Well, that was how differential treatment worked.
The girls with whom she was close were all given high-quality gifts, the men with average relationships were given ordinary gifts (those kinds of weapons were just common items in the Dimensional City), and Loki, who disliked them, was given perfunctory gifts.
Although Loki was very satisfied with her gift, everyone else was also very happy to receive their own gifts.
In addition, Riveria also prepared some gift bags consisting of cookies, candies, and other snacks made from fortified ingredients.
These were for everyone present; each member of the Familia would have a share, which could be regarded as an equal distribution of rain and dew.
After the gifts were distributed, the hall was suddenly filled with a joyful atmosphere at dusk.
Seeing this, Finn announced on the spot that he would cancel all of today's activities and hold a banquet to welcome Riveria.
"Kids! Let's move!"
"Oh~!!!" xN
Everyone dispersed in response. Those who arranged the venue went to decorate, and those who prepared the ingredients went out to buy groceries. The kitchen immediately fired up and started making delicious food using the available ingredients.
For a time, the Twilight Manor became very lively.
As for Riveria, who was the protagonist of the banquet, she was pulled aside by a group of girls to chat in private.
It was also at this time that Takumi, who had been left alone, finally received some attention.
Finn walked over to Takumi and said with a smile, "Your Excellency Takumi, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
Takumi also responded with a smile, "It's been a long time, Captain Finn. I've been fine lately, just very busy. Thank you for your concern. How about you?"
"We're okay, too. Thanks to your communication tools, we organized another expedition in the past two months and achieved good results."
"Congratulations, then."
"The feeling is mutual. But don't just talk about us; what have you been busy with during this time? I went to your station and couldn't find anyone."
"You couldn't find us because we weren't in Orario at all."
"Not in Orario? But I haven't heard of you leaving the city."
Takumi smiled and said ambiguously, "I have teleportation magic..."
"So that explains it." Finn nodded and did not delve into this point.
After all, these things were the secrets of each Familia. Although the relationship between the Loki Familia and the Hestia Familia was very good, it was obviously not close enough to share all secrets.
Just like the previous transactions, the Loki Familia also did not ask where Takumi's good items came from.
This was a tacit understanding.
However, the fact that confidential matters could not be probed did not mean that Finn wouldn't continue to inquire about news from Takumi.
"So, did you come here today because you are finally done with things outside? What are you going to do next? I heard that your other members have gone out. What is going on?"
"Kanae and the others just went out for experience and exploration, just a casual move."
"Idle chess?"
Finn was slightly startled when he heard this, and then his expression became serious.
"From what you say, it seems like you are playing a game of chess with someone."
Takumi nodded, and then added with a smile, "But it's more like a game of hide-and-seek than chess."
"Hide-and-seek?"
Finn frowned and thought for a moment, then realized something, and looked at Takumi with some surprise, "You mean, Evilus..."
But mid-sentence, Finn swallowed his words and looked around cautiously. He was relieved when he saw that none of the young members of the Familia had heard him.
Finn naturally knew about the Dark Faction, because he had experienced it the last time they caused trouble.
There were also the strange floors they encountered in the Dungeon before, which were caused by the Dark Faction.
Therefore, after returning from that expedition, the top leaders of the Loki Familia began to investigate the Dark Faction.
Since it was a secret investigation, the young members of the Familia didn't know about it, and the senior officials were also deliberately concealing the matter.
It wasn't that they couldn't trust these young members of their Familia; it was mainly because they didn't want the matter to leak and cause turmoil in Orario.
After all, the last time the Dark Faction caused trouble, it directly led to one of Orario's darkest and most chaotic periods. A large number of Familia members were wiped out, leaving behind a terrible legacy.
Many veteran adventurers who had experienced that period still had psychological trauma from it.
If news spread that the Dark Faction was making a comeback, all of Orario would fall into turmoil before the Dark Faction even took action.
After heaving a sigh of relief, Finn asked Takumi with a puzzled look, "Why are you investigating this?"
Finn didn't understand. As a new Familia, the Hestia Familia had obviously never experienced that period. How did they know about the Dark Faction and why had they started to act quietly?
Takumi waved his hand, "Don't worry about this, I have my reasons. Besides, does one need a reason to eliminate harm for the people?"
"That's true, it's not necessary."
When Finn saw this, he did not continue to inquire further on this issue, and instead said, "So, how is it going now? Thinking about it, there probably hasn't been much progress."
Finn did not use a question, but rather an affirmative tone.
He did not think that Takumi would talk to him so much if there were no results.
Takumi nodded. "Indeed, there have been results. Just this morning, my intelligence officers reported that their lair had been captured."
The reason why he came here today was precisely because Najenda had reported the latest espionage results.
After many days of hard work, they finally found an important member of the Dark Faction, and by following the clues, they discovered the secret—the Faction's lair.
"Really?!"
Finn was shocked when he heard this and stood up suddenly.
"What's wrong?"
"What's the situation?"
"Captain?"
The people nearby were startled by Finn's movement and looked over.
"It's okay, just keep busy."
After reacting, Finn quickly suppressed his excitement, pretended to wave to everyone as if nothing had happened, and then said to Takumi, "Come on, let's go inside and talk."
"Mm."
The two stood up and left, walking towards the conference room inside.
Many core members noticed this scene and quickly followed after telling other members to do their own thing.
By the way, they also dragged Loki along. They went there together.
Although they didn't know what happened, it was right to bring the Goddess Loki to an important conversation.
However, Riveria did not follow them. She already knew the inside story. She just glanced over and continued to pull Ais, chatting with the girls Lefiya and Tiona, as if it had nothing to do with her.
Seeing that Riveria was acting this way, the girls did not follow and continued chatting.
When the others saw this, even though they were a little curious, they didn't pay much attention to it and continued busying themselves with preparations for the banquet.