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Join the Server“I’m not particularly fond of this water glass. Would you mind replacing it with another?”
During dinner, Ethan found fault with the water glass already filled, politely requesting a servant, who was setting down food with a carrier bot, to replace it.
As she carried the glass away, the Viscountess inquired with a worried expression.
“Is there some kind of problem?”
Ethan replied nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.
“There was dust on it.”
Both the Viscount and Viscountess glanced at the spot where the glass had been. ‘That can’t be right.’ They had personally ensured the glass was spotless, beyond any suspicion.
It was impossible to tell if Ethan had genuinely noticed dust, or if he was subtly implying he’d detected an invisible chemical residue inside the cup.
“It seems we still made a mistake despite our efforts to accommodate a larger household. I’ll have to warn the servants.”
Viscount Samuel Gradis tried to deflect the conversation, shifting the blame to the servants. However, Ethan’s next words followed.
“It’s quite alright. There aren’t many servants here, so minor mistakes are bound to happen. I trust things will improve once you bring everyone from the main household in Veliki.”
“After all, I imagine there are at least twice as many capable staff at the main estate compared to those you’ve brought here.”
“…Ethan, I had forgotten that the place you briefly stayed was one of the Empire’s most prominent families. To be frank, not all nobles employ such a large number of servants.”
“I’ve also visited the Cloud family estate, and it seemed they had more human staff than robots there too. The Cloud family holds the same title as the Lord of Veliki.”
“Ah, so the Lord of Veliki’s main residence must have even more servants then.”
Ethan spoke as if these facts were self-evident, inadvertently chipping away at the Viscount and Viscountess’s pride. The Viscountess maintained a forced smile as she served herself some salad from the center of the table.
Ethan then took some salad, buttered and jammed a piece of bread, and ate it with the newly brought water. He barely touched the tender steak that had been served as the main course.
“It seems you don’t care for meat.”
At the Viscountess’s remark, Ethan smiled gently, replying softly as if to reassure her.
“Oh, I do like it, but I just don’t have much of an appetite today. Perhaps it’s because I haven’t been able to go to the Academy, so I haven’t been moving around much.”
“I have to go to the Royal Palace this afternoon, so I imagine I’ll feel better then.”
“Still, it would be better if you had a proper meal.”
“Once I move around a bit at the palace, I’ll quickly get hungry, so please don’t worry too much, Mother.”
At the word ‘Mother,’ the Viscountess’s eyes twitched. A fresh wave of fury surged through her, certain that Ethan was deliberately provoking her by using the term, knowing she wanted to slap him.
Yet, Ethan’s nonchalant retorts, framed in a manner that gave her no grounds for complaint, left her no opening to vent her anger.
“Since you won’t be staying long, and we haven’t hired many people, it seems we can only assign one guard. That should be acceptable, correct?”
The Viscount, using Ethan’s own words, retorted with a hint of sarcasm, his lips curling into a smirk. Ethan, however, simply smiled brightly in response.
“Of course. Though, to alleviate the burden on your staff, it might be advisable to acquire a few more household robots.”
“…”
*Grind.* The Viscount clenched his teeth. Ethan tilted his head innocently, wondering aloud if he heard the sound of stones being chewed somewhere.
****
The Moore family’s declaration that they would “manage on Riga’s behalf” the Ekaneum ore veins in Riga, which the Zaisler Corporation coveted through the territorial war, was a favor granted at the Lord of Riga’s request.
Although the Moore family already possessed several decent Ekaneum mines, the vein discovered in Riga’s territory was of ultra-high purity, prompting even the Elder Council and retainers to support Bliss.
The cost of obtaining ultra-high purity Ekaneum, essential for weapon manufacturing, at a reasonable price for ten years of mine management was significantly cheaper than repeatedly refining ordinary Ekaneum.
The reason Zaisler Corporation could not fully assert their rights was that Bliss’s Antares Unit had prevented them from occupying the most crucial area where the ore vein was located.
However, having already occupied more than half of Riga, they intended to negotiate exchanging the Ekaneum mine area for a couple of other occupied territories in Riga during the post-territorial war conference.
The regions they planned to offer were also highly significant from Riga’s perspective.
“We cannot end it like this.”
At Wilfried’s words, Devon smiled languidly.
“Is your pride wounded as a technomancer?”
“Your Highness Devon, you also confirmed the machine, did you not?”
“That’s already a bygone matter. If you wish to prove it, go ahead. But the opportune moment to use it has already passed.”
“Unlike the Moore family, who deals in weapons, Zaisler Corporation’s primary business is high-end commercial medical equipment. The T9 medical device must be commercialized.”
“No matter how much the previous incident was suppressed, after the broadcasted images, the Zaisler Corporation’s T9 model has seen its credibility plummet before it even had a chance to sell properly.”
“Perhaps you should focus more on the mine’s ownership. Wouldn’t the Lord struggle alone?”
“Your Highness Devon!”
Just as Wilfried opened his mouth to seize another opportunity, the voice of the Chief Chamberlain, who had received a message, echoed.
“Your Highness. Ethan Gradis has formally requested an audience with His Majesty, King Genoa!”
“…!!”
The Chief Chamberlain hesitated, then added.
“…Furthermore, the secretary’s office has informed us that a formal audience request has also been submitted to His Royal Highness, Prince Devon. You can review the details on the network and select a suitable date for approval…”
*Hah.*
Devon’s previously languid expression slowly twisted into a grimace.
****
“I’m starving!”
Huey Cloud frowned as soon as he entered the training room, seeing Ethan sprawled indelicately before him.
“Ethan Prescott—no, Ethan Gradis. What exactly do you take my teaching time for, to behave like this?”
“I’ve been working diligently all day, my nerves on edge. What’s with the ridiculously complicated procedure for requesting an audience? It didn’t even let me eat properly.”
“Anyone listening would think the Viscount Gradis family was starving you.”
Ethan, still lying prone, waved his hand dismissively.
“They don’t starve me. I just did it myself, in case something ‘strict’ was added.”
Only then did Huey truly look at Ethan again. He could guess what attempts those who had received orders from Devon might be making.
However, what intrigued him more was Ethan’s choice of words. While claiming to have been on edge all day and acting unguarded, he didn’t say he ‘noticed’ their attempts, but rather that he ‘suspected’ it himself.
This natural understanding of aristocratic conduct, where even a minor slip of the tongue could cause trouble later, made Huey observe him with intense interest.
“…Have you been starving since morning?”
Ethan, who had been lying face down, his hair as dark as night scattered around him, weakly lifted his head and mumbled.
“I ate a little bit of greens and some bread. I’m hesitant to touch the individual dishes that come out for each person.”
“…Quite clever.”
“Aren’t we having class?”
Ethan asked, looking around the training room, which had been transformed into something akin to Huey’s private office. Despite his question, his lack of enthusiasm for the lesson was evident, prompting Huey to let out a wry chuckle.
“For someone asking, you seem rather pleased with this situation.”
“Aren’t we ordering tea today?”
“This isn’t a teahouse.”
“Then I won’t touch the tea, but please ask for a more generous tea set.”
“…”
Huey, who had been staring at Ethan in disbelief, let out a long sigh and picked up his tablet to contact the support department.
[This is the Royal Palace Support Department! How may I assist you, Lord Huey Cloud?]
“…Please send some tea to the Etiquette Department’s training room.”
[Would you like your usual straight tea (pure tea) varieties?]
He was about to agree out of habit but paused, glancing at Ethan before changing his order.
“…No, make it a blended tea with milk and something light to snack on, please.”
Having placed the order, Huey subtly frowned. He couldn’t fathom why he was catering to Ethan’s whims.
The tea set, carried by a carrier bot, was delivered promptly. Ethan, excited, went out to receive it, only to see the guard assigned by the Viscount family not standing at the door, but rather chatting animatedly on the phone by the cafeteria. He shrugged.
He wasn’t even an Esper guard, but to be enjoying free time so openly, without anticipating that he or anyone else might step out during training hours, was hardly the stance of a proper guard.
Suddenly, the chattering guard shot to his feet, his body stiffening. Wondering if the guard had seen someone, Ethan also peeked his head out.
There, rounding the corner, was Bliss, carrying a large assortment of items.
“…Bliss?”
He glanced at the somewhat excessive tea set, and a corner of his mouth twitched upwards.
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