They all call me Great Master-Chapter 552 - 549 Jimte, Kalal, and Hayes. Up!

Hayes was, of course, familiar with Jimte and Kalal.

In fact, it was precisely because he knew them that the two could become his half-friends.

Firstly, his similar background to the two naturally won him their favor.

Secondly, their subtle enmity was something that could bring him even greater benefits.

And the latter was much more important!

In the past, Hayes had relied on the latter, playing both sides to reap the benefits.

But today was somewhat different!

Jimte and Kalal had changed!

In the past, there were times when the two did appear together, but they always deliberately maintained a safe distance between themselves, their toes subtly angled towards each other, and their dominant hands would never stray far from the hilt of their swords, even when exchanging pleasantries, they remained ready to draw their swords at any moment.

But now?

The two stood shoulder to shoulder, and their palms were even away from the sword hilts.

The most important thing was that there was no longer that subtle confronting angle of their toes; instead, they were pointed at...

Him?

'Something's not right! Something's not right!' Hayes thought to himself, having already stopped in his tracks, but he did not immediately retreat and instead greeted the two with a smile:

"Good morning, Jimte, Kalal.

It's really great to see you two together during the winter days.

Have you thought about how to spend the 'Cold Winter Festival' in Bert Territory?

If not, I have quite a few recommendations."

Jimte's fair face immediately revealed a smile, and with his smooth features, the smile appeared even warmer.

This son of the current Baron Norvia and the fiancé of the Marquess of West Berlin's second daughter scratched his cheek, seemingly a bit embarrassed.

"I'm sorry to intrude, I'll leave everything up to you."

Speaking, Jimte also bowed slightly.

Kalal, on the other hand, was much more straightforward.

"Women, wine, and a warm room."

The exceedingly direct words of the nephew of the Marquess of Ainhars were filled with arrogance, making one frown involuntarily upon hearing them.

Hayes furrowed his brows.

But not because of Kalal's arrogance.

Rather, it was that Kalal had spoken such arrogant words while walking directly behind him.

Now, in front of him stood an embarrassed Jimte, and behind him was the self-assured Kalal.

With one in front and one behind, he was sandwiched in between.

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Without any hesitation, Hayes raised his hands high.

This nephew of Count Bert might not have understood what was happening, but the attitudes of Jimte and Kalal explained enough: if he didn't want to suffer, he'd better be smart about it.

"Hey, Jimte, didn't I tell you? This guy would surrender at the first opportunity!" Kalal said, standing there and laughing.

"Hmm, you win," Jimte sighed as if reluctantly, but the smile on his face did not diminish at all.

And as Hayes listened to their conversation, his heart kept sinking.

When had these two become so close?

Could it be...

With questions swirling in his mind, Hayes shouted loudly:

"Gentlemen, give me a chance?

My previous robbery of the West Berlin Family and Ainhars Family's merchant ships had no ill intent; I was merely venting for you. The goods are still in the warehouse; I haven't touched them at all."

Upon hearing Hayes's explanation, Jimte and Kalal narrowed their eyes.

Previously, the fleets of the West Berlin Family and Ainhars Family had been robbed several times in Inland River.

Each time, the people on the ships were left with no survivors, the cargo vanished into thin air.

And every time, the lost goods were of high value.

Initially, both families thought there was an 'inside job.'

Especially in the Ainhars Family, those so-called 'family members' all pointed their fingers at Kalal, blaming his arrogant and domineering attitude for breaking up the loyalty of the family's retainers.

"Tsk!" Kalal clicked his tongue softly.

Hayes immediately had a bad feeling.

It wasn't about this matter.

Right then, the nephew of Count Bert shouted again—

"My kidnapping of the wealthy merchants from the West Berlin Territory and the Ainhars Territory wasn't premeditated, they just accidentally stumbled upon some of my affairs, and I had to do it.

Please believe me, I am innocent!"

The words of Hayes caused Jimte to lose his smile.

A year and a half ago, one of his agents suddenly disappeared within the West Berlin Territory, thoroughly disrupting some of his plans.

He even suspected that the Marquess of West Berlin was trying to knock him down a peg.

As a result, he laid low for over half a year.

It turned out to be Hayes all along.

"Heh!"

Jimte let out a cold laugh.

Hayes was taken aback.

It wasn't about that matter?

Then what was it?

Apart from these two issues, the nephew of Count Bert couldn't think of anything else that would warrant both men coming after him together.

He had done quite a few things.

But aside from these two issues affecting their interests, the rest were unrelated matters.

"Is there a chance you could give me?

At least please spare Manta."

Hayes said with a bitter smile.

The nephew of Count Bert couldn't figure out what was going on, but he hoped for a chance to start over—at least Manta was innocent.

The thought of the woman who was initially just being used by him, a faint warmth rose in Hayes's heart.

Then, resignedly, he drew his longsword.

He was most likely going to die.

However, if he could ensure Manta was a tiny bit safer before his death, it would be great.

As for running?

It was not possible.

If he turned his back on these two fellows, he knew he would die without a place to be buried.

"Kalal has better swordsmanship, so I must take down Jimte first, and it has to be by surprise, ideally with enough strength left to turn and strike another blow.

If I could severely wound Kalal as well, that would be even better!"

Hayes thought to himself without showing any sign.

Yet, Jimte revealed a smile once again.

The fiancé of the Marquess of West Berlin's second daughter, without moving his feet, slightly shifted his upper body and looked towards Kalal, who was behind Hayes.

"I've won this time.

One win, one loss, a draw," Jimte said, his voice tinged with a hint of joy, which puzzled Hayes.

What puzzled Hayes even more was that Kalal, who had been behind him ready to form a pincer attack with Jimte, actually circled back to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jimte once again.

"This guy seemed so sinister, but I didn't expect him to have even a tiny bit of courage," Kalal said with a corner of his mouth cocked, an expression of surprise.

The expressions of Jimte and Kalal completely baffled Hayes.

What are they planning to do?

Mock him?

It didn't seem so!

The subtle killing intent from before in Jimte and Kalal, he could clearly feel, even though it was elicited by his own confession, but that killing intent was real, definitely not a joke.

Yet the attitude of the two now seemed indeed like a joke.

Suddenly, Hayes was filled with doubts.

Almost subconsciously, Hayes began to sort through the recent events.

Hayes hoped to find some clues in them.

Then, a thought flashed into Hayes's mind, and almost instinctively, the nephew of Count Bert suddenly looked up.

Looking at the two men standing shoulder to shoulder, a look of shock surfaced in the eyes of the nephew of Count Bert—

'Could it be?!'