They all call me Great Master

When Gleisa Hamlet appeared again, he was already by Achisto's side.

"My Lord!"

Achisto, who had been waiting, immediately bowed in salute upon seeing the Grand Duke's Eldest Son suddenly appear.

Achisto was mentally prepared for the presence of this great figure.

Although Achisto knew he'd been licking the wrong side of the boot, he had performed arduous tasks without credit for merit, and what's more, he had created an opportunity—

An opportunity to completely eradicate the 'Pain Church'!

As for how much this great figure loathed the 'Pain Church,' Achisto was well aware.

Thus, Achisto awaited expectantly.

Gleisa cast a glance at Achisto, taking in his subordinate's expression, and his dissatisfaction grew.

For this Grand Duke's Eldest Son, making mistakes was not frightening.

What was frightening was the refusal to acknowledge mistakes while still fantasizing about reward.

This was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

Of course, that was for others.

And for him?

He was the son of Severus Hamlet!

Of course, he deserved privileges!

Having internally sentenced Achisto to death and justified it with the reasoning of 'martyrdom for faith,' the Grand Duke's Eldest Son revealed a genial smile and, at the same time, waved his hand.

"Achisto, you've done very well this time.

I promised you, as long as you accomplished meritorious service, I would grant you a true title of nobility.

After this matter, you will have your wish fulfilled."

The Grand Duke's Eldest Son spoke thus.

Immediately, Achisto became excited.

A title!

Not a mere entry ticket to the noble class: Knight.

Nor the so-called one-generation nobility: Lord.

But a hereditary title that could be passed on to descendants: Baron!

That's wonderful!

Without any hesitation, Achisto knelt on one knee and spoke to the Grand Duke's Eldest Son before him—

"I am willing to be the sword in your hand, blazing a trail for you.

I am willing to be the shield in your hand, warding off blades for you."

Achisto said earnestly.

'Fool!

And such outdated oaths!

Luckily it's not a Lionheart Ceremony, or I would have to put in some effort!'

The Grand Duke's Eldest Son thought to himself, his expression turning grave as he reached out his right hand and firmly patted Achisto's shoulder.

"I look forward to it."

Having said this, the Grand Duke's Eldest Son then instructed—

"Tell your subordinate that you have already sought the will of the 'God of the Inland River,' and His Crown is willing to cooperate with Arthur Kredos, on the condition of jointly combating the 'Pain Cult'!

For this, we are also willing to offer a gift!"

With that, the Grand Duke's Eldest Son looked towards Achisto.

In an instant, Achisto understood the malice of his superior.

But Achisto didn't care.

It was directed at the 'Cat Faction. Hei.'

And at that Spirit Medium from South Los, Arthur Kredos.

With him?

It had nothing to do at all.

…

In the washroom, Toran wiped the sink, the toilet, and the floor while waiting.

It wasn't that Mr. Gwen's washroom was particularly dirty; Toran just thought it too boring to only wait, so he had to do something.

It was absolutely not some sort of obsession with cleanliness!

Just like this hair on the outside of the sink!

No!

That was absolutely unacceptable!

How can there be hair on the outside of the washbasin?

The washbasin must be as clean as new, able to reflect a person's shadow.

After wiping the washbasin again and seeing the reflection, Toran adjusted the heads of the two toothbrushes to point in the same direction and at the same angle, then he nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he picked up the Messenger Stone that had flashed twice.

"High Priest!"

After wiping the toilet seat with his finger to ensure it was spotless, Toran sat down, his voice respectful.

"Priest Toran, I have already consulted with Your Crown.

The 'Pain Cult' is unforgivable!

Your Crown is willing to work with the 'Spirit Medium' of South Los to eradicate the 'Pain Cult', and is prepared to use the 'Holy Serpent Shield' as a testament to our alliance!"

As the deep voice sounded from the Messenger Stone, ripples appeared in the air in front of Toran.

The next moment, a Kite Shield with a metallic sheen, entirely black, appeared before Toran.

Not seeing such a 'Miracle' for the first time, Toran immediately took the 'Holy Serpent Shield' into his hands.

"Understood!

I will negotiate with Lord Grindelwald.

I will keep you posted on any developments."

Toran said respectfully, his palm already wiping the 'Holy Serpent Shield'—he felt there was dust on it, and, whether it was the shield-maker's craft or not, he always thought that the 'Holy Serpent Shield' was not symmetric enough.

'Sadly, it cannot be recut.'

With such regret, Toran left the washroom.

Outside, Grindelwald was discussing early Empire history with Mr. Gwen.

The two were getting along swimmingly.

As Toran stepped out, the conversation had turned to 'the impact of the establishment of the Empire on the Golden Age'—

"The Empire really did us a great service by ending the 'Golden Age.'

Otherwise, dragons or elves would have become the masters of this continent, and if that were the case...

It would have been truly dreadful!" Mr. Gwen exclaimed.

In the limited historical records, both dragons and elves weren't very friendly towards humans.

In fact, although the 'Golden Age' was an era of many species, it wasn't truly a 'Golden Era' for humans.

On the contrary, at that time, most humans were slaves.

Not only were they vassals to other races, but they were also...

Food.

If it weren't for the 'Firebearer' setting the 'Golden Tree' ablaze, completely altering the original rules and breaking the chains of humanity, giving them their own 'ladder,' humans would never have been able to change their destiny.

"The greatness of that 'Firebearer' Your Crown cannot be described by us.

But if possible, I would gladly charge into battle under Your Crown, offering my life for that Crown."

Mr. Gwen stood up, impassioned.

Then, Mrs. Gwen smacked him on the back of the head with her hand.

"Wake up, you're just a Historian.

Forget about charging on horseback, wielding a Longsword for a few extra swings would leave you gasping."

Dressed in a cloth skirt, Mrs. Gwen looked at her husband with a face full of resignation.

Although nearly fifty years old, at times her husband still acted like a child.

"But I have my knowledge!

I would devotedly offer up everything!

If I lived in that era, I would use my life to help 'Your Crown, the Firebearer' ignite the 'Golden Tree' and break the shackles of humanity!

As a human, I am proud to be such!"

Mr. Gwen said, his head held high.

He seemed even more childlike now.

Mrs. Gwen shook her head helplessly and began bringing out the food from the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Grindelwald's gaze turned to Toran, who had emerged with the 'Holy Serpent Shield.'

"We are hoping to learn more about the 'Pain Church' and are eager to form an alliance with Lord Arthur Kredos. This is our testimony!"

Toran informed Grindelwald with language full of artifice.

Then, he passed over the 'Holy Serpent Shield.'

Grindelwald examined the 'Holy Serpent Shield' meticulously, confirming there were no traps before lifting his hand to receive it.

And just as Grindelwald's fingers touched the 'Holy Serpent Shield,' Arthur, using the perspective of the 'Exquisite Human Puppet,' suddenly experienced a sharp reaction in his heart—

Thud!