It was fair game.
Given what was about to happen, it would have been perfectly understandable if a few people felt weak in the knees. Fainting, however, was highly discouraged. Not because anyone would mock them for it, but because waking up afterward with the crushing realization that they had missed everything would be far worse.
Regret was a powerful thing.
So what, exactly, had everyone mobilizing at such an hour?
What was important enough that even those who had already left the dungeon space scrambled back without bothering to fix their hair or dignity?
The answer revealed itself the moment hurried footsteps echoed across the clearing.
"Has it started yet?"
Marshal Julian's voice cut through the low hum of conversation as he strode toward the gathering crowd, expression taut with urgency.
"Good evening, Marshal!" Luca greeted brightly, waving even though it was well past what most people would consider a reasonable hour to be cheerful.
