Chapter 578 The Question of Royal Protection [ 1 ]

Sage remained seated across from Crown Prince Richard, considering the warning he had just received.

The Marrowford commission had been a success by every practical measure. The monsters threatening the eastern trade route had been eliminated, merchant traffic was gradually returning, and the territorial administrations had finally begun addressing the neglected road.

Yet instead of allowing everyone to move on to the next problem, the Guild’s success had generated a new round of political arguments.

Sage found the situation rather irritating.

"So, Your Royal Highness, let me see if I understand this correctly," Sage remarked as he rested an arm against his chair. "When the road was overrun with monsters, everyone argued about whose responsibility it was. Now that the monsters are gone, they’re arguing about whether the people who eliminated them should have been allowed to do it."

Richard laughed quietly at the observation.

"An unfortunate but accurate description, Guildmaster," Richard admitted. "Although I should point out that several officials have been genuinely impressed by the Guild’s performance."

Sage nodded. "Minister Pembroke seemed reasonable during the administrative review. He asked questions about our procedures, but at least he appeared interested in understanding how we operate."

"Pembroke is a capable administrator," Richard replied. "He prefers clear regulations and properly documented decisions. The problem is that our existing laws don’t adequately address an organization like yours."

Sage considered that explanation.

The Adventurer Guild had expanded rapidly since its establishment in Evergreen. What had begun as a single institution serving local Adventurers had developed into an organization possessing extensive facilities, numerous registered members, and operations extending far beyond its original territory.

Its growing network of controlled dungeons had also created a substantial source of income, allowing the Guild to maintain services that smaller organizations could never afford.

However, the Kingdom’s administrative structure had not developed alongside it.

Richard reached for a folder containing the final Marrowford report.

"Consider what happened during our first commission," Richard began. "The Guild accepted an assignment, investigated the danger, and submitted its findings. Then a territorial representative objected because those findings reflected poorly upon his administration."

Sage nodded. "And suddenly we were explaining ourselves before a royal panel instead of preparing the next mission."

"Precisely," Richard answered. "The objection was reviewed and ultimately failed to justify suspending the commission. But the process revealed how easily similar disputes could arise elsewhere."

He opened the folder and pointed toward the correspondence between the two territorial administrations.

"Westmark has fifteen regions, Guildmaster. Each contains nobles, magistrates, military officers, and administrative departments with their own responsibilities. If your organization begins accepting assignments throughout the Kingdom, you’ll inevitably encounter disagreements involving jurisdiction."

Sage glanced at the documents.

"Especially if the local authorities have spent years avoiding their responsibilities," Sage remarked.

Richard smiled faintly. "That possibility certainly exists."

The Crown Prince continued examining the report before setting it aside.

"Marrowford was relatively straightforward because my office had already issued the commission," Richard explained. "I could request an administrative review, clarify the authorization, and ensure that the proceedings followed established procedures. But what happens when a similar dispute occurs in a distant region where you don’t have an existing arrangement with the Crown?"

Sage understood the question immediately.

A local noble could challenge the Guild’s authority, delay an assignment, or demand additional permissions. Even if the Guild ultimately prevailed, the resulting delays could discourage Adventurers from accepting important missions.

Worse, the organization might find itself negotiating entirely different conditions in every territory.

"Then we’d spend half our time arguing about permissions," Sage replied. "And every regional administrator would have an opportunity to invent new requirements."

Richard nodded. "Which would make expansion unnecessarily difficult."

Sage leaned forward slightly.

"That’s why I don’t want the Guild depending upon personal favors," Sage said. "I appreciate your assistance with Marrowford, Your Royal Highness, but I can’t come running to you every time some official dislikes one of our missions."

"And I wouldn’t want you to," Richard replied. "It would be inefficient for both of us."

The Crown Prince paused, appearing to consider how best to introduce his next point.

"Guildmaster, have you ever considered obtaining a Royal Charter?"

Sage raised his eyebrows.

"A Royal Charter?" he repeated.

Richard nodded.

"A formal document issued under the authority of the Crown," Richard explained. "One that would recognize the Adventurer Guild as an independent institution operating within Westmark and establish its rights, responsibilities, and relationship with the Kingdom’s governing authorities."

Sage remained silent for a moment.

He understood the significance of the proposal.

Until now, the Guild had relied upon ordinary registrations, agreements with local authorities, and permissions obtained as its operations expanded. Those arrangements were sufficient for many of its activities, but they didn’t provide a consistent legal framework across the entire Kingdom.

A Royal Charter could change that.

"What exactly would such a Charter provide?" Sage asked.

Richard folded his hands upon the table.

"That would depend upon the terms we negotiate," Richard answered. "But in principle, it could formally recognize the Guild’s independent administration, establish procedures for opening branches in different regions, and define the conditions under which your organization may accept commissions from royal and territorial authorities."

Sage listened carefully.

"It could also establish clear protections against arbitrary interference," Richard continued. "For example, a territorial official shouldn’t be able to suspend a properly authorized mission merely because its findings are inconvenient. There should be defined procedures for objections, investigations, and appeals."

"That would certainly be useful," Sage admitted. "Especially if we’re going to operate throughout the fifteen regions."

Richard nodded.

"However, the Charter would also establish obligations," the Crown Prince added. "The Guild would remain subject to Westmark’s laws, including applicable taxation, financial reporting, public safety regulations, and legitimate investigations into misconduct."

Sage considered those conditions before answering.

"I have no objection to legal accountability, Your Royal Highness. We’ve never claimed the Guild should be above the law."

"I know," Richard replied. "Your handling of the Marrowford commission demonstrated that quite clearly."

Sage leaned back, studying the Crown Prince thoughtfully.

"What concerns me is how those obligations might be interpreted," Sage admitted. "I’ve already seen one proposal that tried to disguise noble control as administrative oversight. I don’t intend to accept a Charter that gives officials the authority to appoint our staff or dictate which Adventurers can accept missions."