Chapter 582 The Fourth Prince’s Challenge

The arrival of Fourth Prince Julian Alden at Adventurer Guild Headquarters caused considerably less confusion than Sage might have expected, although it certainly attracted attention.

Julian arrived shortly after the morning rush accompanied by four Royal Knights and a senior attendant.

Unlike the elaborate procession that often accompanied members of the royal family, his visit involved only a modest escort.

He wore a dark training uniform beneath a light cloak, with a longsword hanging from his waist.

The young prince’s unruly dark hair and bright green eyes gave him an energetic appearance that contrasted sharply with the composed expressions of his accompanying Knights.

Several Adventurers recognized him immediately.

"Isn’t that the Fourth Prince?" a young swordsman asked his companion as the royal party entered the reception hall. "What’s he doing here?"

His companion glanced toward Julian’s sword before answering. "Considering his reputation, I’d wager he’s come looking for someone to fight."

Julian overheard the remark and laughed.

"Not necessarily," Julian replied with an amused grin. "Although I certainly wouldn’t refuse a good sparring match."

The two Adventurers exchanged startled glances before bowing respectfully.

A receptionist quickly notified the senior administrators, and within minutes, Sage arrived with Boren to welcome their unexpected visitor.

"Your Royal Highness, this is quite a surprise," Sage greeted Julian with a polite smile. "Had we known you were coming, we could have made arrangements."

Julian waved dismissively. "There’s no need for anything elaborate, Guildmaster. I wanted to see the place for myself, and I thought arriving without a ceremonial announcement would make that easier."

Sage chuckled. "Then you’ve certainly succeeded. May I ask what brings you to Headquarters?"

"The Marrowford commission," Julian answered immediately. "I’ve read the reports, and I wanted to meet some of the Adventurers involved. I’ve also heard quite a lot about your training facilities."

Boren adjusted his glasses. "Our training grounds are available for inspection, Your Royal Highness. However, some areas are currently being used for scheduled exercises."

Julian’s expression brightened. "Even better. I’d rather see actual training than an empty courtyard."

Sage exchanged an amused glance with Boren before agreeing to personally accompany the prince.

They passed through the reception hall and entered the extensive training complex occupying one section of Headquarters. Several enclosed courtyards and specialized practice areas had been constructed to accommodate different combat disciplines.

Some Adventurers practiced swordsmanship against reinforced training dummies, while others worked through archery exercises or controlled magical demonstrations.

Julian immediately became interested in the variety of activities.

"Your facilities are larger than I expected," Julian remarked as he examined a courtyard filled with practicing Warriors. "I assumed most Adventurers trained independently."

"Many do, Your Royal Highness," Sage explained. "But the Guild provides facilities where members can practice, receive instruction, and improve their coordination. Adventurers often form parties with people whose abilities complement their own."

Julian watched a group of swordsmen practicing defensive formations.

"And who supervises their training?" he asked.

"That depends on the activity," Sage replied. "Some exercises are conducted independently, while others involve experienced instructors or designated supervisors. Our staff also enforce safety regulations within the training facilities."

As they approached another courtyard, the sound of clashing steel grew louder.

Leon Drakar stood near the center of the practice ground, overseeing a group of Adventurers engaged in a coordinated combat exercise.

The captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order was demonstrating how a frontline fighter could create openings for companions positioned behind him.

Julian recognized him immediately.

"Sir Leon!" Julian called enthusiastically as he approached. "I was hoping I’d find you here."

Leon turned toward the visitors and smiled.

"Your Royal Highness, I didn’t expect to see you today," Leon replied as he lowered his practice sword. "Have you come to inspect the Guild’s training?"

"Something like that," Julian answered with a grin. "I’ve heard you’ve been spending quite a lot of time here since registering as an Adventurer."

Leon chuckled. "The Guild provides excellent opportunities to train alongside Warriors from different backgrounds. It’s useful experience, even for someone accustomed to commanding Knights."

Julian glanced toward the practicing Adventurers.

"Would you mind explaining what they’re doing?" Julian asked.

Leon gestured toward the group. "We’re practicing coordinated responses against multiple opponents. The frontline fighters maintain their positions while the others support them. The objective isn’t simply to defeat the enemy, but to prevent the formation from collapsing when unexpected pressure develops."

At Leon’s instruction, the Adventurers resumed their exercise.

Three swordsmen formed a defensive line while two others represented enemies attempting to break through their positions. A mage standing behind the defenders used harmless training spells to simulate supporting attacks.

Julian observed the exercise closely.

The Adventurers weren’t as uniform in their movements as trained Royal Knights, but they adapted quickly to changing circumstances.

When one defender deliberately withdrew, another immediately adjusted his position to cover the opening.

"Interesting," Julian remarked. "They’re responding to one another rather than following a fixed sequence."

Leon nodded. "Most Adventurer parties contain people trained in different disciplines. They can’t always rely upon identical techniques, so communication and adaptability become particularly important."

Julian folded his arms thoughtfully.

"That makes sense for small parties," Julian admitted. "But I wonder how well those habits would translate to larger operations."

Before Leon could answer, a familiar figure approached from the neighboring courtyard.

Valeria, the renowned Blood Queen, had been overseeing a separate training session. Her expression remained completely impassive as she regarded the visiting prince.

"Guildmaster," Valeria acknowledged with a slight nod before turning toward Julian. "Your Royal Highness."

Julian’s eyes brightened again.

"Lady Valeria! I’ve wanted to see you fight for quite some time," Julian exclaimed. "I’ve heard you’re one of the strongest Warriors associated with the Guild."

Valeria regarded him without any visible change in expression.

"Rumors are often exaggerated, Your Royal Highness," Valeria replied evenly.

Leon chuckled at her response.

"Not in this particular case," Leon remarked. "Although I wouldn’t recommend challenging her simply to satisfy your curiosity."

Julian laughed. "Now you’re making me even more interested."

Sage shook his head with amusement.

"Your Royal Highness, perhaps we should finish the tour before you start challenging everyone in the building," Sage suggested.

Julian reluctantly agreed, although his attention remained fixed upon the training grounds.

Valeria accompanied them to the next courtyard, where several Adventurers were practicing against moving targets and simulated monster attacks.

The exercise involved a group defending a marked position while other participants attempted to penetrate their formation.

Julian watched as the defenders adjusted their positions whenever the attackers changed direction.

"How do you determine whether a party is prepared for a dangerous mission?" Julian asked, turning toward Sage.

"Our Mission Administration Department establishes qualification requirements based on the assignment’s classification," Sage explained. "Adventurers must meet those requirements before accepting restricted missions. Their combat experience, party composition, and previous performance can also be relevant."

Leon added, "And experienced parties generally understand their own strengths and limitations. The Ironwood Party’s decision to withdraw after discovering the monster nest at Marrowford is a good example."

Julian nodded thoughtfully.

"They found the nest but didn’t attempt to destroy it immediately," Julian recalled. "Instead, they reported their findings and returned under a separate extermination commission."

"Correct," Sage answered. "Their original assignment was reconnaissance. Completing that objective properly was more valuable than taking unnecessary risks."

Julian looked impressed.

"That’s a level of restraint I wouldn’t necessarily expect from independent Warriors," Julian admitted. "Especially when defeating a dangerous monster could earn them considerable recognition."

Valeria turned toward him.

"Experienced Warriors understand that unnecessary fighting wastes strength and endangers companions," Valeria stated calmly. "Those who fail to learn that lesson rarely survive difficult assignments."

Julian considered her words before nodding.

"Fair point, Lady Valeria."

The group continued toward a sheltered observation area overlooking several training courtyards.

There, Sage arranged for refreshments while Julian spoke with Leon and Valeria about the differences between Adventurer parties and formal military units.

Leon explained that Royal Knights benefited from established chains of command, standardized training, and experience operating in larger formations. Adventurers, by contrast, possessed greater flexibility and frequently encountered unusual threats requiring specialized abilities.

"Neither approach is automatically superior," Leon remarked as he set down his cup. "A military unit is better suited to certain operations, while a small group of experienced Adventurers may handle other situations more efficiently."

Julian nodded. "That’s precisely what interests me. Marrowford demonstrated that Adventurers can solve problems our regional forces struggled with. But what happens during a disaster involving hundreds of civilians and several separate threats?"

Sage considered the question.

"That would depend upon the circumstances," Sage answered. "The Guild can organize multiple missions and coordinate participating parties, but we wouldn’t pretend that ordinary Adventurers automatically possess the same training as Royal Knights."

Julian leaned forward.

"Suppose a settlement was threatened by a large monster migration," Julian suggested. "The Royal Knights might be responsible for evacuation routes and maintaining defensive positions, while Adventurers could be assigned to eliminate particularly dangerous creatures. Would your organization be capable of coordinating that kind of response?"

"Potentially," Sage replied. "But we’d need clearly defined responsibilities, reliable communication, and an agreement concerning who commands which personnel."

Leon nodded approvingly.

"That’s an important distinction," Leon added. "Adventurers can cooperate with military forces without becoming part of the military chain of command. However, everyone involved must understand the operational arrangements before the fighting begins."

Julian looked toward the training grounds below.

For several moments, he remained silent, watching the Adventurers continue their exercises.

Then his expression brightened as an idea occurred to him.

"Guildmaster, I think there’s a way we could test that," Julian declared.

Sage raised an eyebrow. "Test what, Your Royal Highness?"

"The Guild’s ability to cooperate with the Royal Knights during a large-scale emergency," Julian answered eagerly. "We could organize a controlled exercise involving several qualified Adventurer parties and a detachment of Royal Knights."

Leon appeared interested.

"A joint exercise?" Leon asked. "What sort of scenario did you have in mind?"

Julian gestured toward the training courtyards.

"A simulated monster attack against a settlement," Julian explained. "We could establish evacuation objectives, defensive positions, and several unexpected complications. The Knights would handle their assigned responsibilities, while the Adventurers would operate according to agreed mission objectives."

Sage considered the proposal carefully.

Such an exercise could provide valuable information about cooperation between independent Adventurers and royal military forces. It could also expose weaknesses in communication and coordination before a genuine emergency occurred.

However, the Guild’s recent political difficulties made the suggestion more complicated than it initially appeared.

"Your Royal Highness, that sounds worthwhile," Sage replied cautiously. "But we’d need to establish proper authorization and ensure participation remains voluntary. The Guild can’t simply order its members to join a royal military exercise."

Julian nodded immediately.

"Of course. I’m not suggesting conscription," Julian assured him. "We could arrange it as an official Guild assignment with appropriate compensation and clearly defined objectives."

Leon glanced toward Sage.

"With proper preparation, Guildmaster, I believe such an exercise could benefit both organizations," Leon remarked. "Especially if the results are reviewed afterward."

Valeria remained impassive as she considered the suggestion.

"A controlled exercise would reveal weaknesses in coordination without exposing civilians to unnecessary danger," Valeria observed. "Provided the participants take it seriously."

Julian grinned.

"Then let’s make it happen," Julian declared, turning toward Sage. "I’ll approach the appropriate Royal Knights commanders and arrange the necessary permissions. If the Guild is willing, I’d like to propose a formal joint emergency-response exercise between the Royal Knights and qualified Adventurers."

Sage looked at the enthusiastic young prince, already imagining the administrative work such an arrangement would require.

The Guild had barely finished dealing with the political consequences of its first royal commission.

Now another prince wanted to establish a completely different form of cooperation with its Adventurers.