Marie's full classification report reached Lucien near the end of the second night.
By then, the closed summit had almost become a test of endurance.
The Keepers refused to leave.
They continued speaking of ancestral sites, sealed veins, ancient mistakes, and the arrogance of young powers touching old roads. Their words remained polished. Their expressions remained calm. Their patience remained almost admirable.
Lucien had already taken everything useful from them.
The important locations Marie's group had found had been tested through questions.
There was little left to squeeze from the old fools.
But they kept talking.
The public also grew impatient.
People wanted the summary of the closed session.
They wanted to know what had been agreed.
They wanted to know whether the survey would continue.
They wanted to know whether the old powers had truly brought evidence or only old faces.
