Chapter 90: The Cost Of Literacy

The Guild Hall buzzed with noise as Adventurers exchanged mock disdain and puzzled looks, all eyes fixed on the receptionist’s desk.

There stood Sage, wearing a simple, innocent smile that seemed almost predatory as he surveyed the crowd like a shepherd eyeing his flock.

He maintained an upright posture behind the desk, relaxed yet deliberate, hands resting lightly on a thick stack of freshly printed books. The covers shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the windows, their gold-embossed titles almost demanding attention.

“The Adventurer Guild Rule Book: Authored by Sage Alistair: The Guildmaster.”

Sage tapped the topmost book sharply enough to slice through the surrounding chatter.

“Alright,” he said pleasantly, his calm voice carrying effortlessly across the hall. “Everyone relax and pay attention; this is really important. It’s not like I announced a tax increase or something.”

A burly Adventurer near the front crossed his arms. “You kind of did.”

Another scoffed, “One gold for a book?”

“It’s not even leather-bound,” someone else muttered.

Sage smiled nonchalantly. “Correct. After all, it’s too expensive to make leather-bound ones.”

A ripple of disgruntled laughter passed through the crowd despite themselves.

Leaning casually against the desk, fingers drumming against the stack of books, Sage continued.

“Let’s get one thing straight before this turns into a mob scene. This…” He lifted one book and gave it a light shake. “…is not optional reading.”

Groans erupted throughout the Guild Hall.

“Of course it isn’t.”

“I already figured that out.”

“I knew it was too good to be true.”

Sage waited patiently for silence to return, exuding an air of control that only someone truly confident could manage. When quiet settled again, he spoke.

“You’re Adventurers now,” he stated firmly. “Not mercenaries waiting for scraps or hired blades bending to noble whims. That means you operate under a system, and systems require rules.”

He paused before adding dryly, “Preferably written ones.”

A lean Adventurer with a scar across his cheek raised his hand. “We already follow Guild rules.”

Sage nodded in agreement. “Yes. And now you’ll know exactly what they are.”

He slid one copy across the desk toward him. “Congratulations! You’re about to become literate in your own obligations.”

The man stared at the book and then back at Sage. “Do I have to pay first?”

“Yes you do.”

Grumbling followed, but soon after a coin clinked onto the desk anyway.

Sage accepted it with satisfaction. “See? That wasn’t so painful.”

From somewhere in the back of the hall came a voice: “You’re really charging us to read rules you made up?”

Sage turned toward them and adjusted his stance slightly. “I prefer the term authored.”

This earned some snorts from those gathered.

That earned a few snorts from the Adventurers.

“And no,” he continued, his tone sharpening just a touch, “I’m charging you because this book represents structure, legitimacy, and accountability. If you can’t spare one gold coin to understand the framework that protects your livelihood, then perhaps risking your life for a living isn’t the best choice.”

The Guild Hall fell silent as the Adventurers absorbed Sage’s words.

“What’s going on?” A voice cut through the stillness, drawing everyone’s attention to Gregor as he approached.

He paused to take in the scene, the crowd clustered around the desk, raised voices, and an unmistakable tension in the air. His green hair was damp with sweat, his armor scuffed from recent work. Confusion shifted to wary amusement as his gaze landed on Sage.

“Guildmaster, what did you do?” Gregor blinked at Sage.

Sage looked up and smiled. “Ah! Our first Adventurer in history. Perfect timing!”

Gregor rolled his eyes and made his way through the crowd, which parted instinctively for him. As one of the Guild’s top performers, Copper Rank, his presence carried weight whether he wanted it to or not.

He reached the desk and picked up one of the books, flipping it open. “Rule Book?”

Sage glanced at him with a grin. “Yes! It’s a rule book for all Adventurers. What do you think? Cool, right?”

Gregor met his gaze and said flatly, “You’re selling it.”

Sage nodded enthusiastically.

Gregor glanced at the price neatly displayed on a small placard. “Seriously? You’re selling this book for one gold?”

“Yes,” Sage replied earnestly. “Don’t give me that look! Do you know how expensive it is to write and publish books nowadays? Let me tell you, it’s extremely costly.”

Gregor closed the book slowly and regarded Sage intently. “You’re serious.”

“Painfully so.” Sage shrugged with a simple smile tugging at his lips.

A few Adventurers let out soft chuckles.

Gregor scratched his head thoughtfully. “And this isn’t optional?”

“Nope.”

“You really are something.” Gregor let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.

Sage inclined his head slightly. “I try.”

Gregor scanned the hall before looking back at the books again. “What happens if someone doesn’t buy one?”

Sage didn’t answer immediately; instead, he leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice enough to shift the mood in the room. “Then they’ll be bound by rules they’ve never read, which is historically how most people get into trouble.”

That earned a low laugh from Gregor. “Fair enough,” he said as he reached into his pouch and tossed a gold coin onto the desk. “Give me one.”

Sage slid a book toward him with a grin. “Would you like it signed?”

Gregor blinked in surprise. “…What?”

“Autograph,” Sage clarified. “First edition.”

The hall erupted in excitement.

“You’re shameless!”

“Sign mine too!”

“Add a dedication!”

Gregor stared at Sage for a moment, then burst into laughter. “You’re unbelievable.”

Sage took the book back, opened it to the first page, and signed his name with a flourish. “There you go. For Gregor. Please don’t sue the Guild.”

Gregor snorted and replied, “I’m framing this.”

Coins began to appear on the desk one after another, not eagerly or happily, but steadily. Adventurers grumbled as they paid, flipping through pages with skeptical expressions that gradually shifted to reluctant focus as they read.

Almost immediately, the mood among the Adventurers in the hall began to change. Even Gregor frowned slightly as he flipped through the rulebook, occasionally casting Sage a sidelong glance.

“This actually makes sense.”

“Wait, so mission disputes go through arbitration?”

“There’s a clause about noble interference…”

Sage observed all of this with quiet satisfaction. This was his strategy: not through force or fear but by normalizing understanding.

By the time Gregor stepped aside, nearly half of the stack was gone. Sage lightly tapped the remaining books, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

“You don’t have to like rules,” he said evenly. “You just have to understand them.” He paused for effect before adding with a faint smile,

“Because rules,” Sage concluded in a calm and steady voice, “are cheaper than regret.”

His words lingered in the air as the final book slid across the desk.

Outside, beyond Guild Hall, a storm was already brewing.

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