The meeting chamber was carved directly into the old keep's foundation—no windows, no echoes, and no patience.
Maps, field reports, and expedition ledgers cluttered the long oak table. Wax seals still smoked, their scents mixing with ink and tension.
"Confirmed movement near the central vault. Scavenger trails, husk piles, and shattered claw rakes—west shaft approach."
—Guildmaster Brannic Hale
"Could be a migration beast. Or a new dungeon."
—Commander Veiss
Prince Caelan tapped the side of a report scroll, the edge still damp from field ink.
"Too organized for a beast. Breeding patterns suggest territorial claim within the last month. Rapid infestation signs. Nesting density is high."
—Guildmaster Hale
"Then it's not migrating.It's establishing. That makes it a dungeon."
—Lord Kerrel, Duke of Eastwatch
The room went still. The Prince Caelan broke the silence by sliding a sealed folder onto the table. He unfastened the red twine without a word and spread out its contents—scouting maps, containment estimates, casualty projections.
"We can't afford to let this one grow. If the level advances, containment becomes impossible."
—Crown Prince Caelen
"You want to secure it now?"
—Commander Veiss
The prince shook his head slightly.
"No. The response depends entirely on personnel availability. We can't commit half-measures. Not with a new created dungeon."
—Prince Caelen
Guildmaster Hale leaned forward, the candlelight casting sharp lines across his face.
"Based on field indicators—spawn rate, mana concentration, structure density—I'd call it Level 6. Possibly creeping toward 7 if the core isn't suppressed."
—Guildmaster Hale
Guildmaster Hale leaned back, fingers steepled in thought.
"If it's a Level 6 dungeon and climbing, we need elite response. I can pull two Level 6 adventurers—Siran of the Gale and Dorek Emberveil. Both have dungeon clearance experience and stable formations."
—Guildmaster Hale
"Siran's party just cleared the Mire Vault a level 6 dungeon last month. She's still running recovery rotations."
—Commander Veiss
"Then Dorek leads. I'll reinforce him with a Level 5 mobile cadre—fast rotation, ambush-trained."
—Guildmaster Hale
Lord Kerrel interjected, adjusting the signet on his glove.
"Eastwatch has three knight-errants on reserve. One of them, Sir Brennov, served under the Griffin Wall siege. He's a good counter to burrowers and pack-types."
—Lord Kerrel
"If we're pulling nobility, I can spare Lady Veris Norr from the Highland Division. She's young, but field-tested—tactical mage, illusion-capable. Works well in confined terrain."
—Commander Veiss
Guildmaster Hale gave a single nod, already marking names into a new chart.
"Then we have a workable strike composition: one high-level core, knight support, and tactical mage coverage. If we seal the root node early, the ecosystem collapse can be contained."
—Guildmaster Hale
"We'll need advance recon. No formal breach until the dungeon's anchor point is mapped. I suggest a scout cell. Four-man team."
—Commander Veiss
"I'll authorize it."
—Crown Prince Caelen
He unfolded a smaller folio from inside the sealed folder, marked with the royal crest. Several names were listed—few were known beyond clearance-level command.
"Use Ferrow's unit. He's cleared two Level 6 dungeons in the last year. Specializes in confined terrain, low-light engagement. His team includes a stealth specialist,trap master and arcane control "
—Crown Prince Caelen
Guildmaster Hale raised a brow, impressed despite himself.
"Stealth, arcane control, and trap negation. That'll give us sight on the inner structure without triggering a surge."
—Guildmaster Hale
"And if it's not just a dungeon—if something made it—we'll know before we send in the heavy iron."
—Prince Caelen
A brief silence fell, then Commander Veiss looked across the table, voice low.
"We still have three Level 8s active in the country. Any of them respond to a call-up?"
—Commander Veiss
Guildmaster Hale didn't answer at first. He simply exhaled, then spoke without lifting his eyes from the page.
"Two are overseas. The third hasn't accepted a formal contract in six months. Level 8s don't answer orders. Not even from the throne."
—Guildmaster Hale
"Then we move without them."
—Prince Caelen
He gathered the scattered dossiers into a precise stack and stood.
"The dungeon grows. Every day we delay, the cost triples. Begin deployment."