They all call me Great Master

On the desk, three communication crystals were lined up—

"Sir, Ainhars Territory has declared war on Inner Bay!"

"Sir, West Berlin Territory has declared war on Inner Bay!"

"Sir, South Los Territory has declared war on Inner Bay!"

The voices from the three communication crystals sounded in unison, and the scout holding the three crystals was only slightly surprised before reporting to Baro Hamlet according to their respective ranks.

The highest rank, naturally, was South Los.

Located at the southernmost part of South County, South Los had always been the major threat to Inner Bay.

It was like this with the Old Lion.

And it was the same with Baro.

"Gleisa once attempted to assassinate Arthur Kredos, which greatly enraged that Countess, vowing to seek justice."

Listening to the words of the scout from the communication crystal, Baro almost burst into laughter.

Baro was well aware of what that Countess of South Los wanted to do.

Simply to lessen the pressure on South Los.

After all, his brother had already reached there.

While Baro couldn't track the whereabouts of the Old Lion, he knew what the Old Lion wanted to do.

To crush Countess of South Los head-on, making the entire South Los Family submit.

That's what the Old Lion wanted to do.

Then there were West Berlin, Ainhars, and Bert, these "River Territories."

The Old Lion wanted to unify South County.

Everyone knew that.

However, Baro did not agree.

He believed he was the one to unify South County.

As for the Old Lion?

A reckless man with courage but no strategy.

Why else would he give up the golden opportunity when the previous Earl of South Los was in power?

Whenever Baro thought of that Old Earl of South Los, he sighed at the unfairness of fate.

Such a dullard could become a lord of a territory.

And him?

Had to remain subordinate.

It was truly unfair!

Fortunately, he seized the opportunity!

Grateful, Baro continued listening—

"Marquess of West Berlin declares war on Inner Bay, citing Gleisa's instigation of unrest within the Inner River Sect and the assassination of ally Arthur Kredos."

'Hmm? This Arthur again?'

Baro frowned.

Regarding the matter of the Inland River Cult?

He knew something.

He didn't deny Gleisa's abilities.

A major reason was his experience in cultivating hidden guards, secret police, and groups like the cult.

Especially the latter, where traces of Gleisa appeared in various territories' cults.

This was something Baro admired.

As a "Impostor" who always hid behind the scenes, he was fully aware of how difficult it was to achieve this.

At least, it was challenging for him.

Of course, it wasn't that he wasn't as good as Gleisa, but rather his lack of resources.

If he had Gleisa's resources, he was confident he could do better.

He understood all of this, and Baro didn't care.

What truly surprised Lord Baro was the name Arthur Kredos.

This wasn't the first time Baro heard this name.

But it was the first time he took it seriously.

'Arthur Kredos shouldn't be a character like Joel Colman?

The Old Lion fosters Joel Colman.

The Mother Tigress fosters Arthur Kredos.

Both are used at crucial moments…

Wait!

Isn't this the crucial moment now?

A stepping stone could be used as such, but there are more than one way to use a stepping stone!'

Baro suddenly realized something.

And then, the words from the third communication crystal further confirmed his speculation—

"Ainhars declares war on Inner Bay, citing Gleisa's instigation that led to river pirates killing his two sons and the assassination attempt on his close friend Arthur Kredos."

Upon hearing this, Baro was certain of his guess.

"Hahaha, my brother, you want to unify South County, and that Mother Tigress shares the same thought!

You set off for South Los.

As for her?

She has sent her pawn.

However, whether it's you or her, both are losers in this game.

The winner can only be me!

Because, I..."

Saying this, Baro's voice suddenly stopped, but his triumphant expression seemed to overflow.

This setup was Baro's proudest arrangement.

Even more than the Real and Pseudo Alvis.

Because, this setup was meant to send his brother down the road.

As for the Countess of South Los?

She was part of it too!

However, the "pawn" Arthur Kredos sent by the Countess of South Los was somewhat unexpected for him.

'Since that's the case, I can slightly adjust.

Those greedy Lion Family bastards shouldn't think about taking so much from me for nothing.'

Thinking of other members of the Golden Lion Family, Baro immediately felt a surge of resentment.

After ending the call with the three communication crystals, Lord Baro retrieved a new communication crystal from his pocket—

"Where is the 'Oriental' now?"

"It's on its way to Inner Bay, and if all goes smoothly, it should arrive at Kilg Harbor in Inner Bay by tomorrow morning."

"Good, keep an eye on this ship, I need to know its every movement at all times."

Saying that, Baro ended the communication again.

Then, the lord opened the secret room in the study.

He had to prepare some things.

Prepared just in case.

...

There were more scouts watching the "Oriental."

The closer it got to Inner Bay, the more scouts appeared, it was widely accepted.

However, the identity of these scouts worried Dilbark.

They weren't the Old Lion's.

But from another, unknown group.

Yet with a very familiar feel.

As one of the "Seven Golden Mane Advisors" of the Old Lion, having lurked in South Los for years with his identity as a "Moon Newspaper" journalist and editor, Dilbark dared to swear these unknown scouts should be identical to the prince's scouts, maybe even trained by the same instructor.

And this filled Dilbark with unease.

This hidden guard keenly sensed the oddness in Inner Bay.

Without hesitation, recalling the prince's instructions to "protect Arthur at all costs," the hidden guard discreetly approached the "Oriental."

Dilbark was well-versed in such maneuvers.

He was confident he could evade those stalkers.

As for the people on the "Oriental?"

He was ninety percent sure.

However, just as the hidden guard flipped onto the ship, the hair on his back stood up, followed by a cold sensation making his body stiffen.

Without hesitation, the hidden guard raised both hands.

He indicated that he meant no harm.

In fact, he truly meant no harm.

He came for the safety of Arthur.

Furthermore, for the future of the Golden Lion Family.

Seemingly sensing his lack of malice,

A voice echoed from the shadows on the deck—

Meow.

In the clear sound of a cat's meow, Pendragon stepped out with what appeared to be an elegant gait.

Why did it seem elegant?

Because with each step, Pendragon jiggled the fat on its belly.

Indeed, Pendragon!

Dilbark breathed a slight sigh of relief, naturally familiar with the cat raised by Arthur.

But the sigh wasn't fully exhaled before a slender cleaver was placed against his neck, and a sinister voice whispered in his ear—

"Are you here for the birthday gift?"