That peculiar gleam appeared on the old butler's face again.
He declared with ringing conviction-
"No!"
"The bloodline reigns supreme!"
"An awakened bloodline can accommodate every kind of power!"
Looking at the reverence and fanaticism on the old butler's face, Arthur really could not bring himself to believe everything he said-not because he feared the man was deceiving him.
He feared the man's blind faith!
Or, to put it simply, the man truly believed that!
And the truth?
It might differ!
It might even be the exact opposite!
After all, on the Mystical Side, even the slightest discrepancy could get someone killed!
He absolutely did not want to become a second Gram!
Should I talk to Malinda?
Arthur opened the cat cage and gathered the sleepily dazed Pendragon into his arms again. Gently stroking the cat's head, he considered his first choice.
But almost immediately, he silently shook his head.
The lady had just given him quite a display of her "candor."
If they met again, she might probe him even more directly.
One wrong move, and his cover would be blown!
Although she was extremely reliable in certain respects, more often than not, she was dangerous-until he had made the necessary preparations, avoiding her was the best choice.
Then, aside from that lady...
Holding the cat and stroking its head, Arthur found his gaze drifting toward Albers, who was talking to Maltz in the courtyard below.
Talented, but young.
Brave, but inexperienced.
Wasn't he the perfect candidate, right there?
Gradually, Arthur's eyes lit up.
The next moment, he gave the old butler his instructions.
"Vic, please prepare some food, pastries, and drinks from whatever's available in the kitchen, then invite Maltz and Albers upstairs-oh, and add another chair."
As Arthur spoke, he tossed the wooden box containing the Doyle