Hate me, Miss Witch!

However, according to the intelligence Shiayar had collected, in the current Escarnia, even those of Titled Rank strength were not particularly significant. Moreover, the favorability and hatred levels of key figures had to be considered.

Shiayar's pen moved, and he drew three circles, then filled in several terms within them.

"Despicable King Vortigern, Abyss Demon"

"Millennium Castle, Blood Tribe"

"Dawn Church"

His pen paused momentarily before he drew another, larger circle.

"Knight King"

These four were the players qualified to manipulate the chaotic chessboard of this Echo of History. The first three were the largest current forces in Escarnia. According to Soren, a white-robed bishop who had previously spoken with Shiayar, all three of these factions had Legendary figures among them. Moreover, unlike the ordinary Legendary Cardinal of the Dawn Church, both Despicable King Vortigern and the Blood Prince ruling the Millennium Castle were far from merely ordinary Legends. This also meant that among the three powers, the Dawn Church was actually the weakest. It could only maintain control over a small, safe territory. If not for their fear of Florence's Sacred Court, they might have already been destroyed or driven out of Escarnian lands.

As for the last, the "Knight King," he had apparently not yet appeared. However, according to true history, he was the actual victor. Before long, he would rise like a comet, quickly gaining the support of other minor lords, knights, and nobles within Escarnia, and ultimately unify the entire land. Then, in the Sacred City Camelot, he would establish the unparalleled Fresta Empire. His level of strength was even less debatable. As the future wielder of the Sacred Sword from the lake, the Knight King would easily surpass the Throne realm boundary, reaching Eight Orders or higher.

Each of these figures was beyond Shiayar's current ability to contend with. Legend and Titled Rank, though seemingly separated by only one Order, were worlds apart. This was not a gap that could be easily overcome by exploiting an opponent's carelessness or specific weaknesses.

Shiayar paused for a moment, then drew another circle on the paper.

"Cain"

That's right. It was just like Silvia. Despite her own formidable strength, what most people remembered about her was her identity as the White Tower Master. Silvia herself, however, saw the White Tower as merely an optional mausoleum. And throughout history, it has always been the infamous tyrants and traitors who are most widely remembered, not some exceptionally powerful fugitive.

Since the gap in individual strength could not be bridged in the short term, the only way to gain legendary status was to build a power base. In this regard, Shiayar had a unique advantage: he was from the future and knew the historical development of certain key junctures within this Echo of History. Even lacking in raw power, he could rely on his knowledge of historical developments to make a name for Cain and his organization at critical moments.

If it's about grinding points, then we'll have to go big.

Shouldering the eternal infamy of being the epitome of all evil in this world, the evil organization I establish naturally can't lack prestige.

Hmm. And to grind the favor of those important figures first, my organization and I, as Cain, must present a positive image in the early stages. Only at the end can we execute a reversal, maximizing our benefits.

Shiayar pondered for a moment and quickly formed an idea.

His thoughts stirred. In the next moment, Shiayar retrieved a piece of red and a piece of black fabric from his Spatial Pocket. Having learned his lesson from the previous fish-grilling incident where he had no seasoning, Shiayar had wisely upgraded his Shiny Spatial Pocket to the perfect level, filling it with all sorts of miscellaneous items. Whether needed or not, it was better to have them.

"MEOW-MEOW-MEOW~ (What's happening?)"

A red light flashed, and the little silver spirit was summoned, looking utterly confused. It had been practicing its swordsmanship in the Soul Pact Space just moments before and now seemed bewildered by the sudden summons.

However, it then saw the red and black fabric before it, along with the design concept for the outfit Shiayar had transmitted via the Soul Pact using spiritual power.

"MEOW-MEOW-MEOW?"

Doubt filled Crimson's large, clear eyes.

"There's no other way," Shiayar said, patting the little silver spirit on the shoulder and speaking earnestly. "If we are to be the future secret evil organization bearing the malice of the world and eternal infamy, a uniform is essential. In the current chaos of Escarnia, finding a proper tailor is no easy task."

"Crimson, you are now a mature Pet Beast. It's high time you learned to make clothes yourself."

"After all, as a Silver Spirit who has trained Slash to 'Extraordinary Sainthood,' moonlighting as a tailor shouldn't be a problem, right? Scissors and swords aren't that different. Anyway, it's all just cut, cut, cut, slash, slash, slash."

"MEOW, MEOW-MEOW~ (Is it really like that?)"

Crimson blinked, feeling something was amiss but unable to pinpoint it.

Who knew that by practicing the sword, one's career options would be so vast... Why didn't I realize this before?

I can be a chef, and now a tailor too.

But on second thought, it seemed to make sense: one involved cutting people, another cutting vegetables, and this one, cutting fabric.

Its astral spirit body shimmered, and eventually, it obediently began to work on the two pieces of fabric.

After all, he is my Beastmaster. Could he really be trying to hoodwink his own Pet Beast?