As the evening progressed, the royal banquet gradually approached its conclusion.
The musicians continued performing from the elevated gallery, although the lively conversations that had filled the hall earlier were beginning to settle into quieter exchanges.
Several elderly nobles had already withdrawn to adjoining chambers, while servants moved between the tables collecting empty glasses and replacing the remaining refreshments.
Sage stood beside Lucan near one of the marble columns, watching the final groups of distinguished guests exchange courtesies. After hours of introductions, discussions, and unexpected encounters, he was beginning to appreciate just how exhausting a royal celebration could become.
"Guildmaster, you look like you've spent the entire evening fighting monsters," Lucan remarked with an amused expression. "I suppose court politics can be rather tiring for someone accustomed to dealing with Adventurers."
