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Arlon spoke with Puma, recounting the tale of the Demon's defeat using the well-crafted story he and Zephyrion had prepared.

Puma listened intently, nodding at key points. "I see. A Mime led you to the Demon? That's quite the stroke of luck," he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

"Yes, luck played a large role," Arlon replied, keeping his tone humble. "But sometimes, luck favors preparation."

"True enough," Puma said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Though I suspect there's more to your story than luck."

Arlon chuckled lightly, deflecting the remark. "Perhaps. But in the end, the Demon was defeated, and that's what matters most." Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire

The conversation soon shifted. In exchange for Arlon's account, Puma shared insights into the organizational structure of Trion's most influential factions.

"Most races have their own representative organizations," Puma explained. "Not to separate themselves, mind you, but to ensure their culture and traditions aren't lost over time. It's also a way to provide a unified voice when needed."

"That makes sense," Arlon said, noting everything down in his system. "And the mixed-race organizations? I've heard of a few but don't know much."

"The biggest is the Eternal Council," Puma said, leaning forward slightly. "It's a coalition of representatives from all races. They focus on overarching issues—war strategies, inter-race disputes, that sort of thing. They're powerful, but their decision-making is slow. Too many voices, not enough action."

Arlon nodded, intrigued. "And the Moonfang Clan? What role do you play?"

Puma grinned. "We're the backbone of the Beastmen. We preserve our traditions, ensure our people have representation, and… occasionally remind the world that Beastmen aren't to be underestimated."

"Occasionally?" Arlon asked, raising an eyebrow.

Puma laughed. "Alright, frequently. But you haven't seen Yuma fight, have you? We are not that dangerous."

Yuma, who was quietly sipping a drink nearby, nearly choked. "Don't lie to him, Puma! You know I'm not exactly the clan's shining example of strength!"

"True, but you've got heart," Puma said, ruffling her hair.

"Stop it! I'm not a pup anymore!" Yuma swatted his hand away, her cheeks puffed indignantly.

Arlon smirked at their sibling banter but kept his focus on Puma. "You've given me a wealth of information, and I appreciate it. But I doubt you're the kind of leader-in-training to share all this for no reason. What's your angle?"

Puma's laughter boomed, drawing a few glances from nearby tables. "You're sharp, Sir Arlon. But it's no grand scheme. I want to form a connection with you. The saviors may leave when their work is done, but Trion will remain. And I believe you'll be among its brightest stars."

Arlon was taken aback by the sincerity in Puma's tone. It was a clever move, forging ties with someone who might shape Trion's future.

But what Puma didn't know was that Arlon, too, was a savior and not a guide. One who would inevitably leave with the others.

Still, there was no need to divulge that now. Connections were valuable, even if temporary.

"Thank you for your faith in me," Arlon said with a slight bow of his head. "I hope to live up to your expectations."

"Just don't forget us Beastmen when you're standing at the top," Puma said with a wink.

"Trust me," Arlon replied, smirking. "That's not something you'll let me do."

Yuma chimed in, a sly grin on her face. "Oh, don't worry. If he does, I'll just send Puma to bark outside his house until he remembers."

"Hey!" Puma protested.

Arlon couldn't help but laugh, the tension of the day melting away for a brief moment.

He had noted everything he learned from Puma with the system's noting feature. Now, he had detailed information about the biggest organizations and information about how they worked.

He even knew the departments of some of the organizations.

---

After piecing together the events of the banquet, Arlon returned to his table, confident that someone would summon him again before the day was over.

And, as expected, he was promptly invited back to mingle with yet another group of influential figures.

For the rest of the banquet, Arlon found himself hopping from table to table, engaging in discussions with representatives from various organizations.

Thanks to the information he'd gathered earlier from Puma, Yuma, and others, he navigated these conversations with ease.

He strategically shared just enough to seem cooperative without revealing anything critical.

"Sir Arlon, your insight is truly fascinating. Have you considered joining our council as an advisor?" asked one of the Eternal Council members.

"I appreciate the offer," Arlon replied, smiling politely. "But for now, my duties as a savior keep me quite occupied."

Even as the conversations flowed, Arlon's mind remained sharp, mentally cataloging every face, title, and snippet of useful information for later.

By the time evening approached, the banquet began to wind down. One by one, the guests trickled out of the hall.

Some, like the representatives of minor organizations, left Kelta immediately, eager to return to their regions.

Others, such as Sheila and the members of the Magus Council, opted to stay in Kelta for a few more days, checking into the inn.

Yuma and Puma, together with their organization's members, decided to head back since they had things to do.

Meanwhile, the saviors regrouped and made their way to the restaurant on the third floor, as had become their tradition.

As soon as they sat down, Zack slumped forward dramatically, groaning. "Aaah! It was too tiring. I don't want to join another banquet again."

Evan nodded emphatically, his head bobbing like a loose spring. "Never again! I talked so much, I think I might have forgotten how to be quiet."

"I didn't even know I could talk this much," Carmen added, flopping into her seat.

Maria smirked. "You were just popular because you're adorable. I had to fight my way through conversations about alliances and politics!"

"Don't remind me," Pierre muttered. "Every time I sat down, someone would bring up trade negotiations or the economic state of Trion. I'm a warrior, not an economist!"

Lei chuckled. "You should've just said you'd trade swords for gold. That's economics, right?"

Everyone laughed, though their exhaustion was evident.

Arlon, meanwhile, sat quietly, his mask back on. Despite his stoic demeanor, he couldn't shake a peculiar sense of disappointment.

No one had commented on his face.

Even though it had been magically altered, no one seemed surprised or even curious about his appearance.

"Maybe they were just being polite," Arlon thought to himself, though the lack of reaction gnawed at his pride just a little.

As they ate their meals, the group recounted their experiences from the day.

"Did anyone else feel like they were being interrogated at every table?" Zack asked, rubbing his temples.

"More like interviewed," Maria replied. "I swear, one guy asked me about my favorite flower. What does that have to do with anything?"

"At least yours was innocent," June said. "I got cornered by someone asking about how magic works on Earth. Do I look like a scientist?"

Nyx was sleeping on her lap for some reason instead of Arlon's.

"You do look smart," Evan teased, earning a playful smack on the shoulder.

Arlon smirked beneath his mask, enjoying the banter. But as the group's conversation dwindled, the exhaustion of the day caught up to them.

One by one, they finished their meals and began to log out.

Their bodies wouldn't need rest thanks to Zeno, but their minds told a different story. A full day of endless talking had left them mentally drained.