They all call me Great Master

The sun dispelled the night and awakened those who had slept through the hours of darkness.

Most people in the area continued their usual routines, waking up to wash and prepare for the day.

The wife of a middle-class family had received the bread delivered from the bakery, with meat from the deli being an essential part, and the spices bought from the grocery store made breakfast abundant.

Butter, honey, and cream were only seen during festivals in the 'Silver Age'.

Even during festivals, these were not used lavishly.

But after entering the 'Pioneer Era', everything changed.

Concession from the nobles.

The rise of shipping.

The progress of productivity.

All made things different.

At least, Mr. Duer, who lived on Cork Street, was very satisfied with his life now. He still remembers that when he wanted to eat a portion of roasted meat weighing about 50g during his childhood, he had to wait until the Cold Winter Festival — it was possible, not certain, usually once every two or three years.

And now?

Mr. Duer looked at the 500g pan-fried meat steak on the table, a satisfied smile on his face.

Of course, the black pepper and salt handed over by his wife added a touch of happiness that only a middle-aged man can understand.

Watching his wife care for their son and daughter during breakfast, Mr. Duer, the head of the family, unconsciously straightened his spine.

He wanted to say something before the meal.

As the manager of a trading company, Mr. Duer felt he should do so.

But before he could speak, his wife interrupted him—

"Come home early tonight.

I bought new pajamas from the department store.

Black silk."

Her voice wasn't loud.

If it weren't for sitting next to her, Mr. Duer might not have heard these words.

Mr. Duer had always prided himself on his hearing.

But at this moment, he rather wished he hadn't heard.

That's marriage for you.

Always carries some hidden signals.

Especially between an older husband and a younger wife, there's an exceptional rapport.

Not much is needed, just a glance is enough.

In the past...

No!

To be precise, just three years ago, Mr. Duer would have been excited beyond measure at this time.

But that was three years ago.

Now?

Mr. Duer felt a chill at his lower back, his legs trembling, and the words he had been preparing turned into—

"I'll get the newspaper!"

Speaking, Mr. Duer eagerly got up and headed towards the door.

He already heard the sound of the extras.

Of course, these aren't important.

What's important is what he should do tonight.

Overtime?

That won't work!

He used that excuse last time.

Friends gathering?

Even worse.

After using that excuse last time, his wife hosted a small salon at home, and not only his friends came, but also their wives.

Then?

The ladies started talking among themselves.

The sight was enough to make him and his friends tremble in fear.

Among his friends, two temporarily lost contact with him.

Those two enjoy clubbing too much.

Another one had bruises all over.

That one's wife hails from the countryside, specialized in horseshoeing alone, with arms thicker than his friend's thigh.

The last one, appeared fine on the surface.

But he had been seen in the park for three consecutive days at dusk, and his clothes seemed a bit stale.

In summary, a friends gathering is not a good idea.

'Maybe I should fake a fall?'

Mr. Duer began leaning towards extremes.

There's no choice, middle age brings countless tiredness.

Thinking so, Mr. Duer handed over the Zeroes, took today's "South Los Daily" from the newsboy, and waited for the next paper—as a manager of a trading company, of course, Mr. Duer wouldn't just read one newspaper, the daily was merely the foundation.

While waiting, Mr. Duer opened the newspaper.

Then—

"How is this possible?!"

Mr. Duer exclaimed.

The "South Los Daily" published news of the Countess of South Los declaring war on Inner Bay, because the Heir of Inner Bay repeatedly provoked South Los noble Arthur Kredos.

This was on the front page.

The second page reported that the ruler of South Los had granted Arthur Kredos the title of Baron.

Mr. Duer flipped through the pages.

His expression kept changing.

This head of the family thought this was fake news.

But this was news published in the "South Los Daily", how could it be fake?

Then, more newspapers featured similar reports.

"True!

It's all true!"

Mr. Duer murmured to himself, almost subconsciously, this head of the family looked next door.

Under the giant banyan tree, No. 2 Cork Street was almost completely shaded.

When the wind blew, the shade swayed with the tree crown.

Making everything seem unreal.

In his memory, the kid next door—Arthur, in his eyes was still a child, even Drake and Cassandra were just slightly older kids.

Only Old Charlie's age warranted respectful conversation.

But unknown to him, that child turned into someone he looked up to.

When did it start?

It should've been after Police Chief Lauke died, right?

From that point on, that child in his mind seemed to change every day.

In just a short period, he became someone influential across the entire South County.

"Truly awe-inspiring!"

Mr. Duer sighed, but he didn't linger and returned home. Facing his wife's puzzled look, he quickly spoke—

"Remember Dotton?

The one who got beaten up by his wife, all black and blue!

You take the kids and go to the countryside with her.

Don't worry.

Dotton is probably packing his wife's luggage right about now."

Mr. Duer said this, then quickly dashed into the washroom.

From the ceiling in the washroom, he fetched some private money wrapped in parchment.

"Take it.

It could be a lifesaver in critical moments!"

After speaking, Mr. Duer rushed into the bedroom.

From a hidden compartment in the bedroom, he took out two firearms.

"Take them.

They could save your life in critical moments!"

After saying that, this head of the household went out to call a carriage.

Mrs. Duer, whose thoughts were disrupted by the sudden change, still hadn't reacted.

However, she trusts her husband.

She is well aware that her husband's vision and knowledge far surpass hers.

Since he asked her to take the kids and leave, there must be a reason.

Yet her concerns continued to deepen.

"Duer, you?"

"I have to stay.

I must stay—even though things aren't at the worst yet. On the contrary, staying at this time might bring unexpected surprises.

The greater the danger, the greater the reward!

Don't worry!

It might just be a false alarm.

By the time you return, I might be the general manager!"

Mr. Duer smiled, comforting his wife.

He sent his wife onto the carriage, kissed his son and daughter, then quickly pulled back his smile.

After that, Mr. Duer rushed toward the dock.

Tickets!

He had to prepare for the worst!

He had to get four tickets out of South Los!

If he couldn't get four.

Then three!

At least three!

With this thought, Mr. Duer quickened his pace.

Soon, he saw his friend who had been sleeping rough in the park, along with two friends he had temporarily lost contact with, all heading to the dock.

Moreover, not just the four of them.

More well-dressed people were heading to the dock.

The four exchanged a glance, feeling their hearts sink.

Unease began to spread.

But no one gave up.

After all, they were heads of their households.

Following the declaration of war, South Los experienced a chain reaction.

It was the same in Seberlin.

And also in Ainhars.

Even more so in Bert Territory.

The astute middle-class sensed something amiss; wealthy merchants and nobles began seeking alternatives, while commoners were confused. But regardless of their class, everyone remembered one name—

Arthur Kredos!

Like a whirlwind, it stirred from the depths of everyone's hearts, spreading throughout their bodies.

A tingling sensation spread from the scalp.

Everyone widened their eyes, looking at that name.

In this moment, they gained an indelible memory of this name.

And this brought Arthur a rich harvest—

[The South Los Territory, West Berlin Territory, Ainhars Territory, Bert Territory experienced some level of upheaval due to your declaration of war on Inner Bay, shaking the entire South County; XP +10000]

[Possessing a small parish, the 'Inland Church' reached a fever pitch in their fervor for you, seeing you as a miracle; XP +10000]

[From South Los to Inner Bay, along the journey, with your intentional promotion and close cooperation with other forces, your name gradually became synonymous with 'Calamity'. With the declarations of war across four regions, you were solidified as the bearer of 'Calamity'; XP +10000]

[From this moment, more people in South County heard your name: XP +3000]

33000XP!

A satisfying XP amount for Arthur.

Bear in mind, this is just the beginning, not the end.

With the spread and confirmation of the news, Arthur could easily imagine the appearance of his harvest then.

Especially when Bert Territory deployed troops and other territories followed suit, the XP would truly be astronomical—of course, to make this astronomical number even more exaggerated, he had also thought of some subsequent plans.

However, that was for later.

For now—

Arthur looked at his total XP count.

109000XP!

He saved enough!

The XP needed for an extreme breakthrough to the Ascend Step was saved!

Not only saved enough, but he had plenty to spare.

Among the remaining base materials, both [Dragon's Horn] and [Raging Bear's Gallbladder] were in place.

As for the 'Fierce Tiger's Claw' and 'Terrible Wolf's Ear'?

Arthur believes the Countess had them prepared.

However, Arthur didn't immediately contact the Countess.

The young South Los Spirit Medium looked at Potterman—

"Potterman, can I trust you?"

"Of course, Your Highness!

Your will is the doctrine of my life!"

The Left Cantor of the 'Death Poetry Society' said.

Arthur smiled and nodded.

Then he spoke—

"So, can you die for a bit?"