts, and avoid conduct that endangers others. However, registration doesn’t make them members of a private army."

The King’s expression became more attentive.

"That distinction is important. An organization capable of gathering thousands of armed Warriors could become a considerable concern if its leadership possessed ambitions beyond commercial activity."

Sage nodded respectfully. "I understand, Your Majesty. That’s precisely why we’ve established clear regulations governing missions and membership. Our purpose is to provide legitimate opportunities for Warriors, not to assemble forces for territorial conquest."

Among the watching guests, several military officers exchanged approving looks.

Edmund continued, "And what of your relationship with the Royal Army? Suppose a settlement requires assistance during a military emergency. Would your Adventurers be expected to answer?"

Sage considered his response. "Your Majesty, the Guild would cooperate with lawful authorities wherever possible. We can organize emergency missions, communicate requests, and encourage qualified Adventurers to assist. However, I wouldn’t promise the unconditional service of independent individuals who haven’t agreed to military obligations."

The King studied him for several moments.

"You’re careful with your promises, Guildmaster."

Sage smiled faintly. "I believe it’s better to make promises we can fulfill, Your Majesty, than offer impressive assurances that become meaningless when they’re needed."

A quiet murmur spread among the assembled nobles.

Prince Richard, standing beside the royal platform, regarded Sage with apparent interest, while Prince Cedric listened with an expression that revealed considerably less approval.

Edmund eventually nodded. "A reasonable answer. Now, I’ve also received reports concerning your organization’s dungeon operations."

Sage had expected the subject to arise sooner or later. "Yes, Your Majesty. The Guild currently manages access to numerous dungeons, including the S-Rank Dungeon near Greyfen."

"Your methods have attracted considerable attention," Edmund remarked. "Particularly the arrangement allowing Adventurers to retain the treasures and materials they obtain."

Sage nodded. "That’s one of our established principles, Your Majesty. Adventurers purchase the appropriate Dungeon Pass to enter a Guild-controlled dungeon, and whatever they legitimately obtain belongs to them."

The King raised an eyebrow. "And your organization doesn’t demand a percentage of their findings?"

"No, Your Majesty," Sage answered. "We earn revenue through Dungeon Passes and other services. Adventurers already accept considerable risks when exploring dangerous floors, so we believe they should receive the rewards of their efforts."

Edmund glanced toward Duke Roland Auremont, who stood among the senior nobles near the platform. "An arrangement rather different from those maintained by certain territorial authorities."

Roland inclined his head respectfully. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Although the Guildmaster has demonstrated that his approach can produce substantial commercial activity."

The King returned his attention to Sage.

"Explain that."

Sage nodded. "When Adventurers retain their materials, they’re encouraged to undertake further expeditions. They purchase equipment, require accommodation, employ craftsmen, and sell valuable resources to merchants. Those activities generate business throughout the surrounding communities."

Edmund appeared interested. "So rather than collecting the majority of the dungeon’s treasures directly, you benefit from the commercial activity surrounding its operation."

"Exactly, Your Majesty," Sage replied. "And local merchants, workers, and authorities can benefit as well."

The King considered the explanation before turning toward Prince Richard. "What do you think of that arrangement?"

Richard stepped forward with a respectful inclination of his head. "Father, the commercial benefits are apparent. However, the arrangement also raises questions concerning how dungeon access is regulated and how its revenues relate to the territories in which those dungeons are located."

Edmund nodded approvingly. "Precisely."

Sage regarded the First Prince with renewed interest.

Richard had identified one of the complications the Guild frequently encountered when negotiating with territorial authorities.

The King turned back toward him. "Guildmaster, you intend to expand throughout Westmark’s fifteen regions, correct?"

"That’s our long-term objective, Your Majesty," Sage confirmed. "We intend to establish branches gradually, depending upon available resources and agreements with local authorities."

"And if a regional lord refuses to permit your organization to operate?"

"We would respect that decision, Your Majesty," Sage answered. "We can explain the benefits of cooperation, but we have no intention of forcing Guild branches upon unwilling territories."

Edmund regarded him thoughtfully. "Yet you would maintain control over your organization’s internal affairs wherever permission was granted."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Local laws and legitimate administrative requirements must be respected, but our membership regulations, mission procedures, and established principles need to remain consistent."

The King leaned back in his chair. "An organization operating across fifteen regions, maintaining its own regulations, collecting substantial revenues, and attracting powerful Warriors. You must understand why certain members of my Court find that prospect troubling."

Sage bowed his head slightly. "I do, Your Majesty. But I believe the Guild’s usefulness depends upon its ability to operate fairly and consistently, regardless of which noble family controls a particular territory."

For several moments, Edmund remained silent.

Around the hall, the assembled guests watched with increasing interest. What had begun as a public acknowledgment of the Guild’s accomplishments had gradually developed into a discussion concerning its future place within Westmark.

Finally, the King folded his hands and regarded Sage directly. "Your answers have been thoughtful, Guildmaster Sage. You speak of protecting communities, supporting commerce, and cooperating with legitimate authorities. All admirable intentions."

Edmund paused, allowing his words to settle across the chamber. "However, there remains one question I consider particularly important."

Sage straightened. "Please ask, Your Majesty."

The King’s expression grew serious. "Tell me, Guildmaster Sage. When your Adventurer Guild becomes powerful enough to influence every region of Westmark, where will its ultimate loyalty lie?"

He leaned forward slightly. "Does the Adventurer Guild ultimately serve itself, or does it serve the Kingdom?"