In a way, Layos helped Edinburgh.
Layos' infiltration only amplified Edinburgh's intended effect on its masses. The involvement of a foreign force in the kingdom's affairs served as a metaphorical glue that made the populace stick together. The threat of a foreign force mitigated the differences and allowed them to see themselves as part of one unified kingdom.
The Sages and Grandmasters disappeared from the scene. Altair Argas talked briefly with Eren before leaving. He invited Eren to his estate in the capital city. Eren agreed to the invitation. He decided to visit House Argas in a few days to catch up with Altashia.
Eren was seen talking with Altair onscreen just before he disappeared into a flame cloud. The butcher used Blink to get away from the projection field when he found out it was focused on him.
By this point, Eren had already gained considerable fame in Edinburgh. But the viewers couldn't help but see him in a completely different light when they found out he was close to Crimson Ghost.
Agatha and the rest were happy to see Eren on-screen even if it was for a short time. They already knew about his well-being because Nina kept them informed. Still, they liked seeing living proof onscreen.
Eren would get goosebumps on his skin every time the projection array scanned him and showed his image on the spectral screens available all over the kingdom. The goosebumps weren't the projection array's fault. It was just Eren's soul sense letting him know he was being watched.
The butcher didn't like being seen on screen. He avoided such scanning whenever he could by wandering around the now-ruined Edinica Arena, disguised as meeting with his friends.
White Raven's founder did not receive much footage. So the city administration had to play his recorded fights and trivial on-screen appearances repeatedly.
Eren wasn't averse to fame if it helped him.
But he knew he had already climbed the social ladder to sufficient levels. He had enough economic and resource wealth for his rank. Any more fame would not help him in any way. At least not in the way he wants it to.
The city of White Raven had plans to celebrate Eren's graduation in its own way. And it would make more profits doing it even if it was wartime.
Argo would organize another concert in Eren's name in White Raven. He created a dedicated fanbase among his first concert's audience. His fame was about to soar with his second concert.
***
"There you are."
Eren smiled and hugged Nina when he found her. He hugged Levine and Jiana too. His hug with Jiana could be seen as an awkward encounter for Jiana. Despite this, the butcher's unfettered body language made it natural for both of them.
"You finally did it, Eren. I'm proud of you."
Nina ruffled Eren's hair and congratulated Eren on his graduation even though it hadn't been made official. The latter chuckled before responding.
"Your potion-making lessons helped. I think they are the foundation behind a semblance of success I have achieved so far."
Nina felt touched by Eren's words. The latter then looked at Levine before adding further.
Master Levine's teachings paved the way further. I wouldn't have established the city of White Raven without you."
Before meeting with Eren, Levine wasn't happy with the war outcome because Demonmir survived. But Eren's words made her smile with all her heart.
Eren then looked at Jianna who seemed guilty of something. He knew what she was thinking about. He chuckled and continued.
"Keke. Don't beat yourself up, Master Jiana. The Grim Pillars you saw have nothing to do with you personally. Not anymore."
Jianna was startled by how Eren read her like a book. At the time of dissolving her guild, she underestimated the potential three-way conflict between the White Raven guild, Midnight Moon, and the royal scions of Layos.
Goldy Wings remembered Eren's words at that time. Only now did she understand that everything he had predicted about the conflict was true.
Eren narrowed his eyes at Jiana and spoke in a casual tone laced with his brand of evil.
"I am not clashing with the Midnight Moon for you. I am doing it for myself. After all, you are now my property. Everything you have belongs to me."
Jianna was lost for words when she met Eren's eyes. She again felt that he was an apex predator who was willing to go to any lengths to get what he wanted. But this time, instead of getting intimidated by his presence, she gravitated toward it. And this was a conscious decision.
Eren and his talks with the three Master-ranked ladies were interrupted after a few minutes. The next to receive Eren's greetings and hugs were his White Raven crew teammates.
Just as Eren said, Steve was approached by some mysterious rankers right after Garos left. They offered him the opportunity to join the kingdom's special forces. Thanks to his talks with Eren, Steve knew what to do. So he accepted their offer right away, preventing the rankers from seeing Steve as a problem because of his demonic ranking technique.
Therefore, Steve became an exception. The rest of the White Raven crew was about to join Eren's guild. They decided to move into White Raven to secure their entrance.
Ramy Richards was the most excited of them all. He demanded a separate unit to lead inside the guild. Eren pondered a bit before agreeing to his demands.
Eren already knew Ramy's individuality would make him a powerful ranker the more he advanced on his ranking journey. This was the right time for Eren to nurture his talent and bloom.
Of course, Becky's death weighed on everyone's consciousness as they discussed things with each other– laughed at each other– and made plans for the future. So they collectively decided not to talk about the topic. This wasn't the right time or place.
The butcher also met with Roody, Roody Jr, the quake element ranker, and a few other prominent rankers of his batch from LA. All of them were about to graduate together. They knew they could use each other's connections to their advantage.
The participants finally disappeared from the Edinnica Arena one after the other. Their disappearance from the arena indicated they had moved on.
A defining chapter in the participants' lives ended with the graduation event. And it made the curtain rise on the of their lives.
