Chapter 585: The Dungeon Lords

Inside an imposing mansion in Kingsford’s aristocratic district, a gathering of nobles had assembled around a long mahogany table.

The mansion belonged to Count Leopold von Rabenfeld, a wealthy noble whose family controlled several profitable dungeons in Westmark’s central territories.

Unlike the social gatherings frequently held among the Kingdom’s aristocracy, there were no musicians, elaborate banquets, or invited entertainers.

The servants had been dismissed after providing refreshments, and the doors to the meeting chamber remained closed.

Seven nobles occupied the table, each possessing ownership or management rights over one or more dungeons.

Their families had accumulated considerable wealth through the resources extracted by Warriors who entered those dangerous locations.

Count Leopold sat at the head of the table, examining a report concerning the Adventurer Guild’s operations.

"The situation is becoming increasingly troublesome," Leopold remarked as he placed the report before him. "Three more Warrior parties have declined to renew their dungeon access agreements with my estate this month."

Baron Matthias Greifen, a broad-shouldered noble seated nearby, frowned. "For what reason?"

Leopold gave him an irritated look. "The same reason we’ve been hearing for months. They intend to register with the Adventurer Guild and purchase Dungeon Passes instead."

Several nobles exchanged displeased glances.

The Adventurer Guild’s growing influence had become a frequent subject of discussion among families possessing dungeon interests. What initially appeared to be a minor commercial inconvenience was gradually developing into a more serious concern.

Traditionally, nobles who controlled dungeons granted Warriors permission to enter in exchange for a substantial portion of whatever treasures they recovered. The precise arrangements varied between territories, but some noble estates claimed as much as ninety percent of the recovered loot.

For many Warriors, the terms were unfavorable, yet access to valuable dungeons was difficult to obtain without accepting them.

The Adventurer Guild had introduced a considerably different arrangement.

Adventurers purchased Dungeon Passes corresponding to a dungeon’s classification and retained everything they recovered during their expeditions. The Guild earned revenue through pass sales and its accompanying services rather than demanding ownership of the materials collected by Adventurers.

The arrangement had proven extremely attractive.

"One of my dungeon supervisors reported that several experienced parties have begun saving money for Guild passes rather than entering our facilities," Viscount Alaric Fenholt complained as he adjusted his embroidered sleeves. "They claim that even an expensive pass is preferable to surrendering most of their earnings."

"Can you blame them?" asked Countess Helena von Drachenfels, who controlled two dungeons through her late husband’s estate. "If a Warrior retrieves materials worth a thousand gold coins and receives only a hundred, purchasing a pass elsewhere becomes an obvious consideration."

Matthias frowned at her response. "Surely you aren’t suggesting we abandon the traditional tribute arrangements?"

Helena regarded him calmly. "I’m suggesting that we acknowledge why our customers are leaving. Pretending the Guild’s model isn’t attractive won’t bring them back."

Leopold leaned forward, his expression darkening.

"The problem isn’t simply the loss of individual customers," Leopold explained. "The Guild already controls more than fifty dungeons. Its network continues to expand, and it possesses the resources to maintain facilities that smaller dungeon owners cannot easily match."

He gestured toward the report.

"Consider its S-Rank Dungeon near the Royal Capital. The entrance is regulated through Dungeon Passes, and Adventurers are permitted to retain their recovered treasures. The Guild collects its entry fees regardless of what those Warriors discover."

Baron Matthias shook his head. "A hundred gold coins for an S-Rank Dungeon Pass is hardly inexpensive."

"Not for an ordinary Warrior," Helena agreed. "But experienced parties entering an S-Rank Dungeon aren’t ordinary customers. If they expect to recover valuable materials, the opportunity to retain everything makes the price considerably easier to justify."

The nobles fell silent as they considered the implications.

For generations, dungeon ownership had provided aristocratic families with more than income. It granted them influence over Warriors seeking access to valuable resources.

A noble who controlled a profitable dungeon could negotiate favorable arrangements with mercenary companies, reward loyal retainers, and restrict access to individuals who displeased him.

The Adventurer Guild threatened to weaken that influence by offering an alternative.

Viscount Alaric tapped his fingers against the table.

"There’s another concern," Alaric remarked. "Several independent Warriors who previously accepted contracts from my household have registered with the Guild. They no longer seem particularly interested in maintaining exclusive arrangements."

Leopold nodded grimly. "Exactly. If Warriors can obtain missions, accommodations, equipment, and dungeon access through a single independent organization, they have less reason to seek noble patronage."

Matthias folded his arms. "Then perhaps the Guild is becoming too powerful."

Helena glanced toward him. "Powerful enough to compete with us, certainly. Whether that makes it unlawful is another question."

Leopold raised a hand before the disagreement could continue.

"We aren’t gathered here to complain about competition alone," Leopold stated. "The Crown Prince’s recent cooperation with the Guild has brought its activities into royal administrative discussions. There’s now talk of granting the organization a Royal Charter."

That announcement drew immediate attention.

"A Royal Charter?" Alaric repeated, his expression tightening. "Would that give the Guild authority to establish dungeons throughout the Kingdom?"

"Not necessarily," Leopold answered. "The precise provisions haven’t been finalized. However, formal royal recognition could make it considerably easier for the Guild to expand its operations across regional boundaries."

Matthias struck the table lightly with his palm.

"Then we must oppose it before the Charter is approved," Matthias declared. "If the Crown grants the Guild unrestricted privileges, every dungeon owner in Westmark will suffer."

Helena shook her head.

"Opposing the entire Charter would be foolish," Helena replied. "The Guild has gained considerable public support, particularly after resolving the Marrowford crisis. We would appear to be obstructing an organization that has demonstrably benefited the Kingdom."

Leopold nodded in agreement.

"Countess Helena is correct," Leopold said. "We need a more defensible argument. The issue should be whether a single independent institution ought to control an unlimited number of dungeons."

The suggestion prompted renewed discussion.

Several nobles argued that dungeon ownership involved responsibilities beyond collecting revenue. Entrances required security, dangerous creatures occasionally escaped, and nearby settlements could suffer if a dungeon wasn’t properly managed.

Others pointed out that a large concentration of dungeon operations under one organization could affect regional economies and resource markets.

Helena listened before offering a caution.

"Those are legitimate subjects for regulation," Helena admitted. "But we must distinguish genuine public concerns from our desire to preserve existing profits. If we propose restrictions without evidence, the royal advisers may reject them."

Leopold considered her words.

"Then we should request a formal review of the Guild’s dungeon arrangements," Leopold suggested. "The Crown can examine whether additional licensing requirements or limits on dungeon holdings are necessary."

Alaric leaned forward with interest.

"Perhaps a maximum number of dungeons per organization?" Alaric proposed. "That would prevent the Guild from accumulating an excessive share of the Kingdom’s dungeon resources."

Matthias nodded enthusiastically. "And require approval from the relevant territorial administration before any additional dungeon comes under Guild management."

Helena frowned.

"Approval for legitimate property and management arrangements already exists in various forms," Helena observed. "But an arbitrary numerical limit would be difficult to justify. Why should an organization operating fifty well-managed dungeons be prohibited from managing another simply because it has reached a particular number?"

Leopold regarded her thoughtfully.

"Then perhaps the limitation should be connected to administrative capacity," Leopold suggested. "An organization seeking to operate additional dungeons could be required to demonstrate that it possesses adequate personnel, security arrangements, and financial resources."

Helena considered the proposal before nodding slightly.

"That would at least have a recognizable legal purpose," Helena replied. "Although it would need to apply fairly to noble owners as well."

Several participants appeared considerably less enthusiastic about that qualification.

Leopold noticed their reactions but chose not to pursue the disagreement.

Instead, he instructed his secretary to prepare a summary of their concerns, including the concentration of dungeon management rights, regional oversight, public safety, and the potential economic consequences of the Guild’s expansion.

Meanwhile, at Adventurer Guild Headquarters, Sage was reviewing several administrative reports with Irene Valcrest when Boren entered his office.

"Guildmaster, our dungeon administration records are ready for the preliminary Charter review," Boren reported as he placed a folder upon the desk. "We’ve included the existing access arrangements, pass classifications, and financial summaries requested by the legal advisers."

Sage nodded. "Good. Make sure the records distinguish between dungeons we already control and any future arrangements requiring separate agreements."

Irene examined the figures before adding, "The income from Dungeon Passes remains substantial, Guildmaster. However, our operating expenses have also increased as the network expands. Maintaining security, facilities, and administrative personnel across multiple locations isn’t inexpensive."

"Which is why I don’t understand how some nobles manage to charge Warriors such enormous portions of their loot," Sage remarked. "They collect most of the rewards while the people entering the dungeons take the actual risks."

Boren adjusted his glasses.

"Traditional dungeon owners would argue that their ownership rights entitle them to establish those terms," Boren replied. "Whether Adventurers consider the arrangements worthwhile is another matter."

Sage leaned back in his chair.

"I’m not interested in telling nobles how much they should charge for their own dungeons," Sage answered. "But they shouldn’t expect us to adopt the same arrangements simply because our system attracts more Adventurers."

Irene nodded in agreement.

"The Guild’s financial model depends upon maintaining reliable access and services," Irene explained. "We earn income from passes, accommodations, equipment, and other facilities. Adventurers retain their recovered materials, which encourages them to return."

Sage closed the report.

"Then we’ll continue operating that way," Sage replied. "If anyone questions our arrangements during the Charter negotiations, we’ll explain them."

Back at the Rabenfeld mansion, the gathering had reached its conclusion.

Leopold examined the draft petition prepared by his secretary. Its wording avoided direct accusations against the Guild and instead emphasized the need for consistent regulation of dungeon management across Westmark.

The petition requested that the Crown review the concentration of dungeon operations under independent organizations and consider whether additional licensing requirements or limits were necessary to protect territorial interests.

"Are we agreed?" Leopold asked as he looked around the table.

Matthias nodded firmly. "House Greifen will support the petition."

Alaric added his agreement, followed by several other nobles.

Helena hesitated before placing her signature upon the document.

"I’ll support a review of dungeon regulations," Helena stated carefully. "But I won’t endorse arbitrary restrictions designed solely to eliminate competition."

Leopold inclined his head. "Your position is understood, Countess."

By the following morning, the petition carried the seals of several influential dungeon-owning families.

A representative delivered it to the royal administrative complex, where it was formally registered for consideration by the Crown’s advisers.

The coalition had avoided openly demanding the Adventurer Guild’s closure. Instead, it requested a royal examination of whether any independent organization should be permitted to operate such an extensive network of dungeons.

And with that petition, the Guild’s most profitable and attractive service had become the next subject of Westmark’s growing political struggle.