Rising Dungeons

In Yandal, the royal capital of the nation of Regium, there is a place where the guild leaders of the top ten guilds in Regium come to meet. They are called the guild council, the ruling body of all the guilds in Regium. There are more than thirty guilds in Regium, however, most of them except for the top ten are minor guilds, so they aren't of any importance.

The guild council discusses the events that are going on around the country and also monitors the activities of the other guilds. They also watch over stuff like diplomatic struggles to tournaments. But this meeting was going to be different.

Earlier this year, there have been some dungeons popping up. But lately, there have been cases of numerous dungeon sightings. Normally, people would avoid these places in order to not face whatever trouble awaits them, but a report states that one of the dungeons opened up and the monsters inside are now wandering the surface. There has been an incident where a village has been destroyed by those monsters. It was tragic.

The guild leaders are going to discuss what to do with the dungeons. But this meeting is special, as the king himself will be attending this meeting.

***

"What's the report?"

An old man asked a young-looking man wearing the clothes of an aristocrat.

"About a hundred, sir."

"Damn it, the numbers just keep rising."

This elderly man is Angix Khennerish, the leader of the Hollow Hydra, a guild placed second in the top ten. He is the vice master of the council. The leader, ranking first place on the top ten, only appears in the council on some occasions. So Angix acts as the leader whenever he isn't here. He is wearing a large wizard robe and a wizard hat that covers most of his gray hair. He is also known as "The Wizard Saint".

"What should we do then?"

Said a woman who looked around her thirties sitting next to him said. She had golden hair and wore light silver armor, closely representing a knight. This woman is Ymir Neptune, the leader of the Celeste Knights, a guild ranked in third place.

"We do not know yet, but the privilege of what we will do is given to the king."

Angix said as he stroked his long beard.

"Do we really need the king for this? I mean, what is he going to do, send the imperial army to go clear these dungeons?"

A young-looking boy with green hair said from the corner of the room. He wore a leather coat and baggy pants. He is Rogue Fabel, leader of the Serene Gang, ranking in the fourth place.

"Rogue, you dare speak ill of our king?"

Ymir said as she stood up from her chair, glaring at Rogue.

"What? What are you going to do?"

Both had flames in their eyes. The room began to heat up as these two glared at each other. A fight was about to break out.

"L-lets calm down, please. We aren't enemies."

A familiar old man said. He was the leader of the Dark Ivory guild, ranked fifth place. His name is Giovanni Prigent and granted the title of noble by the king.

Even though he was related to the king, not even he can stop the conflict between these two. A fight was brewing, and it was about to let loose.

Until the door opened.

Everyone turned towards the door and walking in was a middle-aged man wearing clothes representing royalty, along with a teenage boy donning a dark sleeveless coat and has his black hair swept back.

Everyone stood up from their chair and bowed to the two. The teenager sat across Angix and the man sat at the center.

"So you arrived."

Angix said to the boy.

"Of course, if the king is attending the meeting, then it's definitely important."

The boy responded. He turned around and called one of the servants in the room to make tea. This boy is Echo Ardente. He is the guild leader of the strongest guild, Grim Roses.

"I believe you have heard what has happened, your majesty."

Angix turned towards the middle-aged man. His name is Fritz Von Regium, king of Regium. Descending from the Regium bloodline, famous for possessing an ancient ability that has been passed down for generations.

"I have heard everything, Echo here as provided me information."

"So, what is your order?"

The king thought for a bit. After hearing about the rising numbers in dungeons and attacks, it was definite that he must get rid of these dungeons as soon as possible. But sending imperial forces to take down these things is rash. If he sent these dungeons as tasks for the guilds, it is also foolish.

"I have no idea, but we'll have to figure out a plan to destroy these things."

The king looked a bit down. Everybody noticed this, but they didn't say a word. The reason why he was down was that someone had poisoned his daughter. Not long ago, his daughter was poisoned at a royal party. The criminal had been apprehended. It was an old noble that lived before the coming of Fritz. Even though they caught the crook, the poison that the princess was intoxicated by was made from the venom of a species of vipers that had died out two millenniums ago. It is unknown to how that noble obtained that kind of poison if the species died out. Therefore, there is no antidote that can save her. Leaving the king very depressed for his daughter.

"I have a proposition. If you'll allow me, your majesty."

Someone from the other side of the room called out. Everyone turned their heads towards this man. He was a short elderly man that looked like he could break if someone just tapped him. He is the former guild leader of Century Draco, ranked tenth place. His name is Lloyd Machin.

"Let us hear it."

"Why don't we send various members from our guilds to the dungeons along with your imperial army. It's like a raid. But it's coming from me, but it can be made official if you want it."

The council members began discussing about this plan that Lloyd had proposed. Lloyd formerly served the imperial army as a strategist. Though however, he left because of the many jokes he's done.

The king thought about it. Then he got up from his seat.

"Alright, we shall go with Lloyd's plan."

Everyone stood up.

"All the members of your guilds will be separated into groups. I will pick my most trusted generals to lead those groups. Consider this a collaboration between your guilds. I hope they don't cause any trouble. That is all."

The king turned his head towards Echo. Echo nodded.

"The council is dismissed."

Later, everyone except the king had left the room.

The king looked outside the window, thinking about the state that his daughter was in. The poison that his daughter had been intoxicated with was a complicated one. Once the victim is poisoned, they will be bedridden for a week. Then after that, they will die. She was poisoned only two days ago. It is only a matter of time before his daughter's life will be swallowed by the poison.

The king pressed his hands together and started praying.

"To the gods, please... send someone to save my daughter..."

Tears flowed down softly down the king's cheeks. He hopes that the gods will respond to his prayers.

Creak!

The door opened behind the king. He turned around and standing there was Echo. Echo bowed, the king told him to lift his head up.

"Shall we return to the castle?"

"Yes, we shall."

As Fritz and Echo walked down the hallway. The king asked.

"Aren't you going to tell your guild members?"

"I already have my second in command telling them."

"I hope we will be able to clear them. It's only a matter of time before the same incident happens."

"... yeah."