They all call me Great Master

Looking at the tea in front of him, Jimte was taken aback.

Although the noble had claimed last night that there was absolutely no issue with his tea ceremony, actually seeing it still came as a surprise.

That effortlessly flowing tea artistry truly left one in awe.

It's just...

It may have been an illusion, but he invariably felt there was an unexplainable bandit-like aura in the noble's movements.

Suppressing the doubts in his heart, Jimte picked up the teacup.

The moment the tea touched his lips, Jimte's eyes widened.

Sweet upon entry, a sweetness like no other, followed by the unique rich flavor of tea leaves, and incredibly smooth as it went down the throat!

This?!

Jimte was stunned.

As the son of a baron and the son-in-law of a marquis, he had drunk Lion's Tea before. Although it wasn't the kind specially supplied to the Old Lion, Jimte now believed that even that wouldn't compare to what he held in his hands.

'Why is it like this?

Could it be...

That technique just now?'

Jimte began to question his life choices.

Arthur smiled without speaking.

Why was his tea delicious?

Because he had added...

Honey!

A little bit of honey drastically improved the water quality.

This was the ruthless trick he had learned from a certain Old Charlie.

Of course, if this ruthless trick wasn't enough, Old Charlie had taught him another killer move—Tastelessness!

Simply put, it meant 'bluff'!

If you can't win, just bluff with your mouth, scam one after the other, staying stubborn and refusing to admit defeat.

Challenge them, and they won't understand the 'Tastelessness'!

But the tea artistry just now was genuine—

[Tea Ceremony (Tea Drinker Version) lv2: You're proficient in the basics of tea ceremony, but for some reason you've strayed off course.]

...

Right after he successfully made tea, this prompt appeared in front of him.

Arthur didn't care.

As for drinking tea, as long as you're happy, that's what matters.

A tea duel?

This skill was good enough.

Even more advanced?

Then I'll have to talk to you about 'Tastelessness'.

As a part-time 'Spirit Medium' and a non-primary 'Tea Artist', his main tactic was shamelessness.

Therefore, Arthur sat there contentedly, savoring his own tea.

Tea with honey added was delicious indeed!

Curious about the taste of the tea, Kalal, who hadn't forgotten his role, refrained from approaching and instead shouted loudly at Jimte: "How is it? Isn't his tea..."

"I admit defeat!

Lord Kredos's tea artistry is unmatched by anyone I have ever seen.

As per our agreement, the West Berlin coastal ports will grant you a tax exemption.

I hope...@@novelbin@@

We'll see each other at the 'South County Swordsmanship Finals'."

After speaking, a warm smile appeared on Jimte's fair face; he bowed gracefully and then turned to join his team.

The onlookers watched the noble youth's departure, with many showing admiration in their eyes.

They admired Jimte's bearing.

Looking at Kalal, though, they unleashed merciless laughter.

Especially upon seeing Kalal's dispirited demeanor, the crowd grew even more excited.

"The coastal ports of Ainhars will exempt your fleet from taxes!"

Kalal said through gritted teeth.

After speaking, he even made a threat.

"Don't let me catch you at the 'South County Swordsmanship Finals', or I'll make sure you regret it!"

Such graceless remarks provoked a chorus of boos from those around.

Yet when Kalal glowered at them, each person looked down and shut their mouths, their disdain growing louder only after Kalal had moved away.

And this was exactly what Arthur, Jimte, and Kalal had wanted.

During the discussions the night before, Arthur had given Jimte and Kalal different paths to follow.

Jimte, as someone with hopes of inheriting West Berlin Territory, naturally cared more about his reputation.

Kalal, who was known for his overbearing attitude, had a poor reputation and no chance at all; thus, it was better for him to leave the public eye and focus on his own development.

Of course, that wasn't the most important thing.

The most important was the 'South County Swordsmanship Finals'!

You must know, every three years the Swordsmanship Competition is held only once, and the local champion has the chance to go to Inner Bay to participate in the 'South County Swordsmanship Competition', also known as the 'Swordsmanship Finals'. The winner will be received by the Duke of the Inner Bay and even be granted a title.

Arthur wasn't interested in this 'Swordsmanship Finals'.

If possible, he didn't even want to go to Inner Bay.

After all, although he had never met the Grand Duke, their relationship was extremely poor, especially after the matters of Yumir Manor became public, leading to inevitable mutual animosity—not only had he nearly wiped out South Los' spies, but he had also taken out a good number of spies within the South Los Territory.

```

If the Old Lion were still calm, then he wouldn't be the Old Lion.

However, the title of 'Champion of the South Los Swordsmanship Competition' was something he had to get his hands on; he needed that 'Knight' title.

Therefore, the journey to Inner Bay had become essential.

So, he needed to make Jimte and Kalal his 'Alert Line'.

Once the news of this 'Tea Duel' spread, anyone who wanted to deal with him would surely contact the two of them.

Even if it wouldn't be everyone, it could still avoid the majority of troubles.

This was what Arthur valued and was also the reason for the 'encore performance'—'Every encore is for the next show.'

That was what Old Charlie said.

It still made so much sense.

Jimte had left.

Kalal had gone, too.

With the departure of the two lead actors, the good show began to disperse, and the 'extras' hidden in the small town started heading back to their caravans, transporting the Manor's armaments.

Arthur, clinging to Pendragon, boarded the police wagon—not to go ahead, for Arthur would return to South Los with the convoy.

At this time, it was just to catch up on sleep.

But as soon as Arthur climbed aboard, he saw a girl whom he had met once carrying a basket, pushed forward to the carriage by another girl.

Arthur watched with interest as the girl's blushing face and her companion's urging, along with the dejection of one boy not far away and the indignation of another boy.

In almost an instant, a whole hundred-episode melodrama unfolded in Arthur's mind.

However—

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have called you fat that day!

Though you are indeed quite fat!

No, I should say tubby!"

Norma expressed her apologies to Pendragon, then took out something from the basket and placed it in front of Pendragon.

It was a small bag of dried fish.

"This is a gift of apology. If you don't say anything, I'll take it as you accept my apology!"

The skirt-clad girl said to Pendragon.

Pendragon sniffed the dried fish and decided to forgive the girl's irreverence.

Meow~

She's just too cute!

The girl's eyes lit up, and then she raised her hand to pet Pendragon.

For the sake of the dried fish, Pendragon endured it for about five seconds.

When Pendragon became impatient, the skirt-clad girl quickly withdrew her hand and, bowing again to Pendragon, turned her gaze to Arthur—

"You really are a good person!

Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

Thank you for lifting the curse from our town and bringing an unforgettable competition. When my children grow up, I'll be sure to tell him or her about the 'Spirit Medium' named Arthur Kredos who broke the curse and thwarted the nobles' brave deeds!

Thank you for all you've done for Mount Gale Town!"

The skirt-clad girl earnestly gave thanks.

Arthur looked at the skirt-clad girl, deeply surprised.

The scene before him was not what he had expected.

But,

It wasn't bad.

So, Arthur responded with a smile.

Without entanglement, after another curtsy, the girl was about to leave.

But just as she turned around, the skirt-clad girl suddenly asked—

"Have you put on weight in the past two days?"

Suddenly, Arthur's smile froze.

No sooner had she spoken the words I realized I might have made a blunder again, the skirt-clad girl stuck out her tongue and turned to run toward her little friend, grabbing the bewildered hunter's son's hand and pulling him towards the town, laughter spilling from her mouth.

The innkeeper's daughter stomped her foot in frustration, but then chased after them, laughing.

The blacksmith's son laughed the loudest, especially when he realized no one was around and playfully slapped the back of the innkeeper's daughter's head, his laughter full of gusto.

The innkeeper's daughter pursued him angrily.

A game of chase began around the skirt-clad girl and the hunter's son.

The four young people, their laughter ceaseless.

That laughter carried far and wide through the warm afternoon sun.

Life, ah, it's not about the days you lived, but the days you remember.

And the moment before him—

"The little sure joys of life!"

Arthur picked up Pendragon, who had finished the dried fish, and muttered to himself as his gaze drifted to the distant figures of the four youngsters.

There was a touch of envy in Arthur's eyes.

But in the next moment, when Edwin appeared in his field of view, Arthur's expression returned to indifference.

Edwin respectfully handed over a note.

The note was from Marinda.

Arthur was astonished as he looked at the note.

He had just separated from Marinda not long ago.

And moreover, if there was something important, Marinda would surely have said it in person; sending a note seemed very odd.

Confused, Arthur took the note, and upon opening it, he suddenly realized—

So that's what it was!

```