They all call me Great Master

For the Count of Bernaken, there was a considerable understanding of Kalal.

Ever since the other party had appeared at Port Pult in the Ainhars Territory, the Old Earl had observed the young man in secret more than once.

And he was very pleased.

Because Kalal's Talent was the best he had seen in the past several decades.

Even that bastard Ainhars and he himself couldn't compare.

As for arrogance?

In the eyes of the Old Earl, it was hardly a matter of concern.

On the contrary, for a Demon Hunter, the arrogance of youth was a 'positive' effect.

However, as time went on, the Old Earl hesitated as he discovered Kalal was developing his own forces in secret—not in an acceptable way within bounds, but in the vigorous manner of an 'ambitious person.'

Eventually, the Old Earl chose to give up.

It wasn't just that he no longer had the energy to 'correct' a young man with much ambition, but also because since entering the 'Pioneer Era,' Demon Hunters had been increasingly struggling—Demon Hunters at this moment couldn't afford any setbacks or disasters.

If there were any accidents, they would be more than the Old Earl could bear, and something he was unwilling to accept.

Therefore, even though it was regrettable, he would not take him as an apprentice.

The initial decision was abandoned.

Yet the Old Earl's attention remained.

He even devoted some extra manpower to what other Demon Hunters saw as inconsequential matters.

As a result, hardly any of Kalal's actions could escape the Old Earl's notice.

The Old Earl's original intention was simply not to let Kalal influence the Demon Hunters of the Ainhars Territory.

But who would have thought that the Old Earl would unexpectedly discover the relationship between Kalal, Jimte, and Hayes?

Jimte, the son-in-law of the second daughter of the Marquess of West Berlin.

Hayes, the nephew of Count Bert.

Ultimately, as time passed, in the eyes of the Old Earl, Kalal had completed the formation of his own forces, and he even believed that soon, a civil war would break out within the Ainhars Territory—after the Little Lion of Inner Bay had contacted Kalal in secret, the Old Earl became even more convinced of this.

Exactly because of this, the Old Earl was prepared to nip the danger in the bud.

However…

Following an unexpected journey, everything changed.

When Kalal returned from the Mount Gale Region, admitting openly his arrogant ignorance, and bringing shame upon his family.

Even facing expulsion from the Marquess of Ainhars, he showed no resistance and went straight to Inner Bay.

Others saw this as 'just deserts' for Kalal.

It was also seen as proof of Kalal's façade of competence.

Many would even say that Kalal was a complete farce.

But the Old Earl knew that was not the case.

If Kalal was all façade, then every young person within the Ainhars Territory was a failure.

The Old Earl was curious about what Kalal experienced in the Mount Gale Region.

But it was beyond his reach.

The power of the Demon Hunters had not developed that far.

The information he could gather was only partial.

However, even with just partial information, the Old Earl noticed a name—

Arthur Kledos!

The unique intuition of the Demon Hunter informed the Old Earl that there was a problem with the owner of this name.

Later, deeper investigations proved this point.

Especially when rumors surfaced that the Kledos Family might be a secretive family hidden for a millennium, the Old Earl's caution towards Arthur Kledos reached its peak.

In the Old Earl's view, the Southern Lost Spirit Medium, Arthur Kledos, was an even greater ambitious person than Kalal, and moreover…

He was far better prepared!

It was only thus that he could subdue Kalal, making this young man charge into battle.

Indeed!

Charge into battle!

The Old Earl, based on some of the specific changes made by the Old Lion of Inner Bay to the 'South County Swordsmanship Competition,' had sniffed out a different scent.

He was certain that the 'South County Swordsmanship Competition' was the stage that the Southern Lost Spirit Medium sought to attain.

The events that transpired in West Berlin the other day further convinced the Old Earl that the ambitions of the Southern Lost Spirit Medium far exceeded expectations—having just left South Los, such momentum had built up, and by the time they reached Inner Bay, what terrifying form it might take.

Therefore, The Old Earl worked hard to keep Ainhars Territory out of the fray.

For this reason, the old nobleman had made numerous arrangements.

However, the sudden appearance of 'Blood Drinker' Haibo disrupted these arrangements.

"Could the appearance of 'Blood Drinker' Haibo be this guy's doing?"

The Old Earl scrutinized Arthur before him.

It was just too coincidental.

So coincidental that it aroused suspicion.

Yet, the very next moment, The Old Earl dismissed such suspicions from his mind.

He did not believe that Arthur could command 'Blood Drinker' Haibo.

After all, 'Blood Drinker' Haibo was deemed a divine spirit by common understanding, and even if he were a mere diluted 'demigod', he was not someone the current Arthur could command.

Furthermore, 'Blood Drinker' Haibo was notoriously rebellious.

Thinking someone could command him?

Impossible.

Unless a true deity descended.

And it would have to be a High God of the 'Blood Rank' at that.

Evidently, Arthur was not one.

As it was well known, to acquire a 'Blood Rank', at the very least one needed the status of the Bloodline Clan.

With this in mind, the old nobleman discreetly cast the secret technique 'Detect Bloodline'.

After another confirmation, The Old Earl, maintaining the smile on his face, continued to say—

"Arthur, you don't mind me calling you Arthur, do you?"

"Of course not."

Arthur responded with an amicable smile.

"Then, what is your relationship with Kalal like?" the Earl continued to inquire.

"Not bad."

Arthur's smile did not wane.

Keeping the fact that Kalal had sworn fealty to him through the 'Lionheart Ceremony' a secret was naturally necessary, but Arthur would not hide his relationship with Kalal—the principle of hiding a leaf in a forest was something Arthur knew well.

He needed to hide the fact that Kalal had sworn loyalty to him with the 'Lionheart Ceremony,' so he had to reveal his good relationship with Kalal.

Of course, the latter was not something everyone could be privy to.

It could only be known by a select few.

Only then could it draw people's attention.

Only then could the fact of the 'Lionheart Ceremony' be concealed.

Observing Arthur's smile, The Old Earl, with his guess confirmed in his heart, did not hesitate to declare directly.

"What if Kalal returns to Ainhars Territory to become the primary Heir?"

The secret of the Marquess of Ainhars had been exposed by 'Blood Drinker' Haibo.

The Old Earl knew it.

Arthur knew it too.

Therefore, The Old Earl had the confidence to persuade the Marquess of Ainhars to do so.

And Arthur?

He couldn't have wished for a better outcome.

In the absence of a way to eliminate the Marquess of Ainhars, having Kalal become the primary heir was indeed a very good option.

Of course, Arthur, as a young, upright, naive, and kind-hearted Spirit Medium, even though he yearned for such a result deep down, still showed the 'humility' befitting a Spirit Medium.

He said—

"As for me?

My relationship with Kalal is indeed good.

We have also engaged in some private cooperation.

But this does not mean that, should Kalal become the first Heir to Ainhars Territory, I would be able to truly gain anything substantial.

On the contrary, it might backfire, affecting our previous cooperation.

After all, human greed can be quite terrifying."