They all call me Great Master

Marinda, gripping the 'Holy Serpent Shield' in one hand and flipping the bird with the other, emerged from the smoke and entered the cabin, her deep blue eyes filled with contempt for Arthur.

"Good morning, Marinda.

What would you like to eat?"

As he spoke, Arthur smoothly pulled out a chair for Marinda.

Of course, he also conveniently took the 'Holy Serpent Shield' from her and placed it to the side.

Then, he made a gesture as if he was sorry she wasn't wearing a coat, as he would definitely have hung it up for her.

In response, Marinda raised her other middle finger at Arthur.

"Do you think treating me like a mail carrier is polite?"

Marinda asked.

Though there were no couriers in the world before them, professions like mail carriers still existed.

Of course, most people couldn't afford such services.

Even the middle class found the fees challenging to bear, only the truly wealthy nobles had the means to support such convenient services.

Marinda was naturally among them.

In fact, mail carriers visited her weekly, bringing her items from major cities that included, but were not limited to, Inner Bay.

"My feelings for you are always burning hot."

Arthur lowered his head, gazing into those deep blue eyes with an indescribable tenderness.

The emotion flooding his deep eyes caused Marinda to stiffen.

Then the lady bit her pipe and blew a puff of smoke right into Arthur's face, shielding his deep eyes and observing him as he rubbed his apparently stinging eyes. This lady then tucked away her pipe, curved her lips into a smile reminiscent of a grinning cat, and said, "So Grindelwald is the leader of your Black Cat Faction? Quite an interesting fellow, especially to those bad guys, possessing a mysterious charm."

"Hmm, he's a decent person."

Arthur nodded nonchalantly, seemingly just giving a simple evaluation of Grindelwald.

Meanwhile, Marinda observed Arthur discreetly.

When she noticed that her actions hadn't caused any peculiar reaction from him, a hint of disappointment crept into her heart.

But soon after, she picked up a slice of raw toast and began spreading potato and egg salad on it — the mixture, when added to milk, easily spread over the bread.

After wiping the edges of the bread with a knife, Marinda elegantly enjoyed the food.

"Don't you need honey and milkshake?"

Arthur picked up the condiments and gestured.

"Too sweet,"

Marinda waved her hand dismissively.

"Life is already too bitter, and only sweets can redeem everything."

Arthur shrugged and poured the honey and milkshake over the toast.

No!

To be precise, he soaked it.

Watching the toast completely submerged in the two liquids, Marinda felt it would make her teeth ache.

"Watch out for cavities."

Marinda cautioned.

Arthur responded by grinning at Marinda, showing his white teeth, and tapped them lightly with a spoon several times, creating a crisp sound as the young Spirit Medium began his breakfast.

And Marinda, having finished her meal first, waited quietly with her pipe.

It wasn't until Arthur had swallowed the last piece of fried sausage that the lady finally spoke up.

"What exactly is going on?"

"Hasn't Grindelwald explained it to you?"

Arthur looked perplexed.

Arthur, of course, knew Grindelwald had explained it, since, after all, Grindelwald was Arthur's alias; not only had he explained through Grindelwald's mouth, but he had also observed Marinda in a different state through Grindelwald's eyes.

Proud, frigid, and emanating a powerful aura.

All in all, she presented an 'off-limits' demeanor.

Quite unlike how she was with him.

Compared to that demeanor, Arthur preferred Marinda the way she was now.

After all, that demeanor resembled a meticulous robot.

And Marinda at the moment?

Quite amusing.

Thinking this, Arthur blinked his eyes, coordinating with the question Marinda was about to ask.

"You explained, but I want you to tell me your true purpose,"

or in other words…

"Did you secretly support the rise of the Inland River Cult?"

As she spoke, Marinda stared intently at Arthur.

Suddenly, Arthur looked helpless.

"If I had supported it, then what would have been the meaning of yesterday morning's scene?

Killing myself?

I don't have any special predilections,"

Arthur retorted.

"Of course you don't have any special predilections, but you, my friend, always find such overt reasons when you want to do something—this time is no exception,"

Marinda removed her pipe, her deep blue eyes gleaming as if she had seen through Arthur's little trick.

Suddenly, Arthur became interested.

"Go on."

The young Spirit Medium wanted to hear this lady's perspective.

"First, you are diverting Inner Bay's attention. You use your 'Inland River Cult' as bait, fishing for those in Inner Bay who are against you, forcing them to cooperate with the Inland River Cult and then you can truly take control.

Second, the development of the Inland River Cult in Seberlin has not been going smoothly.

Though it has gained some ground in Port Doldot, it falls far behind the local forces, especially the Pain Church.

Even the small pub you established beside the Ateil Trail in Seberlin, which developed into the Secret Market, is the same.

You can't shake the fundamental influence of the Pain Church in Seberlin.

So, by inserting yourself into the mix, you attract the followers of the Pain Church, preparing to catch them all in one net.

I presume…

There are members from the Pain Church on board the 'Oriental', aren't there?"

Having said that, the lady reached out to relight her pipe.

Between each puff, mint-scented smoke began to spread.

And Arthur?

Smack, smack, smack!

Without any hesitation, Arthur clapped for the lady before him.

Not only because of this lady's intelligence capabilities but also because what she said made sense, both the first and second points.

If he really owned the Inland River Cult, he indeed would do so.

Unfortunately…

The Inland River Cult was not actually his.

Marinda tilted her head, looking at the applauding Arthur, her deep blue eyes filled with confusion.

Was she wrong?

This lady believed she had a good understanding of Arthur.

The way Arthur was acting now did not look like she had guessed correctly.

If she had been right, Arthur certainly wouldn't be this composed; he would beat around the bush, and perhaps, he might even throw out some bombshell news to divert her attention.

And the latter was what Marinda wanted.

At the same time, the lady didn't think she had guessed incorrectly.

It must be...

An oversight!

Yes, an oversight!

"Where did I overlook?

What could it be?"

The lady pondered, her eyes reflecting her deep thoughts.

Watching the thoughtful Marinda, Arthur almost burst out laughing; he enjoyed partners who liked to think.

To better facilitate this lady's thinking, Arthur brought over a cup of orange tea—with added mint leaves.

While placing the drink in front of Marinda, Arthur gently asked—

"Port Doldot, do you want it?"

Instantly, Marinda trembled.

She understood.