Chapter 165: The Adventure Guild
The following morning, Kael stood over the map of Blackwood.
The first foundation stone had been placed.
Construction had officially begun.
But Kael wasn’t thinking about the new settlement.
Not yet.
His attention was focused on something that could bring people to it.
The Adventure Guild.
Darius stood across the table.
You wanted to discuss the guild.
Kael nodded.
I’ve been thinking about it since the council meeting.
Darius crossed his arms.
What exactly do you want it to become?
Kael looked down at the map.
Something bigger than a place where people accept monster-hunting requests.
Darius waited.
Kael continued.
I want it to become the organization that connects the Empire’s adventurers with the territories that need them.
Darius raised an eyebrow.
That’s ambitious.
It has to be.
Kael tapped the map.
Right now, if a village has a monster problem, what do they do?
They send soldiers?
If they have enough soldiers.
Darius nodded.
They hire mercenaries?
If they can afford them.
Exactly.
Kael looked toward the window.
And if neither option works?
They wait.
Until someone gets hurt.
Or killed.
Darius understood.
Kael wanted a system that filled the gap between the military and ordinary civilians.
A place where someone could request help.
A place where capable people could earn money.
A place where the government could monitor dangerous individuals without forcing every adventurer into military service.
Kael smiled.
The guild needs ranks.
Darius looked at him.
Ranks?
Yes.
Something simple.
A new adventurer shouldn’t receive the same opportunities as someone who has spent ten years fighting monsters.
So we establish grades.
Darius nodded slowly.
Something like "recruit," "veteran," or "elite"?
Not exactly.
Kael began writing on the map.
F.
E.
D.
C.
B.
A.
S.
Darius looked at the letters.
Seven ranks.
Kael nodded.
Everyone begins at F.
Their rank increases through completed quests, combat performance, reliability, and recommendations.
What about people who abuse the system?
Kael looked up.
Their rank can be lowered.
Darius smiled.
And criminals?
Blacklisted.
Anyone who attacks civilians, steals guild property, or betrays a contract can be permanently removed.
Kael continued writing.
The guild also needs identification cards.
Darius frowned.
Why?
So nobody can pretend to be someone else.
Kael looked at him.
Each adventurer receives a registered identity.
Name.
Race.
Age.
Rank.
Skills.
Completed quests.
Known offenses.
Darius’s expression became thoughtful.
That could actually be useful for Imperial authorities.
Exactly.
Kael leaned back.
The guild wouldn’t replace the Empire.
It would work alongside it.
A blue window appeared.
New Concept Detected
Adventure Guild
Potential Organization Type: Civilian-Military Support
Primary Functions
Quest Management
Monster Suppression
Exploration
Escort Services
Resource Recovery
Emergency Response
Information Gathering
Potential Benefits
Population Growth
Economic Growth
Territorial Development
Military Intelligence
Kael stared at the notification.
Then another appeared.
Organization Creation Available
Requirements
Administrative Headquarters
Guild Master
Quest Registration System
Adventurer Ranking System
Reward System
Territorial Approval
Kael smiled.
The system had recognized the idea.
But it wasn’t going to build the guild for him.
That was fine.
Kael wanted to build this himself.
There was one problem.
Who would run it?
Kael tapped his fingers against the table.
Darius noticed.
You don’t have someone in mind.
Not yet.
Kael looked through the list of people currently living in Blackwood.
None were suitable.
They needed someone experienced.
Someone who understood adventurers.
Someone who could manage difficult personalities.
Someone who wasn’t afraid of monsters.
And someone Kael could trust.
Darius spoke.
You could recruit someone from Aurelia.
Kael shook his head.
Too much Imperial influence.
Then hire a former mercenary.
Kael looked at him.
That’s what I’m thinking.
Darius smiled.
Then we should start looking.
Later that afternoon, Kael visited the construction site.
Master Rowan was overseeing the first buildings.
Several workers were already laying foundations.
Kael approached him.
Rowan.
Your Highness.
I need a building.
For the new settlement?
Yes.
A large one.
How large?
Large enough for several hundred people to eventually use it.
Rowan stared at him.
That’s not a building.
That’s a complex.
Kael smiled.
Exactly.
What are you putting inside?
A main hall.
Quest counter.
Meeting rooms.
Training area.
Storage.
A medical room.
And eventually, an inn.
Rowan looked at him for several seconds.
Adventure Guild?
Kael nodded.
You’re moving quickly.
We’re going to need to.
Rowan looked toward the empty land surrounding them.
There’s nothing here yet.
Kael looked at the same land.
That’s the point.
One day, this place won’t be empty.
The First Recruitment
Kael’s first step wasn’t to find adventurers.
It was to find the person who would lead them.
He sent messengers throughout Blackwood.
They carried a simple announcement.
The future Adventure Guild of Blackwood was seeking experienced adventurers interested in administrative leadership.
Applicants needed:
Combat experience.
Leadership ability.
Knowledge of monster hunting.
Ability to manage contracts.
No criminal history.
No requirement for noble birth.
Kael specifically added the final line.
He wanted ordinary people to have a chance.
The announcement spread through the villages.
Then it moved beyond Blackwood.
Travelers carried it along the roads.
Merchants mentioned it at inns.
Caravan guards discussed it while resting.
Within a few days, the first responses arrived.
Most were unsuitable.
One applicant had been dismissed from a mercenary company for stealing.
Another had exaggerated his achievements.
A third wanted the position because he believed working for a prince would make him wealthy.
Kael rejected all three.
Then another application arrived.
Kael read it twice.
Name:
Galahad Charney.
Age:
Thirty-six.
Former Occupation:
mercenary.
Previous Rank:
B.
Specialization:
Monster Hunting.
Expedition Leadership.
Survival.
Current Status:
Independent.
Kael looked toward Darius.
Bring him to me.
Two days later, a man entered Blackwood.
He wasn’t dressed like a noble.
He wasn’t wearing expensive armor.
His equipment was old but well maintained.
A longsword hung from his waist.
A weathered cloak covered his shoulders.
Several scars crossed his arms.
He stopped before Kael.
Prince Kael.
Kael studied him.
Galahad Charney.
That’s correct.
You applied for the position of guild master.
I did.
Why?
Ronan didn’t answer immediately.
Because I’ve spent fifteen years watching villages die because nobody came when they asked for help.
Kael’s expression became serious.
Continue.
A village sends soldiers.
The soldiers arrive too late.
A merchant hires mercenaries.
The mercenaries disappear.
A monster attacks a farm.
Nobody knows who is responsible for dealing with it.
Galahad looked directly at Kael.
An Adventure Guild could fix that.
Kael leaned back.
You understand what I’m trying to create.
I understand what you’re trying to prevent.
Kael smiled.
What makes you think you can run it?
Galahad. placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
Because I’ve been an adventurer longer than most guild administrators have been alive.
Darius watched him carefully.
Kael opened the system.
Talent Detected
Name: Galahad Charney
Age: 36
Combat Talent: A
Leadership: A
Survival: S
Monster Knowledge: A+
Administration: B+
Loyalty Potential: High
Recommended Position: Adventure Guild Master
Kael’s smile widened.
The system had confirmed what he already suspected.
He closed the window.
Galahad.
Yes?
I have one condition.
Name it.
Kael stood.
You don’t work for me.
Galahad looked confused.
You work for the guild.
Kael continued.
The guild must serve the people.
Not nobles.
Not merchants.
Not even me.
If Blackwood’s ruler needs help, we follow the same rules as everyone else.
Galahad stared at him.
Then he smiled.
I accept.
Kael extended his hand.
Welcome to Blackwood.
Galahad shook it.
And just like that...
Blackwood had its first Adventure Guild Master.
Kael looked toward the unfinished settlement.
The foundation stone was still visible in the distance.
Yesterday, it had been nothing more than stone.
Today, Kael had given it a purpose.
Soon, adventurers would come.
Then merchants.
Then craftsmen.
Then families.
Blackwood had eleven villages.
But Kael was no longer thinking about eleven.
He was thinking about twelve.
Thirteen.
Twenty.
Fifty.
One day, perhaps even more.
And the first step toward that future had just been taken.