The massive roast, along with the bones, was set on the table, accompanied by coarse bread, sweet soup, and a large bowl of lettuce, with seasonings of butter, honey, cream, coarse salt, and black pepper.
This meal was sumptuous enough for the commoners.
But for a great noble, it wasn't sufficient.
Anyone invited would feel slighted.
At least, at the very least, there should be a roasted deer.
Ideally, the antlers of the deer should be adorned with an assortment of roasted fruits.
However, those familiar with the Marquis of Ainhars wouldn't think so.
They might even feel flattered.
Because this marquis adhered to the Ainhars family's tradition—a tradition unique to demon hunters.
Simple and direct.
Or rather...
Filling and satisfying.
As a guest, Arthur was grateful that the Marquis of Ainhars retained a part of the demon hunter's tradition, at least this marquis didn't torment him with grand balls or prolonged salons.
That's right!
For Arthur, such social and relaxed interactions were a torment.
Because Arthur had to be vigilant and attentive at all times.
Not only did he need to secretly record everyone's expressions, but he also needed to repeatedly analyze and infer things that might concern him or might not.
Tired?
Of course.
Yet no matter how exhausting, it's better than dying for an unexplained reason, right?
Just like now—
The Marquis of Ainhars signaled his personal valet and chef to leave.
Arthur's heart tightened.
He knew that the marquis was about to discuss something important.
Or rather, inquire about something.
Whether it was a discussion or inquiry, it demanded Arthur's full attention.
Arthur didn't believe that signing a contract made everything safe and secure.
If something was carelessly revealed, it could lead to significant trouble.
At the very least, the marquis in front of him would not easily let it go.
This marquis's character was as sharp as his twin swords, and...
Easy to understand!
While raising his guard internally, Arthur outwardly tore off a piece of roast, dipped it in coarse salt, and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing heartily.
As for the sweet soup in front of him, he drank it like a cow quenching its thirst.
In almost one gulp, the bowl of sweet soup was emptied.
Seeing Arthur's demeanor, the Marquis of Ainhars wasn't offended at all.
On the contrary, the marquis appreciated Arthur's style very much.
Consequently, the marquis swallowed back his words, waiting until Arthur had finished his third piece of roast and displayed a satisfied expression before speaking.
And that straightforward inquiry became gentle at this moment—
"Arthur, what do you think of that matter?"
That matter?
Which matter?
I have no idea, how am I supposed to think about it?
Of course, I couldn't care less!
Facing such vague questions could give anyone a headache.
Arthur was no exception.
In fact, Arthur despised such enigmatic individuals.
However, Arthur was surrounded by such enigmatic individuals.
Thus, Arthur had long been accustomed to it.
No matter how much he grumbled internally, outwardly, Arthur only furrowed his brows slightly.
Adapting was inevitable.
Only by treating the symptoms could there be a result.
Under the gaze of the Marquis of Ainhars, the young South Los Spirit Medium took out the first three items of the 'Salt Brick Oil Sword': [Demon-Repelling Holy Salt], [Evil-Repelling Brick Powder], and [Barrier Oil].
The Marquis of Ainhars's eyes immediately showed astonishment.
The marquis clearly didn't expect Arthur to have [Demon-Repelling Holy Salt], [Evil-Repelling Brick Powder], and [Barrier Oil].
Moreover, his usage was so skilled.
If [Demon-Repelling Holy Salt] and [Evil-Repelling Brick Powder] could be understood, as they weren't particularly rare.
But [Barrier Oil] was the core legacy of demon hunters.
'Is there a demon hunter in the Arthur Family?'
Instinctively, the Marquis of Ainhars inquired of the Old Earl.
'I don't know!
After that incident years ago, demon hunters have long fragmented.
It wasn't strange for the Arthur Family to obtain a demon hunter legacy.
However, Arthur's caution suggests he really knows something about that incident.'
The Old Earl answered thus.
In response, the Marquis of Ainhars nodded slightly.
This scene was seen by Arthur from the corner of his eye.
It wasn't seen inadvertently. S~eaʀᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
It was seen through genuine attention.
Why did Arthur, in response to the Marquis of Ainhars's inquiry, display [Demon-Repelling Holy Salt], [Evil-Repelling Brick Powder], and [Barrier Oil]?
Wasn't it to attract the attention of the 'Witcher Inheritor,' the Marquis of Ainhars, and 'Master Demon Hunter,' Count Bernaken?
Then, from the reaction of the Marquis of Ainhars, speculate further.
'This surely indicates that 'the matter' is still being monitored and can't be discussed casually, otherwise it would be overheard—given the current strength of the Marquis of Ainhars and still being so sure, it indicates that this matter involves...'
Divine spirits?!
Arthur felt his temples throbbing.
As a small figure who just made 'entry,' encountering 'demigods' was already a giant step forward.
Now, even 'demigods' weren't enough, and he began encountering 'divine spirits.'
If something were to go wrong, it could genuinely spell disaster.
Arthur internally complained, but outwardly he seriously used [Barrier Oil] to encircle himself and the Marquis of Ainhars.
Then, a spark flickered at his fingertips.
[Barrier Oil] was ignited.
In the unique gleam of the flames, Arthur returned to his seat.
The young spirit medium from South Los placed his left hand on the armrest of the chair, with his right elbow propped on the chair armrest, and his right hand supporting his chin, while his fingers gently skimmed over his upper lip with his breathing.
"What price are you willing to pay?"
Arthur asked in return.
This question stunned the Marquis of Ainhars.
"You haven't forgotten what I once said, have you?
Fair trade!
This is the spirit medium's creed.
It's also my motto."
Facing the dumbfounded Marquis of Ainhars, Arthur said matter-of-factly.
"I thought we were friends!"
The Marquis of Ainhars emphasized.
"Precisely because we are friends, I'm willing to answer this question of yours—if we weren't friends, believe me, you wouldn't even have the chance to ask this question.
After all, it involves too much.
Related matters, especially are...
This makes its value immeasurable!"
Sometimes leaving a lingering resonance is better than being clear-cut.
Ambiguous words made the Marquis of Ainhars seriously ponder what he should trade for the answer.
This left the Marquis of Ainhars quite distressed.
Because he had already given all his assets to the spirit medium in front of him!
And this was the situation Arthur wanted!
One habitual solution to facing an unanswerable question: raising the price.
Raise it to a point where the other hesitates!
If the other remains obstinate?
Arthur wouldn't mind brandishing a blade.
In facing someone who had already given him everything, Arthur would wait for them to fall into his web.
A soft-hearted Arthur wouldn't harm anyone.
But Arthur lacked people.
He needed a high-end combatant.
Fortunately, the Marquis of Ainhars was quite suitable.
'This is destiny.'
Arthur mused, looking at the marquis with an increasingly complex expression.
And this complexity made the Marquis of Ainhars furrow his brow.