They all call me Great Master

Earl of South Los' Mansion, study room.

A slightly crisp voice kept sounding—

"Nine hundred ninety-eight, nine hundred ninety-nine, one thousand!"

After bouncing up a thousand times, Ash Bonaparte of South Los turned around, lifted a bowl of bone soup boiled by Granny Cullen, and after drinking it up, the Countess ran to the side of the bookshelf.

There, a hidden ruler was concealed.

The Countess stood straight, chest out, back straight, trying to stretch her head up a bit more.

Then—

1.4 meters.

Upon seeing this number, the Countess immediately moved the caliper up by 5 centimeters.

1.45 meters.

Next, she took off her shoes and stuffed two layers of height-increasing insoles inside.

1.5 meters.

"Hmm, exercise really works!

Growing 5 centimeters in such a short time, I am indeed impressive!"

The Countess muttered to herself.

Then, she picked up the tome that recorded the 'Grow Taller' secret technique.

This was not just any secret technique compiled at random, nor was it a swindler's trick.

It was an authentically magical technique.

It was truly capable of making a person grow about 10 centimeters after reaching adulthood.

But...

For the Countess, it was useless.

Because any 'special' power that entered her body would be devoured by the 'Thunder Force' within her.

This caused the Countess considerable distress.

However, the Countess soon found a solution.

A self-reconciliation—

Height-increasing insoles!

Of course, on regular days, the Countess still exercised.

Who knows? A miracle might happen.

Thinking this, the Countess sprang into action again, she jumped up, grabbed the beam, and let her body hang down, savoring the feeling of 'growing taller.'

"It definitely can happen!

It definitely can happen!

I will grow to 1.6 meters!"

The Countess of South Los declared resoundingly.

Her voice echoed in the study room, and with good soundproofing, there was no need to worry about being overheard.

In fact, every time she exercised, Ash Bonaparte of South Los made all the guards keep their distance, allowing no one close except for Madam Susan and Granny Cullen.

Even the close Swordsmanship Chief, Guard Commander, and Head Hunter were not allowed.

Similarly, when Madam Susan returned to the Count's Mansion and saw this setup, she knew her lord was exercising again.

With her towering height of 2 meters and a slender figure, the lady expressed her puzzlement.

Is height important?

It isn't important.

All these are delusions.

Because, the person who loves you will like every aspect of you.

For example: Old Charlie.

Thinking of this old rascal, Madam Susan's cheeks turned slightly red.

In her younger days, she had been mocked as a 'stick' because of her height.

Then...

Old Charlie grabbed an actual stick and fiercely whipped those who mocked her, until their skin split open and they were crying for their parents.

The next day, he carried a stool over, stood on it, and looked down at her.

"Aren't we a perfect match now?"

To this day, the lady remembers how Old Charlie, in front of those mockers, wrapped his arms around her neck and asserted himself beyond doubt.

Of course, those who mocked her didn't oppose either.

Including the two sisters who had always suppressed her, they too revealed a submissive, ingratiating smile.

Because, Old Charlie still held the stick from yesterday.

And this time, he had nailed spikes into it.

"You old rascal, don't think I don't know what you're up to.

Go ahead and do it."

"Arthur, I will take good care of it."

"I must give you a big surprise!" she thought and did not immediately enter the study but waited for a moment.

After confirming that the Countess had finished her exercise, she knocked on the door.

"Aunt Susan, please come in."

When there were no outsiders, the Countess of South Los showed affection to Madam Susan.

Madam Susan liked this feeling of affection, but she still reminded her,

"Lord Count, please be cautious with your words."

While saying this, the lady sensed her surroundings and only relaxed after confirming that no one else was around.

"You are the sole ruler of the South Los House."

"Similarly, you are the hope of the entire family."

"You are always being watched."

"And some people always make a big deal out of trivial matters to attack you."

The lady spoke these words and placed a package on the desk.

Then, she opened the bundle.

"Sakiri!"

The Countess, just like Madam Susan before her, was slightly startled.

Then, without any concealment, Madam Susan relayed Arthur's actions, embellished tenfold, to the Countess.

In Madam Susan's words, Arthur was not only a 'knight' full of honor but also deeply affectionate towards South Los.

Most importantly, Arthur was willing to serve the Countess, the ruler of South Los Territory.

"So it is!"

The Countess did not doubt Madam Susan's words.

Because the trust the Countess had in Madam Susan had long surpassed the nominal subordinate relationship.

Moreover, the lady's words were reasonable.

If Arthur Kledos did not cherish South Los, why would he bother doing so many things that were useless to him?

Most importantly, the Kledos family's management near the sea was somewhat unexpected!

Being able to find Sakiri so easily and eliminate him.

Indeed...

'Appointing him to eradicate the pirates was a show of my great judgment.'

The Earl thought contentedly.

Madam Susan, who had been watching the Earl's expression, immediately smiled and said,

"Arthur is a fine young man.

I think he deserves a proper reward.

I will use my meritorious service to exchange for a Griffin Spirit Potion for him, and some gold coins for a trip to Inner Bay."

To this lady, it was all too clear how 'stingy' her Lord Count was.

Because of the Old Earl's extravagance, the South Los House was not as wealthy as imagined, and the Countess' childhood was even more strained.

For this reason, the Countess had habitually become 'thrifty.'

Not only did she leave the 'Spring Planting Festival' to be prepared by each family themselves,

but 'Summer Celebration Day' was also entirely left to the merchants.

Only the 'Harvest Festival' and 'Cold Winter Festival' still maintained the traditions.

In fact, if it were not for 'Noble honor,' the Countess would have wanted to decentralize these two holidays as well.

Therefore, the Countess had an unimaginable fixate on taxes.

Of course, rewards as well.

But that was for outsiders.

For her own people, the Countess was quite generous.

So, upon hearing Madam Susan's words, the Countess immediately said—

"Don't be like that, Aunt Susan.

A Griffin Spirit Potion and some gold coins are within my means.

What I am considering now is how to ensure the safety of Arthur Kredos in Inner Bay.

That old lion will definitely use some tricks!"

"Yes!

This is also my concern.

So, I think we should provide Arthur protection while also branding him with the mark of the South Los House, leaving that old lion helpless."

Madam Susan nodded and commented accordingly.

The Countess was startled.

She asked subconsciously—

"What do you mean?"