Zhao Lun observed Eugene, who was also examining him and the ladies by his side.
Upon seeing Zhao Lun, Eugene was momentarily taken aback.
The young boy before him had skin that glistened like jade and black eyes that resembled shiny obsidian gems.
Though he appeared young, a remarkable presence radiated from him, his every movement imbued with an unexplainable power that made it hard for anyone to approach him. Even Eugene felt an involuntary tension in his heart when facing this young man.
Feeling nervous in front of a boy was simply unbelievable! No one in the city would believe it if he told them! Eugene felt unsettled and quickly shifted his gaze away from Zhao Lun, focusing instead on the ladies.
His eyes widened as he beheld their beauty.
What stunning women! None of the women in Nikola City could compare to any of them!
Just one glance was enough for Eugene, who had seen many beauties, to conclude that these were the most beautiful women he had ever encountered. Not only were they strikingly lovely, but each possessed a unique charm that left him momentarily spellbound, even after decades of life experience.
Realizing he was staring, he felt a sense of embarrassment and offered a sincere smile, quickly regaining his composure. His actions and demeanor gave the impression of a kind elder, and his apology felt genuinely heartfelt.
Despite his outward calm, his mind was racing, reevaluating the information he had gathered and forming a deeper assessment of the group before him.
As guests arrived, it was inappropriate to discuss matters in public. Zhao Lun invited Eugene into their courtyard, offering him a seat while Monica prepared some fruit and fragrant tea to entertain their guest.
The teapot was pumpkin-shaped porcelain in a rich golden hue, adorned with elegant calligraphy from "The Classic of Tea," detailing the essence of tea culture. The decorations were exquisite, leaving a lasting impression.
Unfortunately, aside from Zhao Lun, the others did not recognize the significance of the teapot.
The teacups were pure white like jade, and the tea within resembled emerald or amber. The rich aroma was enticing, evoking a desire to taste it.
Zhao Lun gestured for Eugene to sample the tea. Captivated by the aroma, Eugene cautiously lifted the teacup and took a sip. The tea was smooth, bitter yet not astringent, with a lingering fragrance that filled his mouth. Swallowing it, he felt a clarity of mind, and the worries that had plagued him seemed to dissipate with each sip.
Eugene closed his eyes, savoring the flavor.
"This is wonderful tea!"
"It's the best tea I've ever had!"
Eugene opened his eyes, his gentle gaze now imbued with tranquility. He praised the tea profusely and downed the cup in one go. Zhao Lun refilled it for him, and Eugene continued to drink, consuming several cups until the pot was nearly empty. When the last drops were poured, the aroma only grew stronger.
With no pressing matters at hand, they took their time enjoying the tea. Once their bellies were filled with the fragrant brew, they finally paused.
"What a pity; I can't drink anymore," Eugene lamented, looking as though he hadn't had enough.
The tea Zhao Lun offered him was unlike anything he had ever experienced; he usually added milk or other ingredients. Drinking it pure was a new delight.
"If you enjoyed it, I have some tea leaves you can take back to share with the count," Zhao Lun offered, motioning for Monica to retrieve some prepared tea leaves to give to Eugene upon his departure.
"That would be wonderful! Thank you so much," Eugene expressed his gratitude without hesitation, accepting Zhao Lun's generous gift.
In his mind, there was no need for pretense; if he wanted something, he would take it without reservation.
After they had enjoyed the tea, the atmosphere became even more amicable, and the two sides conversed like old friends.
"The count has been unwell, and I am here on his behalf," Eugene informed them.
"I hope he recovers soon," Zhao Lun replied.
"Thank you, I will pass along your wishes."
When the count was mentioned, Eugene only spoke briefly, and Zhao Lun understood the reason for his reticence. Unlike in his previous life, where privacy was often disregarded, here it was essential. If someone did not wish to share, he wouldn't press them; doing so could lead to annoyance.
Zhao Lun was well aware of this and maintained a respectful distance, allowing their conversation to flow smoothly as if they had known each other for years.
The ladies, meanwhile, showed no signs of impatience, adhering to proper etiquette that impressed Eugene, leading him to declare them the most beautiful ladies he had ever seen.
Zhao Lun, on the other hand, thought to himself, "A lady? They seem far removed from that title."
As the evening drew near, and dinner preparations were underway, Eugene inquired, "How is the Holy Family faring now?"
"We eliminated that demon and fulfilled our vow," Zhao Lun replied.
"That's good to hear. Thank the Lord for His blessings." Eugene clasped the cross hanging from his neck, offering a gesture of respect and prayer.
The "Holy Family" referred to the noble families with devout followers, usually having a history of at least two centuries and possessing extraordinary power, previously having been endorsed by the pope. Since then, no new noble families had received such endorsements.
Although the Nikola family was powerful now, they had not been designated as "holy" two centuries ago.
The Anna family, though fallen, still commanded respect due to its past glory. Now that they had overcome their difficulties and Anna had gained exceptional power with the Church's support, revitalization was not out of reach.
Strictly speaking, the Anna family's territory was far larger than this area. Had it not been for the events surrounding Dracula, the family would have likely continued its prosperous development and perhaps become the unchallenged rulers of this region.
"It's getting late; I won't disturb you any longer during your dinner," Eugene said, preparing to take his leave.
"Well, that's unfortunate. Monica, please present our gifts to Mr. Eugene."
As Eugene prepared to leave, Zhao Lun did not forget to offer him the tea leaves he had prepared earlier. It was a canister of tea adorned with writings in a Western script, containing a brief introduction to the tea. Zhao Lun had specifically prepared this for his Western friends, making it the perfect moment to present it.
"Thank you! I'm sure the count will be pleased with this," Eugene said, grateful as he accepted the tea canister.
With Eugene gone, dinner was served. Due to the earlier discussions, dinner was served a bit later than usual, and everyone was already quite hungry. As soon as Eugene left, the ladies shed their refined demeanor, returning to their natural selves, and the food on the table was devoured at an astonishing pace.
After a long day of travel, they were famished, and the meal vanished quickly. If Eugene had stayed, witnessing their speed, Zhao Lun wondered if he would still consider them ladies.
The next day, the group went on a significant shopping trip, preparing to buy supplies before returning. Carpenter continued to follow them, serving diligently. After Eugene's visit the previous day, Carpenter's attitude toward them was even more respectful, treating them with the utmost courtesy.
"...The count, aside from having some peculiar interests, is otherwise quite perfect."
As they prepared to leave, they expressed a bit of regret over not having met the esteemed count. During their shopping, they began discussing him again. Carpenter shared more about the count's admirable deeds.
Having witnessed Zhao Lun's influence, Carpenter provided more detailed accounts this time. Although he mostly spoke of positive aspects, the lack of negative stories still satisfied everyone's curiosity.
Zhao Lun listened intently, and based on his recounting, he used his mind's interface to analyze and construct character models, projecting them with the tools at hand for Carpenter to see.
"Which one looks the most like him?" Zhao Lun inquired.
"Ah?" Carpenter, having never seen such a thing, was momentarily stunned.
"That one? This one! The count looks just like this! Oh my God! It's unbelievable! Is this a painting?"
Once he regained his composure and saw the three-dimensional projection appear out of thin air, Carpenter was awestruck, cautiously reaching out to touch it, only to find it was merely air.
Zhao Lun and his companions smiled silently, not offering any explanations, leaving Carpenter feeling mystified.
"Indeed, nobles are rarely unattractive, especially this count. I never expected him to remain so handsome even in middle age."
"Quite normal; noblemen only marry beautiful women. After centuries of genetic refinement, their appearances are naturally superior."
"It's impossible! Nobles often intermarry for power, and it's quite common…"
The ladies, after seeing the projection of Nikola, sparked a lively discussion.
By noon, after finishing their lunch and tidying up, they prepared to depart.
"Sir, madam, the steward Eugene has arrived," Carpenter announced.
As Zhao Lun and his group were about to leave, Carpenter felt reluctant, especially after seeing Zhao Lun's generosity and how approachable he was compared to other nobles.
Of course, the beautiful ladies also made him regard them with awe, and as the "goddesses" prepared to leave, he felt a sense of loss, as if he had lost half of his heart.
To catch one last glimpse of the goddess in his eyes, he lingered, waiting for Eugene to arrive so he could announce it.
Eugene came bearing gifts and rewards from the count, expressing gratitude for Zhao Lun's role in eliminating the bandits and benefiting Nikola City.
The rewards included items from the count and some local specialties presented by those who had been rescued. Although they were not particularly valuable, they were given as a token of appreciation.
"Oh, there's a reward?" Zhao Lun was surprised; he hadn't anticipated receiving anything in return. If Eugene hadn't mentioned it, he might have forgotten about the unfortunate souls they had rescued.
"Yes, this is a reward for those who have contributed to Nikola City," Eugene said with a smile.
The notion of doing good without expecting anything in return was absent here; they valued reciprocity, believing it was more reasonable and beneficial for the city's development.
Zhao Lun understood this well.
"Be careful on your way back. The road may not be safe," Eugene warned.
"Are there still bandits?" Zhao Lun asked, puzzled.
Eugene chuckled but said nothing, leaving everything unsaid. (To be continued.)