Above the Inland River, the 'Oriental' was moving slowly.
In the dining room, servants shuttled back and forth in an orderly fashion, replacing the oil-stained plates and leftover food with freshly served als for so guests who had specifically requested them.
Those guests who did not co to the dining room would have their food personally delivered by a servant.
Of course, only the first-class suites offered such service.
Ms. Yula, Lucius, and Joe were in one such first-class suite.
Two restaurant servants dressed in white shirts and vests followed behind a butler clad in a black tailcoat and a red bow tie, standing in front of the suite.
Knock, knock, knock!
The suite's butler gently tapped on the door, his voice soft yet respectful as he said,
"Mr. Joe, as per your instruction, three standard als.
Also, two servings of 'Holy Cysteine Drink' that you specially ordered."
The Holy Cysteine Drink, a beverage mixed with alcohol, had a base of copious fresh lemon juice and honey, supplented by large square ice cubes just small enough to fit into a glass. With two ice cubes and approximately 30ml of liquor poured from a height, the concoction wouldn't be stirred until the lemon juice and honey reached the top of the first ice cube. Then, using a soup spoon, one would stir continuously, allowing the ice to dilute into water, diluting the liquor until its level was flush with the rim of the glass.
The taste was passable, but it was labor-intensive, so ordinary taverns wouldn't bother with it.
And where it was available, it was always pricey.
After all, this drink was said to be one that a bartender could only make one of per day.
More than that?
The bartender would et Death.
Therefore, the Holy Cysteine Drink was also known as 'The Death of the Bartender.'
But it was a favorite among the rich and the Nobles.
Because—
it set them apart from the rest.
Especially on the 'Oriental,' it further highlighted their distinction.
Because, there was an extra charge!
Having made so 'gains' last night, Joe excitedly shared the unique features of this drink with Ms. Yula before breakfast, but unfortunately, Ms. Yula left midway due to discomfort.
Without Ms. Yula, Joe naturally returned to his room with regrets.
He had intended to let Ms. Yula experience the extraordinary attention.
Or perhaps...
he wanted to share this joy with Ms. Yula.
After yesterday, his attitude towards Ms. Yula had changed significantly.
However, Ms. Yula remained the sa.
This lady still used 'little tricks' to keep Joe happy in the washroom.
Similarly, a slight tornt and inquisition of Lucius brought this lady joy as well.
Originally, this lady could have inquired in a more straightforward manner.
But she still chose to trample on Lucius with her foot incessantly.
The pleasure rising from the depths of her heart made this lady's lips curl up and excitent flicker in her eyes. Even when it was ti to report to the High Priest, the excitent did not dissipate.
It was not just physical, but more so spiritual.
She knew she had achieved a great feat.
Her future was promising.
With anticipation for the future bubbling up within her, the lady's body trembled, and then...
Her eyes rolled back!
Not the eyes rolling upwards kind of white!
But a twisting of the eyeballs, entwined with nerves and blood vessels.
That tiny tentacle once again wriggled out from the lady's ear, resembling a maggot, ceaselessly squirming its Body.
With such writhing, Ms. Yula's eyes detached completely from their sockets, as if they were springs compressed and suddenly released, and with a pop, the two eyeballs erupted forth.
Suddenly, the two eyeballs lit up.
Almost simultaneously, a voice emanated from within the eyeballs—
"Your Crown!"
"Your Crown!"
Both were the voices of won, the forr slightly hoarse, the latter exceptionally clear.
Each voice interwove with the other, yet neither was aware of the other.
What they heard was rely the transford sound, echoing through the tentacle utilizing Ms. Yula's vocal cords.
"Blessed Yula seized her destiny!"
"In collaboration with Arthur Kredos!"
"Expel the 'Inland River Cult'!"
Voices undistinguished as either male or female inford the two of them.
Following that, more ambiguous voices vibrated from Yula's vocal cords.
With each syllable that erged, the hoarse and clear voices grew increasingly excited.
"Thank you for Your Crown's gift!"
"Your Crown, you are really too kind!"
The twin voices appeared once more, but this ti, the tentacle did not control Yula to respond. Instead, it actively severed the connection.
Yula's eyeballs returned to their sockets, and the tentacle retracted back into her earholes.
The next mont, there was a knock at the door—
Thump, thump-thump!
The gentle and unhurried knocking brought Yula to her senses.
The lady was completely unaware of the previous events.
In the lady's mory, she had been preparing to report the current situation, and then the knocking started.
With a smile, Yula opened the door.
The sunlight from outside instantly flooded in, bathing the pure wooden furniture in a rich vitality that provided an inner comfort.
The arrangent of the chandeliers and mirrors only enhanced this sense of life throughout the room.
These were so of Arthur's small touches.
Compared to simply piling on gold and silver, the young 'Spirit dium' understood better how to make the room look luxurious while being cost-effective.
"Good morning, madam."
The suite housekeeper bowed slightly, allowing two servants to enter with the food.
At this ti, Lucius had already been thrown into the washroom.
The only one left in the cabin, smiling, was Yula.
"Thank you for your service."
Ms. Yula drew out a one-Suo note and two five-Zeroes notes from Joe's wallet and handed them to the room housekeeper and two dining hall servants—many diners in the restaurant the previous evening had done the sa, and then Joe had ntioned so etiquette aboard the 'Oriental' upon his return.
Tipping was one of these customs.
Yula didn't quite understand the aning behind it, but the lady chose to follow the local customs.
For this, Arthur gave his silent approval.
How to make people efficient.
Pay them.
As long as the money was sufficient, everything could beco efficient and orderly.
Arthur knew this.
But as a 'Spirit dium' just above the breadline, naturally, he could not afford the wages for more staff. So, Arthur shifted this responsibility onto the guests of the 'Oriental'.
These now affluent guests surely wouldn't skimp on a little tip.
But who was the first to tip?
Arthur claid not to know.
He was just a young, upright, simple, and kind 'Spirit dium'.
How could he possibly know so many intricate details?
It must have been Marinda's arrangent.
His 'lover', his 'soulmate', enjoyed dwelling on such trifles.
And him?
He was focusing on the scene that had just unfolded.
When that tentacle appeared...
His "Death Intuition" did not flash again.
And just one day...
No, to be precise, just a few hours earlier, facing that tentacle, he still sensed the danger of death.
Clearly, the improvent in his bloodline and swordsmanship skills had provided him with the power to protect himself.
And this caused Arthur's brow to crease.
He had discovered a hint of sothing.
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