Chapter 264: Visitors

The second floor of the Adventurer Guild buzzed with energy, the lively hum of conversations filling the spacious hall. Bronze Rank Adventurers clustered around tables, animatedly discussing missions and sharing tales from their journeys.

Laughter erupted as some exaggerated their triumphs, while others leaned intently over maps and parchment notices, focused on calculating routes and potential rewards.

The recent rebuilding of the Guild not only restored its physical structure but also infused it with a renewed sense of strength and vitality.

Every corner of the hall exuded a quiet confidence, a testament to an organization that had weathered destruction and emerged more organized than ever. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting warm rays across polished wooden floors and sturdy tables.

From the lounge area where Boren and Lyana sat, they could see the courtyard fountain outside, with the serene statue of Sage standing at its center as water flowed gently around it.

In the lounge area, Boren and Lyana continued their discussion in hushed tones that still managed to cut through the noise of the hall.

They were deep into planning for ten new branches established across the Evergreen Region, carefully considering how each would function and what support they would require from the main Guild in Greyvale.

Lyana had a stack of reports spread out before her while Boren reclined slightly in his chair, occasionally glancing at the papers she passed his way.

Their conversation had shifted from broad strategies to specific concerns about logistics, staffing needs, and accommodating an increasing number of Adventurers who would soon require improved systems for managing their missions.

“Riverdale is likely to grow even faster now,” Lyana mused as she reviewed one report. “Once merchants realize how stable their routes are becoming, they’ll start posting larger contracts that will attract stronger Adventurers.”

Boren nodded thoughtfully. “That’s exactly what I anticipate,” he replied. “But discipline will be crucial. If those Adventurers begin to act like mercenaries instead of Guild members, we risk losing our reputation.”

Lyana adjusted her glasses and smiled slightly at him. “That’s why you left Edwin there.”

“Precisely,” Boren affirmed. “He has a calm demeanor and knows how to maintain order without unnecessary conflict.”

Lyana hummed in agreement as she turned another page in her report; however, before she could continue speaking, a light knock echoed from the entrance of the lounge area. Both looked up simultaneously.

A young female receptionist entered wearing the standard dark green Guild uniform. Though she maintained a professional posture, there was an air of hesitance about her as she approached their table. When she reached a respectful distance from Boren, she bowed slightly.

“Vice Guildmaster,” she greeted politely.

Boren straightened slightly in his chair upon noticing a hint of tension in her voice. “Yes?”

“There are individuals on the first floor who wish to have an audience with you.”

Boren blinked in surprise. While it wasn’t uncommon for people to request meetings with Guild staff, the receptionist’s tone suggested something unusual this time.

“An audience with me?” he echoed slowly.

“Yes, Vice Guildmaster,” she replied.

He cast a quick glance at Lyana before returning his attention to the receptionist. “Do you know who they are?”

The receptionist hesitated. For a moment, it seemed she might answer directly, but uncertainty flickered across her face. She opened her mouth slightly, then closed it again as if weighing her words carefully. Finally, she offered a small, somewhat bitter smile.

“Vice Guildmaster,” she said slowly, “I think it would be better if you met them in person.”

Boren raised an eyebrow at that response. Lyana’s curiosity piqued as she tilted her head slightly to observe the receptionist’s reaction.

“Better that I meet them myself?” Boren repeated.

“Yes,” the receptionist replied quietly. “I believe… that would be best.”

Leaning back in his chair, Boren exchanged another glance with Lyana; she looked just as puzzled as he felt. He turned back to the receptionist and nodded slightly. “Very well. Please bring them here.”

The receptionist bowed again. “Yes, Vice Guildmaster.” She turned and left the lounge area quickly, her steps quiet yet noticeably brisker than usual.

Once she disappeared down the hall, Boren leaned back and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Lyana crossed her arms and gazed toward the doorway where the receptionist had just exited.

“Well,” she said slowly, “that was interesting.”

Boren chuckled softly. “That’s one way to put it.”

Lyana turned back to him with an inquisitive look. “Who do you think wants to see you?”

Boren shrugged slightly. “Hard to say.”

She leaned forward a bit more. “The receptionist seemed uncomfortable.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “Which suggests these visitors are either very important or very troublesome.”

Lyana tapped her finger lightly against the table as she pondered for a moment. “They could be from the Baron’s mansion,” she proposed.

Boren considered that possibility thoughtfully. “That would explain her reaction,” he acknowledged.

Lyana nodded knowingly. “Nobles don’t usually come to the Guild personally unless they want something.”

“Or unless they want to test something,” Boren added.

Her expression grew more serious at that thought. “That too.”

After rubbing his chin again for a moment, Boren let out a small breath of resignation. “Well, there’s no point in guessing now.”

Lyana nodded in agreement. “We’ll know soon enough.”

The two of them lapsed into a brief silence as they waited. Outside the lounge, the usual bustle of the second floor continued unabated.

Adventurers laughed, chairs scraped against the floor, and in the distance, someone was engaged in a loud debate over the reward for a monster hunting mission. The Guild’s everyday rhythm flowed on without interruption.

Inside the lounge, however, the atmosphere had shifted slightly. Boren and Lyana were now acutely focused on the entrance to the hallway. Just a few minutes passed before footsteps echoed once more.

The same receptionist reappeared at the doorway, but this time she was not alone. Five individuals followed her, four men and one woman.

As soon as Boren laid eyes on them, his expression flickered with interest. All five were dressed in fine clothing that spoke volumes about their wealth and status.

Their coats were crafted from luxurious fabrics, their boots gleamed with polish, and rings adorned their fingers, catching glimmers of light from the windows.

They bore no resemblance to adventurers; instead, they carried themselves with an air of quiet arrogance typical of those accustomed to noble halls and council chambers rather than dusty roads or battlefields.

Their expressions only reinforced this impression. Each wore a faint smile that didn’t quite reach their eyes, a smile often donned by those who believe their mere presence is a favor to others.

Lyana noticed it immediately; Boren even quicker. For just an instant, his gaze narrowed slightly—a subtle change almost imperceptible to anyone else, but it transformed his look into something sharp and cold before vanishing entirely.

The receptionist stepped aside politely and bowed toward Boren again. “Vice Guildmaster,” she addressed him respectfully, “these are the individuals who requested an audience with you.”

Boren nodded calmly and waved her off gently. “That will be all,” he said.

She bowed once more before quietly exiting the lounge area, leaving the five visitors standing where they were. Boren rose slowly from his chair, his polite professional smile returning as if that earlier intensity had never existed. Lyana stood beside him.

“Welcome to the Adventurer Guild,” Boren said warmly. “I’m Boren, Vice Guildmaster of our Greyvale branch.”

He gestured slightly toward Lyana. “And this is Lyana; she oversees operations here.”

Lyana offered a small nod in greeting.

The five visitors exchanged brief glances among themselves before stepping forward one by one to introduce themselves.

“My name is Cedric Varrow,” said the first man with a slight bow. “I serve Lord Hadrien of House Solmere.”

The second man stepped up next: “Darian Pell,” he stated calmly. “Representative of Lord Pellian.”

The third man gave a small nod as he introduced himself: “Marcus Drell,” he said simply. “Envoy of Lord Kessarine of House Drovan.”

One of the women stepped forward with a graceful poise. “Elira Whitfield,” she introduced herself, a faint smile gracing her lips. “I serve Lady Veyra of House Lunehart.”

Then, the last man spoke up. “Roland Marris,” he said confidently. “Representative of Lord Merrowyn from House Talbrek.”

As they finished their introductions, Cedric Varrow folded his hands and turned his gaze directly to Boren. “We have come,” he said smoothly, “on behalf of our masters to share some… good news with the Adventurer Guild.”

For a brief moment, the atmosphere in the lounge felt noticeably heavier. Boren’s eyes narrowed slightly as he considered their presence.

House Solmere. House Drovan. House Lunehart. House Talbrek and Lord Pellian.

These weren’t just any families; they were among the most powerful noble houses in the Evergreen Region. And now, their representatives stood before him in the Adventurer Guild.

Yet, Boren maintained his composure, his smile unwavering as he gestured toward the chairs around the table. “Please,” he invited calmly, “have a seat.”

The five representatives exchanged subtle smiles as they approached the table. Lyana observed them quietly, her demeanor calm but her eyes sharp with awareness.

There was something about how these individuals carried themselves that suggested this meeting was more than just a courtesy call.

Whatever “good news” they had brought with them… it was bound to be significant.

——

A/N: Hey everyone! I wanted to give you a quick update on my writing process. I’m currently stockpiling Chapters so that I can do a big mass release soon, which is why I’ve been uploading just one Chapter each day.

In just a few days, there will be a mass release of five Chapters for over three consecutive days!

Thank you all for your amazing support!

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