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Even after the External Affairs Manager’s grand introduction, there was no applause.

Instead, the monkeys in the banquet hall, as if on cue, stared at the Eldest Son in a trance.

The Eldest Son’s performance, creating tension with his cold gaze and then melting it away with a bright smile, was enough to captivate the monkeys.

He knew how to put on a show.

As I observed the situation, I noticed Arin’s veil fluttering slightly.

Her breathing was uneven. Her pupils, visible through the veil, were trembling slightly.

‘Is she agitated?’

I looked back and forth between the Eldest Son and Arin, and then I finally noticed something strange.

Upon closer inspection, Arin wasn’t looking at the Eldest Son.

She was looking at the person next to him.

A woman dressed in a floral-patterned robe.

She seemed to be from the Red Phoenix Magic Division, and her face looked familiar.

She was the woman who had visited Samael with the External Affairs Manager before.

‘Was her name Layla?’

Finally, the situation made sense. She was the woman who had abandoned Samael and joined Urgon.

The reason the three of them looked tense was definitely because of her.

Seeing Layla smiling and responding to the crowd’s cheers, I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

“Now, let’s enjoy the banquet to the fullest.”

At the manager’s signal, the musicians began to play.

The doors of the banquet hall opened, and attendants entered carrying various dishes.

The atmosphere quickly ripened like a monkey’s backside. And the sight of it ripening was quite amusing.

The men of Urgon were slowly making their rounds in the banquet hall, and others were surrounding them in circles.

In my eyes, they looked like monkeys fawning over a trainer holding delicious bananas.

“Congratulations, Young Master Libre. I never imagined you would conquer a 2nd-level Demon Realm, a feat that even mages from the Magic Tower find daunting. And to achieve this at your age is unheard of. This is not only a joyous occasion for Urgon but also for the entire Quebek region, and even the entire eastern continent. Hahaha.”

“Indeed. Rumors say that Young Master Libre is a once-in-a-decade talent.”

“My name is Gaby, Young Master. I believe we met briefly when you were young. Do you remember? Hoho.”

“I am Pretel of the Leverin Clan. It is an honor to finally meet you in person after only hearing about your name.”

Libre responded with a polite smile.

Layla remained by his side, and the distance between them was quite close.

“I had no idea there was such a beautiful woman in the Red Phoenix Magic Division. I thought only cold and fearsome individuals resided there. This is a pleasant surprise. My eyes feel purified.”

“You two look quite well together. If you don’t mind, may I ask for your name?”

As expected, the perceptive monkeys were trying to curry favor with Layla as well.

“Thank you. I’m Layla.”

Normally, members of a clan’s magic squads would be offended by such remarks, but Layla responded with a slight blush, as if she and Libre were lovers.

This sight made the people around them even more excited.

‘What a commotion.’

I tore into a chunk of tough meat, observing the banquet with satisfaction.

Seeing these people, who were initially so formal, now fawning over others was truly befitting of a proper banquet.

The sight of them scrambling to get closer to the ropes of power was another delightful aspect of the banquet.

It seemed I was getting to experience all the true flavors of a banquet this time.

Finally, the Urgon group, who had been making their rounds, approached our table.

The Red Phoenix Division member at the front gave a haughty look, as if challenging them to speak up if they had anything to say.

While we engaged in a silent staring contest, the man let out a scoff and turned away, seemingly amused by my silence.

The Urgon group turned around together, then suddenly parted to the left and right with a swish.

Libre emerged from between them, smiling.

All eyes in the banquet hall turned to Libre.

“I almost missed you. It’s been a while, Taylor.”

A murmur swept through the banquet hall.

It was the first time Libre had initiated a conversation with someone.

I tore into a piece of meat, glancing back and forth between Libre and Taylor.

Taylor’s expression remained unchanged.

But watching closely from beside him, I noticed a subtle shift in his aura.

Tension.

It was slightly different from when he faced Moose.

“It has been a while, Libre.”

His low, steady voice drew criticism from various corners of the hall.

“Such disrespectful tone towards the Eldest Son.”

“Even if they’re from a backwater clan, haven’t they been taught any manners?”

“Their class is truly lacking.”

Surprisingly, Libre turned his head and glared at the crowd with icy eyes.

“I am deeply disappointed in all of you today.”

His unexpected rebuke silenced the monkeys.

“Even if this is our first meeting, you should at least know who you’re speaking to before making such remarks. Does anyone here know who Taylor is?”

Libre glared at the man who had been most vocal in mocking Taylor. Pretel, flustered, quickly replied,

“I thought he was being disrespectful to the Eldest Son…”

Libre’s blue eyes grew even colder, and the older man beside him spoke up.

“I apologize, Young Master Libre. My son is still immature and seems to have misunderstood your intentions.”

Surprisingly, in a situation no one could have anticipated, I quickly interjected.

“Clear water flows from a clean source. If a child grows up to be an idiot, it’s because their parents raised them that way. Who else is there to blame?”

Silence fell upon the hall.

Everyone, including the old man and Libre, looked at me with stunned expressions.

Pretel and the old man’s faces turned beet red.

However, caught off guard, no one could immediately think of a proper retort.

Libre stared at me for a moment, then turned his gaze away and swept the crowd with his icy glare.

“How can you speak so rudely? You are aware that I cleared both a 2nd-level and a 3rd-level Demon Realm, aren’t you? Young Master Taylor here made significant contributions in conquering the 3rd-level Demon Realm. I was merely expressing my gratitude, yet you all dare to criticize him over a mere tone of voice. I apologize on their behalf, Taylor.”

On the surface, it was a polite and formal apology.

It also seemed to reveal Libre’s values.

Applause and exclamations erupted from the crowd.

Clap clap clap—

“As expected of the Eldest Son, Libre.”

“He’s different. Truly different. Not only his skills but also his character! I’ve gained a great insight today.”

The crowd chanted Libre’s name.

With a smile returning to his face, Libre looked at Taylor.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Taylor. I’ve been wanting to thank you, and this seems like a perfect opportunity.”

“Yes, it’s good to see you.”

“… You say it’s good to see me?”

Libre furrowed his brow slightly, repeating Taylor’s words.

He seemed displeased with something.

Quickly composing himself, Libre looked behind him.

“Shouldn’t Layla greet them as well?”

Layla stepped forward gracefully and looked around.

“Greetings. Taylor, and Blair.”

“…”

Sensing Blair and Taylor’s expressions hardening, Libre smiled and said,

“Let’s bury the past. Layla will serve as a good bridge between us from now on.”

“…”

Then, Layla looked behind them and greeted,

“It’s nice to see you too, Arin.”

Arin’s veil started shaking violently.

* * *

I tore into the meat with my right hand while scratching my ear with my left.

Arin’s breathing, audible through the veil, tickled my ear. Layla looked at Arin and said,

“The veil suits you well, Arin. You should keep wearing it.”

Arin’s breathing grew heavier with each word Layla spoke.

Something must have happened between them. It didn’t seem to be simply because Layla had left Samael.

Anyway, it was an interesting situation.

Libre was interesting, and so was Layla.

Especially Layla. She was so shameless that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

The way she acted like a complete stranger while subtly sneering was remarkable.

After Layla returned to her spot, Libre stared intently at Arin for a moment.

Being so close, he must have been able to see Arin’s features through the veil to some extent.

“You’re Arin, right?”

“So what?”

Hearing Arin’s voice, Libre smiled.

“The veil must be uncomfortable. You can take it off.”

“I don’t want to.”

Her cold response made the atmosphere awkward, but Libre just smiled brightly as if it didn’t bother him.

However, I didn’t miss the subtle change in his expression.

‘Look at this guy.’

Turning his attention away, Libre offered his hand to Taylor for a handshake.

“It was nice to see you. This isn’t the Demon Realm, so please relax a bit. A tense atmosphere isn’t good for fostering unity.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not in the mood to relax. I’d be happy if we could just leave comfortably.”

While Libre and Taylor exchanged sharp words and stared at each other, I grabbed Libre’s hand with my greasy meat-covered hand.

“Pleasure to meet you.”

Libre slowly turned to me and frowned slightly.

“You were the one who said something about clear water…”

“That’s right, I’m the clear water and the Eldest Son of Samael. Handshakes should be between eldest sons.”

Sticky meat sauce seeped from our clasped hands.

Everyone around us looked bewildered by the unexpected situation. I continued to shake his hand vigorously, unfazed.

“…The Eldest Son of Samael?”

“Since we’re in the same position, there’s no need to be so formal. Let’s be friends.”

As I met Libre’s eyes, I observed his face closely.

A glint in his cold pupils. My guess was right.

He hid his true intentions so well that no one else here could notice, but he couldn’t fool my eyes, born and bred in the pleasure district.

‘He has quite the perverted tendencies.’

In my view, this man was definitely lustful.

I was certain.

“I don’t know who you are, but I think we’ve shaken hands enough.”

“I made a mistake, thinking you were more informal. It’s a compliment, of course.”

The monkeys around us were looking at me with disapproval, but they didn’t dare to mock me openly.

They were afraid of being scolded by Libre, like before, if they badmouthed me.

I looked at Libre and spoke politely.

“I was deeply impressed by your words, Young Master. As you said, conquering a Demon Realm isn’t something achieved by one person’s talent alone. Even though Taylor made significant contributions, it wasn’t accomplished by any one individual. It was possible because everyone worked together.”

Understanding my meaning, Libre’s eyes gradually turned cold.

The Red Phoenix Magic Division and Layla also realized I was subtly undermining Libre and started glaring at me.

Undeterred, I laughed heartily, taking control of the atmosphere.

“Hahahaha!”

After laughing for a while, I suddenly stopped, sensing a change in the mood. Everyone was looking towards the upper platform of the banquet hall.

‘Hmm?’

The musicians’ performance grew louder and reached a crescendo.

At the perfect moment, the External Affairs Manager raised his hand.

“Clan Head Balkan is entering!”

With a swish—, men who were clearly part of a special task force opened a path.

A middle-aged man with a well-built physique and imposing presence slowly walked through.

I stopped laughing and looked at the man.

There were times when seriousness was necessary, and this was one of them.

Balkan, the Clan Head of Urgon.

Standing in the center of the platform, Balkan surveyed his surroundings with an overwhelming gaze.

“It’s heartwarming to see so many of you gathered here.”

Balkan deliberately used a condescending tone, but no one found it strange.

“Thank you all for accepting the invitation. As you know, we have had a joyous occasion in Urgon recently.”

As the crowd applauded enthusiastically, Balkan waved his hand.

“I didn’t arrange this gathering simply to receive congratulations. Let’s get straight to the point. I hope this banquet will serve as an opportunity to strengthen the unity of the eastern continent, especially our Quebek region. However, unity in words alone is not strong. True unity comes from continuous exchange. With that in mind, I would like to make a proposal.”

Balkan looked around the crowd and continued slowly.

“How about we create an arena for friendly competition among the younger generation who will lead the eastern continent in the future?”

I looked around to gauge the situation and suddenly made eye contact with Taylor. For some reason, we both nodded at the same time.

‘He has an ulterior motive.’

My bad feeling was never wrong.

This wasn’t just a banquet.

Then, a fundamental question naturally arose in my mind. The starting point of all these schemes.

Why did Urgon attack Samael?

Kant didn’t know, Kazen didn’t know, and the Azure Dragon squad leader didn’t know either. But at least one person…

The Clan Head of Urgon must know.

I looked at Balkan, exuding an aura of intimidation from the platform, and smiled.

‘Crushing schemes is also one of my hobbies.’

———-