The resplendent banquet hall.
At the celebration banquet marking the successful conclusion of the Orre First Conference, Baimu accepted enthusiastic congratulations from every direction.
"Champion! What a talented young man!"
"More than that! I'd say even that young master from Devon Corporation is no match for him!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
"I heard the Champion is quite close with that young master? No wonder they say heroes recognize heroes!"
All kinds of awkward flattery were tossed his way as though they cost nothing.
Baimu responded with a smile.
The gentlemen and ladies before him, dressed in suits and gowns, came from Orre's upper class. Most hailed from old aristocratic families, while a minority belonged to wealthy clans that had risen in recent times.
Families like James's birth family.
Without exception, they had all secretly funded the Rescue Organization, allowing it to operate beneath Shadow Team's nose.
After the region's liberation, they had also actively participated in rebuilding the towns.
They had helped promote social stability and development.
In light of that,
Shan Ren had hoped Baimu would be a little more tolerant toward these people, making him think he would be targeted at the celebration banquet.
After all, a week ago, more than half of Silicon Beryllium City had openly supported Zhengyi.
Yet they had all turned out to be praise addicts.
The endless stream of excessive compliments made his scalp tingle, and he repeatedly said, "You're all flattering me too much."
"How could that be? The Champion is so young; his future is limitless!"
"A Trainer capable of catching Legendary Pokémon—the Champion is truly one of a kind!"
"We heard that the Champion spared no effort in developing the land around Platinum Silver Mountain, so we jointly submitted a petition in hopes of doing our part for the Champion..."
Baimu had