They all call me Great Master

Inner Bay, Storm Inn.

Kalal, upon hearing the voice from the Messenger Stone, paused briefly before immediately asking—

"Lionheart Ceremony?

My lord?

Which lord is it?"

His tone was urgent, it was clear that Kalal sought a definitive answer.

However, Lady Windsor's voice coming from the Messenger Stone carried a distinct haughty air.

"Tell me, which other lord could it be?

Who else could I refer to as my lord besides Arthur Kredos?"

At this, Lady Windsor huffed softly.

"Next time we meet, I will tell you the details in full!"

The phrase "tell you the details" allowed Kalal, even without seeing Lady Windsor, to instantly envision her gritting her teeth.

In the suite, Jimte winked at Hayes, who was lying on Manta's lap.

Hayes immediately burst into laughter.

"I thought Kalal didn't like women."

Though he spoke softly, Manta beside him heard him clearly.

The lady promptly gave her partner a gentle smack on the forehead.

Hayes immediately held his forehead, his eyes tearfully looking at Manta.

Manta smiled softly, her eyes intently fixed on Hayes.

Holding up his body, Hayes promptly kissed her.

This scene made Jimte roll his eyes.

It was disdain for Hayes's mushiness and for Hayes's feigned ignorance.

Or perhaps…

This was his instinctual way to mask his true emotions.

Having heard that Windsor also pledged allegiance to the lord by the Lionheart Ceremony, Jimte was sure Hayes's emotions were stirred inside.

Unique at times, some moments are commendable.

But at other times, it could make one incredibly restless.

Just like a husky among wolves, though it might look the same on the outside, what about inside?

Probably extremely anxious.

Especially someone as proud as Hayes, how could he lack thoughts?

Of course, this hiding was instinctive.

It was for self-protection.

And for gaining more.

There was nothing wrong with that.

He used to be like that as well.

But now things were different.

Now, they were all subordinates of the lord.

If such a person appeared again…

It would be better to kill him.

Jimte thought to himself, yet his face revealed nothing, and even when he had finished rolling his eyes, he could still manage to give Hayes the finger.

Still, Hayes noticed a hint of something amiss.

It wasn't that Jimte's disguise was not good enough.

On the contrary, Jimte's disguise was too perfect.

It was so perfect it didn't align with Jimte's character—bound by 'Lionheart Ceremony,' Jimte's protection of Arthur was heartfelt.

At such a moment, it would be impossible to remain silent.

Choosing such silence definitely indicated a murderous intent.

Immediately, Hayes sat up.

Count Bert's nephew looked seriously at Jimte.

Jimte realized this when Hayes sat up.

He had overacted.

But no matter.

It might be better to clarify some matters.

The son-in-law of Lady Marquess of Seberlin took a few steps back laughing, revealing Kalal, who was still talking to Lady Windsor—the heir of Ainhars Territory's hands were already on the hilts of the Twin Swords.

At that moment, Kalal's respect for Arthur reached a new level.

Because—

Lady Windsor had informed him of everything that happened in the Ainhars Territory.

Including his being the first in line to inherit the Ainhars Territory.

This revelation had a profound impact on Kalal.

It was a status he once longed for, even risking danger to achieve, yet never obtained.

Even after swearing allegiance to Arthur, he had not completely forgotten it.

He merely delayed his goals, changing their order.

He believed, by following Arthur and accomplishing the goals fitting for his lord, the title of heir of Ainhars Territory would ultimately still be his.

And reality told him that his intuition was not wrong.

Moreover, it came faster than he had imagined.

A moment of emotion made the young man bow his head slightly.

He was concealing the true expression on his face.

Even though no one around could see it, his concealment had long become instinctive.

Just like his observation of the surroundings.

The brief scene between Jimte and Hayes certainly did not escape Kalal's eyes.

And Kalal?

He naturally stood with Jimte.

Both of them had sworn loyalty to Arthur with the "Lionheart Ceremony," naturally sharing the same camp.

Clack!

The twin swords slightly unsheathed.

The crisp sound of the swords being drawn was followed instantly by Hayes raising his hands high to surrender.

If the distance were increased, he had a thirty percent chance of winning against Kalal.

But in this kind of suite?

He would undoubtedly die.

Hayes was very fond of his own life.

Moreover, he had no intention of rebelling.

If he were to die over such a misunderstanding, he feared he could come back from "The Eternal Resting Land."

"Excuse me, Lady Windsor, may I interrupt your reunion with Kalal?

I want to speak a few words with His Lordship."

Hayes coughed lightly, speaking apologetically.

"Of course!"

Lady Windsor replied with a smile.

And deep down, she was guessing about the situation that had just unfolded.

The sound of the sword being drawn, Lady Windsor had heard it.

And the target of the drawn sword was now Hayes - the relationship among the three was not ordinary; otherwise, they would not have come together to listen to the Messenger Stone, and had addressed Arthur as "His Lordship" beforehand, but there were clear differences, Kalal and Jimte were notably closer.

This meant...

"Hayes joined later and didn't have the 'Lionheart Ceremony.' So, hearing me pledge loyalty to His Lordship and His Lordship accepting my 'Lionheart Ceremony' must have changed his expression, which that guy Jimte spotted, leading to this scene."

In an instant, Lady Windsor was sure of what had just happened.

As if she had seen it with her own eyes.

And this lady was also certain.

Jimte's initial intent to kill was real, but by now, it must have been half genuine, half feigned.

After all, she knew Jimte.

He looked warm and friendly, always smiling, yet he was extremely prideful inside.

If he really wanted to kill Hayes, he would have acted personally, without waiting for Kalal to join the fray.

Thus, this was to...

"Force Hayes to offer loyalty?

No!

Hayes had already addressed the lord as His Lordship; such coercion wasn't necessary, and might even backfire, something Jimte's astuteness wouldn't allow.

Then it was for...

The Bert Territory!"

With a flash of thought, Lady Windsor arrived at the answer.

And Arthur, who had been observing from the side, guessed this answer as well.

Immediately, the young Southern Lost Spirit Medium could not help but comment-

"Are they all refined from briquettes?

Each one of them, with hundreds of scheming thoughts!"

As he commented, Arthur's lips curled upwards.

He was pleased that his subordinates were so capable.

He liked clever people.

Just as he admired those who were simple.

And the foolish ones?

He did not detest them.

After all, those people would bring him benefits.

However, he absolutely did not allow the presence of fools among his subordinates.

That would be troublesome for him.

Fortunately, such a thing did not occur.

Thus, at this moment, Arthur looked forward with a hint of expectancy, hoping Hayes would give him an answer.

"I'm here, Hayes."

Arthur spoke calmly.

Immediately, the voice from the Messenger Stone returned-

"My Lord, please forgive my impudence for not visiting you immediately in person, which fills me with unease; therefore, before I actually meet you, I would like to prepare a gift for you...

The heads of people from Bert Territory and Gleisa Hamlet!"