Chapter 279: Report

The celebration had finally begun to wane, but the Guild Hall was far from quiet. Even late into the night, there was still a buzz of activity below, muffled laughter drifting from the tavern wing, the soft scrape of chairs being stacked, and distant voices rising through the floors like a heartbeat that refused to slow.

The Adventurer Guild no longer slept easily; it had tasted destruction once and rebuilt itself. Now, it moved with a steady rhythm, aware of both loss and momentum.

Outside the private meeting room, faint traces of wine and smoke lingered in the air. Inside the small conference chamber at the end of the second floor, however, the mood was markedly different.

The door was closed, muffling the hall’s noise to a dull murmur. A single lamp burned at the center of the table, casting warm light over three figures seated around it.

Sage occupied the head of the table, not leaning back lazily as he often did in public but sitting upright with fingers loosely folded together and eyes clear and focused.

He had changed out of his celebratory attire into clean, dark fabric; his posture was steady but devoid of earlier playful energy. Across from him sat Boren, who now appeared nothing like the foolish man who had nearly overwhelmed him that morning. His round face wore a serious expression; his back was straight as he organized a stack of reports and ledgers before him.

To Sage’s right sat Lyana, composed as ever with glasses perched lightly on her nose and several documents neatly aligned beside her. The warmth she had shown earlier faded into calculation and discipline, this was no longer a reunion; this was governance.

Sage glanced between them before speaking first. “The hall is still noisy,” he remarked casually, though his tone carried weight. “Good. It means morale held.”

He shifted his gaze to Boren. “Let’s begin.”

Boren nodded once and opened the top report without hesitation. “All ten branches across the Evergreen Region are fully operational,” he stated steadily. “Greyvale remains our central branch and revenue anchor. Northcrest stabilized faster than expected after increased traffic from forest sweep missions. Eldermire and Riverdale has seen an influx of mid-rank Adventurers relocating due to better mission allocation opportunities. Southwatch reported stronger demand for escort missions from merchants, while Frost Hollow, despite initial resistance from local hunters, is now registering consistent participation.”

He slid one ledger slightly forward for emphasis. “Overall revenue across all branches has increased by thirty-eight percent compared to pre-attack figures. Mission completion rates are up as well, with registration numbers continuing to rise weekly. Several branches are already self-sustaining without financial support from Greyvale.”

Sage took a moment to absorb this information before responding softly, “Thirty-eight percent? That includes post-reconstruction costs?”

“Yes,” Boren confirmed promptly. “We accounted for rebuilding expenses along with emergency procurement and compensation disbursements.”

Lyana adjusted a paper in front of her and spoke in a calm tone. “Over the past month, tens of housands of new Adventurers have registered, not just in Riverdale, but across all branches. The attack didn’t deter them; if anything, it showcased the Guild’s resilience. We’ve tightened our recruitment standards to avoid any reckless intakes. Our financial records are clean, no unexplained deficits or suspicious funding trails within our operations.”

Sage turned his gaze toward her. “Is there any sign of internal infiltration?”

Lyana shook her head slightly. “We’ve thoroughly reviewed staff records and branch administrators. So far, we haven’t found any inconsistencies, but I recommend we keep monitoring closely. Rapid growth always carries risks.”

“Agreed,” Sage replied quietly as he tapped his fingers against the table once. “What about branch leadership stability?”

Boren responded promptly, “Riverdale is stable. Northcrest is under steady control. Eldermire has requested reinforcements for dungeon rotation management, but nothing critical there. Southwatch has effectively secured trade routes, while Frost Hollow is still adjusting; however, their revenue is offsetting early concerns, so as the other branches.”

Sage nodded once more. “And morale across the branches?”

“High,” Boren said confidently. “Your awakening had a significant impact, word spread quickly, and even the other branches celebrated.”

A faint smile crossed Sage’s lips before fading just as swiftly. “Celebration is fleeting,” he remarked evenly. “But strength endures.”

He leaned forward slightly, signaling a shift in focus. “Now for the real matter at hand.”

Boren and Lyana exchanged a brief glance before Boren closed the branch ledger and opened another file, subtly changing the atmosphere in the room.

“The five noble houses sent representatives,” Boren began cautiously, “offering a total of ten million gold, two million from each house, framed as support and an alliance.”

Sage’s expression remained unchanged.

“They’re expecting influence,” Boren continued carefully. “Not outright control but structured involvement: voting authority on major Guild expansions, consultation rights on Guild mobilization, shared oversight in cross-region operations.”

Lyana interjected with precision in her tone, “They’re probing for weaknesses, testing whether the Guild would accept dependency disguised as partnership. Their language was polite; their demeanor respectful but their intentions were clear: they want to anchor themselves into our foundation before we grow beyond their reach.”

Sage rested his chin lightly on his knuckles. “And what was your response?”

“I stalled,” Boren admitted honestly. “I expressed gratitude and requested time for internal discussions, no commitments made.”

“Good,” Sage said simply.

Lyana’s gaze sharpened slightly as she added, “If we accept their gold without conditions, they’ll gradually expand their influence over us; if we reject them outright, we risk facing unified opposition, they’re watching to see how you respond.”

Sage leaned back slightly, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. “Let them watch,” he said quietly.

Boren frowned. “We need a strategy.”

“We will have one,” Sage replied, his thoughts briefly brushing against the Fate Weaver Interface that lay dormant in his mind. One use per month. Influence probability.

He kept this to himself, for now. “For now,” he continued evenly, “we don’t rush into agreement. We acknowledge their support, request detailed conditions in writing, and give nothing freely.”

Lyana nodded slightly. “That buys us time.”

“Yes,” Sage agreed. “Time reveals intention.”

He shifted his focus back to Boren. “And what about Stonehelm?”

Boren took a slow breath before responding. “I visited Stonehelm as planned. Patriarch Belmont has agreed to quietly support the Guild. Officially, he recognizes the Adventurer District as a semi-autonomous zone under Riverdale’s governance structure. Trade tax adjustments are now favorable for Guild growth, and merchant caravans passing through our district will receive slight incentives.”

Sage narrowed his eyes just a bit. “Incentives?”

“Yes,” Boren confirmed. “Reduced tariffs when operating under Guild escort contracts mean we can expect increased trade volume.”

Lyana added, “It also provides us with a political shield. Certain nobles who might have opposed us will hesitate if Stonehelm stands behind the Guild; Belmont’s name carries weight.”

Sage leaned back slowly, absorbing the implications: political backbone, economic buffer, legitimacy.

“And what does Belmont want?” he asked quietly.

Boren hesitated for just a moment before answering. “Long-term alignment,” he said carefully. “He didn’t state any demands outright but made it clear that he expects the Guild to rise.”

Sage’s gaze sharpened at that statement. “Rise under his observation?”

“Yes,” Boren admitted.

A moment of silence enveloped the room.

Stonehelm’s support meant stability but also scrutiny, a shield and a chain depending on how tightly it was held.

Sage tapped his fingers lightly against the table and spoke calmly: “We accept Stonehelm’s backing, but we won’t become an extension of them.”

Lyana nodded in agreement. “Understood.”

Boren leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice again. “There’s one more thing,” he said quietly. “Belmont made it clear that the Guild is no longer seen as a minor organization; other houses are aware of our trajectory.”

A faint smile returned to Sage’s lips.

“We’re no longer just a Guild,” he said slowly. “We’re becoming a power.”

Lyana adjusted her glasses slightly and remarked softly, “And powers attract enemies.”

Sage’s eyes remained steady, calm yet alert as ever.

“Yes,” he replied simply.

The lamp at the center of the table flickered gently while

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep