The second floor of the Adventurer Guild gradually emptied, not with noise or ceremony, but with intention.
One by one, chairs scraped softly against the marble as the warriors stood up, maps were rolled away, notes collected, and the weight of their recent decisions settled heavily on every pair of shoulders present.
Conversations shifted to hushed murmurs not out of secrecy but from a shared respect for the gravity of their plan. This was no longer a theoretical discussion or a gamble driven solely by greed; it was preparation for an endeavor that could alter the balance of power within the Evergreen Region.
Valeria was the first to leave, her mercenary group following her in disciplined formation. Their movements were calm and measured, betraying none of the shock they had felt earlier, only the readiness of seasoned veterans who understood that once a decision was made, hesitation was a luxury they could not afford.
