They all call me Great Master

What kind of person was Marinda Julius Caesar?

First of all, she was beautiful.

Secondly, she liked women.

Then, there was ambition!

And she also had abilities that matched her ambition!

This lady possessed ambitions and abilities far beyond those of the average man, which is why she organized South Los' first salon and held auctions.

Of course, the most important thing was her strong desire for revenge—during their first meeting, she made a lasting impression on Arthur by decisively dealing with Dockler due to a 'love affair exposure'.

However, it was clear that even though the lady took her revenge on Dockler and tried her best to minimize the impact, she still suffered unnecessary losses.

Keep in mind that the traditions of South Los meant that a relationship between this lady and Ms. Anna was not permitted.

This was already South Los' 'tolerance' as a port city. If it were a more conservative place like North County, people might already be calling for a burning stake.

So now, Miss Marinda Julius Caesar urgently needed something to divert attention from this matter.

How to divert public attention from a 'love affair'?

Answer: Start a new, publicly acceptable 'love affair'!

And he, Arthur Kredos, was the right person for this role.

Whether it was his looks, age, or reputation, all were suitable.

Especially the latter, Arthur believed that amidst the voices of condemnation, his straightforward acceptance of the lady's sexual orientation must have earned him her favor.

Indeed, it was very likely because of this that the lady chose him.

Of course, these were just Arthur's conjectures.

What was it actually like?

Arthur didn't know.

But he believed that he would soon find out whether his guesses were right or wrong.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Indeed, it was so—

"Mr. Kredos, please follow me!"

The coachman Edwin, having parked the carriage, came back.

Arthur nodded and followed the driver into the hall of No.6 White Bird Street.

The hall too had servants and guests present.

Unlike the stiff noble banquets, salons were much freer.

People sat in groups of three or five, chatting with those who shared similar interests or simply carrying their wine glasses out to the garden. No one considered it impolite.

A new trend was quietly being born in South County as it recovered from the 'Seven Years' War' and was spreading rapidly.

Edwin, walking in front, was greeted now and then.

Edwin nodded politely in response.

However, the guests' glances continually swept over Arthur.

They were filled with a strong curiosity, speculation, and a hint of...

Hostility!

This hostility was more direct than that within the courtyard.

And naturally, they were all from young males.

Arthur didn't mind this.

He was well aware of the principle of like repelling like.

He paid more attention to the bar and dining tables.

Glasses of fruity drinks, portions of creamy pastries, mixed with a bit of the unique richness of meats, made Arthur pause for a moment.

'A light drink paired with cold dishes must have a unique flavor,' Arthur thought to himself.

As for the band behind the bar?

Arthur gave them a quick glance and paid no further attention. While the musicians were trying their best, Arthur simply didn't have the musical talent to appreciate them.

Quickening his pace and ascending to the second floor, Arthur saw Ms. Marinda Julius Caesar in the first room on the left corridor once again.

Different from the hunting attire she wore at their first meeting, this time she wore the latest bubble-shouldered, leg-of-mutton sleeve long dress from Inner Bay's fashion trend.

The blue and white long dress wasn't embellished with complicated lace borders but was adorned with shimmering sequins, freeing the lady from the encumbrances of necklaces, rings, and other accessories.

The lady, who was puffing on her snooker-style long-stemmed pipe, immediately put down her crossed left leg upon seeing Arthur enter and swiftly slipped her foot back into her shoe.

Edwin did not enter, instead, he stood at the door; once Arthur was inside the room, he closed the door and stood by it like a guard.

"Good evening, Mr. Kredos,"

"I apologize for my audacity. Because of those matters with Anna, I had to choose this impolite approach—I harbor no malice, but I do not wish people who are watching me to notice you through my irregular actions, so, I didn't notify you in advance."

"I am very sorry!"

Marinda once again apologized as soon as she saw him.

Unlike the previous messages passed along, this time she was apologizing in person, and after speaking, she immediately bowed formally.

It was not the curtsy commonly used by ladies but the knightly bow often used by men.

The lady put her pipe to one side, placed her left hand over her chest, and slightly bowed towards Arthur.

Seeing this, Arthur felt assured.

His greatest concern was not knowing what the lady wanted, making him indecisive. But now that he knew what she wanted, he began to plan what he could gain from it.

Or more precisely, more XP, swordsmanship secrets, and mystical knowledge.

Arthur believed the Lady of the Eternal Night could satisfy these for him.

Or even... tasks!

The Talent "Omnivorous" included a clear statement about "tasks," but not once had it been triggered yet!

In Arthur's understanding, there were only three points.

1. The lack of a clear client,

2. The issue wasn't significant enough to form a task,

3. The task required a certain degree of significance or impact.

3. The third is change, a task is only formed when it is possible to change a client's imminent, established reality, and after the change, a reward is received.

And it seems the Lady of the Eternal Night fulfills all these conditions.

So, he remained silent, he was holding out for a better offer.

Marinda looked at Arthur's expression and felt a slight relief in her heart.

She understood that Arthur had guessed something, and no further explanation was needed on her part.

Even Arthur's ensuing silence, which made it clear to the lady that he wouldn't be swept up by empty promises like other men, did not change her expression at all.

On the contrary, she appreciated this kind of holding out.

After all, she didn't want a foolish collaborator and the unnecessary trouble that would come with it, but equally, she did not like those overly clever people who demand a price as soon as they open their mouths.

What she admired were those who could judge the situation and act accordingly.

Just like Arthur.

Only by partnering with such a person could she truly feel at ease.

Of course, it was also because she was confident that she could fulfill all of Arthur's desires.

So, she said directly—

"Baron Kemir died a week ago. The baron was a reclusive old man, who had neither a wife nor children, so there is a possibility for maneuvering."

"I want to acquire that baronial title, and thus, I need to make myself appear more normal."

"This is extremely important to me."

"So, you can charge a high price."

With that, the lady looked at Arthur and smiled.

Her blue eyes became lively with her smile, like the tide rising in the sea, compelling one to take a second look.

But Arthur was an exception.

At this moment, Arthur frowned inwardly.

Because the words in front of him weren't flashing, the anticipated "Task" had not appeared.

'Where did the problem arise?'

Arthur wondered, subconsciously observing the lady's expression.

He wanted to confirm whether what she said was true.

"Rest assured, it's true," she said.

"Information about Baron Kemir's death is not difficult for you to find, and so are those despicable methods used by those people who want to obstruct me from obtaining the title—they're using Dockler as their pawn. The ones who have been watching me recently, they're also from them."

"And of course, there are the flies that constantly pester me, which you will also need to deal with."

Facing Arthur's scrutiny, Marinda Julius Caesar confided in him.

Though she didn't explicitly say that she had eliminated Dockler, it was evident enough.

Arthur certainly wouldn't naively ask 'why she trusted him so much.'

If she dared to say it, it was naturally because she was well-prepared.

Arthur had no desire to find out what those preparations were.

All he wanted was what he deserved.

After pondering for a moment, he said—

"I want the complete Swift Bird Swordsmanship, or equivalent Mystical Knowledge."

"The complete Swift Bird Swordsmanship?"

Marinda Julius Caesar's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

She had not expected Arthur to want that.

Although due to the Seven Years' War, Swift Bird Swordsmanship was no longer secret, finding a complete set was not an easy task.

Because there were noble blockades!

By comparison, equivalent Mystical Knowledge was somewhat easier to obtain. Find exclusive stories on empire

After quickly evaluating the situation in her mind, the lady nodded.

"Alright, I agree to your request."

"Within a month, I will find equivalent Mystical Knowledge!"

"Likewise, you need to act closer to me during this month."

After making the promise, the lady spoke somewhat stiffly.

It wasn't out of anger, but embarrassment.

The flashing of Skills "Eagle Eye" and "Insight" confirmed this for Arthur.

At the same time, knowing the origins of the "Swift Bird Swordsmanship," Arthur also confirmed that higher-level swordsmanship must be blocked by the nobles.

Knowledge blockade was not uncommon, but in a world with Mystical powers, it obviously had a different significance, let alone the fact that Arthur had just undergone a bizarre event after his increase in "Spirituality," where there must be some little-known connections!

Arthur pondered, but did not neglect the lady beside him.

Now that a deal was made, it was only natural to fulfill it.

"Shall we start then?" he asked.

"Yes, may I call you Arthur?"

Marinda Julius Caesar nodded, then inquired.

"Of course, Marinda!"

Arthur quickly slipped into the role and raised his right hand, a new greeting and a necessity for the coming performance—after all, it wouldn't do to stay two meters apart and introduce her as my lover, would it?

Marinda looked at Arthur's right hand, taking three to four seconds before reluctantly raising her own left hand.

But as Marinda's fingertips touched Arthur's palm, she tensed up completely, and when her fingertips touched the center of Arthur's hand, she had to muster all her will to not vomit.

After taking three deep breaths and suppressing the violent reaction of her body, the lady continued.

"Let's go!"

Then, side by side, they pushed the door open and left.