Chapter 570 An Agreement Without Allegiance

The atmosphere inside Crown Prince Richard’s reception chamber had grown considerably more serious following the arrival of the latest report from Marrowford.

Sage examined the map spread across the table, paying particular attention to the three settlements where monsters had recently been sighted.

Until now, most attacks had occurred along the woodland surrounding Old Harrow Bridge, but the new incidents suggested that the danger was no longer confined to a single stretch of road.

Richard placed the report beside the earlier documents and regarded Sage thoughtfully. "As you can see, Guildmaster, the situation is becoming increasingly urgent. If the monsters continue spreading, we may soon have several territorial administrations demanding assistance simultaneously."

Sage nodded as he studied the locations. "Which makes a proper investigation even more important, Your Royal Highness. If we rush into the woodland without understanding what’s happening, we could eliminate a few monsters while overlooking the actual cause of the attacks."

Lucan leaned forward and examined the distances between the affected settlements. "The easternmost sighting is quite far from Old Harrow Bridge. Either the creatures are traveling greater distances than previously believed, or there are additional groups operating outside the original forest."

Richard’s expression remained grave. "Both possibilities concern me. The local authorities have already demonstrated that they cannot coordinate an effective response. I would prefer not to wait until another caravan disappears before taking action."

Sage understood the Crown Prince’s frustration. Nevertheless, he had no intention of accepting a royal commission without first establishing the conditions under which the Guild would operate.

The Marrowford crisis presented an opportunity to demonstrate the organization’s usefulness, but it also involved several territorial jurisdictions, military authorities, and potentially dangerous monsters. An improperly defined agreement could create problems far greater than the mission itself.

"Your Royal Highness, I’m willing to accept the investigation in principle," Sage began, setting the map aside. "However, before we proceed, there are several matters we need to establish. The Guild has its own procedures for accepting commissions, and I intend to follow them regardless of who requests our services."

Richard regarded him with interest. "I would expect nothing less, Guildmaster. Tell me what you require."

Sage appreciated the straightforward response.

"First, the assignment must be formally registered through our Mission Administration Department," Sage explained. "That means a written commission identifying the requesting authority, the objectives, the geographical area involved, and the compensation being offered. Once those details are established, our administrators will determine the appropriate mission classification."

Lucan nodded approvingly. "That would also create a proper record of the arrangement. If questions arise later, both parties can refer to the same document rather than relying upon verbal assurances."

Richard considered the explanation before responding. "A sensible precaution. My household secretaries can prepare the necessary authorization, and the royal administrative office can certify the commission."

Sage continued, "Second, the initial assignment will be limited to reconnaissance and assessment. Our Adventurers will investigate the affected areas, identify the monsters involved, evaluate the danger, and recommend possible solutions. They won’t be obligated to conduct a full extermination operation unless a separate agreement is reached."

Richard raised his eyebrows slightly. "Even if they encounter the monsters during their investigation?"

"Naturally, they’ll be permitted to defend themselves and protect civilians facing immediate danger," Sage clarified. "But there’s a difference between defending people during reconnaissance and accepting responsibility for eliminating an entire monster population. We shouldn’t promise the latter before knowing what we’re dealing with."

The Crown Prince nodded slowly. "Agreed. I have no desire to send Warriors into an unknown threat with insufficient information."

Sage turned his attention toward the next issue.

"Third, the Guild must retain responsibility for selecting the Adventurers assigned to the commission," he stated. "Your office may specify the objectives and any legitimate restrictions, but our administrators will determine which members possess the necessary qualifications."

Richard rested his hands upon the table. "I assume that means my officials won’t be permitted to appoint individual Adventurers or interfere with your mission teams."

"Exactly, Your Royal Highness," Sage replied. "We can’t maintain professional standards if every influential client is allowed to dictate who handles their assignments."

Lucan smiled faintly as he watched the exchange. He had witnessed numerous noble negotiations over the years, but Sage’s approach remained refreshingly direct. The Guildmaster wasn’t attempting to flatter Richard into granting privileges, nor was he treating the Crown Prince as an adversary.

He was simply establishing the terms of a professional agreement.

Richard appeared to recognize that distinction.

"Those conditions are acceptable," the Crown Prince replied. "However, I have requirements of my own. Since the Crown will be financing this investigation, I expect timely reports, reliable information, and clear explanations of any additional expenses."

Sage nodded immediately. "That’s reasonable. The Guild will provide an initial assessment once the reconnaissance team completes its investigation. If further operations are recommended, we’ll submit a separate proposal outlining the expected resources and costs."

Richard smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent. Then we’re already making progress."

The Crown Prince reached for a sheet of paper and began writing several notes.

"Now, concerning payment," Richard continued. "The royal administration maintains funds for extraordinary regional security matters. I can authorize compensation for the investigation, including travel expenses and the services of appropriately qualified Adventurers."

Sage considered the offer before answering. "We’ll have Garran Holt prepare an estimate based upon the mission’s requirements. I don’t want to name an arbitrary figure before our administrators determine the appropriate difficulty and personnel."

Richard looked up from his notes. "You intend to calculate the compensation through your ordinary procedures?"

"Of course, Your Royal Highness," Sage replied with a small smile. "A royal commission shouldn’t become an excuse to charge unreasonable prices. Besides, if we’re going to establish a working relationship, I’d prefer that both sides understand exactly what they’re paying for."

Lucan chuckled quietly. "I suspect our Finance Department will appreciate that approach. Irene has never been particularly fond of unexplained expenses."

Richard laughed at the remark before setting down his pen. "Then I shall leave the initial estimate to your administrators. My office will review it before the commission is finalized."

With the practical arrangements taking shape, Sage turned toward the matter he considered most important.

"There’s one final condition I’d like to establish clearly, Your Royal Highness," he said, his expression becoming serious. "Accepting this commission cannot create any political obligation between the Guild and your household."

Richard regarded him silently for a moment.

Sage continued, "The Adventurer Guild exists to serve its members and the communities requiring their services. We’ll cooperate with lawful authorities, including the Crown, but that doesn’t mean we’ll support a particular royal faction or become involved in disputes over succession."

Lucan remained quiet, allowing Sage to finish.

"The Guild must also remain free to accept legitimate commissions from other clients," Sage added. "We cannot grant your household exclusive access to our services, and this agreement must not give anyone outside the Guild authority over our internal administration."

Richard leaned back in his chair, studying Sage with an expression that suggested he had anticipated precisely this conversation.

"Guildmaster, I appreciate your willingness to state those concerns openly," Richard replied. "But allow me to clarify something. I invited you here because I believe your organization can help resolve a problem affecting the Kingdom. I haven’t asked you to support my political ambitions."

Sage inclined his head respectfully. "I understand, Your Royal Highness. I simply believe it’s better to establish these boundaries before misunderstandings arise."

"And you’re correct," Richard answered. "If I wished to obtain control over your Guild, I would hardly begin by asking you to investigate a troublesome woodland."

Lucan laughed softly, and Sage found himself smiling at the Crown Prince’s dry observation.

Richard continued, "I have no intention of appointing your administrators, selecting your Adventurers, or preventing you from conducting business with other lawful clients. The Crown will commission a service, and the Guild will provide that service under agreed conditions. Nothing more is required."

Sage felt a measure of relief.

His earlier conversation with Prince Cedric had demonstrated how easily offers of assistance could conceal demands for influence. Richard, however, appeared genuinely willing to distinguish cooperation from control.

That didn’t mean Sage intended to trust every future proposal without examination, but it was a promising beginning.

"Then I believe we have an understanding, Your Royal Highness," Sage replied.

Richard extended his hand across the table. "Indeed, Guildmaster. I look forward to seeing what your Adventurers can accomplish."

Sage accepted the handshake, sealing their preliminary understanding.

The agreement wasn’t yet an official commission. The necessary documents still had to be prepared, reviewed, and approved, while the Guild’s administrators would need to determine the appropriate personnel and compensation.

Nevertheless, the foundations had been established.

After the handshake, Richard summoned his household secretary and instructed him to begin preparing the authorization documents. He also requested copies of the latest Marrowford reports for the Guild’s Mission Administration Department.

As the secretary departed, Lucan glanced toward the documents and smiled. "This should give our administrators plenty to work with. Garran will probably have the preliminary mission assessment prepared before tomorrow evening."

Sage chuckled. "Knowing Garran, he’ll have three different classifications ready depending on what the reports reveal."

Richard appeared amused by their confidence in the Guild’s staff. "It seems you’ve assembled a capable administration, Guildmaster. That may prove just as valuable as the strength of your Adventurers."

Sage nodded. "An organization can’t grow if everything depends upon one person, Your Royal Highness. That’s something I’ve been careful about since we established the Guild."

Richard considered those words thoughtfully before his expression became more restrained.

"There’s something else you should know before we conclude," the Crown Prince remarked, lowering his voice slightly. "Although I have the authority to arrange this commission, not everyone within the royal administration approves of the idea."

Sage’s smile faded. "You mean there are objections to hiring the Guild?"

Richard nodded. "Several senior officials have already begun questioning whether independent organizations should receive Crown-sponsored assignments at all. Some believe such work should remain exclusively under military or noble supervision."

Lucan frowned. "Even when those institutions haven’t been able to resolve the problem themselves?"

Richard gave a weary sigh. "Unfortunately, Lord Lucan, questions of jurisdiction and influence aren’t always settled by practical results."

He gathered the remaining reports into a neat stack before looking directly at Sage. "And Guildmaster, I suspect those objections will become considerably louder once word spreads that the Crown Prince has formally commissioned the Adventurer Guild."