They all call me Great Master

Ever since severing ties with Old Charlie, Madam Susan has harbored a dream.

She hopes to become Arthur's grandmother.

And the moment she met Arthur.

Her dream came true.

Arthur truly calls her grandmother.

Thus, from that moment, Madam Susan's dream evolved.

She hopes Arthur lives healthily, safely, and prosperously.

Health, she is confident in, as Arthur's strength ensures his body remains extraordinarily healthy.

But safety?

That requires careful consideration.

The dagger in the shadows can even assassinate 'Divine Spirits'.

Even if the Mythic Era is long past, the dagger in the shadows still exists, and assassinations impossible to evade by gods are naturally harder for humans to escape.

The only solution is to forge stronger defenses!

And this requires manpower!

Only with enough people forming forces, using these forces as a foundation to weave a massive defensive net, can Arthur truly be safe.

Hence, Madam Susan believes the existence of the South Los House is perfectly suited to compensate for the shortcomings in Arthur's forces.

And the prosperity of the South Los House is precisely what Arthur needs most now.

Not just the 'Stairway of Ascension'!

But also what comes after ascending!

One must know that every step beyond ascension requires vast resources; if Arthur gathers them himself, it will become a lengthy process.

Even with Arthur's extraordinary talent, he could still stagnate.

Madam Susan does not wish to see this.

She hopes Arthur can embark on a smooth path and forge ahead...

No!

To be precise, she hopes Arthur can soar and sit atop the clouds.

This is her most earnest hope as a grandmother!

Thus, the lady believes marrying Arthur to the Earl of South Los is an excellent choice.

As for draining the South Los House?

The lady believes that once Arthur is seated atop the clouds, the South Los House will certainly be more prosperous than it is now, even grateful for her assistance.

Only, Marinda's appearance has temporarily stalled this idea for the lady.

But now?

The lady thinks she can bring it up again.

The unexpected attack of the Old Lion disrupted everything.

Including the arrangements made by her lord count.

Fortunately, Arthur's appearance has given room for a turnaround.

At such a time to gain favor, this lady naturally wouldn't pass up the opportunity.

And Marinda?

She is confident she can persuade her.

Even confident of making her one of the helpers.

"Arthur?

Quite good."

The Countess, having just been 'rescued' by Arthur, naturally feels quite good, and she responds to Madam Susan's inquiry with a smile.

"Arthur's temperament is quite good, and he is quite decent. He possesses the steadiness not found in other young people, alongside the vitality youths should have.

Especially when faced with such unforeseen events, he displays adaptability that ordinary people lack.

If possible, I hope the lord count can invite Arthur to dinner."

Madam Susan rephrased the words she once said to Arthur to convey them to the Countess.

Unlike Arthur's refusal.

The Countess immediately agreed.

"I will host a celebration party for him when he returns to South Los."

No refusal, yet this agreement reeks of formality.

The 'celebration party' dinner is not a dinner between just the two.

This is definitely not what Madam Susan wants.

Similarly, Madam Susan also understands that this is a polite refusal from the Countess.

To this, Madam Susan is not surprised.

Perhaps the Countess stands only at four feet tall, looking much like a child, but if she were truly a child, she wouldn't have control over South Los.

Understanding these things, Madam Susan never considered hiding them from the Countess.

Moreover, she must be more frank—

"Lord Count, as her elder sister, you don't want to lose to Marinda, right?"

After speaking, Madam Susan notices the Countess furrowing her brows.

With a smile in her heart, the lady promptly adds.

"Lord Count, you don't want the child born of Marinda to surpass the one you bear, right?"

After speaking, Madam Susan sees the Countess's brow already knitted together.

The personality of the Countess of South Los is somewhat elusive, though this elusiveness is seen by others; to Madam Susan, it's simply a refusal to accept defeat.

That's how she is with strangers.

Even more so with those close to her.

Especially Marinda, who shares a trace of bloodline with her yet has a height far superior, causing the Countess to develop a stronger desire to win unconsciously.

This point might not even be noticed by the Countess herself.

But Madam Susan sees it clearly.

And now what she needs to do is stimulate this desire to win.

What does the Countess care about?

Height!

And aside from height, it's the continuation of the bloodline.

As a rather traditional noble, Madam Susan is well aware that her Countess doesn't mind using a marriage alliance to let the man join the family.

But…

Is there anyone more outstanding of the right age than Arthur within the entire South County?

No!

Only if you look at the previous generation.

But given the pride of the Countess of South Los, how could she possibly choose an old man?

Even more so, those old men have ulterior motives.

Thus, Arthur has become a coveted choice.

No!

He's irreplaceable!

However, this irreplaceable person has been preemptively taken by Marinda, leaving the Countess of South Los uncomfortable.

'Aside from height, am I about to lose to Marinda again?'

When this thought arises, the Countess of South Los starts to feel uneasy.

Witnessing this scene, Madam Susan smiles and steps aside.

At this level, it's sufficient.

The rest?

Is to see Marinda's 'performance'.

Madam Susan believes this lady will not disappoint her.

After all, Madam Susan can see clearly Marinda's 'fondness' for Arthur.

Inside the study, the Female Swordmaster scratched her head.

For some reason, Julie, the Female Swordmaster, thought of the giant's special potion once again.

'Should I inform the Countess?'

The Female Swordmaster hesitated a bit.

The Guard Commander Cathy aside maintained a silent demeanor, but upon closer observation, one could find this Female Guard Captain's eyes full of twinkling excitement.

It's the unique thrill of a bystander stirred by the gossip.

However, unlike other gossiping bystanders, this Female Guard Captain is more discreet as she indulges.

Anyone looking at her composed expression wouldn't suspect she could be so absorbed by gossip.

The entire study, amid the Countess's contemplation, sank into a bizarre silence.

Yet the eternal night certainly won't remain quiet like this.

At least, not in the Inner Bay.

Whoosh!

Jimte took a deep breath and immediately felt a burning pain on his back, which made the young noble suck in a cold breath involuntarily.

"Sss!"