They all call me Great Master

Jimte's words were abrupt.

But the information they contained was massive.

Everyone living in South County knew that nobles were not to be trusted, and apart from that, there was the chaos of their private lives.

After all, born into wealth and power, they often find themselves at what others couldn't reach even with three generations of hard work.

Consider the sense of hopelessness, especially for those without a real right to succession—in noble circles, if you're not within the top five in line, you're not considered to have a genuine succession right. Most are just putting on a show alongside the heir, and once the heir's succession is complete, they would be cast out, becoming characters like Wanderer Knights.

For some, their fate is even worse: they have to become Wanderer Knights upon reaching adulthood.

Of course, even so, these Wanderer Knights are still beyond the reach of common folk.

You see, not everyone can receive an initial fund of about 500 gold coins upon coming of age—during the start of the Silver Age, as victorious nobles plucked the fruits of triumph, they were not stingy with their offspring. However, as time moved on, especially after the Pioneer Era began, this universally accepted 'wanderer fund' started being significantly cut down, from the original 500 gradually to 450, 400, and once new sea routes were discovered and Noble Bloodline Awakening became increasingly difficult, this amount gradually dropped to around 200 gold coins.

This was unacceptable to many young nobles.

As a result, they became the epitome of 'hedonism'.

Before becoming 'Wanderer Knights', they frivolously squandered wealth that wasn't their own, with the thrill undoubtedly doubled.

The most extreme of them had squandered their family's entire fortunes before even becoming 'Wanderer Knights'.

Thus, in recent decades, many noble families began informing members who needed to become 'Wanderer Knights' in advance. When they started receiving the initial funds for becoming 'Wanderer Knights', any expense beyond a set amount would start to deduct from that initial fund.

The initial fund depleted?

It meant starting the wandering early.

However, this did not truly curb the extravagance of those young nobles.

It's easier to slip from frugality into luxury than it is to return to frugality from luxury.

Many nobles who became 'Wanderer Knights' found themselves homeless on the streets in just two or three weeks.

Among these guys' lavish expenditures, aside from hosting salons and buying rare treasures, was keeping lovers—the culture of competition brought from Inner Bay guided all of this.

Some said this was the Old Lion of Inner Bay's conspiracy against every region.

But many reveled in it.

The happiness that comes with wealth and leisure is truly unknown to ordinary people.

Of course, there were those who strove for betterment.

Feeling discontent is human nature.

But their endings were generally not good.

Apart from being arrogant, overestimating oneself, among other reasons; more often, it was because the first in line for succession would not tolerate anyone who threatened their status.

If such a threat emerged?

It would have to be eliminated.

And so, this only fueled the nobles' indulgence even further.

Endless parties night and day.

Salons that lasted three days straight.

Excesses of fine foods, fine wines, and exotic animals.

And it was a must for women at one's side to be beautiful.

At this point, keeping mistresses had become a necessity, yet it was still somewhat surprising for Arthur that Gleisa, the Little Lion, and Baro Hamlet shared the same mistress.

It wasn't surprising that a mistress could be shared.

But what was surprising was the skill of Gleisa Hamlet.

To be able to plant such a Spy right under Baro Hamlet's nose.

A Spy!

Indeed, a Spy!

Arthur was certain that the mistress's role was akin to that of a 'sparrow', he was just unsure whether Baro Hamlet was genuinely fooled or if he had swallowed the sugar-coated pill only to spit the bullet back out—having looked into Baro because he was Alvis Hamlet's father.

Ambitious, but lacking in cunning.

Hot-tempered, not knowing when to advance or retreat.

Yet when push came to shove, he was bluster on the outside and timid on the inside.

This is the evaluation from the outside.

Even, many people think that if it weren't for the Old Lion's consideration for past affections, this brother would have died countless times already.

At the same time, it is also one of the pieces of evidence touted by many of the Old Lion's benevolence.

But is that really the case?

Arthur would not easily come to a conclusion before he had actually seen this Baro Hamlet.

In the suite of the Storm Hotel, Kalal's eyes lit up clearly having thought of something, while Hayes even had a complete plan in mind.

Even Lady Windsor at Arthur's side seemed eager to try.

In the eyes of the three of them, this would be an excellent opportunity.

To instigate Gleisa and his own uncle to have a falling out, or even to fight a big battle, if operated properly, it might even be possible to provoke a civil war within Inner Bay!

If they really could achieve this step...

Gleisa's death would be nothing to speak of.

Even, the Old Lion might also fall.

"Not bad!

All three of you have your own ideas, so...

All three of you go ahead and handle this matter according to your own thoughts!"

Arthur said so.

Jimte, Kalal, and Hayes were taken aback.

Then, their eyes genuinely lit up.

Previously, it seemed to the three of them that they were working together, but Arthur's words seemed to be telling them it was not cooperation they were after, but...

Competition!

'Does my lord expect to see my performance?'

The three thought simultaneously in the depths of their hearts; subconsciously, they looked at each other.

When they saw the light in each other's eyes, all three laughed at once.

They had long wished to test each other.

Previously, it was either not the right venue or there were outsiders present, and more importantly, a real-life contest could easily result in accidents.

But this kind of contest of abilities was just too perfect.

For a moment, the three were filled with fighting spirit.

Although Arthur had not seen everything in the suite at the Storm Hotel, he had anticipated such a scenario.

And this, was what he wanted.

He wished to see the cooperation of his subordinates, and even more so, he wished to see competition.

Especially given the situation in Inner Bay: on someone else's turf, if they were all together, the target would be too big. Only by splitting up and stirring up trouble simultaneously, could they make Inner Bay become chaotic, could they make his enemies distraught, and could they find the real opportunity.

Of course, it had to be healthy competition and safety had to be heeded.

So, the next moment, Arthur said directly—

"Remember your identities.

Also, when faced with unavoidable danger, I allow you to abandon the mission.

Remember: your survival is what I need, do not dwell on temporary failure."

The three knelt down on one knee again.

"Thank you for your mercy."

The three said at the same time, also revising their plans in their minds.

They did not want to accept failure, which meant that they could not face unavoidable danger.

Therefore, the three became even more cautious.

Afterward, Arthur ended the call, and the young South Los Spirit Medium looked towards Lady Windsor beside him, who had been hesitating to speak since the beginning—

"Are you feeling lost?"