No Name Headquarters.
In the pavilion's reception room, upon hearing Aslan's story, Kurousagi's face lit up with excitement.
"So, No Name has now formed an alliance with Perseus, and we're the ones leading it?"
"You could say that. However, even though the agreement has been signed, the new alliance flag is still an issue." Leticia replied with a resigned sigh.
Still, she couldn't help but glance at him. She was extremely curious about what Aslan had done to make Perseus agree to sign an agreement with such terms.
In fact, she had prepared for tough negotiations with Perseus. But for some reason, the initial agreement they drafted wasn't even enough. Perseus had willingly "cut its own flesh" and offered it up.
Moreover, with such a big commotion, why hadn't Athena responded? Perseus was a community under Athena's command.
Even Leticia, who had lived for years, had never seen such bizarre behavior, where someone willingly sacrificed themselves to feed others.
"No way, we're not really going to use a white flag as our banner, are we?"
"That's true."
Kurousagi snapped out of her excitement. She eagerly tugged at Aslan's arm.
"Aslan, we're counting on you! Hurry up and think of a flag!"
"Don't shake me. The flag's already settled. We can just use the one from my community." Aslan reminded Kurousagi.
Kurousagi was so excited that she had forgotten this. However, Aslan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Could this be considered taking over a magpie's nest in some ways? Living in Arcadia, using Arcadia's connections, leading Arcadia's talents, and paving the way for his own growth.
"That's true."
Kurousagi had also calmed down, but the smile on her face didn't fade, as No Name had taken its first step toward revival.
"However, Master, is there really no issue with Goddess Athena after this agreement was signed?"
Leticia was still a bit worried. This was the hardest part of not having a strong backing in Little Garden.
After all, even if their side had an absolute advantage and the other side was in the wrong, they still had to consider who stood behind their opponent.
Arcadia in its prime wouldn't have been afraid, but No Name, which didn't even have a name, wouldn't stand a chance if Athena caused trouble.
"Relax, there won't be any problems."
After all, Athena had even given him the Perseus Flag. That wasn't far from Athena handing over the entire community to him.
For a community, a flag was something that combined various certificates, proof of qualifications, official seals, documents, assets, and credit.
It was proof of influence. As long as he controlled the flag, he essentially controlled all the community's assets, properties, and influence, except for its members.
In other words, for Aslan, this agreement was little more than transferring goods from his left hand to his right.
It didn't matter to Aslan where he was.
Well… there was a difference. At least on the Perseus side, aside from Aishelia, who had already defected, there were no beautiful girls, just a bunch of muscular men.
So, Aslan was more willing to help No Name grow.
"Speaking of Aishelia, how is she? Have you investigated thoroughly?" Leticia hesitated for a moment before asking.
Though she was reluctant to admit it, when Arcadia still existed, she had been Aishelia's mentor for a time.
She had an emotional bond with Aishelia. This was also why Aishelia had wanted to buy Leticia, even without Aslan's involvement.
A few days before Aslan left, Aishelia had approached Leticia to form an alliance.
But who would've thought things would turn out like this, with Aishelia falling to the status of a Demon Lord?
"I've investigated it thoroughly." Aslan said with a nod.
After asking Laius, Aslan finally understood what had happened. Of course, it wasn't unrelated to Athena's approval and orders. Otherwise, why would Aishelia, with her power and authority, be betrayed by Perseus?
Those old men who could only shout didn't have the qualifications to influence Aishelia. Just cutting off their "food" for a few days would make them obedient.
This was simply Athena and Aishelia seizing the opportunity for Aishelia to legitimately fall to Demon Lord status.
However, when Aslan arrived at Perseus, those people had already been dealt with by Athena. Though they were merely "used." they deserved their fate.
After Aslan briefly explained Aishelia's situation to Leticia.
"It feels like a curse…" Leticia said with a complicated expression.
In the past, The Knights of Little Garden, centered around vampires, had collapsed due to internal rebellion.
And now, the student she had taught was facing internal strife as well.
It was as if the knights were cursed to always be defeated by internal enemies.
Though she had cleared her name, she couldn't return to the past.
At that moment, Aslan tapped the table with his index finger and spoke calmly.
"Leticia?"
"Yes!"
Leticia was startled for two seconds before quickly responding.
"Leticia, don't overthink it. This matter isn't as simple as you imagine."
Aslan glanced at Leticia, not blaming her, just speaking directly.
After all, this was Athena's plan. Aslan couldn't reveal anything, even if he knew Leticia and the others wouldn't leak others' secrets.
But walls have ears. Revealing it meant there was a risk of a leak. Some things were better understood implicitly.
Leticia, of course, wasn't a fool. She understood Aslan's meaning. She felt much lighter and regained her enthusiasm from her earlier despair.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The next day, still in the reception room.
Shiroyasha looked at Aslan, examining him from left to right, as if he were some rare, strange animal.
"Hey, boss, what are you looking at? A monkey?"
When he mentioned "monkey." Karyou shot Aslan an annoyed glare.
(Don't insult monkeys. My big sister, Sun Wukong, is a monkey!)
(Don't try to compare yourself to a monkey.)
"Tch, tch, tch, tell your boss here, since when did you get so close to that Aishelia?"
Shiroyasha hugged Aslan's neck with a sly smile, asking curiously.
She wasn't curious about Aslan's love life. She was curious because Aslan had only met Aishelia less than twice.
So how did Aslan manage to win Aishelia over?
"…"
Aslan looked at Shiroyasha expressionlessly, not speaking.
(Your relationship with Aishelia—don't you know it best, Shiroyasha?)
(When I met Aishelia, you were there!)
"Ahem."
Shiroyasha felt a bit helpless under Aslan's stare. She cleared her throat twice.
She pulled out a newspaper from her sleeve and spread it on the table.
"Heartwarming: He stormed Perseus without fear of becoming Athena's enemy, all for her?"
"Shocking: A conspiracy within Perseus revealed!"
"Come back, Aishelia! There's no turning back."
"?????"
Aslan stared at the astonishing newspaper with a confused expression, then looked at Shiroyasha.
"Boss, what's this?"
"Your gossip newspaper."
Shiroyasha held back her laughter as she looked at him. If she weren't professionally trained, she'd have barely contained herself.
"Hahaha."
Alright, she couldn't hold it in anymore. Or rather, Shiroyasha had been holding it in for so long just to come here and see Aslan's bewildered face.
"So, what exactly did you do in Perseus yesterday to end up with a newspaper like this?"
"…I just met with Athena."
Aslan paused for a moment. What was this? He hadn't expected his reputation to still be unsalvageable.
"And then you cleared Aishelia's name?"
Karyou couldn't help but ask. Aslan was her fiancé.
But now, her own fiancé was caught in a scandal with someone else.
How did that make her feel?
However, she also knew about Laius coming to ask for help.
But why had things turned out like this? Karyou was utterly confused. Was Aslan really that popular?
"No, this was just Athena deliberately luring me there. I don't even understand what Athena was thinking."
Aslan scratched his head in frustration. He didn't get it at all. Hadn't his negotiations with Athena gone well?
So why had things turned out like this?
"Oh, I see. Athena was helping you build momentum." Shiroyasha said with a shrug.
After all, for a community to grow, influence was a crucial factor, whether it was the community's influence or its leader's.
Though many knew about Aslan now, they were the great gods and buddhas in the Outer Layer. Aslan's fame in the Lower Layer wasn't even as high as Laius's.
And the fastest way to boost fame was through gossip. As long as it was shocking and sensational enough, Aslan could become famous overnight.
Along with that, it paved the way for Aishelia's return and built Aslan's image as a loyal person.
Overnight, Aslan went from an unknown to a household name.
"I'd rather not have this kind of momentum…"
Why didn't Athena tell him? Aslan's face looked like he was constipated.
Especially now, even Karyou couldn't hold back.
"But it might not be Athena's doing. After all, this newspaper is called [Little Garden Spring Water Newspaper]. I remember it's published by a community under the Halloween Queen."
Shiroyasha patted Aslan's shoulder sympathetically. It would've been better if she could've held back the grin she couldn't contain.
"Damn it!"
Aslan looked at the sky helplessly.