The calls were as vast as mountains and seas, and Arthur sat atop Skull Summit.
When the young 'Spirit Medium' looked down, Jimte and Kalal at the base of the skeletons unconsciously bowed their heads—in that moment, the cunning plans that had just begun to rise in the hearts of the two noblemen were utterly crushed.
"Greetings, Lord Kledos."
The two greeted Arthur.
The young 'Spirit Medium' did not respond immediately, but instead raised his hand to lightly stroke Kuliqi's forehead.
He was giving his dog the praise it deserved.
The Death Hound, with its Labrador appearance, immediately showed its unique smile as its thick tail wagged nonstop.
And when Arthur lightly tapped its head, the clever Kuliqi immediately lay down within the shadows at Arthur's feet, vanishing from sight.
However, it kept its gaze firmly locked on Jimte and Kalal.
The two scions of nobility distinctly felt the Death Hound's piercing gaze, instinctively causing the hairs on their backs to stand on end.
But compared to the pressure of the Death Hound, the silent Arthur put even more pressure on them, that palpable sense of dread...
'The effect is good!'
Arthur, who had been observing them closely, thought to himself.
Having confirmed that the two were wearing the appropriate masks, Arthur had been contemplating how to take control of the conversation—considering the identities of the two, their cautious personalities, and the cunning fostered by their environments, Arthur decided to give them a bit of 'psychological counseling.'
He intended to use the 'Spirit Medium's' most adept skills to comfort them.
Therefore, the skeletons within the manor were collected.
Six Hands of Void built a 'stage' with unparalleled speed, using the skeletons' broken weapons as 'stage decorations.'
Of course, there was also that chair.
Arthur genuinely liked this spacious chair—not because he instinctively felt he could comfortably lie in it even if he got fat.
As for Ritual "Orange Cat," it might have side effects, but as long as one keeps up with the training, surely a balance can be found.
Arthur believed this to be true.
Just as he was convinced that the 'stage' he set up, combined with the Noise Technique and the Minor Curse Technique, could definitely create the psychological pressure he wanted to impose on Jimte and Kalal.
In fact, the effect was even better than imagined.
With the previous commotion that arose during his fight with Melvil, the two were already biased, and the 'stage' brought an initial visual shock.
The Minor Curse Technique, designed for those with 'Talent,' easily confused their senses, creating the most crucial point—reality!
Jimte and Kalal could only feel discomfort from everything they witnessed.
Then, when the disruptive sounds of the Noise Technique rang out,
everything was set in stone.
For this, Arthur sincerely thanked the deceased Melvil.
Had it not been for his practice against Melvil, he could not have so precisely gauged the threshold for frightening yet not harming those with 'Talent' with the Minor Curse Technique.
As for Jimte and Kalal not noticing this place, unable to discover his previous fight with Melvil?
Their personalities and behavior patterns had already doomed them to closely watch this place, but before the dust settled, they would not truly approach.
And this gave Arthur the space to operate.
The young 'Spirit Medium' silently stared at Jimte and Kalal for two seconds, and to complement his gaze, he discreetly cast another Minor Curse Technique.
The sense of dread appeared once more!
Jimte and Kalal's foreheads began to sweat.
Arthur Kredos, truly an Entrant!
Only an Entrant could exert such pressure on them!
Realizing this, the two extremely nervous noblemen simultaneously felt a surge of helplessness deep within.
Despite their various disguises, the essence of their characters was rather arrogant—with a sense of superiority from the success of their guises and confidence in their own strength.
The two firmly believed their Talents were among the most excellent in the world.
But after they encountered Arthur Kredos, their confidence was shaken.
While the two were still searching for the direction of the 'Great Arcana Level,' someone their age had already become an 'Entrant,' and the fact that their confidence was not crushed demonstrated the strength within them.
Still, the impact was unavoidable.
And this was exactly what Arthur wanted.
'It should be about time!'
Estimating the effect, Arthur finally spoke—
"Winter is coming, what can you bring me?"
Jimte and Kalal's bodies shuddered.
They then looked up at Arthur on Skull Summit.
Arthur's calmness only intensified their trepidation.
They believed that the 'winter' mentioned in Arthur's words was definitely not referring to the coldest season, but surely represented something else!
The two speculated and subconsciously began to contemplate what they could offer as a price to secure a chip in Arthur's game.
Tax exemption for the coastal ports within the West Berlin Territory and the Marquis of Ainhars Territory?
What Arthur wanted was certainly not just these trivial matters!
It had to be something deeper!
Money, treasures, secret techniques…
One by one, Jimte and Kalal eliminated various chips from their options, until in the end, there was only one guess left in their minds—
'He has come for me!'
Why else would Arthur Kredos use the pretext of port tax exemption?
Because, Arthur Kredos has approached me using this excuse!
Arthur Kredos has come for me!
Aside from myself, what else could be worthy enough for a person like Arthur Kredos to scheme so carefully for?
The instant this guess surfaced, the two immensely proud individuals affirmed it in their hearts.
But almost immediately, they began to feel conflicted.
Arthur, looking down at the two, slightly smiled within—when seeking to 'cooperate' with habitual mask-wearers like Jimte and Kalal, one must never act first. It is imperative to let these two take the initiative.
Otherwise, it would only backfire.
Of course, the premise for all this is to 'suppress' the two individuals in question.
If you let them take the initiative carelessly, then prepare to be thoroughly exploited and buried in the earth, or tossed into the sea, or even shattered to pieces.
Arthur would never doubt their ruthlessness, just as he would never doubt their pride.
So, even if he truly wanted the tax exemption for the ports, he had to make them offer it voluntarily.
And, considering their personalities, they might even throw in something extra.
'It's not in vain that I've put in so much effort to set this up!'
Just as the young 'Spirit Medium' was guessing what unexpected gains he might acquire, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Down below, Jimte and Kalal suddenly knelt on one knee.