Sveta glanced around the hall, nodded quietly to himself, and decided to head to the kitchen to check on how Maru was handling the ingredients, intending to offer some help.
Suddenly, the castle's front doors were pushed open, and warm sunlight streamed in, illuminating the floor.
He turned around and saw his master, quickly stepping forward to greet him, "Master, you're back. Do you need me to fetch you another bottle of blueberry juice?"
"No need, Sveta. I've brought you something good," Rhett said with a gentle smile, extending his spiritual power to scan Sveta's body, instantly gaining a complete understanding of his physical condition. He then gave a command to his domain: "Display Sveta's character panel."
In the next moment, a light screen appeared in front of Rhett.
[Name: Sveta Farrow]
[Occupation: Ordinary Person]
[Level: None]
[Mental Power: 1.3]
[Physique: 1.2]
[Battle Qi: 0]
[Skills: None]
A very plain panel, which was normal, but Rhett found it a bit odd as he examined it.
Even though Sveta was an ordinary person, Rhett felt the character panel should contain more details to provide some level of distinction.
After a brief moment of thought, Rhett decided to add more information, such as the subject's social status and background, to make the panel clearer at a glance regarding the person's role.
With a new command, the screen warped, and a revised character panel quickly formed.
[Name: Sveta Farrow]
[Background: Butler of the Green Family]
[Occupation: Ordinary Person]
[Level: None]
[Mental Power: 1.3]
[Physique: 1.2]
[Battle Qi: 0]
[Skills: None]
Now looking at the updated panel, Rhett felt much more satisfied.
Afterward, he pulled up his own character panel and glanced at his background information—[Patriarch of the Green Family, King of the Green Kingdom, Slayer of Orcs, Savior of Humanity...]
Looking at the long string of titles behind his background, Rhett couldn't help but smile. Haha, having his own panel was truly convenient. Unlike in the novels of his previous life, where random titles were forced on him by an uncontrollable system, now he could assign titles to himself at will. What a delightful feeling.
Seeing his master smile, Sveta's mood brightened as well. He curiously asked, "Master, have you perhaps prepared a wig for me?"
"Hmm, not quite yet, but trust me, what I've brought you is much more useful than a wig. In the future, you may not even need a wig to regain your thick hair," Rhett said thoughtfully, considering the effects of Blood Source Power, which enhanced both physical and mental strength.
Sveta blinked in surprise, doubting, "Master, you're not joking, are you? What kind of thing can make someone regrow their hair? Could it even make me younger?"
"Not exactly rejuvenation. Have you been eating a lot of meat lately?" Rhett asked after some thought.
"Uh… Maru said I've been gaining weight, so since the beginning of the year, she's been advising me to eat less meat and more fruits, vegetables, and milk," Sveta admitted sheepishly.
"Hehe, and you listened?" Rhett chuckled in surprise.
"That's right." Sveta lowered his head slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Well… you've probably heard that everyone has been growing stronger recently by eating meat, right?" Rhett asked.
"I've heard about it. Young Master Ruile told me. But it doesn't seem to do much for us ordinary folks. We can't eat meat every meal, and in the short term, it doesn't show much effect," Sveta reflected. "But I've heard that the members in the training grounds have shown remarkable changes. They say their training results have been quite impressive, especially Ellie. That little girl is crazy about becoming a knight. Ever since she heard that eating meat makes you stronger, she refuses to eat anything but meat now, completely ignoring fruits and vegetables!"
"Vanessa's sister, Ellie, right? I remember her—purple hair, a girl with big dreams," Rhett said as his eyes flickered with memory, recalling that determined and defiant face back in the fledgling Green Territory...
"Not just the training members, but from now on, everyone in the Green Manor will have meat with every meal, and as much as possible, it will be magic beast meat!" Rhett waved his hand grandly, speaking with confidence.
After all, he was now the king, with endless resources at his disposal. Naturally, the treatment of his people had to improve as well.
Sveta wasn't particularly surprised by this, and he pressed a hand to his chest in gratitude. "Master's generosity is like the sun, spreading its light to every corner. I thank you on behalf of all the servants."
"Mm, and you as well. No more dieting. From now on, eat plenty of meat! Don't worry—you won't gain weight!" Rhett patted Sveta's shoulder, urging him.
"Well… alright. I'll follow Master's instructions," Sveta hesitated briefly before resolutely agreeing.
"And take these drinks, too. I remember you have trouble sleeping when it gets cold? It may be summer now, but autumn isn't far off. If insomnia hits again, drink a few big cups before bed. In fact, even if you're not sleepless, have a cup before bed each night!" Rhett took out ten barrels of wine from his spatial ring. He had learned about this drink, called 'Eternal Sleep,' from the Rattlesnake Tavern. It was stronger than the Blood Feast wine and infused with Blood Source Power. Even a mid-level transcendent would feel its effects if they drank too much.
Rhett had heard from Lilith that this was the limit of what the Rattlesnake Tavern could produce. Their wine still had a long way to go before it could intoxicate a high-level transcendent.
"This... Master, I'm not in the habit of drinking. My father always said drinking harms the body. As a butler, I should maintain a clear mind and never be drunk," Sveta hesitated as he looked at the wine barrels with reluctance. "Besides, I still want to serve you for many more years!"
"No, no, this is no ordinary wine. It's infused with a special power, hard to explain in a few words. In short, do you trust me?" Rhett placed a hand on Sveta's shoulder.
"Of course, Master. You are the person I trust most in this world, without exception!" Sveta spread his hands, looking at Rhett with unwavering trust.
"Then drink some before bed every night!" Rhett gestured to the wine barrels.
This time, Sveta didn't resist. If the master said it was good, then it must be!
He nodded, "Master, I'll listen to you."
Returning to the fifth-floor hall, Rhett pulled a seashell from his spatial ring, the remnant of an artifact left behind by the mermen.
When he had absorbed the mysterious merman remains in the Far East, new mysterious patterns had appeared on the shell, though Rhett still couldn't decipher them. There were no similar symbols or texts recorded in the world's archives.
Furthermore, the shell's patterns seemed incomplete, as though the message it conveyed was not yet fully revealed.
Rhett had a hunch that these runes contained extraordinary secrets. If he could decipher them, he would make a significant discovery.
However, clues to unlock these mysteries were hard to come by in this era. His only option was to search through history.
He planned to wait until the current simulation, set in ancient times, concluded. After learning the method of alchemical fusion from that brilliant alchemist, he would explore the secrets of the mermen and the shell.
Holding the shell in his hand, feeling its cool surface, Rhett's thoughts wandered back to the history of the mermen.
——The mermen's rise was as fast as a falling star, and they vanished just as quickly.
Like a fleeting bloom, few witnessed their peak, let alone uncovered their deepest secrets.
Originally, Rhett hadn't been too interested in this, but the terrifying devouring power displayed by the shell piqued his curiosity, making him obsessed with uncovering its origin.
"This thing's power is too similar to the power of evolution. Could they share the same source?" Rhett muttered to himself, gazing at the ceiling, stroking his chin in thought.
"What a shame this thing can't be absorbed like the tainted blood left by the Blood Demon Clone, or I would have taken it into the simulation space to purify it!" Rhett sighed softly to himself.
After a long pause, Rhett put the shell away, returned to his room, and took a moment to appreciate the layout before sitting cross-legged on his bed and beginning to meditate.
Though he stood at the pinnacle of the world, Rhett had not yet reached the limits of power.
——Not only did he still have to comprehend the mysteries of fire, but the path of fusing the elemental mysteries was one he hadn't abandoned!
He had laid out his future cultivation plans and paths. In terms of comprehension, he could focus on it in the simulation world, capturing the opportunities the real world had missed while simultaneously gaining insights into the mysteries—two birds with one stone.
In reality, he would devote all his available time to studying the fusion of mysteries!
Time always passed quickly during cultivation.
The room's light dimmed as the sun set, and as dusk gave way to night, the summer stars adorned the sky.
A cool evening breeze drifted through the window, causing the books and notebooks on the desk to flip gently, page by page.
Rhett, immersed in his cultivation, briefly lost himself in the sound, and for a moment, he felt as if he had returned to the peaceful evenings of his past life, reading in the twilight.
But as he opened his eyes and returned to the present, his gaze was deep, like that of a wise elder who had witnessed countless events.
He sat quietly, watching the stars and moon turn overhead, soon finding inner peace once more, with a renewed vigor radiating from him.
——After experiencing all there was, he was still the same fledgling eagle.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock came at the door.
Sveta's familiar voice called from outside, "Master, the banquet is ready, and all your friends have arrived."
"Hmm… you go ahead, arrange everyone. I'll be there shortly," Rhett replied. He got up from his bed and walked to the mirror, changing into a luxurious robe.
This robe was made of precious fabrics and materials, embroidered with gold thread and adorned with gemstones. It bore royal decorations, along with a silk hat and fur cape—the only one in Rhett's collection of space-bound garments.
Standing before the mirror, Rhett examined himself carefully, his face revealing a satisfied smile.
Hmm… this outfit finally gave him a bit of a kingly aura!
When Rhett descended to the first-floor hall, it was already packed with people. The castle doors were wide open, and even those standing outside by the windows eagerly peered inside.
There were Rhett's friends, followers, the manor's servants, knights from the training ground, patrolling guards from the territory, and various other officials—all gathered together, creating a grand spectacle.
Seeing Rhett come down, especially dressed in his luxurious, loose-fitting robe, everyone's eyes lit up.
——This style, only a king would dress like this...
A round of cheers erupted from the crowd, and thunderous applause resounded throughout the hall.
Enjoying the warmth of the crowd for a while, Rhett raised his hands slightly, smiling as he gestured for silence. The applause gradually subsided.
"My family, my friends, my followers, and every member who loves Green, good evening!"
Rhett waved to the crowd.
Another round of enthusiastic applause followed.
At that moment, a small girl with long blue hair and a delicate face came running from the crowd, her eyes twinkling with joy as she smiled up at Rhett. Holding a wreath in her hands, she blinked her large, watery eyes and said:
"Grandfather, congratulations on becoming king. Today is an unforgettable day!"
Rhett was delighted to see the little girl. He lifted her up, kissed her cheek, and said with a smile, "Oh, look who it is! It's my beloved granddaughter, Kazena. Good evening, Kazena."
As he spoke, he lowered his neck slightly, and Kazena, pleased by the praise, cleverly placed the wreath over Rhett's head.
Then, Rhett set her down, and she skipped back to the sides of Ruile and Kalina, taking her parents' hands.
"This is quite a lovely gift," Rhett said humorously, pointing to the wreath around his neck, addressing the crowd.
Butler Sveta approached at this time, thoughtfully presenting a bottle of fine wine to Rhett and pouring it into a crystal glass.
It was common practice on the continent for the host of the banquet to give an opening speech.
Rhett held the crystal glass in one hand, gently swirling it, while the other hand rested behind his back. He spoke gracefully:
"Today is a day of great joy. On this wonderful evening, I want to announce, or perhaps reaffirm, a piece of news—The orcs have been exterminated, and the new world now belongs entirely to humanity! A toast to the new world!"
With the first declaration made, Rhett raised his glass high, turning halfway around. The guests followed suit, raising their glasses as well.
After drinking the first glass of wine, Sveta quickly refilled it. Rhett raised his second glass:
"Tomorrow will also be a day of joy. Every day will be more wonderful than today. I want to announce, or reaffirm, another piece of news—We will establish the Green Kingdom, occupying the center of the continent!"
"Perhaps the early members remember my vow—We will break through countless hardships and soar through the storm! Just like a fledgling eagle, continuously soaring, we will claim a wider sky."
"Now, we have achieved that!"
Another round of cheers erupted from the crowd.
Indeed, the extinction of the orcs marked the end of suffering.
But the founding of a kingdom was the beginning of glory and the prelude to a brighter future.