Portals were relics from the past.
Even though magic and engineering developed at an astonishing speed, no one could find how they worked except that they used magic.
Since they were immovable objects, Trionians built their cities near the portals instead of the other way around.
Of course, there weren't enough portals to make it possible to have one in each city.
Also, a few of the portals broke down when the engineers tried to reverse-engineer it.
So, the governnt brought rules to prohibit any research on the existing portals and took strict asures.
---
"Say, was there anything related to blacksmithing in your instructions?" Arlon asked casually.
"What instructions?" Situ replied, pausing his work.
"The ones the governnt sent before the saviors arrived."
"Oh, that. No, of course not. Everyone received the sa instructions—except for Uncle Charon. Why? Did you receive sothing special? Makes sense since you weren't here before," Situ said, his curiosity piqued.
"No, no! I was just wondering if blacksmiths had specific warnings, you know, since they sell weapons that could be dangerous," Arlon said, brushing it off.
"Ah, I see. Nope, I got the sa as everyone else."
Arlon considered asking Charon about the instructions. Charon was wise, and he had already figured out that Arlon wasn't a Trionian.
But Arlon hesitated—it would be awkward after their tense interaction on launch day. Charon could always be a last resort.
"But are you sure?" Arlon pressed. "Since I'm from another town, our instructions might differ."
"Oh, that's right! I never asked—where are you from?"
He's really hard to talk to sotis, Arlon thought, suppressing a sigh.
"I'm from a faraway village... now in the hands of the Keldars," Arlon said, reciting a line a Trionian had once told him in his past tiline. He mimicked her sorrowful tone, adding a touch of emotion to sell the story.
Situ's face fell. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I shouldn't have asked. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Arlon dropped the sad expression instantly, returning to his usual stoic deanor.
"Can you tell the instructions you received so I can compare them with mine?"
"Sure! Do you want to write them down?"
The emotional play seed to have worked.
"No need. Don't you already have them written sowhere?"
"Of course not! The instructions specifically told us to morize and burn them. Orders from the higher-ups. My mother helped morize them and burned the letter herself!"
"Ah, great job! I was just testing you," Arlon said, hiding his relief. Situ's naivety had saved him from being caught again.
Well, that was why Arlon chose him and not soone else. Even the children were dangerously intelligent in this world.
But they weren't close to how dangerous the players were.
One of the reasons Arlon was learning the instructions was because players got accustod to the ga.
Arlon had his reasons for investigating the instructions.
Players were becoming bolder, testing the boundaries of what they could and couldn't do with Trionians.
It was only a matter of ti before so began pushing too far.
On Earth, corporations would soon take an interest in the ga, seeking an edge in Trion. This would lead to chaos.
So parties would go on quests with the NPCs, using them as bait to complete the quest or to escape danger.
It would go both ways, actually.
NPCs, in turn, would bribe players to perform tasks they couldn't do themselves—like assassinating soone over a petty feud under the pretense of "quests".
And the worst thing that would happen was that Keldars would invite players to their side.
The Keldars lacked enough Zeno capsules to win the war outright after the players joined.
To compensate, they would seek to recruit saviors, tempting them with promises of forbidden skills, unique abilities, or power.
And the players would bite.
Few other gas offered the chance to join the "evil" side, and even when they did, it was often limited. But in this world, the Keldars could truly win.
Even players who weren't inherently malicious would be tempted to accept the offer—if only for the thrill of doing sothing different. For others, it would simply be the fastest path to becoming stronger.
Arlon couldn't entirely bla them. Most still believed this was just a ga.
But it's not, he thought grimly. And if they're not careful, they'll tip the balance in ways they can't undo.
---
After hearing the instructions, Arlon and Situ made their way to the Moonlight Potion Store for the eting.
The streets were bustling despite the late hour. Everyone in Istarra seed to be heading to the sa place, creating an unusual level of activity in the middle of the night.
As they walked, Arlon recorded the instructions into the system. The system was a versatile tool powered by an advanced AI, capable of performing a variety of functions.
The instructions weren't drastically different from what he had expected. While they contained a few details he hadn't known, none were particularly significant.
Still, they clarified his boundaries, and now he could use that knowledge to his advantage.
---
Once inside the potion store, Arlon and Situ passed through the hidden gap behind the mirror, arriving at the eting room.
The space was expansive, large enough to accommodate every Trionian in Istarra. As Arlon looked around, he noticed so familiar faces he hadn't seen in quite so ti.
However, Shirl wasn't there. As an administrator, she could participate as Kaelion did. But, she wasn't here as an administrator and she would leave soon.
After greeting Yuma, they joined her near the back of the room. She was seated just in front of where the children sat.
Arlon couldn't help but reflect on how deeply strength influenced Trionian society.
Those with power could sit wherever they pleased, while the weaker ones were relegated to less desirable spots.
Even if no one forced her to do so, she knew her place.
He and Situ chatted with Yuma until Charon began the eting.
The discussion started smoothly, with the group reviewing whether the governnt's instructions were being followed and addressing any issues that had arisen.
But then Charon introduced an unexpected topic:
"I've heard that a new anti-savior faction has ford in Dita," Charon announced, his tone heavy. "I don't think it will grow too large before the governnt intervenes, but just in case, do not join them."
For a mont, everyone in the room felt a wave of pressure as Charon emphasized his words.
"I don't know their exact motives," he continued, "but it's possible they're working with the Keldars. Saviors are here to save us. Don't make the mistake of doing sothing unnecessary."
As the oppressive aura lifted, the room broke into murmurs. This revelation was news to everyone—even Arlon.
He understood the root of the faction's sentint. Not every Trionian welcod the players, especially those who had lost loved ones due to player actions.
Many were even afraid of the saviors. What would happen after the Keldars were defeated? Would the players simply leave or take their place as the new enemy of Trion?
Charon's voice cut through the whispers. "The last item on the agenda is the tournant. Lord Kaelion, here on behalf of the governnt, will be auditing the event. If you have any questions about the tournant, direct them to him."
Kaelion stood and offered a curt nod. His presence added weight to the proceedings, emphasizing the tournant's importance.
The event was expected to bring significant economic benefits to Istarra. So, people were ready to do anything.
Of course, their instructions included getting ready for these kinds of events, so they had to do this even if they didn't want to.
But, who wouldn't want to earn more money? They wouldn't be doing odd jobs, but their own jobs with extra pay.
"There will be many administrators and saviors in town during the tournant," Charon warned. "Be cautious. We'll et again in five days. Everyone except the soldiers is dismissed."
Arlon glanced at Charon, wondering if he'd be invited to stay this ti, but the alchemist didn't even look his way.
With that, the eting concluded.
---
Outside the Moonlight Potion Store, clusters of people lingered, discussing the tournant and the anti-savior faction.
Arlon stood on the sidelines, observing the scene.
The diverse crowd of Fairies, Fhrems, Dwarves, and various Beastn mingling together didn't unsettle him— such sights were common in Trion.
What struck him was how the scene resembled his college days. Groups gathered outside, chatting among themselves, much like students lingering after class.
It had been over a decade since those days. Back then, he had friends to talk to, and people to share monts with.
As he watched, lost in thought, Situ and Yuma approached him.
"What do you think about that anti-savior faction, Arlon?" Yuma asked. Being close in age, she didn't bother with formalities like "Sir Arlon."
Arlon looked at her and Situ, a faint hope stirring within him.
Maybe... I could have friends again.
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