Chapter 534: Sage Alistair’s Answer

By sunrise, copies of Pax Riven’s evidence had reached the appropriate authorities of the Royal Capital.

The documents contained witness statements, payment records, recruitment correspondence, and testimony connecting the attack upon the Guild’s supply caravan to the networks of Gideon Marholt, Roderick Halbrecht, and Edmund Krail.

Sage Alistair had no intention of allowing the matter to disappear beneath months of legal arguments and political interference.

However, arresting the men responsible was only one part of his response.

Their influence depended upon money, contracts, commercial relationships, and the willingness of powerful clients to continue employing them.

Sage intended to dismantle those foundations.

Inside his office, Tobias Merrow, Irene Valcrest, Garran Holt, Cassian Rook, and Boren gathered around a table covered with documents.

Sage examined the assembled reports before addressing them. "From today onward, the Guild will terminate every agreement directly involving the three organizations under investigation, provided the terms permit immediate termination. Any remaining obligations must be reviewed before settlement. I won’t give them an opportunity to accuse us of breaking our own contracts."

Irene nodded while examining the financial records. "I’ll identify outstanding payments and ensure everything is properly documented, Guildmaster."

"Good," Sage replied. "We’re going to remove their influence without giving them legitimate grounds to challenge our decisions."

---

Tobias began with the transport arrangements.

For months, the Guild had gradually expanded its supplier network, reducing its dependence upon established merchant intermediaries. Several smaller trading companies had already demonstrated that they could deliver goods reliably without demanding unreasonable conditions.

Now those relationships became particularly valuable.

Tobias redirected pending orders toward approved suppliers and arranged alternative transportation for shipments previously handled through businesses connected to Edmund Krail.

At Greyfen, merchants received updated instructions concerning delivery schedules and security arrangements.

Meanwhile, Irene examined the Guild’s existing financial commitments.

Contracts involving suspicious intermediaries were reviewed, while arrangements containing unlawful restrictions or evidence of bribery were referred for appropriate action.

By midday, several businesses discovered that the Guild would no longer conduct trade through their former representatives.

The consequences spread quickly.

Edmund Krail had spent years building a commercial network through which merchants frequently depended upon his connections to secure profitable opportunities.

Now one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing organizations was deliberately conducting business elsewhere.

And it had the financial resources to sustain that decision.

---

Garen Holtweiss arrived at Headquarters shortly after receiving Sage’s invitation.

The merchant examined the documents placed before him and immediately understood their significance.

"So you’ve finally decided to stop tolerating Krail’s interference," Garen observed, looking toward Sage.

Sage nodded. "His network helped finance the attack on our caravan. The authorities have the evidence, but I intend to ensure that merchants aren’t forced to depend upon his arrangements in the meantime."

Garen considered the situation carefully. "Krail’s influence comes from controlling access to buyers, warehouses, and transport contracts. Remove those advantages, and many of his clients will discover they have little reason to remain loyal."

"Can you help establish alternatives?" Sage asked.

Garen smiled. "I’ve already been working with several independent merchants. Give me a few days, and I can introduce reliable suppliers willing to compete openly."

Sage extended his hand. "Then let’s make certain they have that opportunity."

Garen shook it firmly.

Neither man needed to discuss what Edmund would think of the arrangement.

---

The first public consequences emerged when the city authorities began questioning several individuals named in Pax’s investigation.

News of the inquiry spread through merchant districts and mercenary establishments.

Gideon Marholt’s Iron Fang Mercenary Company was among the first to feel the pressure.

Several merchants who had previously relied upon Iron Fang for escorts began reconsidering their contracts after learning that recruiters associated with the company were implicated in the caravan ambush.

Some demanded explanations.

Others simply refused to renew their agreements.

The Guild’s expanding mission network made those decisions easier.

Merchants could now post escort requests through Headquarters and select registered Adventurers according to their experience, reliability, and recorded accomplishments.

They no longer needed to accept exclusive arrangements merely to secure protection.

Gideon attempted to reassure his clients, but the evidence circulating among commercial representatives proved difficult to dismiss.

His company’s reputation had become a liability.

---

Roderick Halbrecht reacted differently.

When representatives of two merchant associations informed him that they were suspending their arrangements with the Black Banner Mercenary Company, he responded with open hostility.

"You’re abandoning contracts because of accusations made by that Guildmaster?" Roderick demanded, striking his desk with an open palm.

One merchant representative remained composed despite the outburst. "Commander Halbrecht, several men connected to your company have been identified in an attack upon a commercial caravan. Until the authorities complete their investigation, our association cannot continue employing your services."

Roderick’s expression darkened. "And who will protect your shipments when the roads become dangerous?"

The merchant regarded him steadily. "There are other companies, Commander. And there are Adventurers."

That answer infuriated Roderick more than the cancellation itself.

For years, intimidation had helped maintain his company’s influence.

Now the same reputation was driving clients away.

---

By the third day, Garran’s department had received a noticeable increase in escort and protection requests.

Merchants who had previously employed Iron Fang or Black Banner were approaching the Guild directly.

Garran reviewed the applications carefully, ensuring that assignments were properly assessed before being posted.

During an afternoon meeting, he presented the figures to Sage.

"Several former mercenary clients have submitted requests through Mission Administration," Garran reported. "Most are seeking reliable escorts for established trade routes."

Sage examined the records. "Make certain the assignments are priced fairly and that the risks are explained properly. I don’t want merchants discovering that abandoning one unreasonable arrangement merely leads them into another."

Garran nodded. "Understood, Guildmaster."

The shift was not entirely unexpected.

The Guild had spent months establishing a reputation for transparent mission procedures and dependable recordkeeping.

Now that reputation was attracting clients who had previously believed they possessed few alternatives.

---

Meanwhile, Garen’s efforts were beginning to produce results.

Several independent merchants agreed to supply goods previously purchased through Edmund Krail’s network.

Others offered transport arrangements without the restrictive conditions that had characterized some of Edmund’s contracts.

The Guild did not demand exclusive loyalty from these businesses.

That freedom proved attractive.

Within days, merchants who had once hesitated to challenge Edmund’s commercial influence began negotiating openly with competing suppliers.

Garen visited Sage with an updated report.

"Krail’s losing clients faster than I expected," he explained, placing several agreements upon the desk. "His intermediaries are attempting to offer reduced prices, but merchants have begun questioning whether those arrangements are worth the trouble."

Sage nodded. "And the replacement suppliers?"

"Reliable so far," Garen answered. "I’ve recommended spreading orders among several businesses rather than concentrating everything under one merchant."

"Good," Sage replied. "The Guild should never become dependent upon another man who believes controlling our supplies gives him authority over us."

---

The authorities’ investigation soon uncovered additional irregularities.

Several payments connected to the ambush had passed through accounts used for questionable commercial arrangements. Investigators also began examining allegations of unlawful intimidation involving mercenary recruiters and suppliers.

The findings placed considerable pressure upon Gideon’s company.

His senior officers demanded explanations concerning the recruitment correspondence.

Some insisted they had known nothing about the operation.

Others began distancing themselves from the commander.

When several major clients terminated their agreements, the company’s financial difficulties became impossible to conceal.

Gideon summoned his remaining officers to an emergency meeting.

"We can recover from this," he insisted, standing before them. "We’ve survived worse disputes."

A veteran officer named Corwin Hale shook his head. "Commander, this isn’t an ordinary dispute. Our clients are leaving, the authorities are questioning our recruiters, and half the men are worried their wages won’t be paid."

Gideon glared at him. "Then remind them who built this company."

Corwin’s expression remained grim. "They remember. That’s why they’re asking whether you intend to destroy it."

---

The collapse accelerated over the following days.

Several officers resigned, taking their personal equipment and seeking employment elsewhere.

Other members abandoned the company after outstanding wages became uncertain.

The remaining leadership attempted to preserve the organization through new contracts, but prospective clients were unwilling to associate themselves with a company under serious investigation.

Eventually, Gideon’s position became untenable.

The surviving officers voted to dissolve their arrangements under his command, settling whatever obligations they could before dispersing.

Iron Fang, once among the most influential mercenary companies operating around the Royal Capital, effectively ceased functioning as a unified organization.

Gideon Marholt had lost the company he had spent years building.

And the authorities were still investigating his involvement in the caravan attack.

---

Edmund Krail, however, proved considerably harder to reach.

When investigators arrived at his principal residence with orders to question him, the merchant was gone.

His servants claimed that he had departed unexpectedly the previous evening.

Several personal possessions had disappeared, along with documents from his private office.

The authorities searched his commercial premises and questioned his associates, but nobody could provide a reliable account of his destination.

Pax received the news through his contacts and immediately informed Sage.

"Edmund has disappeared," Pax reported, standing beside the Guildmaster’s desk. "He left before the authorities reached his residence."

Sage’s expression tightened. "Do we know whether someone warned him?"

"Not yet," Pax answered. "But his departure was prepared. He withdrew funds and arranged transportation through intermediaries."

Sage considered the implications.

A wealthy merchant with established connections could disappear more easily than an ordinary criminal.

Especially if someone powerful was helping him.

"Continue tracing his movements," Sage instructed. "And examine whether any of the estate contacts we’ve identified assisted his departure."

Pax nodded. "I’ll investigate."

---

Roderick Halbrecht received news of Gideon’s downfall with undisguised contempt.

Inside the Black Banner headquarters, he listened as one of his officers described the dissolution of Iron Fang.

"So Marholt finally lost control of his own men," Roderick remarked, leaning against his desk.

The officer hesitated. "Commander, several of our clients have also terminated their contracts. Some of the men are concerned about the investigation."

Roderick’s eyes narrowed. "Then they can leave if they’re frightened."

"Several already have," the officer admitted.

For a moment, the room became silent.

Roderick straightened.

"Let them go," he replied coldly. "Black Banner doesn’t need cowards."

Unlike Gideon, Roderick had no intention of surrendering his position.

He still commanded a considerable number of hardened mercenaries, including several experienced Warriors who remained personally loyal to him.

His company had suffered losses, but it had not collapsed.

And Roderick intended to fight.

---

That evening, Sage received the latest reports from his department heads.

The Guild’s supply arrangements had been stabilized, alternative merchants were fulfilling orders, and its mission network continued attracting new clients.

Iron Fang had effectively disintegrated.

Edmund Krail had vanished.

Black Banner remained operational, although its commercial influence had weakened considerably.

Boren examined the accumulated documents before looking toward Sage.

"You’ve accomplished more in several days than they managed to prevent in months," he observed.

Sage shook his head. "The Guild accomplished it. Tobias, Irene, Garran, Garen, Pax, and everyone else involved did their part. We simply used the relationships and procedures we’ve spent months building."

Boren nodded thoughtfully. "And Halbrecht?"

Sage examined the latest intelligence report.

"He’s refusing to surrender," he answered. "Which means we need to prepare for whatever he intends to do next."

---

Later that night, Sage stood beside his office window, overlooking the illuminated Headquarters.

The Guild continued operating despite the attack.

Caravans were moving again, Adventurers were accepting missions, and Greyfen’s development remained underway.

His enemies had attempted to damage the organization by destroying its supplies and frightening the people who worked with it.

Instead, their actions had exposed the weakness of their own arrangements.

Yet Sage felt no particular satisfaction when he remembered the injured workers still recovering at the Medical Center.

The consequences had been necessary, but they could not undo the suffering caused by the ambush.

And the conflict was not finished.

Somewhere beyond his reach, Edmund Krail remained hidden.

An unidentified noble influence continued protecting the conspiracy.

And Roderick Halbrecht still possessed armed men willing to follow his orders.

Sage looked toward the distant lights of the Capital, his expression hardening.

The Guild had answered the attack.

Now he needed to make certain its enemies understood that answer.