Chapter 147: Foundation
The candles had nearly burned to their ends.
Yet Kael and Lily were still working.
Papers covered the table.
Some were filled with Kael’s handwriting.
Others carried Lily’s neat script.
A few had already been crossed out and discarded.
Kael rubbed his tired eyes.
"We need a way to determine who can accept dangerous missions."
Lily nodded.
"A test."
"Exactly."
Kael wrote across the page.
Adventurer Examination.
Lily leaned closer.
"What would they be tested on?"
Kael thought for a moment.
"Combat ability."
"That alone?"
"No."
He began writing.
"Knowledge."
"Judgment."
"Ability to follow instructions."
"Understanding of monsters."
"Perhaps survival."
Lily nodded.
"Someone could be strong and still be foolish."
"Exactly."
Kael underlined the word judgment.
"Strength shouldn’t be the only thing that determines someone’s rank."
Lily smiled.
"That sounds like something you would say."
Kael looked at her.
"What does that mean?"
"You chose Grom."
Kael became quiet.
Lily continued.
"Everyone else saw a goblin."
"You saw a warrior."
Kael looked toward the window.
"Grom proved his loyalty."
"And strength."
"And discipline."
Lily nodded.
"Then perhaps that’s what the guild should look for."
Kael returned to the page.
"Potential."
He wrote the word.
Potential.
By sunrise, the first framework was beginning to take shape.
Kael placed the pages in order.
Adventurer Guild — First Draft
Registration
Every adventurer must register their name, age, race, place of origin, and abilities.
Examination
Applicants must pass a series of trials.
Rank
Their performance determines their initial rank.
Missions
Each mission receives a difficulty classification.
Rewards
Payment depends upon difficulty, danger, and completion.
Penalties
False reports, theft, abandoning contracts, and harming civilians carry punishment.
Kael looked at the list.
"It’s missing something."
Lily yawned.
"What’s missing?"
"Advancement."
He added another heading.
Promotion
"Adventurers should be able to rise through the ranks."
Lily nodded.
"That gives them something to work toward."
"Exactly."
Kael leaned back.
"The stronger they become, the more dangerous work they can accept."
"And earn more."
"Yes."
Lily smiled.
"Now it sounds like something people would actually want."
Kael looked at the papers.
"That’s the point."
A knock sounded at the door.
Neither of them answered.
Another knock.
Kael looked toward Lily.
She looked exhausted.
"Perhaps they went away."
The door opened.
Edwin stood there.
He stared at the room.
Then at Kael.
Then at Lily.
Then back in the room.
There were papers everywhere.
Half-empty cups.
Food plates.
Ink bottles.
Kael’s hair was disheveled.
Lily’s hair was equally untidy.
Edwin slowly closed his eyes.
"My lord."
Kael smiled weakly.
"Good morning."
"Have you slept?"
Kael considered lying.
Edwin waited.
"...No."
"Of course."
The old butler stepped into the room.
"Miss Lily?"
"I haven’t slept either."
Edwin sighed.
"Naturally."
He looked at the table.
"What exactly have you been doing?"
Kael gathered several pages.
"Planning."
Edwin took one.
He read silently.
His expression slowly changed.
"An institution for independent warriors?"
"Yes."
"To accept contracts from villages?"
"Yes."
"Against monsters?"
"Among other things."
Edwin continued reading.
"And you intend to establish this in Blackwood?"
"Eventually."
Edwin looked toward Kael.
"You’ve been awake all night for this?"
Kael nodded.
The butler placed the paper down.
"Then perhaps you should sleep before establishing anything."
Lily quietly laughed.
Kael sighed.
"Fine."
Edwin looked satisfied.
"Excellent."
He turned toward the door.
"Breakfast will be brought to your chamber."
Kael blinked.
"I thought you wanted me to sleep."
"I do."
Edwin paused.
"But I know you well enough to understand that you will continue working the moment I leave."
Kael smiled.
"Perhaps."
"Then at least eat."
The door closed.
Lily looked at Kael.
"He knows you too well."
"Unfortunately."
Several hours later...
Kael finally emerged from his chamber.
The servants in the hallway stopped.
Lily followed behind him.
Both looked exhausted.
Their clothes were covered in dust.
There were ink stains on Kael’s sleeve.
Lily’s hair was disheveled.
The sight caused several servants to stare.
One maid whispered,
"Did they sleep in there?"
Another answered,
"I don’t think they slept at all."
Bram happened to be walking through the corridor.
He stopped.
Looked at them.
Then he shook his head.
"Young people."
Kael heard him.
"We’re not that young."
Bram laughed.
"You’re covered in ink."
Kael looked down.
He hadn’t noticed.
Lily covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Then Garrick came around the corner.
He looked at Kael.
Looked at Lily.
Then at the papers in Kael’s hands.
"What happened to you two?"
Kael answered seriously.
"We were working."
Garrick snorted.
"You look like you lost a fight with a chimney."
Lily finally laughed.
Even Kael couldn’t help smiling.
For the first time in several days...
The entire estate saw their lord laughing openly.
After washing and eating, Kael met with Darius.
The First Commander was reviewing the Black Dragon’s training records.
Kael placed the guild plans on the table.
Darius read them carefully.
He didn’t speak for several minutes.
Finally...
"This could work."
Kael smiled.
"But?"
Darius looked at him.
"You’re planning to allow people to fight monsters without being soldiers."
"Yes."
"Then you need rules."
"I have them."
"Better rules."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Darius pointed toward the examination section.
"Someone who can swing a sword isn’t necessarily capable of fighting a monster."
Kael nodded.
"I know."
"Then the examination should include judgment."
Kael smiled.
"Already added."
Darius continued reading.
"Survival?"
"Yes."
"Knowledge?"
"Yes."
"Discipline?"
"Yes."
Darius looked up.
"Good."
Kael leaned against the table.
"I want the guild to solve a problem the army can’t."
Darius understood immediately.
"Too many villages."
"Exactly."
"You cannot station soldiers everywhere."
"And I don’t want to."
Darius folded the papers.
"Then the guild could become useful."
Kael nodded.
"But it must never replace the army."
Darius smiled.
"Good."
"Why?"
"Because adventurers seek coin."
He pointed toward the Black Dragon training grounds.
"Soldiers defend their homeland."
Kael nodded.
"Then we’ll make the distinction clear."
That evening, Kael stood on the balcony.
Blackwood’s lights flickered below.
The territory was growing.
Slowly.
Naturally.
The guild would come later.
But now Kael understood something important.
Before he could build the Adventurer Guild...
He needed a place capable of supporting it.
A larger market.
More roads.
More homes.
More food.
More people.
And eventually...
More territory.
Kael looked toward the dark horizon.
The idea had started with monsters.
Now it was becoming something much larger.
A system that could connect villages to warriors.
Warriors to work.
Work to coin.
Coin to Blackwood.
And Blackwood...
To the future Kael intended to build.
He smiled.
But he did not begin construction.
Not yet.
There was still much to prepare.