Silence enveloped the lounge like a heavy curtain drawn across the room.
Gregor leaned back, arms crossed, his earlier teasing demeanor replaced by a serious expression. Mina sat still now, her golden eyes locked on Sage instead of swinging her legs absentmindedly.
Even Valeria, who had been aloof and unreadable for most of their conversation, appeared sharper, her attention fully focused on Sage.
Sage exhaled slowly, allowing the weight of his words to settle before he continued. His gaze shifted, steady and deliberate, to Boren and Lyana.
"Right now," he said calmly, "the Guild has expanded more rapidly than we anticipated. We have facilities and infrastructure in place. What we lack… is manpower."
