They all call me Great Master

When the ping-pong ball-sized light ball fell into his hand, it was as light as a feather.

The words that appeared before him captivated Arthur's attention.

A slight smile appeared at the corner of the young spirit medium's mouth.

It was a smile one couldn't help but show when faced with the allure of power, something the Human Puppet 'Old Lion' had seen countless times. Wasn't the original Severus Hamlet the same?

This time?

No different!

Without hesitation, the Human Puppet 'Old Lion' immediately spoke.

"Now, you need to drop a drop of blood on it.

Then, in [Glyphic Language], say...

Liberation!

After that, leave it to me!"

"Alright."

Arthur nodded and did exactly as told.

He opened his mouth and bit down, a drop of fresh blood appeared at his fingertip.

It then dropped onto the light ball.

The young spirit medium whispered in [Glyphic Language].

"Liberation!"

"Hahaha!"

As soon as the sound echoed, the laughter of the Human Puppet 'Old Lion' could no longer be contained. It had endured for so long and finally achieved its goal.

Excitement, joy.

In this moment, it reached an extreme.

It experienced more emotions.

But, that was not important.

What was important was, it could soon become him instead of it.

"Why are you laughing?"

Seeing the startled young spirit medium, compassion appeared on the face of the Human Puppet 'Old Lion'—

"Long premeditated, revealing identity, crushing Baro, earning the title of New King...

Arthur, Arthur, you did well enough.

You definitely could be proud.

But, you became arrogant.

And that, is exactly what I need."

The Human Puppet 'Old Lion' took a deep breath, the laughter had already ceased, and all that was left was mockery on its face.

It continued speaking word by word.

"I needed your arrogance.

Therefore, I appeared here.

Because, only at this moment, would you become careless, more concerned about your unique Severus Hamlet bloodline.

Especially when I'm willing to return Severus Hamlet's property, you are bound to feel as if Destiny itself favors you.

How does it feel?

Isn't it great?"

Saying this, a ferocious look appeared in the eyes of the Human Puppet 'Old Lion'.

"Contract!

The contract just now is effective!"

The young spirit medium was utterly perplexed.

"Contract?

Contracts are fair, but contracts can also be circumvented—what of the effective contract?

I just pay the price, isn't that all?

I am a Human Puppet!

I am not truly human!

For real humans, death is irreversible, but for a Human Puppet like me, it can be reversed—and I had already arranged everything."

Speaking these words, the Human Puppet 'Old Lion' opened its arms, its voice growing louder.

"Do you know?

I waited for this opportunity for so long!

Finally, I waited it out!

Now, I am finally freed from Severus's restraint—he never would have thought, his offspring would really use all their fresh blood to unlock my bonds.

He didn't foresee that I would also become human.

What that replica achieved, there's no reason I can't achieve!"

The voice of the Human Puppet 'Old Lion' turned into a low growl.

At this moment, it was purely venting.

"Replica?"

Arthur looked bewildered, as if overwhelmed with information, unable to comprehend.

"I am the true Marshal Puppet.

I am mother's most perfect creation.

And it?

It's just an inferior imitation, it was merely lucky to be seen by Severus first!

Why was it allowed to become the real Severus? Simply because it was unearthed first.

And why should I become Severus's substitute?

Just because I was unearthed later.

But clearly, I am the Marshal Puppet!"

The Human Puppet 'Old Lion' roared.

But immediately, it restrained this agitation, speaking softly.

"Not important! None of it matters anymore!

The me now, is about to become him...

No!

It!

The limits of a Human Puppet, to me, will no longer exist!"

Having said this, the Human Puppet 'Old Lion' closed its eyes, waiting quietly.

Then...

Nothing happened.

The backlash from the contract did not arrive.

The restraint of the Human Puppet was not lifted.

Subconsciously, the Human Puppet 'Old Lion' opened its eyes.

It saw the young spirit medium playfully toying with the light ball, or more accurately: shards of the 'Deception Ritual'.

The 'Old Lion' Human Puppet was taken aback.

Arthur sighed—

"Some pretend to be just, some pretend to be kind, some pretend to be evil.

But it's the first time I've seen something pretending to be human.

Was it necessary? Was it worth it?"

Arthur seemed full of emotions as he looked at the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet.

"Moreover, since you want to pretend.

Why not pretend a little more convincingly?

At the very least, you should have a bit of human consciousness, right?

Actually using real stuff for the transaction.

Tsk."

Arthur let out a 'tsk', which at this moment, was more powerful than a thousand words.

The 'Old Lion' Human Puppet stumbled back as if struck by thunder.

"Were you just playing along with me?"

"Hmm.

Consider it my compensation.

Oh, by the way—

Thank you!"

Arthur picked up the Light Ball, and the drawn-out tone made the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet so upset that it nearly coughed up blood.

The 'Old Lion' Human Puppet roared repeatedly.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

I saw you bite your finger and let fresh blood drip on it!

The 'Distortion' Imprint on it should be enough to drain your fresh blood, granting me freedom, and at the same time, allowing me to lift the Human Puppet restrictions and become a real human.

No!

To become a god!

A true demigod!"

"Oh?

Is that the path of a Human Puppet?

To become human is to become a demigod?

And after that?"

Arthur showed a look of keen interest.

Unfortunately, the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet didn't speak anymore, its red eyes glaring at Arthur while its face contorted with emotion.

Up to now, it didn't understand why it had lost.

It had calculated everything.

Why did it lose?

It was the same last time.

Does destiny not favor it?

"Don't look at me like that.

I'm a bit scared."

Arthur mumbled softly, but even such whispering was heard clearly by the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet opposite him.

"Go to hell!"

Unable to endure any longer, the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet was about to attack.

Right now, it hadn't failed.

It still had a trump card.

But before it could take action, Arthur suddenly chuckled.

"Have you ever considered one thing.

Your appearance was also part of my plan?"

Arthur's question stunned the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet.

"You have too many flaws.

From the moment you had Dierbark, the editor of the Moon Newspaper, helping me so tirelessly, I started paying attention."

Arthur said.

"But that was kindness."

The 'Old Lion' Human Puppet was puzzled.

"Sorry, I'm a bit suspicious by nature.

Whether it's kindness or malice, it's the same with me.

So, I had people secretly investigate everything about you and the Old Lion. Though the traces were ancient, clues still remained.

That's how I learned some truth.

Of course, it was an exception."

Arthur said as he looked at the Light Ball in his hand.

"So..."

"Yes, I know your trump card too.

And, believe it or not, with just one snap of my fingers, you will turn into nothing."

Arthur abruptly interrupted the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet's words.

"I don't believe your nonsense!"

The 'Old Lion' Human Puppet said these words firmly, but its eyes were evasive.

Clearly, the 'Old Lion' Human Puppet was beginning to believe a bit.

And Arthur?

He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.

Snap!

A crisp sound.

The 'Old Lion' Human Puppet stood frozen on the spot.

The next moment—

It turned into dust.

The sealed space shattered along with it.

Without panic, Marinda waiting in place saw Arthur reappear, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"What happened?"

She inquired.

"Nothing much, just met a good person...

No, no.

It was the Transport Captain."

Arthur replied, glancing once again at the words that had just appeared, unable to suppress a smile.