As he spoke, realization dawned on Arthur's face.
That realization was not feigned.
He had genuinely thought of something.
For instance...
His "mother," that descendant of Aislan.
The Golden Lion Family clearly cared a great deal about family members who had ended up far from home.
Especially when an outstanding family member like Arthur appeared, the Golden Lion Family did not mind showing some "sincerity"-they knew perfectly well that he would recognize it.
Alvis, going by the alias Dorn, couldn't have made a decision like this!
But Alvis's elder holds a higher position in the Golden Lion Family than I imagined, to have reacted this quickly.
I wonder how the Old Lion reacted, though.
He probably wasn't happy, was he?
Arthur mused inwardly.
After all, the Golden Lion Family descendant protected by "Glaster," disguised as "Jiljike," did not belong to the Old Lion's branch.
So Arthur could easily imagine the ugly look on the Old Lion's face when he learned the news.
At the same time, this confirmed that the protected descendant's branch also carried considerable weight in the Golden Lion Family.
And so the Old Lion had compromised.
By increasing the reward for the champion of the South County Swordsmanship Tournament, he would "invite" Arthur to the Inner Bay, then verify his identity.
If he was genuine, he would be the champion and receive a noble title and territory.
If he was a fake, he would die without so much as a grave.
Of course, the Old Lion had his reasons for granting a noble title and territory, too.
Clearly, the Old Lion had no intention of truly welcoming him back into the Golden Lion Family. Instead, he would give him a separate reward to placate him.
As for why?
The Old Lion was old, but he had sons.