As the meeting went on, the sky gradually darkened.
The maids lit the candles in the manor.
The ordinary candles, made without any beast oil, gave off a rather dim light. The spacious hall seemed veiled in gauze, lending it a peculiar charm.
After assigning the tasks of rebuilding the Arrow Tower and exploring the surrounding area, Loren remembered one more thing: a census.
Officials for City Hall needed to be selected and appointed, but that required people to begin with. Given Gray Eagle Territory's current situation, the talent shortage was practically bottomless.
He could only pick the best of the worst from among the slaves.
The system could roughly assess a person's attributes, but it couldn't provide detailed information about each individual. That made a census essential.
"Tomorrow, in addition to rebuilding the Arrow Tower, we'll need to conduct a comprehensive census.
"We'll record age, gender, race, level, family relationships, skills, and education.
"All the collected information will be categorized and archived, and we'll establish a household registration system.
"From now on, everyone who joins the City of Brilliant Moon will be registered."
Once the census was complete, it would be clear at a glance what kinds of talent the territory had and what it lacked.
They could promptly purchase slaves with the needed skills to fill gaps, and assign surplus talent elsewhere. This would greatly help him maintain control over the territory.
"Deen, I'm putting you in charge of this."
Deen, his thick beard trembling, rose with a look of startled delight and bowed unsteadily.
"Thank you for trusting me, Lord Loren. I'll do everything in my power to complete the task!"
The old fox's words sounded impressive, but on closer inspection, he hadn't actually guaranteed success. He'd only said he would do his best.
Loren couldn't be bothered with such petty thoughts.
"If you can't get it done, you won't need to serve as Ariel's assistant anymore. City Hall has no use for dead weight."
Deen's beard quivered, and he immediately looked as nervous as a cicada in winter.
"Kool, make sure the Security Department is up and running tomorrow.
"Ariel, get the other City Hall departments set up as soon as possible.
"Yas, Sim, be careful when you explore the area around the territory tomorrow. If you discover any danger, return at once. Don't take unnecessary risks for credit."
After giving everyone their instructions, he looked out through the open window. The silver light of the two moons in the sky draped over the world like the Goddess's skirts, blanketing the heavens.
He waved a hand.
"It's late. Go back and think over tomorrow's assignments. Meeting adjourned."
At his words, they rose, bowed, and left the hall.
In the blink of an eye, only Fiana and the butler, Bohr, remained.
"My lord, dinner is ready. Please come to the dining room."
"Very well, Bohr."
After awakening the Archdemon Bloodline, Loren needed considerably more food each day. His stomach was already growling.
"Fiana, would you like to join me?"
The girl slowly shook her head. "That would be too much trouble. I've already eaten."
Loren nodded and didn't press her.
The old butler, Bohr, respectfully led Loren through the main hall and past a semicircular white carved archway into the dining room.
The main hall had been rather shabby, but the dining room had surprised Loren. It had a touch of aristocratic elegance.
Three candelabras sat on the long, white-tableclothed table. Each had seven or eight gray metal arms shaped like inverted sevens. The candles atop them sent up wisps of white smoke as they burned slowly.
The trained maids stood to one side, lifting their skirts as they curtsied. Their graceful manners and proper attire made them a pleasing sight.
Loren came to the table, and the butler pulled out his chair.
Once he sat down, a pretty maid standing beside him immediately picked up the napkin in her hands, folded it neatly twice, then gently spread it across his lap.
Loren looked at the place setting before him. A round white porcelain plate sat in front of him, its surface flickering in the candlelight.
Four silver knives of different designs were laid out to the left of the plate, arranged from the inside out. Each was meant for a different course; he was to use them in order, starting with the innermost.
To the right of the plate lay pure silver forks. Beside them, seven spoons of varying lengths were arranged in order.
The spoons followed the same principle as the knives. The utensils were so specialized that even meat soup and fish soup had to be tasted with different spoons.
Four crystal-stemmed glasses of different heights stood just inside the plate, near the candelabra in the center of the table.
The crystal glasses were, of course, for wine. But each dish called for a different red wine, and each type of wine required its own crystal glass to bring out its unique flavor.
Everything about it was steeped in the elaborate rituals unique to the nobility.
Four other pretty maids stood behind Loren, ready to serve him at all times.
This job should normally have been done by male servants, but the manor had none, so the maids had to fill in.
After consulting the memories in his mind, Loren couldn't help giving a peculiar look.
In his previous life, he'd taken plenty of girls to expensive restaurants to eat elaborate French cuisine. But compared with his aristocratic dining etiquette, even French cuisine's endless rules were child's play.
More importantly, this kind of elaborate ritual happened nearly every day.
These rules had seeped into every aspect of life for the nobles of Glory.
No wonder Fiana had said it was too much trouble.
"My lord, this is the first course, White Heart Fish Roe—the finest caviar. It contains abundant magic and is excellent as an appetizer."
A curly-haired maid brought over a dish covered with a golden dome. The moment she lifted it, a rich, unusual aroma surged forth with a rush of magic.
Loren's appetite soared.
The food of the Nol Main Plane had some similarities to Earth's, while other things were entirely unfamiliar. Food rich in magic like this was something Earth could never offer.
The plate was large, but only a small portion of food sat in its center, making it look exceptionally refined.
Following the instincts in his muscle memory, Loren picked up the spoon on the plate and gently scooped up some of the pure white roe.
The magically infused roe melted in his mouth. Once it reached his stomach, the magic burst outward like an explosion, instantly invigorating him.
He almost moaned with pleasure.
That was even better than the final shudder.
After each course, the maids didn't wait for the master of the table to speak. They would promptly clear away the dishes and bring the next course, along with its matching red wine and crystal glass.
"My lord, this is Crystal Dragon Fish soup."
"My lord, this is the side dish: Three-Eyed Demon Rabbit meatballs. They pair wonderfully with dwarven rum."
"The main course is roasted Wind Wolf. Elven wine is a perfect match for the magically rich Wind Wolf."
"..."
These high-end ingredients had all been gifts from Robert, the head of the Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild.
After Loren conquered the barbarians and revealed his boundless potential, the shrewd merchant had immediately increased his investment in him.
He'd sent over several wagons of precious goods worth more than a million Puck.
Loren understood what was going on and accepted them all.
That made him think even more highly of the old hand. Anyone who could make such a swift judgment and commit so heavily was a rare talent.
After more than a dozen courses, he finally felt full.
His body was wrapped from within and without in layers of dense magic.
The sensation of being immersed in warm water at every moment made his eyes narrow. He almost didn't want to get up.
Wonderful. If Earth had food like this, who'd need a broadsword? Fallen women would all have to retire and step aside.
Tonight's Magic Beast feast had cost more than fifty thousand Puck.
Even the combined yearly income of Decker City's residents might not cover it.
At this rate, each month would cost three or four million Puck, and a year would consume thirty or forty million.
This was a life only a High Noble could enjoy.
The butler, Bohr, appeared at just the right moment when the meal was over.
"My lord, the maids have prepared a hot bath for you. You may bathe whenever you like."
Then he lowered his voice and whispered into Loren's ear, "And if you wish, you may ask them to stay with you as well."
Hearing this, Loren glanced at the pretty maids with their curvaceous figures and gave a peculiar smile.
"This decadent, depraved aristocratic life... I have to admit, I like it."
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