Chapter 496: Humanitarian Guild
The more Zero talked about his idea, the more Truen was convinced he didn't know his friend as well as he thought he did. Sure, he did come up with some of the rules Zero had to follow. They couldn't help people without getting paid. It was a rule designed to stop Zero from being an endless source of compassion and charity. It was also meant to protect Zero from the people who wished to take advantage of his good nature or have ill-intentions.
Yet, what use were rules when Zero managed to exploit the loopholes in a ridiculous manner that made complete sense in a logical way? Truen wanted to disagree, he really did. Who in their right mind would create an entire scheme that looked like a business which actually was profitable all for the sake of helping others?
"So I had one part that I have a problem with," Zero admitted despite knowing exactly what he wanted with his grand plan. "I don't know what kind of name to call this kind of business."
"No offence, Zero. I don't think the name is the biggest problem. Do you understand the scale of the project you're talking about? I want to disagree and reject this idea, I really do. You cannot afford to spend so much time doing this. We're just stopping by Smargdas to do King Brice a favour of finding his sweetheart and not here to settle down for the next twenty years. I know you want to help these people and I'm not against it but what you just told me sounded like a job for the KING and not a doctor."
At Truen's outburst and mental meltdown at his suggestion, Zero shrank inwardly and appeared very small.
"I knew you wouldn't like it," he said in a small voice and Truen laughed helplessly.
Then, with a heavy sigh, the archer placed a hand heavily on Zero's head.
"What am I going to do with you?" he asked and Zero kept silent. The resignation in Truen's voice was obvious and Zero felt slightly guilty but he still peeked from underneath the large hand. He was going to take that as a good sign and some hope that there is a chance Truen would consider his idea.
The doctor sat on the bed kneeling eagerly as Truen tried to think through everything Zero said. At first, Zero's idea of introducing jobs to the poor and uneducated using Half Moon Village's influence sounded reasonable. Cleaning herbs and packaging medicine for sale through Schaf's merchant connections sounded great. However, as Zero started throwing in ideas about the payment system of not using money but education, food and shelter, the archer started having second thoughts.
Eventually, Zero's idea was basically creating another small town with its independent system mirroring New Moon and Half Moon Village. It could be said to be an orphanage, a soup kitchen and even a refuge centre. How was this not charity at its finest even if the things these people Zero help would contribute towards their profit margin?
"Zero, this idea... where did you get it from? It's nothing as simple as starting a guild anymore. Your idea wouldn't pass easily under the laws of Smargdas."
Zero nodded. "I know. What can I do to make this easier? I'm an envoy now, right?"
Truen nodded. That was true. An envoy does hold a considerable amount of power in a normal situation. However, Zero was just an envoy of a powerless King. In this country, Duke Connie and Duke Zurich were the true powers. If Zero wanted something done, he would have to please either duke to make it happen.
Duke Connie's influence was the greatest in Smargdas so far because he was in control of the northern and eastern side of Smargdas. Not only was Duke Connie a top member of Green Hawks, but he also had a private army and owned the largest adventurer guild in Smargdas. The merchants sucked up to him for good deals and his words were the law in business. He was the lesser of two evils.
On the other hand, Duke Zurich was everything that Zero would hate. He had a very great influence over the nobles within the political field because the old-blood aristocrats sided with him. Many of them held important positions within the court and it was something Duke Connie struggled with. On top of that, Duke Zurich controlled the southern region of Smargdas where the magicians from Grey Legion and illegal business occurred. Slavery was one of his largest profit nest and this was something not even Duke Connie could win him in until recently when Zero wanted to introduce certifications for slavery businesses to improve the conditions of slaves.
They were silent for a very long time and eventually, Truen had to admit. There was probably only one way to do this without siding either party but making use of them both. The western district in Smargdas had been abandoned by both dukes and it could really become the next new area for control within the city that King Brice sorely needed.
"Guild," he said. "We need to create a new guild. But not just any guild, a Humanitarian Guild."
Zero looked at Truen strangely. "How are we going to do that? Don't guilds have to be recognised?"
Truen pointed at the doctor. "You are going to be the representative and sponsor. The Dragon Heroes are from half Moon Village and they were appointed by the King. Borrowing King Brice's name, we should technically be able to do anything we want in the western district seeing as it isn't under Duke Zurich or Duke Connie's influence. What I fear most is the old man downstairs who owns this inn. He's the real person that needs convincing."
Hearing that Old Gary was the only obstacle between him and the realisation of the Humanitarian Guild, Zero flashed his best friend a bright smile. That was hardly a problem at all!
"Leave that to me!"
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