A day later, they got to work on their plan.
Marcus had already expected that once he started moving, things would begin to line up quickly. Elaina was the same. Once she accepted something, she did not drag her feet. She simply did it.
That morning, the two of them split their responsibilities.
Elaina remained in Berm.
Marcus went out to handle the land.
Before they separated, they had gone over the names one last time inside her house. The list had already been reduced from dozens of files into something more usable. Twenty names. A mix of E-rank and D-rank adventurers. Not the strongest in the guild. Not the most famous. But each had something Marcus wanted.
Elaina held the paper in one hand and looked at him.
"Twenty is a lot for a first invitation," she said.
Marcus nodded once.
"I know."
"What if all of them say yes?"
"Then we screen them further."
"And if only a few say yes?"
Marcus looked at her.
"Then we start with a few."
