Chapter 539: The Fifteen Regions of Westmark

The following morning, Sage Alistair summoned Lucan to his office at the Adventurer Guild Headquarters.

The royal invitation he had received the previous day lay upon his desk, its crimson wax seal broken and the elegant parchment spread open beside several administrative reports.

Although Sage had already instructed Boren to begin making the necessary preparations for the King’s birthday celebration, there were certain matters he preferred to understand before setting foot inside the Royal Palace.

Westmark’s nobility was one of them.

Sage understood the general structure of the Kingdom well enough.

He knew that House Alden occupied the throne, that Kingsford served as the Royal Capital, and that powerful noble families controlled extensive territories throughout the Kingdom.

However, knowing those things and understanding the complicated relationships between hundreds of noble households were entirely different matters.

Fortunately, he happened to have an Adventurer who had grown up among those very people.

A knock sounded against the door shortly before midmorning.

"Come in," Sage called, setting aside the report he had been examining.

Lucan entered wearing his usual Adventurer attire, although the expression on his face suggested he had already guessed why he had been summoned. He carried a large rolled parchment beneath one arm and a smaller leather-bound volume in his other hand.

"I heard you received an invitation from the Royal Palace, Guildmaster," Lucan remarked with an amused smile as he approached the desk. "Congratulations. You’ve finally become important enough for the aristocracy to acknowledge your existence."

Sage leaned back in his chair and regarded him dryly. "And here I thought I became important the moment I hired you."

Lucan laughed as he placed the parchment upon the desk. "Naturally, Guildmaster. Unfortunately, the Royal Court has always been rather slow to recognize greatness."

"Especially your own, I imagine," Sage replied, gesturing toward the chair opposite him.

Lucan accepted the invitation and sat down, but his attention soon shifted toward the royal letter. His amusement faded slightly when he noticed the additional message requesting a private audience.

"So they included that as well," Lucan observed, examining the parchment without touching it.

Sage raised an eyebrow. "You sound as though you expected it."

"Not necessarily, Guildmaster," Lucan answered. "But the Royal Household rarely invites the head of a rapidly expanding organization without taking an interest in what that organization intends to accomplish."

"Which is precisely why I called you here," Sage said. "I need a better understanding of the people I’ll be dealing with. Starting with Westmark itself."

Lucan nodded before rising from his chair. He moved several documents aside, unrolled the enormous parchment he had brought, and secured its corners with four paperweights.

A detailed map of the Kingdom of Westmark spread across Sage’s desk.

Its borders were marked in dark ink, while rivers, mountain ranges, major roads, cities, and territorial divisions had been carefully illustrated. Fifteen large administrative regions were distinguished by their boundaries, with countless smaller markings indicating the noble territories within them.

At the center of the Royal Region stood Kingsford, its name written in prominent lettering.

Sage studied the map with interest.

"Fifteen regions," he murmured. "I knew the Kingdom was large, but seeing everything laid out like this puts things into perspective."

Lucan rested one hand against the edge of the desk. "Westmark is divided into fifteen administrative regions, Guildmaster. Each has its own settlements, noble territories, military obligations, and regional administration. The Royal Region is somewhat different because it contains Kingsford and the principal institutions of the Crown."

He pointed toward the region surrounding the capital. "The Royal Region is administered under the direct authority of House Alden. That doesn’t mean every estate belongs personally to the King. There are still hereditary nobles, towns, and independent holdings here, but royal officials exercise considerably greater oversight than they do in most other regions."

Sage traced one of the boundaries with his finger. "And the remaining fourteen?"

"They vary considerably," Lucan explained. "Some are dominated by extensive duchies, while others contain numerous counties and smaller territories. Geography, population, historical privileges, and the strength of the local nobility all influence how a region is governed."

Sage examined the dense collection of smaller boundaries. "So these aren’t fifteen enormous estates belonging to fifteen different rulers."

"Certainly not, Guildmaster," Lucan replied, shaking his head. "A region is an administrative division of the Kingdom, not necessarily the personal property of a single noble. Several powerful families might possess lands within the same region, and some noble estates extend across regional boundaries."

He indicated a broad territory on the map. "A Duke might govern a substantial duchy containing numerous towns, villages, and subordinate holdings. Counts possess counties of varying importance, while Viscounts and Barons generally administer smaller territories. Marquesses traditionally hold important marches, particularly along strategically significant frontiers."

Sage nodded thoughtfully. "And all of them answer to the King?"

"Ultimately, yes," Lucan answered. "Although their immediate obligations depend upon the lands and titles they possess. Some nobles hold their territories directly from the Crown, while others owe particular duties to a higher-ranking lord. The arrangements are not identical throughout Westmark."

That distinction interested Sage.

He had encountered several nobles since establishing the Adventurer Guild, but most of his dealings had involved individual landowners or local officials. Expanding throughout an entire kingdom would require understanding far more complicated arrangements.

"What about Evergreen?" Sage asked, searching the map for the settlement where everything had begun.

Lucan leaned forward and pointed toward a comparatively small territory.

"Here, Guildmaster. Evergreen is a modest barony, governed by a single Baron. Its territory and population are relatively limited, which is why its administration is considerably simpler than those of the larger noble holdings."

Sage smiled faintly when he recognized the familiar name.

Evergreen had once seemed like an enormous undertaking. Establishing the first Guild Headquarters, attracting Warriors, organizing missions, and convincing people to trust an unfamiliar institution had required considerable effort.

Now, looking at the map, he realized how small that original territory truly was.

"And there are hundreds of places like it," Sage observed.

"More than enough to keep you occupied for years," Lucan replied with a knowing smile. "And not every Baron will welcome a Guild branch simply because you arrive with money and good intentions."

Sage glanced at him. "You make it sound as though good intentions are unpopular among nobles."

"Good intentions are perfectly acceptable, Guildmaster," Lucan answered. "Provided they don’t interfere with someone’s income."

Sage chuckled at that.

Lucan then moved his hand toward several of the Kingdom’s largest noble territories. "Now, above the ordinary noble families in wealth and political influence stand the five Great Noble Houses. House Auremont is one of them, as you already know."

Sage nodded. Lucan’s connection to Auremont was hardly a secret, although the Adventurer had never been particularly eager to discuss the finer details of his family affairs.

"What distinguishes them from the other Dukes?" Sage asked.

"History, primarily, although wealth and military strength are equally important," Lucan explained. "The Great Houses possess extensive hereditary territories, powerful military forces, numerous political connections, and generations of influence at the Royal Court. Their families have played significant roles in Westmark’s wars, administration, and development."

He paused before continuing. "Each Great House also maintains relationships with lesser noble families. Some are bound through marriage, others through longstanding obligations, and many simply recognize the advantages of maintaining a powerful patron."

Sage examined the map again. "So if I negotiate with a Great House, I might gain access to several territories through its influence."

"Potentially," Lucan replied. "But influence isn’t ownership. A Duke cannot always command every Count or Baron associated with his family to accept whatever arrangement he wishes. Noble privileges, existing agreements, and royal law still matter."

Sage gave an appreciative nod.

That was precisely the sort of complication he needed to understand before committing the Guild to nationwide expansion.

After a moment, he looked toward the royal insignia printed at the top of the map.

"How did House Alden establish control over all these territories in the first place?"

Lucan’s expression became more serious. "Westmark wasn’t always a unified kingdom, Guildmaster. Centuries ago, much of this land was divided among competing principalities, fortified lordships, and independent territories. Some rulers controlled prosperous cities, while others maintained their authority through military strength alone."

He indicated several regions as he continued explaining. "The early rulers of House Alden gradually united those territories through conquest, marriage alliances, negotiated submission, and agreements with powerful noble families. Not every lord surrendered willingly, and the unification took generations rather than a single campaign."

Sage listened with growing interest.

"The families that supported the Crown received recognition, hereditary privileges, and territories," Lucan continued. "Others retained portions of their former authority after acknowledging Alden sovereignty. Over time, those arrangements developed into the noble hierarchy we recognize today."

"So the Kingdom was built through agreements as much as warfare," Sage remarked.

"Exactly, Guildmaster," Lucan answered. "And those agreements still influence politics centuries later. A privilege granted to a noble house generations ago might remain enforceable today, even when the original circumstances have long disappeared."

Sage frowned slightly. "That sounds troublesome."

Lucan smiled. "Welcome to noble politics."

He then straightened and tapped the royal emblem.

"However, there is one principle you should never misunderstand. Regardless of how wealthy or influential the five Great Houses become, House Alden remains the ruling dynasty. The King is Westmark’s supreme sovereign, and every noble title ultimately exists within the authority of the Crown."

Sage nodded slowly.

He had no intention of challenging royal authority. His goal was to expand the Adventurer Guild, not establish an independent kingdom.

Unfortunately, the map before him revealed just how difficult that ambition might become.

Every new branch would require a suitable location, reliable personnel, sufficient funding, and cooperation from the relevant authorities. Some territories might welcome the Guild enthusiastically, while others would demand concessions or attempt to impose restrictions.

And then there were the dungeons.

The Guild’s practice of allowing Adventurers to retain their entire share of dungeon loot had already disrupted arrangements that benefited certain landowners.

Sage could imagine how those nobles would react if the same system began spreading throughout Westmark.

"Money won’t be enough," he said eventually.

Lucan studied him for a moment before nodding. "No, Guildmaster. Money can purchase buildings, supplies, and services. It cannot guarantee permission to operate within another lord’s territory, particularly when that lord believes your presence threatens his interests."

Sage folded his arms. "Then I’ll need allies."

"Influential ones," Lucan agreed.

Sage glanced toward the royal invitation resting beside the map. "Which brings us back to the banquet."

Lucan followed his gaze, and the amusement gradually disappeared from his expression.

"There’s something else you should understand before attending, Guildmaster," he said. "The Guild’s recent success has attracted admiration, but it has also created resentment."

Sage looked at him attentively.

Lucan continued in a quieter voice. "Some nobles have already begun questioning whether an independent organization should possess so many registered Warriors, control valuable dungeons, and establish branches beyond the authority of individual noble households."

Sage’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Are they planning to interfere?"

"I wouldn’t assume every discussion will become an open confrontation," Lucan answered carefully. "But several influential nobles attending the King’s birthday celebration already consider the Adventurer Guild a threat to their interests."

He glanced once more at the crimson seal of House Alden before meeting Sage’s gaze.

"And I suspect, Guildmaster, that some of them are looking forward to meeting you far more than you realize."