Chapter 481: Ardent Sun Captain

In the Kingdom, there were countless organizations that called themselves Knight Orders, but only a handful possessed enough strength and influence to make even powerful noble Houses reconsider their decisions.

The Ardent Sun Knight Order was one of them.

Ranked among the ten strongest Knight Orders in the entire Kingdom, the organization commanded considerable respect, not merely because of the Warriors serving beneath its banner, but because of the man who stood at its head.

Leon Drakar.

Unlike the Royal Knights, who served directly beneath the Crown, Knight Orders were independent organizations that could be established by powerful individuals or supported by influential noble Houses.

Some existed primarily to protect their patrons, while others accepted commissions, defended territories, or pursued their own interests. The strongest among them possessed enough military strength and political influence to stand alongside the Kingdom’s most prestigious families.

And Leon happened to command one of those organizations.

Which was precisely why Sage was currently sitting across from him, wearing the pleasant smile of a man who had arrived to ask for a favor that might eventually become someone else’s problem.

Leon studied him over the rim of his cup before placing it upon the table. "Guildmaster Sage, you’ve been smiling like that ever since you arrived. Considering our previous dealings, I find it difficult to believe you’ve come simply to enjoy my hospitality."

Sage placed a hand against his chest, looking genuinely wounded by the accusation. "Captain Leon, must you always assume the worst of me? Can’t a hardworking Guildmaster visit a respected friend without being suspected of harboring some terrible ulterior motive?"

Leon leaned back in his chair, his expression remaining perfectly composed. "Of course you can, Guildmaster. However, you’ve already refused refreshments twice, asked whether this chamber was private, and spent the last several minutes complimenting the Ardent Sun Knight Order. I’d say that gives me sufficient reason to be suspicious."

Sage clicked his tongue in disappointment. Apparently, dealing with intelligent people was becoming an increasingly troublesome aspect of his occupation.

"Very well, since you insist on ruining my carefully prepared introduction, I’ll get straight to the point," Sage replied, lowering his voice slightly. "I recently returned from Greyfen, where my companions and I discovered something rather interesting."

Leon’s expression changed almost imperceptibly. He had heard about the disturbances in Greyfen, particularly the unusual movements of powerful beasts throughout the region.

However, the fact that Sage had personally undertaken an expedition there suggested that the matter was more complicated than ordinary monster activity.

"What exactly did you discover?" Leon asked, his earlier amusement disappearing.

Sage glanced toward the closed doors before answering. "Evidence of a dungeon forming beneath some ancient ruins. According to our researcher, it could manifest within the next twenty-five days, although that estimate isn’t entirely certain."

For several moments, Leon said nothing.

Then he slowly placed his cup down.

"A dungeon?" Leon repeated, studying Sage carefully. "You’re telling me that you’ve discovered an unmanifested dungeon near Greyfen, and you’re only informing me now?"

"Naturally," Sage answered without the slightest embarrassment. "I had to confirm the information first. Besides, I’m a very considerate person. I wouldn’t dream of disturbing someone as important as you over an unverified rumor."

Leon stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "Guildmaster Sage, sometimes I genuinely wonder whether you understand the value of the information you’re carrying."

"Oh, I understand perfectly," Sage replied with a cheerful smile. "In fact, I’ve spent the last three days thinking about little else. That’s why I’m here."

Leon folded his arms, waiting for him to continue.

Sage leaned forward, resting his elbows upon the table. "When the dungeon manifests, I intend to enter it, locate its core, and claim it for the Adventurer Guild. However, there’s a slight problem. Once the entrance appears, every noble House and powerful organization that hears about it will probably develop the same brilliant idea."

"And you want my assistance," Leon concluded.

"Precisely!" Sage exclaimed, pointing at him approvingly. "See? This is why I enjoy speaking with intelligent people. It saves an extraordinary amount of time."

Leon didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he studied Sage for several moments, seemingly considering the implications of his proposal.

"How many people are you planning to bring?" Leon eventually asked.

"Six, including myself," Sage answered. "You, Lucan, Rowan, Mina, Iris, and me. A small group capable of moving quickly without attracting unnecessary attention. Rowan knows the terrain, Iris understands the mana formation, and the others can handle whatever dangers we encounter."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly will you be doing while the rest of us handle those dangers?"

Sage smiled shamelessly. "Providing leadership, naturally. Every successful expedition requires someone capable of making important decisions."

Leon released a quiet chuckle. "How convenient."

"Leadership is a terribly underappreciated profession," Sage replied solemnly. "Everyone remembers the person swinging the sword, but nobody appreciates the poor fellow responsible for deciding where that sword should be swung."

Despite himself, Leon found the explanation amusing. However, his expression gradually became serious again as he considered the request.

"Guildmaster Sage, I don’t object to accompanying you," Leon began. "But before I give you an answer, there’s something you need to understand. My participation won’t necessarily make your situation easier."

Sage blinked. "Really? Because I was rather hoping the Captain of one of the Kingdom’s ten strongest Knight Orders would discourage people from doing anything foolish."

"It will discourage some of them," Leon acknowledged. "Minor noble Houses and organizations that lack the strength to challenge the Ardent Sun Knight Order will think carefully before interfering with a dungeon claimed through my involvement. Most would consider the potential consequences greater than whatever advantage they might gain."

Sage nodded with satisfaction. That was precisely the kind of benefit he had been hoping for.

However, Leon wasn’t finished.

"The truly powerful factions are another matter," Leon continued, his gaze sharpening. "Some won’t care about my involvement, while others may become even more interested once they learn I’ve personally assisted you. They’ll wonder why the Captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order considered this dungeon important enough to participate in its capture."

Sage’s smile slowly faded.

Leon continued calmly, "And there are organizations powerful enough that my reputation alone won’t deter them. If they decide to challenge your claim, you’ll be dealing with opponents far more dangerous than the lesser noble Houses you’re hoping to discourage."

For several moments, Sage remained silent.

He had already considered the possibility that powerful factions might interfere, but Leon’s explanation revealed another complication.

The Captain’s involvement could reduce the number of enemies surrounding the Guild while simultaneously drawing the attention of organizations that would otherwise have overlooked the matter.

In other words, Leon could frighten away the wolves while attracting the attention of lions.

Sage rubbed his chin thoughtfully before looking toward the Knight Captain. "So what you’re telling me is that instead of dealing with a hundred troublesome nobles, I might only have to deal with five extremely dangerous ones?"

Leon gave a small nod. "That’s one way of describing it."

Sage sighed deeply. "How unfortunate. I was hoping to become rich without developing a collection of powerful enemies. Apparently, the heavens have decided that would be far too generous."

Leon couldn’t help laughing at his expression. "You intend to claim a dungeon near the Royal Capital, Guildmaster. Did you genuinely expect the Kingdom’s powerful factions to congratulate you and quietly walk away?"

"Is that really such an unreasonable expectation?" Sage asked, spreading his hands. "I’m merely a humble Guildmaster trying to earn an honest living. Must everyone become so aggressive whenever someone discovers an opportunity to make a little gold?"

"A little gold?" Leon repeated incredulously. "Depending on the dungeon’s value, you could be talking about an enormous fortune."

Sage immediately straightened. "Captain Leon, please lower your voice. There’s no need to announce such beautiful possibilities so casually."

Leon shook his head, although the smile on his face remained.

After another moment, he leaned forward and asked, "Have you considered what happens if someone reaches the Dungeon Core before you?"

Sage’s expression grew serious. "That’s exactly why we’re preparing now. Rowan has identified the safest approaches, and Iris is monitoring the mana formation. We intend to position ourselves to respond as soon as the dungeon manifests. The objective isn’t to fight every organization that arrives. It’s to reach the core before they do."

"And once you claim it?" Leon asked.

Sage smiled confidently as he leaned back in his chair. "Once the Guild secures the Dungeon Core, I have my own methods of ensuring that nobody enters without our permission. You’ve already seen how our dungeon arrangements work in Evergreen, haven’t you, Captain Leon?"

Leon nodded slowly. He was already familiar with the Guild’s unusual dungeon arrangements, particularly the fact that adventurers entering Guild-controlled dungeons retained everything they obtained inside.

Compared to the enormous portions of loot commonly demanded by noble-controlled dungeons, the difference was substantial.

That advantage alone could attract considerable attention once the Greyfen Dungeon became operational.

"Then your greatest challenge is securing the core," Leon observed. "Everything afterward becomes a matter of defending your rights and managing the consequences."

"Precisely," Sage replied. "Which is why I have absolutely no intention of spending a fortune preparing facilities for a dungeon that someone else might claim. First, we secure the core. Then we can discuss how to make everyone pay for the privilege of entering."

Leon regarded him with an expression somewhere between admiration and disbelief. "You really do have a remarkable ability to turn dangerous situations into commercial opportunities."

Sage smiled proudly. "Thank you. I consider it one of my finest qualities."

"That wasn’t entirely a compliment," Leon replied dryly.

"I’ve decided to accept it as one anyway," Sage answered without hesitation.

Their conversation continued for some time, with Leon asking about the expedition’s previous discoveries, the unusual beast migrations, and the dangers they had encountered near the ruins.

Sage answered what he could, carefully distinguishing confirmed observations from Iris’s theories. He also explained that the dungeon’s rank remained unknown and would only become clear once it could be properly assessed.

By the time Sage finished, Leon had become considerably more thoughtful.

Finally, the Knight Captain placed his hands upon the table.

"Very well, Guildmaster Sage," Leon said. "I’ll accompany you to Greyfen when the time comes. However, I want to be informed immediately if Iris detects any significant change in the mana formation. And before we depart, I’ll need to review Rowan’s maps and the information concerning the beasts you’ve encountered."

Sage’s eyes brightened immediately. "Excellent! I knew I could rely on you, Captain Leon. Truly, your generosity is an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to know you."

Leon raised a hand before Sage could continue. "And one more thing, Guildmaster. My participation doesn’t mean the entire Ardent Sun Knight Order is joining your expedition. I’ll be accompanying you personally, and I expect you to understand the distinction."

"Naturally," Sage replied, nodding enthusiastically. "Six people, one dungeon, and hopefully a very profitable conclusion. What could possibly go wrong?"

Leon stared at him.

Then he sighed.

"Guildmaster Sage, I would strongly advise you never to ask that question before entering an unexplored dungeon."

Sage merely laughed as he rose from his chair.

His visit had accomplished precisely what he intended. Leon Drakar had agreed to accompany the expedition, giving the Adventurer Guild a powerful ally when the dungeon finally manifested.

However, as Sage departed from the Ardent Sun Knight Order’s headquarters, Leon’s warning remained firmly in his thoughts.

The Captain’s involvement would discourage many organizations from challenging the Guild.

But the truly powerful factions might see things differently.

Sage looked toward the distant streets of the Royal Capital, where noble carriages and armed escorts moved beneath the afternoon sunlight.

"Well," he murmured with a faint smile, "I suppose becoming rich was never going to be quite that simple."

Twenty-five days.

That was all the time remaining before the race for Greyfen’s Dungeon Core could begin.

And Sage Alistair had just secured one of the most influential Knights in the Kingdom to stand beside him.