Merchants waited near the receptionist desks to discuss supply contracts, while blacksmiths delivered repaired weapons and collected damaged equipment from returning adventurers.
Hunters entered through a side gate carrying hides, claws, horns, and beast cores for assessment. Couriers came and went with sealed documents. Trainers directed groups toward the practice grounds. Nothing looked perfect, but everything worked.
Sage said nothing for a long moment.
Brutus noticed his silence and glanced toward him. "You are checking for problems."
"I'm checking whether they needed me," Sage answered honestly.
"And?"
His eyes moved across the reception area, the quest counters, the storage records being carried toward the administrative wing, and the guards maintaining order near the entrance. "They did their jobs."
Gregor heard the quiet pride in his voice and smiled. "That sounds like a good thing."
