Chapter 26

Now that his personal income had increased, repaying the 3,000 gold coin debt was no longer a problem, and he still had a few hundred gold coins to spare. What Gaodeng was now considering was how to improve his quality of life.

This long-neglected mansion needed a thorough renovation. Since Shiona was about to return, Gaodeng felt he should give his sister a surprise by showing her a clean and brand new home.

Additionally, they should hire a few servants. First, a cook was essential. Eating at home was not only more convenient and cost-effective but also safer. They also needed to hire a housekeeper to handle laundry and cleaning. These daily chores would waste a lot of time if done personally, affecting the efficiency of his arcane studies. As for gardeners, coachmen, butlers, and personal maids, they were not necessary for the time being.

"Go ahead, partner, I'll take care of it for you." Duro, who had extensive connections among the lower class in Bishui City, took the initiative to handle these two matters for Gaodeng. However, when he left, he left behind a meaningful smile that left Gaodeng feeling somewhat puzzled.

Duro's efficiency was extremely high. The next morning, when Gaodeng returned home from the cemetery, he saw Duro leading a large group of people standing in the small garden.

"Hey, Gaodeng, let me introduce you," Duro pointed to a dwarf and said, "This is Mog of the Iron Anvil Tribe. He and his thirteen brothers are the best carpenters and builders in Bishui City."

"Good morning, sir. I, Mog Longbeard, assure you that my skills are top-notch. We will restore your residence to be as beautiful as the Temple of Moradin!" The dwarf, who had more beard and a larger waist than Duro, gave a rough bow to Gaodeng and then got to work.

"Second brother, get the damn hammer out... Third brother, stop drinking ale, I need some rope... Ninth brother, give me a hand..."

The dwarves' shouts filled the air, making the entire morning noisy.

The fourteen dwarf craftsmen started working, repairing the Freeman family's dilapidated mansion. However, a group of strangers in the small garden had not left.

"Who are they..." Gaodeng looked at the family in front of him with a puzzled expression.

A middle-aged couple and two girls around thirteen or fourteen years old. They wore cheap linen clothes and showed a submissive expression when facing Gaodeng, the noble mage. It seemed that this family's social status was not very high.

"Didn't I tell you to find me some servants? I found them, how about that, pretty quick, huh, ha ha!" Duro laughed heartily, quite pleased with himself.

"Good morning, Mr. Freeman, I am Bard, and this is my wife, Roni," the middle-aged man with a simple and honest face took off his slightly old hat and bowed to Gaodeng.

The slightly plump middle-aged woman with crow's feet at the corners of her eyes said, "Good morning, sir. Bard is an excellent cook, whether it's daily meals or banquet dishes, he can handle them all, and you will be satisfied. I can do laundry and cleaning, handle ingredients, and I've learned arithmetic. I'm stronger than most men and can do any heavy work. My two daughters have also received specialized maid training... Irel, Ilean, come and greet Mr. Freeman."

The two little girls lifted their skirts and gently curtsied, greeting Gaodeng, "Greetings, Mr. Freeman."

"Didn't I just ask you to find a cook and a housekeeper?"

Duro explained, "Bard's family used to work for the old Sir Humphrey in Streamwood Town. But Sir Humphrey recently passed away, and he had no heirs, so he had to dismiss the servants. They came to Bishui City and couldn't find work. I felt sorry for Bard's family, and you needed servants, so I introduced them to you."

Duro nudged Gaodeng and whispered, "I'm also from Streamwood Town, and Bard's family are my fellow townspeople. Irel and Ilean even call me uncle. They are all honest and reliable people, and you can trust them."

Duro then gave a knowing smile, "Don't look at Roni's rough hands now; she was the dream girl of many men in Streamwood Town back then. With a beautiful mother, the daughters won't be bad either. Irel and Ilean are not young anymore; in a couple of years, they will grow into beautiful young women. Enjoying such a pair of sisters, you are truly lucky..."

What a shameless fat guy. Gaodeng recalled Duro's meaningful smile before they parted last night and finally understood what was going on. It turned out he had planned to introduce the sisters to him all along.

Gaodeng said irritably, "You call yourself an uncle, and you sell your nieces like this?"

"How can this be called selling? If it weren't for Sir Humphrey's old age and lack of strength, do you think Irel and Ilean would have had a better fate? I've seen too many ugly things among the nobles. Compared to that, if they follow you, their future will be more secure. I believe you will make them happy."

Gaodeng had to admit that, according to the moral standards of this world, Duro's words made sense. At least he wasn't a perverted noble who enjoyed torturing women or giving them to others to play with.

With the four members of Bard's family, Gaodeng couldn't just hire the parents and leave the two daughters behind; the couple wouldn't agree. Besides, hiring two more young girls wouldn't add much to the monthly expenses, and finding experienced servants like Bard's family, who had served in other noble households, was not easy.

Gaodeng examined Irel and Ilean. Both sisters had chestnut-colored long hair, delicate features, and although their bodies were not yet fully mature, the feminine curves were beginning to show, like flower buds covered in dew, about to bloom with the beauty of young maidens.

As Duro said, they were indeed two very promising beauties.

"Mr. Freeman, I can make fifteen kinds of tea," Irel said.

"Mr. Freeman, I can give you a head massage to relieve your fatigue," Ilean also said.

When Gaodeng's gaze swept over them, the two girls did not show any timidity but instead actively promoted themselves. They were indeed professionally trained maids, unlike inexperienced country girls who would shrink back in fear when they saw a noble, barely daring to speak.

"Alright, I decide to hire you."

Seeing Gaodeng nod, the four members of Bard's family all showed relieved smiles. The expenses in Bishui City were high, and if they couldn't find work quickly, they would be in a dire situation once their savings ran out.

After signing the employment contract, Gaodeng calculated that hiring Bard's family would cost him about 20 gold coins a month. This was a significant expense for ordinary people, but now it was just half of his store's daily profit.

Five days passed quietly.

The dwarf construction team finally completed their work, pocketed their wages, and went to the tavern to celebrate. The Freeman mansion had undergone a major transformation. All the rotten wood on the walls and floors was replaced, the creaky stairs were reinforced, and the interior was redecorated in the latest Moon Elf Antoiville style—though Gaodeng didn't know what that was, it looked good. The empty rooms were furnished with expensive furniture, and Roni and her two daughters spent two days cleaning the entire house.

Now, the completely renovated Freeman mansion finally matched the status of a baron. Even if he invited a noble like Dorn Lannister, it wouldn't be considered impolite. However, the cost was a full 300 gold coins, which significantly reduced Gaodeng's personal assets. Fortunately, "Duro's Treasure Box" was doing better business, and he wasn't worried about repaying his debt.

"Sir, please wash up."

"Sir, we will help you dress."

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Gaodeng woke up from his sleep, and the soft, sweet voices of the two little girls filled his ears. Although they were young, as the head of the Freeman family, Gaodeng could only accept the title "Sir." The title "Young Master Freeman" would have to wait for his son to inherit, if he had one.

He got out of the four-meter-wide bed, covered in velvet, revealing a well-proportioned body—his habit of sleeping in just underwear from his previous life in the game pod.

Thank his knight father for leaving him good genes, thank the frost and snow of the north, thank his childhood of horseback hunting. All these gave him a solid physical foundation, making him not as frail as a typical mage.

Irel and Ilean brought the clothes to Gaodeng. The two girls lowered their eyes, not daring to look at him directly. The faint male scent made their cheeks flush, and even their eyelashes trembled with shyness. The sisters, who had only dealt with old men before, were still a bit uncomfortable serving a young man like Gaodeng after a few days of adjustment.

Gaodeng's clothes were simple: a velvet shirt and pants, plus a mage robe. Even so, after dressing, Irel and Ilean's delicate noses were still sweating.

"Sir, I'll prepare your afternoon tea," Irel turned and left. Ilean, holding a warm towel, helped Gaodeng wash his face.

Such a life had only lasted a few days, but Gaodeng, who had taken care of himself since childhood in another world, had already gotten used to the sisters' attentive service. Indeed, the saying "it's easy to go from frugality to luxury" was a profound truth.

After washing his face, Ilean turned and left, leaving a slender back to Gaodeng. Under the maid's dress, the white cotton stockings and the hem of the skirt revealed a segment of snow-white skin, making the noble mage's heart race. Although Gaodeng could have pushed the sisters without being criticized as a pedophile but rather praised as "romantic and gallant," he had no such intention for the time being.

The improvement in his life had already made him very satisfied, but it was not yet time to indulge in pleasure.

After enjoying the tender beef steak and tamarind cod soup specially prepared by Bard, Gaodeng left home. He hadn't been to "Duro's Treasure Box" for a few days and planned to go there today.

Walking into the store, Gaodeng sensed something was wrong. The magic potions that were usually snatched up by adventurers in half a day were still mostly unsold today. The store had no customers, and Duro, sitting behind the counter, looked gloomy. Gaodeng had never seen the usually cheerful and plump store owner with such an expression.

"What's going on, partner?" Gaodeng asked.

"Since last night, rumors have been spreading in the Adventurer's Guild that the magic potions we sell are made with cheap substitute ingredients, which is why they are cheaper than those from other stores. Drinking our magic potions will have side effects and damage the body."

"I see." Gaodeng's face also turned serious.