They all call me Great Master

Chapter 179 Live from the Heart, Amiel

The "Marinda" opposite was taken aback.

Then, noticing the coldness in her eyes, she promptly raised her hands—

"Mr. Kledos, I mean no harm!

I am 'Amiel' from the Talin Faction, affiliated with the 'Forty-Six Towers', and currently one of the members of the Earl of South Los's Staff Group."

The Talin Faction?

Forty-Six Towers!

The organization that 'Dark Serpent' Ciudik and the toad stole the 'Herculean Notes' and the 'Hercules Silver Potion' from!

The other party came because of 'Dark Serpent' Ciudik!

Arthur immediately thought of the record in toad Graham's diary.

At that moment, something stirred within him.

However, the coldness in his eyes did not dissipate.

Rather, it grew even more intense.

Even a sliver of murderous intent surfaced.

Arthur was making his stance clear: as a 'Secrecy' family with a powerful Bloodline and an extremely high reputation, how would he respond to this kind of probing?

Greet with a smile?

No, that's the reaction of ordinary people.

Turn hostile immediately?

Also incorrect, for it wouldn't align with the teachings of 'Secrecy'.

To conceal yet not reveal is most appropriate.

I have shown my displeasure at this probing, and I am prepared to take the next step, which would be fitting for the Kledos Family that chose 'Secrecy'.

And that would maximize my interests.

In fact, upon sensing Arthur's killing intent,

this self-proclaimed Talin Faction's Amiel displayed a bitter smile while her heart tightened with nervousness.

Even though she knew that the 'Secrecy' family style means Arthur would most likely not make a move directly, she worried about the off chance.

After all, she takes her own life very seriously.

Before coming here, she probably had an idea of what would happen, but she had to come—how could she refuse an order from that Countess?

She didn't have a death wish!

Moreover, it concerned the society's secrets; she had to come!

Even though in the '16th Staff Group', she had a friend from the 'Forty-Six Towers', she was certain that their pride would definitely lead to a fight with the target of the probing.

By then, it would be hard to settle things.

One Arthur Kredos, they were of course not afraid of.

But the Kledos Family?

If the Kledos Family truly were the rumored 'Black Cat Faction', they were definitely doomed—cats are known to hold grudges, after all.

And in order to appease the wrath of the Kledos Family, the Countess would surely hand them over, casually eliminate the Talin Faction, and then claim that everything was the Talin Faction's instigation, that the 'Forty-Six Towers' and she herself were misled.

Just like this time.

Who would have thought that the '66th Staff Group' would have someone go rogue?

Thinking of this, Amiel rubbed her cheeks.

Suddenly, the visage of Marinda was replaced by a round-faced, big-eyed lady, whose eyes were also blue but much paler than Marinda's, and lacked the presence expected of Marinda. Instead, it seemed her light blue eyes were filled with worries due to often furrowing her brows, and faint vertical lines were also present at the center of her forehead.

"I'm very sorry to meet you in this manner.

But please believe me, I have no ill intentions.

I am here only because of Freeman!"

Amiel spoke while she stood up, placing one hand gently over her chest and bowing slightly.

"Freeman?"

Arthur deliberately furrowed his brow.

"Yes, after he voluntarily surrendered to Miss Caesar last night, he directly gave us a very special Spy—the Spy is about to get in touch with the Core of the Staff Group as part of the '66th Staff Team'."

Arthur keenly noticed a very interesting point in the opponent's phrasing.

However, before Arthur could ask, the person opposite continued—

"Lord Count has three Staff Groups externally: the '16th Staff Team', the '66th Staff Group', and the 'Staff Group'.

The most core one is the '16th Staff Team', followed by the '66th Staff Group', and then the 'Staff Group'.

And now the '66th Staff Group' has temporarily stopped working, undergoing investigation by the '16th Staff Team' and the 'Staff Group'.

At the same time, the Lord Count's subordinates are also under investigation.

I am a member of the 'Staff Group', assigned by the Lord Count to investigate you.

Of course, it's not because I am outstanding, but because there are some gaps between 'Dark Serpent' Ciudik and the Talin Faction, we understand each other better.

Hence, it's my great honor to meet you."

The latter part of Amiel's speech was clearly ingratiating.

It wasn't a surprise to Arthur that the Countess of South Los had a Staff Group.

Despite her great power, the Countess of South Los was still not an all-knowing, all-powerful deity and still needed people to help manage her domain.

However, having three Staff Groups did surprise Arthur.

'To exchange and compromise with various forces within the territory?

To consider this a special honor and to gain more benefits for oneself?

Or perhaps…

Simply to coerce them into joining, to work for her—normally for no pay, but crucially as hostages?'

Arthur guessed it was a combination of the three, though mainly the latter.

Because…

Power!

The simplest reason was the attitude of the woman before him.

If the Staff Group held the upper hand, people with their own power wouldn't be this friendly.

Moreover, the opposing side seemed a bit afraid of death?

Not just superficially afraid.

Is it the kind of fear that comes from deep within the bones?

"If you're going to be like that, then I won't be polite anymore!"

Arthur still hadn't opened his mouth, but the murderous intent in his eyes began to dissipate.

Arthur knew that the main event wasn't here—the young 'Spirit Medium' was waiting patiently, without revealing a single emotion on the surface.

The next moment, Amiel pulled out an appointment letter.

Similar to the previous "Special Consultant" appointment letter, but this time, Arthur's benefits had been elevated a level to match those of a first-class officer: a weekly salary of 12 gold notes, clothing allowance in spring and fall, vacation allowance in summer and autumn; in the dead of winter, a one-time subsidy of 32 gold notes for coal and food; additionally, tax exemptions had been extended from him alone to his entire family.

In simple terms, the Kledos Family could now conduct 'Spirit Medium business' tax-free in South Los.

After Arthur confirmed the rounded, flowery script, his gaze shifted back to Amiel.

He felt the sincerity from the Countess of South Los.

But he hadn't felt Amiel's yet.

The other side also openly admitted that they came not only for official business but also because of 'Dark Serpent' Ciudik—shouldn't that merit compensation?

The lady from the Talin Faction seemed very agreeable.

"The Talin Faction excels at concocting Healing Potions. We are immensely grateful for your cooperation, please be sure to accept this."

The next moment, she produced a Potion from her sleeve.

Arthur's expression remained unchanged.

The other side pulled out another Potion.

Arthur continued to show no expression.

The other side produced yet another Potion.

After doing this six times, when Arthur noticed the other party's forehead sweating and her breathing becoming erratic, he slightly adjusted his sitting posture.

"The 'Dark Serpent' I encountered last night had a problem," Arthur stated.

No matter how the other side had investigated 'Dark Serpent' Ciudik, judging by the absence of any surprised expressions from the time they entered No. 2 Cork Street until now, their investigative skills weren't high—least of all to the extent that they'd discovered 'Dark Serpent' Ciudik had been dealt with by him.

If that was the case, he of course had to "cooperate fully."

Not just with Amiel but also with the Talin Faction behind her. Only by getting them all active in pursuit of the two Impostors, whose whereabouts were unknown, could he feel at ease.

Arthur believed that given the level of deception of the two Impostors, they must have prepared thoroughly, and the Talin Faction would be unable to find them in the short term.

Of course, if it weren't for the Countess, he would have chosen a more convenient approach.

But Arthur firmly denied having a ruthless heart.

He could only lament—

"Alas, my tender heart indeed makes me an outstanding 'Spirit Medium'."

The clueless lady from the Talin Faction was quite surprised by Arthur, who then watched as she pulled from her sleeve a beetle that seemed to have been carved from crystal.

At that moment, the beetle was flickering, as if breathing faintly.

"'Nono' can sense that the one you encountered last night is 'Dark Serpent,' even if he has disguised himself. 'Nono' will not mistake him.

Moreover, we must hurry now. As time passes, 'Nono's' sensing is becoming weaker."

To demonstrate her sincerity, the lady from the Talin Faction began to lay everything out.

However, Arthur shook his head.

"I told you, there was a problem with the 'Dark Serpent' I encountered last night."

Having said this, Arthur didn't concern himself with the curious and inquisitive look on the other party's face and simply pointed towards the door.

Amiel swore that if it weren't for fear of the Countess decimating her family, she would have grabbed the collar of this guy who only told half-truths right now and slapped him a couple of times to vent her frustration.

Not just out of curiosity about what was wrong with 'Dark Serpent.'

She was also curious about how Arthur had spotted her.

She was certain that her appearance, scent, and mannerisms after transformation differed not the slightest from the original Marinda.

What could it be?

Furthermore, she was now sure that Arthur was someone from the Cat Faction, even if not from 'Cat Faction. Black,' then definitely from another Cat Faction. Find your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

After all, who else would hold grudges like them?

Most importantly, her six Healing Potions!

Those were the results of her hard work over a year!

All fed to a cat!

Damn it!

She had even planned to exchange them for this quarter's new release of 'Bruto Family dolls'!

Blast it, this quarter was the special strawberry underwear edition!

Amiel, roaring in her heart, respectfully bowed to Arthur, then transformed back into Marinda's guise.

"I hope to see you again."

"If you dare to address me with that face again, the next time we meet, I'll sew your mouth shut," Arthur said coldly, his head bowed.

Knock on wood!

Do you understand, knock on wood!

Amiel felt utterly baffled by the 'Shaman's' temper before her—how could it change so abruptly?

Just like a cat.

No, he was a cat.

Yet his feelings for Miss Caesar seemed to be... genuine?

The lady from the Talin Faction thought to herself, swiftly leaving No. 2 Cork Street and climbing into the carriage driven by 'Edwin.' Once the carriage left Cork Street, she softly asked—

"How did it go?

Is Arthur your father?"