A declaration of war rang out, and the entire venue fell silent.
The whole of Suke Street beca eerily quiet.
All the soldiers were stunned.
They looked at each other in bewildernt.
Declare war on Inner Bay?
That's the Inner Bay of the Golden Lion Family!
Do they stand a chance?
All the soldiers could see the unease on each other's faces, yet as soldiers loyal to the Bert Family, they could not speak out against it.
More importantly, if they opposed now, they would likely be killed as a warning to others, right?
The soldiers who had just fought their way through and were bloodied fell into silence.
Count Bert squinted his eyes.
At this mont, the Earl realized he had been away from the soldiers' "sight" for too long, so long that they had forgotten his temperant.
Just as the Earl was preparing to remind the soldiers before him—
"War declared!"
A voice of war declaration rang out from the crowd.
Soon after, more voices followed.
"War declared! War declared!"
Each voice ca from a different place, but all originated from one person.
Arthur!
Using the Noise Technique, Arthur spread his voice.
And the supernatural Bluff filled the voice with fervor.
Almost instantly, so soldiers were stirred up.
"War declared! War declared!"
The soldiers shouted boldly.
People tend to follow blindly.
Just like dominoes, when the first one falls, a chain reaction follows.
In just a few seconds, the entire Suke Street was filled with the sound of "war declared."
Count Bert struck while the iron was hot—
"Go notify the Bert Territory's fleet that I want them gathered at the port by sunrise!
Inform the lords under my domain to send troops!
I want to see them at Rondohart Port in three days!"
"Yes, Lord Count!"
The deputies of Depro, Diliven, and Peigi responded in unison.
Then, so people cleaned the battlefield, so went to the port, while others rode out of Rondohart Port toward other towns in the Bert Territory.
But falcons were even faster.
As for communication crystals?
So places had them.
However, most areas did not.
They could only rely on horseback, carrier pigeons, or falcons.
And after accomplishing all of this, a fine oak carriage drawn by four high-quality horses slowly appeared on the street—this was not the latest model Char Carriage, but one popular during the Silver Age. Its complex and expensive craftsmanship far exceeded ordinary Char Carriages, often costing as much as a mansion, which made it popular among the "true nobles."
The coachman cracked his whip.
Crack!
With a crisp sound, the carriage headed straight for Count Bert's mansion.
Since war had been declared on Inner Bay, returning to the suburban estate was naturally impossible.
A unit of soldiers followed neatly behind.
Every soldier's face was filled with excitent.
War is dangerous.
But during war, there are also opportunities.
Especially for these soldiers, it was the best chance to turn their fate around.
When ambition overcos apprehension, everything changes.
Furthermore, they had Count Bert!
A person as great as the Old Lion!
At least, that's how the soldiers saw it!
What these soldiers didn't know was that the person they revered was kneeling on one knee inside the carriage—
"Master, your orders have been fulfilled."
Count Bert respectfully lowered his head.
Arthur, while admiring the Char Carriage's spaciousness and comfort, adjusted himself to a more comfortable position before speaking.
"Well done."
After speaking, Arthur tossed out seven contracts.
"Sign them."
Count Bert's mouth twitched slightly as he looked at the seven contracts, which seed like indenture contracts.
It wasn't because of signing the contracts.
In fact, the Lord Count didn't oppose signing contracts.
Ever since Arthur obtained Hallward's Mastery, the Earl had willingly submitted, genuinely and willingly.
Choosing "defy and lose your life" was not for Count Bert.
But seven contracts seed a bit excessive.
It's too cautious.
Count Bert thought to himself, but quickly signed his na on the seven contracts.
Then, the Earl eagerly asked—
"Master, what's our next step?"
"According to plan, head toward Inner Bay.
If anything happens, I'll contact you."
As Arthur spoke, he examined the seven contracts closely.
With Hallward's Mastery in hand, he had indeed grasped Count Bert's lifeline, but ever since encountering the special prop Thief's Door, Arthur couldn't be sure that just Hallward's Mastery would ensure Count Bert's loyalty.
Who knew if Count Bert would hold sothing back?
Thus, the need for contracts to ensure things.
This was beneficial for both him and the other party.
After all, moving forward, he wouldn't have extra effort to deal with the other party.
Seeing Arthur's cautious deanor, Count Bert couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He understood that his small tricks were better not to be played.
Otherwise, it would backfire.
"Excellent!
Maintain your current mindset!"
After storing away the seven contracts, Arthur verbally encouraged Count Bert.
Then, without noticing Count Bert's changing expression, Arthur disappeared with a swift move, leaving Count Bert in the carriage with furrowed brows, looking troubled.
'I underestimated!'
Count Bert was quite surprised at having his thoughts exposed.
He hadn't expected Arthur to possess such sharp insight.
Or...
He'd beco sluggish.
Because of the "Undying," he'd beco too sluggish.
Fortunately, discovering it now wasn't too late.
He still had a chance.
A chance to change this sluggishness.
And a chance to correct the "small error" he just made.
He was convinced that his inherent value would surely make Arthur forgive him.
As long as he didn't make such mistakes in the future, he could definitely beco Arthur's most capable subordinate.
And now?
This Earl suddenly thought of sothing.
'If I accomplish this...
Not only can I correct the small error, but I might also gain more recognition from the Master, right?'
Thinking of this, the Earl's lips curled as he lightly tapped the carriage barrier, signaling the coachman to speed up.
As for Arthur, who moved far away, just as Count Bert suspected, he didn't "keep this matter in mind"—for Arthur, Count Bert's value allowed him to tolerate so mistakes that hadn't truly happened.
If they did happen?
He'd see how using supernatural power to imprint Hallward's Mastery might affect Count Bert.
However, nothing happened.
Everything was well.
And now?
Arthur stood on the riverside, bringing out the Key.
With a silent activation in his mind.
In the next mont—
Arthur's Spirit dium broke through the river surface and appeared directly.
Accompanying its appearance were written introductions.
After a detailed examination, Arthur's eyes lit up brightly.
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