They all call me Great Master

Chapter 298 In front of a cat, everything makes perfect sense!

Arthur did know of Jimte and Kalal's pride.

But when he saw Jimte and Kalal kneel on one knee, he realized he had still underestimated their pride.

Impossible! Impossible!

You two couldn't possibly think that I came here just for the two of you, right?

And to go through such an elaborate setup just for you two?

Arthur grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he remained calm.

It seemed as if he had anticipated everything.

Jimte and Kalal did not see it clearly, but they vaguely sensed—before the elevated Arthur, the two knelt on one knee, their heads bowed, right fists placed over their hearts.

"I, Jimte Norvia, hereby swear by 'my own name' and take my bloodline as my glory, to the person before me, Arthur Kredos, I vow to be loyal and fearless, to fight until death—glory is my life!"

"I, Kalal Einhaus, hereby swear by the 'Dual Sword Banner' and take my bloodline as my honor, to the person before me, Arthur Kredos, I vow to be loyal and fearless, to fight until death—glory is my life!"

Compared to Wiggins's nondescript 'Lionheart Ceremony.'

The nobly born Jimte and Kalal, both of them were incredibly formal and complete.

Because—

The words of their oath were uttered in the Glyphic Language.

Immediately, their spirituality trembled.

The Spiritual Light representing the two appeared before Arthur.

Arthur did not straighten his body.

"I look forward to it!"

As the young 'Spirit Medium' spoke these words, two longswords flew out of Atos's Box—during the battle at Moon Street, Arthur had collected quite a few weapons, and these two longswords were among the better ones, perfectly suited for the situation at hand.

A knight follows.

A lord bestows rewards.

The contract is established.

It is only natural.

Since Jimte and Kalal had sworn their oaths, he was bound to respond.

The two longswords tapped on the shoulders of Jimte and Kalal, and the hilts were flipped around.

The moment the two noble scions grasped the hilts, the Spiritual Light representing them merged into Arthur's body.

With this, the ceremony was complete.

Jimte and Kalal solemnly held the 'Ceremonial Swords.'

Although they were not arcane artifacts, the existence of 'Ceremonial Swords' in some ways far surpassed ordinary arcane artifacts.

Because this was the proof of the 'Lionheart Ceremony.'

It was also part of the ritual.

As they campaigned alongside their lord, and as the lord achieved greater accomplishments and the knight established greater meritorious service, the 'Ceremonial Swords' could continuously be promoted, but this only applied to 'Ceremonial Swords' that were not arcane artifacts.

Therefore, during the 'Lionheart Ceremony,' one should choose swords as good as possible but not arcane artifacts as the base material.

The longswords in their hands were of exceptionally fine material, clearly chosen with care.

'He really did come for me!

Otherwise, why would he have prepared such fine longswords in advance!'

Jimte and Kalal thought in unison.

Especially Kalal, the young noble stripped away his mask of arrogance and impudence, touching the longsword in his hands with earnest and fervent eyes.

To this, Jimte was not surprised.

Because this was the bloodline of the Marquess of Ainhars.

A 'Ceremonial Sword' that could grow was indeed a rare treasure for a member of the Ainhars Family.

Unlike him...

Even at the time of swearing, he could not use the 'name of the Norvia Family,' only his own name—although his aunt would not mind, his pride would not allow it.

He, would establish his meritorious service in 'his own name.'

Subconsciously, Jimte looked towards Arthur.

Kalal, a beat slower in his reaction, immediately sheathed his 'Ceremonial Sword' and bowed apologetically.

Arthur waved his hand with a smile.

He was always lenient towards his own people.

However, there were some things that still needed to be said—

"'Cat Faction. Black,' welcome to the fold.

"You will follow me as members of the 'Black Cat Faction.'"

Arthur's words were calm, but to Jimte and Kalal, they sounded like thunderclaps.

The two looked up abruptly, staring blankly at their lord.

Then, both of their faces showed sudden realization and relief.

During the battle with 'Cat Faction.Black' and the subsequent division of power, the families of the Marquess of Seberlin and the Marquess of Ainhars did not participate.

It was precisely because of this that their lord sought them out first.

Otherwise, with their lord's strength, he could have easily killed them already.

Of course, it's also fortunate they agreed.

Otherwise, they would probably be dead by now.

Hadn't they chosen to swear allegiance just now because they feared the lord would kill to silence them?

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Now it seemed they had indeed made the right choice.

Their lord was actually the 'Black Cat' of this era!

All the trump cards they held would have been useless against him!

Lucky! So lucky!

Both men felt deeply relieved at the bottom of their hearts.

And then Jimte thought of even more.

If the lord was the current 'Black Cat,' then the lord's grandfather, Mr. Charlie... Wait! Could it be that Mr. Charlie actually harbored feelings for their aunt?

Yes!

Only if he truly loved their aunt would he lay down his 'Black Cat' duties and completely abandon his own glory.

Only such a sacrifice could make their aunt love so deeply that she still waited for this gentleman to this day.

'So that's how it is!'

All along, Jimte hadn't quite understood his aunt's love for Mr. Charlie until now when he seemed to suddenly grasp some understanding.

A man who sacrificed everything, and a woman who did everything possible to gain more for this man's legacy...

If that isn't love, then what is?

In an instant, the traces of anger and sorrow in Jimte's heart began to dissipate.

And Arthur, who had been observing their expressions closely, smiled inwardly.

After their oaths of allegiance, Arthur knew he had to make their 'guesses' seem reasonable—which would be incredibly difficult for others.

But for Arthur, it was all too simple.

He had the most appropriate and logical 'identity' to present to them.

The 'Black Cat' of this age!

You see, during the fall of 'Cat Faction.Black,' the families of the Marquess of Seberlin and the Marquess of Ainhars were among the rare few who did not participate.

Therefore, it was only natural for him to appear here.

"From the fleet's profits, you shall hold a ten percent share—this is the capital for you to develop your own power, and equally, it's your reward.

If you provide ships to join the fleet, that share will increase to thirty percent.

I will arrange suitable sailors and captains.

And you?

Enhance your strength,"

Arthur said indifferently.

There was no room for negotiation, as the existence of the 'Lionheart Ceremony' had long determined the inequality of the conversation.

Jinte and Kalal harbored no dissatisfaction with this.

In their minds, they had originally thought that they would need to invest in the fleet to get a share, yet the lord unexpectedly granted them a ten percent reward.

"We thank you for your generosity."

Jimte and Kalal expressed their gratitude again with a bow.

This time, their thanks were even more heartfelt.

And that was exactly the effect Arthur wanted.

The 'Lionheart Ceremony' was reliable, but tying interests together was even more so.

While loyalty was assured by the former, it was the latter that was most important for motivation.

In fact, the next moment, Arthur saw the results.

Almost in unison, Jimte and Kalal spoke up—

"My lord, I have a proposal!"