40: Chapter 40 Master, the maid has prepared hot water for you.

During the discussion, dusk gradually fell.

The maids in the manor lit candles.

The light from ordinary candles, unmixed with magical beast grease, was somewhat dim. The vast hall seemed to be draped in a layer of gauze, giving it a unique ambiance.

After assigning the tasks of building arrow towers and exploring the surrounding map, Loren remembered another matter... a census.

Officials for the City Hall needed to be selected and appointed, but the prerequisite for appointment was having people. Given the current situation in Grey Eagle Territory, talent was virtually nonexistent.

They could only pick the best among the slaves.

The system could only roughly check a person's attributes, but it couldn't provide detailed information about each individual, so a census was essential.

“Tomorrow, in addition to rebuilding the arrow towers, a comprehensive census must also be conducted.

The scope of the census includes age, gender, race, level, kinship, skills mastered, and level of education.

All collected data will be categorized, archived, and a household registration system will be established.

In the future, all residents who join Bright Moon City must be categorized.”

After the census, it would be clear what kind of talent the territory possessed and what it lacked.

Lacking talent could be promptly addressed by purchasing slaves with relevant skills, while surplus talent could be otherwise arranged, greatly benefiting the control of the territory.

“Dean, I'm entrusting this matter to you.”

Bearded Deen stood up, both surprised and delighted, and bowed shakily.

“Thank you for your trust, Lord Loren. I will do my utmost to complete the task!”

Although this old fox spoke beautifully, a closer look revealed that he hadn't made any guarantees... only said he would try his best.

Loren couldn't be bothered with such petty schemes.

“If you can't complete it, there's no need for you to be Ariel's assistant. The City Hall has no use for trash.”

Deen's beard trembled, and he instantly became as quiet as a cicada in winter.

“Kur, make sure to establish the Public Security Department tomorrow.

Ariel, you need to set up the other departments of the City Hall as soon as possible.

Barbarian Chieftain Yas, Sim, be extremely careful when exploring the territory tomorrow. Return immediately if you encounter danger; do not be greedy for merit and rush forward.”

After giving out instructions, his gaze passed through the open window to the outside. The silver moonlight cast by the two bright moons in the sky was like a goddess's skirt, enveloping the entire sky.

He waved his hand.

“It's getting late. Go back and think about tomorrow's tasks. Meeting adjourned.”

As his voice fell, the others rose, bowed, and left the hall.

In an instant, only Fiana and Butler Bohr remained.

“Master, dinner is ready. Please proceed to the dining room.”

“Alright, Bohr.”

After Loren activated his Demon Grand Duke Bloodline, his daily food requirements increased significantly, and his stomach was already growling.

“Fiana, are you dining with me?”

The girl slowly shook her head, “It's too troublesome. I've already eaten.”

Loren nodded, not insisting.

The old Butler Bohr respectfully led Loren from the main hall through a semi-circular white carved archway to the dining room.

The hall was quite shabby, but the dining room, to Loren's surprise, actually had a touch of aristocratic charm.

At this moment, on the long table covered with a white tablecloth in the dining room, three candelabras were placed. Each candelabra branched into seven or eight gray inverted L-shaped metal bars, with candles standing on them, slowly burning and emitting a wisp of white smoke.

Trained waitresses stood nearby, curtsying with their skirts, their elegant demeanor and appropriate attire quite pleasing to the eye.

Loren approached the dining table, and the butler pulled out a chair from behind him.

Then, after he sat down, the beautiful maid standing nearby immediately picked up the napkin in her hand, folded it neatly twice, and gently placed it on his lap.

Loren looked at the dining table in front of him. A round white porcelain plate was placed before him, with the candlelight flickering gently on it.

To the left of the porcelain plate, from inside to out, were four silver dining knives of different styles. The four knives corresponded to different dishes; one would use the appropriate utensil for each dish, taking them from the inside outwards.

To the right of the porcelain plate were pure silver forks, and next to the forks, seven spoons of varying lengths were arranged in order.

The spoons were just like the knives, even subdivided so that meat soup and fish soup had to be tasted with different spoons.

On the inner side of the plate, closer to the central candelabra on the table, four crystal stemware glasses of different heights were arranged in a row.

The crystal glasses were naturally for wine, but each dish corresponded to a different red wine, and different types of red wine required specific stemmed crystal glasses to fully appreciate their unique flavors.

All of this was filled with the unique complexity of the nobility.

Behind Loren, four delicate maids were constantly attending to him.

This task should have been performed by footmen, but there were no footmen in the manor, so maids had to substitute.

Loren couldn't help but show a subtle expression after checking the memories in his mind.

In his previous life, he had taken many girls to the most expensive restaurants to eat elaborate French cuisine, but the numerous rules of French cuisine were merely child's play compared to his noble dining etiquette.

More importantly, this complexity was almost a daily occurrence.

These rules permeated almost every aspect of the Glorious Nobles.

No wonder Fiana said it was too troublesome...

“Master, this is the appetizer, White Heart Fish Caviar, the finest caviar, containing immense magic power, very suitable for pre-meal consumption.”

A curly-haired maid served a dish covered with a golden dome. The moment the dome was removed, a special, rich aroma, accompanied by a surge of magic power, burst forth.

Loren's appetite greatly increased.

Some foods on the Nuoer Main Plane were similar to those on Earth, while others were not found on Earth. These foods, rich in magic power, were something Earth could not possess.

Although the plate was large, the food was only placed in the center, looking quite exquisite.

Following muscle memory, Loren picked up a spoon from the plate and gently scooped up the pure white caviar.

The magic-infused caviar melted in his mouth. After entering his abdomen, the magic power burst open like a gush, instantly invigorating him.

He almost groaned in pleasure.

Even the last shudder wasn't this satisfying...

After each course, the maids would proactively remove the dishes and replace them with the appropriate red wine and crystal glass for the next course, without needing the master at the table to speak.

“Master, this is Crystal Dragon Fish Soup...”

“Master, this is the side dish, Three-Eyed Demon Rabbit Meatballs. Paired with Dwarf Rum, it will give a special sensation...”

“Main course, Roasted Gale Wolf Meat. Elven Fine Wine is suitable for the magic-rich Gale Wolf...”

“...”

These high-end ingredients were all gifts from Robert, the president of the Jasmine Chamber of Commerce.

This shrewd merchant, after Loren conquered the Barbarians and displayed boundless potential, immediately increased his investment in him.

He sent several carriages full of precious supplies, worth over a million Puke.

Loren tacitly accepted all of it.

Because of this, he held this old hand in higher regard. To be able to make such quick judgments and directly invest so heavily, this fellow was definitely a rare talent.

After more than a dozen consecutive dishes, he finally felt full.

Loren's body was enveloped from inside out by dense magic power.

That constant feeling, like soaking in warm water, made his eyes narrow, and he almost didn't want to get up.

Ah, it's so satisfying. If Earth had this stuff, what would be the point of 'Great Swords'? Even fallen women would have to go ashore and step aside...

Tonight's magical beast main course was worth over fifty thousand Puke.

The annual income of a Decker City resident, without eating or drinking, might not even be enough.

If he ate like this every meal, he could consume three to four million Puke in a month, and thirty to forty million in a year.

This was definitely a life that only high-ranking nobles could enjoy.

Butler Bohr appeared at the appropriate time after the meal was finished.

“Master, the maids have already prepared hot water for you. You may bathe at any time.”

He then lowered his voice a bit, whispering in his ear, “If you wish, you may also keep them with you at any time...”

Upon hearing this, Loren looked at the several shapely and delicate maids nearby, his expression subtle.

“This decadent and corrupt noble life... I truly like it.”