Chapter 586: A Kingdom of Competing Interests

The conference chamber within the Royal Palace of Kingsford had been prepared for a gathering considerably more important than an ordinary administrative meeting.

Five banners hung along the walls, each bearing the crest of one of Westmark’s Five Great Houses, while a large map of the Kingdom occupied the center of the conference table.

Crown Prince Richard Alden stood beside the window, reviewing the documents prepared by his advisers.

Among them were the preliminary recommendations concerning the Adventurer Guild’s proposed Royal Charter, the licensing regulations recently submitted to the Royal Administrative Committee, and the petition filed by several dungeon-owning nobles.

The documents represented three different approaches to the same question.

How much independence should the Adventurer Guild possess, and how much authority should the Kingdom retain over its growing operations?

Richard understood that obtaining a Royal Charter would require more than demonstrating the Guild’s usefulness. The Five Great Houses possessed considerable political and economic influence, and each had interests that could be affected by the organization’s expansion.

For that reason, he had invited their representatives to a preliminary consultation before the Charter reached the King’s formal consideration.

Minister Aldous Pembroke approached with a list of attendees.

"Your Royal Highness, the representatives have arrived," Pembroke reported. "All Five Great Houses have accepted the invitation, although several have sent senior family members rather than their respective Dukes."

Richard nodded as he set down the documents. "That’s sufficient for today’s purpose. We’re not asking them to approve the Charter yet. I want to understand their concerns before the legal review advances."

Shortly afterward, the doors opened, and the representatives entered.

House Auremont was represented by Lord Benedict Auremont, who greeted Richard with his usual composed courtesy. House Hohenberg had sent Lord Dietrich Hohenberg, a senior military figure whose experience with the Royal Army made him particularly attentive to matters of defense.

House Valois was represented by Lord Charles Valois, the family’s heir, while House Falkenberg had dispatched Lady Beatrice Falkenberg, whose responsibilities included assisting with regional administrative affairs.

House Lancaster’s delegation consisted of Lord Geoffrey Lancaster and his nephew, Lord William Lancaster, accompanied by Lord Percival Harcourt.

After the customary greetings, everyone took their seats.

Richard opened the meeting without unnecessary ceremony.

"Thank you for coming," Richard began as he surveyed the assembled nobles. "The Adventurer Guild’s recent operations have raised several questions concerning its legal standing within Westmark. Before any Royal Charter proceeds to formal consideration, I believe the Kingdom would benefit from hearing the perspectives of the Five Great Houses."

Geoffrey Lancaster folded his hands upon the table.

"An appropriate precaution, Your Royal Highness," Geoffrey replied. "Particularly when the organization in question already possesses considerable financial resources and commands the loyalty of numerous independent Warriors."

Benedict glanced toward him but remained silent.

Richard continued, "The Guild’s performance during the Marrowford crisis demonstrated that it can provide valuable services. However, expanding those services throughout the Kingdom will affect existing administrative arrangements. I would like today’s discussion to focus on those practical consequences."

He turned toward Dietrich Hohenberg.

"Lord Dietrich, perhaps we should begin with frontier security."

Dietrich leaned forward, his broad shoulders stretching the dark military coat he wore.

"House Hohenberg’s position is straightforward, Your Royal Highness," Dietrich stated. "The northern territories face recurring monster threats, and our military forces cannot be everywhere at once. If the Adventurer Guild can provide experienced Warriors capable of handling dangerous creatures, that would be useful."

Richard nodded. "Would your family support the Guild establishing branches in those territories?"

"Provided the arrangements are properly organized," Dietrich answered. "My concern isn’t whether Adventurers are capable fighters. Some undoubtedly are. The concern is how their operations would interact with military responsibilities during emergencies."

He gestured toward the northern regions marked upon the map.

"When monsters threaten a settlement, we need clear communication between local commanders, territorial officials, and any independent parties participating in the response," Dietrich explained. "I won’t support an arrangement that allows armed groups to interfere with defensive operations without coordination."

Benedict nodded thoughtfully.

"That seems reasonable," Benedict remarked. "The Guild’s independence needn’t prevent it from cooperating with military authorities under properly defined agreements."

Dietrich agreed. "Exactly. But cooperation must be established before a crisis occurs, not improvised after monsters have already reached the town walls."

Richard made a note.

The Fourth Prince’s recent interest in arranging a joint emergency-response exercise between Royal Knights and Adventurers came to mind. If properly authorized, such an exercise could provide useful information concerning the very problems Dietrich had raised.

Richard then turned toward Charles Valois.

"Lord Charles, how does House Valois view the Guild’s commercial expansion?"

Charles adjusted the cuffs of his finely tailored coat before answering.

"With considerable interest, Your Royal Highness," Charles replied. "The Guild has demonstrated an ability to attract Warriors, merchants, and customers to its facilities. Its dungeon operations also introduce valuable materials into commercial circulation."

He paused before continuing.

"However, House Valois places considerable importance upon stable markets. An organization expanding rapidly across fifteen regions could affect transportation contracts, equipment suppliers, lodging establishments, and existing commercial associations."

Richard nodded. "Are you suggesting restrictions upon its growth?"

"Not necessarily," Charles answered. "Competition can be beneficial, provided everyone operates under consistent commercial rules. What concerns us is the possibility of special privileges that allow the Guild to avoid obligations imposed upon ordinary merchants."

Benedict regarded him calmly.

"The preliminary Charter doesn’t request general exemptions from taxation or commercial law," Benedict explained. "House Auremont has already discussed those matters with Guildmaster Sage."

Charles appeared interested.

"Then that removes one potential difficulty," Charles replied. "Nevertheless, we would want assurances concerning contracts, resource sales, and the Guild’s ability to operate commercial facilities without unfair advantages."

Geoffrey Lancaster glanced toward Charles.

"And what of its dungeon arrangements?" Geoffrey asked. "Surely House Valois has considered how the Guild’s Dungeon Pass system affects existing owners."

Charles nodded.

"Naturally," Charles replied. "But commercial success alone isn’t sufficient reason to prohibit a competing arrangement. If Adventurers prefer purchasing passes and retaining their loot, noble dungeon owners may need to reconsider their own terms."

Several participants exchanged glances at the statement.

Geoffrey’s expression remained composed, although William Lancaster frowned slightly.

Richard turned toward Lady Beatrice Falkenberg.

"Lady Beatrice, I understand your family has been examining the administrative implications."

Beatrice nodded as she opened a folder containing several regional reports.

"House Falkenberg’s primary concern is consistency, Your Royal Highness," Beatrice explained. "The Kingdom already possesses laws governing property, construction, taxation, and commercial registration. Any Charter should clarify how those laws apply to the Guild rather than creating an entirely separate administrative system."

She placed one of the reports upon the table.

"If the Guild establishes a branch in one region, it shouldn’t face completely different requirements when applying to establish a comparable facility elsewhere, unless local circumstances provide a legitimate reason."

Pembroke nodded approvingly.

"That corresponds with concerns raised during the Marrowford administrative review," Pembroke observed. "Inconsistent jurisdictional requirements were responsible for several unnecessary complications."

Beatrice continued, "We would support standardized procedures, written explanations for rejected applications, and appropriate appeal mechanisms. However, territorial authorities must retain the power to enforce lawful regulations."

Richard looked toward Benedict.

"And House Auremont?"

Benedict placed a copy of the preliminary Charter outline upon the table.

"House Auremont believes the Adventurer Guild should receive formal legal recognition if its proposed rights and obligations can withstand proper scrutiny," Benedict answered. "The organization has demonstrated practical value, and its independence may allow it to serve the Kingdom without becoming entangled in the interests of individual noble households."

Geoffrey raised an eyebrow.

"Independence is an attractive word, Lord Benedict," Geoffrey remarked. "But surely you recognize the danger of allowing a wealthy organization employing powerful Warriors to operate without meaningful supervision."

Benedict met his gaze evenly.

"Independence doesn’t mean immunity from the law, Lord Geoffrey," Benedict replied. "We’ve already discussed financial reporting, lawful investigations, territorial regulations, and safeguards against corruption. What we oppose is granting nobles authority over the Guild’s internal appointments and ordinary mission administration."

William Lancaster leaned forward.

"Yet those decisions can affect entire regions," William argued. "Suppose the Guild refuses an important commission or concentrates its strongest Adventurers in territories offering the greatest rewards. Should the Crown simply accept those decisions without possessing any means of intervention?"

Dietrich Hohenberg frowned.

"Even the Royal Army must prioritize its available forces," Dietrich observed. "You can’t expect independent Adventurers to accept every dangerous assignment merely because an official demands it."

Geoffrey acknowledged the point with a slight inclination of his head.

"Certainly not," Geoffrey replied. "But the question remains whether the Guild’s leadership should possess unrestricted discretion over matters affecting public security."

Richard listened carefully.

The discussion had revealed exactly what he expected. The Five Great Houses weren’t united in their assessment of the Guild, nor did their interests align neatly with the political factions surrounding the princes.

Hohenberg wanted reliable frontier defense. Valois sought profitable and predictable commercial conditions. Falkenberg emphasized administrative consistency. Auremont supported legal recognition without surrendering institutional independence.

Lancaster, however, continued returning to the question of control.

"Lord Geoffrey, what arrangement would House Lancaster consider appropriate?" Richard asked.

Geoffrey exchanged a glance with William before turning toward Harcourt.

"We’ve prepared an alternative framework, Your Royal Highness," Geoffrey answered. "One intended to preserve the Guild’s useful functions while ensuring that an institution of such influence remains accountable to the Crown."

Harcourt opened a leather folder and distributed several documents around the table.

Benedict examined the first page, his expression becoming more serious as he read.

Richard accepted his copy.

The proposal recommended establishing a permanent supervisory body responsible for reviewing major Guild decisions, including branch expansion, dungeon management agreements, and certain categories of royal commissions.

Beatrice frowned as she examined the wording.

"These powers appear considerably broader than ordinary administrative oversight," Beatrice observed. "Would this council operate independently of existing territorial authorities?"

"Under the Crown’s authority," Harcourt replied. "Its members would be appointed through established royal procedures."

Charles glanced toward the proposed membership arrangements.

"And would the Guild possess representation upon this council?" Charles asked.

"That question could be considered during negotiations," Geoffrey answered. "However, the Crown must retain the final authority to appoint its members."

Benedict slowly set down the document.

"Then this isn’t simply a proposal for financial accountability or legal compliance," Benedict remarked. "You’re suggesting that an external council should possess authority over decisions currently belonging to the Guild’s administration."

Geoffrey met his gaze without hesitation.

"House Lancaster believes an organization possessing such extensive resources requires stronger supervision," Geoffrey replied. "We aren’t proposing to abolish its independence entirely, but independence must have limits."

Richard examined the provisions more closely.

The document went considerably further than the licensing regulations already under review. Rather than establishing general standards applicable to independent organizations, it proposed a permanent institution with authority over the Guild’s most important decisions.

Richard placed the document upon the table.

"Lord Geoffrey, I understand your concerns," Richard stated calmly. "But these provisions would fundamentally alter the relationship we’re discussing. Before this proposal advances, its implications will require careful examination."

Geoffrey inclined his head respectfully.

"Naturally, Your Royal Highness," Geoffrey answered. "That is precisely why we’ve submitted it for consideration."

As the representatives continued examining the documents, Richard recognized that the negotiations had entered a more difficult stage.

House Lancaster had formally introduced an alternative to the Guild’s proposed independence: a Crown-appointed supervisory council with authority over major Guild decisions, including its expansion, dungeon operations, and important commissions.

And unlike the earlier objections raised during Marrowford, this proposal had arrived with the backing of one of Westmark’s Five Great Houses.