Lucien supervised everything with growing amusement.
The Middle Continent's people were decisive in their purchases, aggressive in their competition, proud in their conduct, and sensitive to reputation.
But they followed the rules.
For today, that was enough.
Lucien's gaze moved toward the outer roads, where more visitors continued arriving even after the official opening had begun.
Rumors were still flying through the Middle Continent.
The early allies had been the first advertisements.
Now the first-day visitors would become the second wave.
By tomorrow, the continent would be arguing.
By the end of the week, more would come.
By the end of the month, the Middle Branch would no longer be treated as a new territory.
Lucien felt the shape of that future settle before him.
The first day was not perfect.
No opening of this size could be.
But the foundation held.
That was what mattered.
Lootwell had given the Middle Continent what it wanted.
Prestige.
Advantage.
