They all call me Great Master

Stolas was the one with a large body and lustrous black feathers, naturally able to distinguish herbs and to some extent, identify gems.

Mapa was of average build with bright, spirited eyes, possessing considerable intelligence, capable of understanding human speech, and would use their wit to gather followers.

After the two new crows were given their names, they immediately spread their wings and jumped onto the beams of No. 2 Cork Street—not the highest one, but the one just below it.

At the same time, facing Wuni's scrutiny during the rest period, Stolas and Mapa showed their respect and obedience.

The exceptional talents in Stolas and Mapa were innate to their bloodlines.

But it was also precisely because of such extraordinary bloodlines that Stolas and Mapa could clearly sense the differences between themselves and Wuni.

"Clever crows."

Marinda said softly as she watched this scene.

Meanwhile, Arthur, stroking the Feast of Crows, which now bore an additional crack, hummed softly—

"One is so sorrowful, two so delightful,

Three for girls, four for boys,

Five turn wealthy, six go broke,

Seven call the witch, no more shall I speak."

A unique cadence that drew Marinda's attention.

The lady had witnessed the process of Arthur taming Stolas and Mapa with the contract and the Feast of Crows, but what made the lady feel helpless was that she hadn't noticed any difference.

No aura as she had imagined.

No brilliance either.

Everything was quite normal.

But it was precisely because of this that everything was not normal.

Because, even with the Feast of Crows, it should have been impossible to disregard the original time required and enhance the expected quality.

This was all against the norm.

Yet it had happened nonetheless.

Marinda focused on Arthur, involuntarily pondering the rhyme he was humming.

But aside from the word 'witch,' the rest seemed normal.

As for bearing girls or boys?

Marinda didn't pay it any mind.

Arthur, on the other hand, noticed Marinda's gaze on him.

At the same time, Arthur guessed what Marinda had just tried to do.

Regrettably, under the influence of the talent Breath of Death, Marinda had discovered nothing, just like those who had met their demise before Arthur without understanding why their 'Death Qi' failed and turned against them.

But Marinda was different.

Because she had Arthur's 'explanation'—

"What you can't find, or rather, what you have found but then ignored."

Arthur looked at Marinda with a smile, exuding the enigmatic state befitting a 'Spirit Medium.'

Marinda really wanted to punch that smiling face thrice.

The first punch aimed at the nose.

The second punch targeted the eyes.

The third punch, certainly aimed at the mouth.

'No, that's not right!

The first punch should be at the mouth. When hitting Arthur, one must hit his mouth, can't let him speak another word, or else he'll deceive you.'

Marinda thought quite seriously to herself.

As she saw Arthur rising to open the food box and pick up the egg tart within, the lady snorted lightly.

"Anyone who loves sweets has blood filled with sugar, inviting...

Blood, bloodline?

Are you saying that it's because of your bloodline, that you have such an effect on the crows?

The Eternal Monster? A rebellious bloodline?

What exactly is it?"

Caught off guard, Marinda found a fitting answer under Arthur's 'hint,' but even more doubts emerged.

To this, Arthur could offer no help.

After all...

He hadn't decided yet.

"Let's eat."

Thinking too much can lead to hair loss.

"Tsk, Lady Mary's version of clay pot beef?"

Arthur's eyes lit up as he lifted the clay pot beef from the lunchbox.

Unlike Grandma Andor's clay pot beef, Lady Mary's version not only featured a crusty pastry lid but also boasted more cheese and crushed peanuts.

Inside the pot, besides diced beef, there were also oxtails.

The broth was fresh with a hint of sweetness, enriched with spring onion and coriander, which were not only garnishes but also thoroughly infused into the soup.

The meat was tender.

The soup was savory.

This made Arthur praise Lady Mary's cooking skills once again.

"I feel like I could eat ten pots."

"You don't need to feel it; you really could eat ten pots."

Having learned a lesson from a previous dining experience, Marinda placed her own portion in front of herself ahead of time.

Bringing a lunchbox was not just for appearance's sake.

Marinda truly hadn't eaten.

After Arthur and the guests had left Caesar Manor, she had thrown herself into work—as there had been delays in progress due to the title inheritance ceremony, she needed to catch up.

Arthur scoffed at Marinda's lack of trust in him.

While eating his food, he suddenly said—

"Madam Susan had come by earlier."

"Hmm?"

Marinda immediately straightened her posture with a serious look.

She remembered the housekeeper of the Countess of South Los quite well.

Not for her strength.

But for her tact.

She had experienced that silent 'balancing act' firsthand.

"She came for the 'South County Swordsmanship Competition' in Inner Bay.

To ensure my smooth participation in the 'South County Swordsmanship Competition,' the lady brought me the Entry-level Atlas of 'Cat Faction. Orange' and the requisite materials on behalf of Lord Count."

Arthur spoke selectively, listing the details.

And with Marinda's intelligence, she immediately grasped the crux.

"What happened at the 'South County Swordsmanship Competition' in Inner Bay?"

"The Grand Duke has changed the champion's prize to a title and land."

Arthur said straightforwardly.

From Marinda's expression, Arthur confirmed that this news was still spreading within a small circle of nobility, but he didn't mind informing Marinda.

Firstly, with Marinda's network of information, she would likely know by nightfall at the latest.

Secondly, he needed to use this news to gain some support from Marinda.

Besides—

"Could it really be?"

Marinda muttered to herself, somewhat dazed.

Although Marinda was well aware of the difficulty Arthur faced in actually becoming the champion of the 'South County Swordsmanship Competition,' the thought that her own hard-won title and manor could be matched by Arthur in the blink of an eye still made the lady feel slightly 'unbalanced'—in other words, despite the formidable challenge, Marinda still believed Arthur could win.

To this, Arthur expressed his appreciation for Marinda's support.

Then, seizing the moment of Marinda's distraction, he took away the clay pot beef in front of her.

Before Marinda could snap back to attention, he quickly continued—

"So, as the mother of the child, it's time for you to take action."

The sudden reference left Marinda startled, not coming to her senses immediately.

After swallowing two pieces of beef and sipping the soup, Arthur spoke deliberately.

"Inner Bay has its own favorite contender—

Joel Colman!

He has the home field advantage!

So, as the mother concerned about her child's father, you might do something a tiny bit irrational!"

Marinda's eyes sparkled.

Then the lady narrowed her eyes slightly, probing tentatively—

"Are you suggesting?"