The overlord resembled an ever-flowing magic hourglass, ready to embark on another journey. This time, it was to the much more dangerous human kingdom and the underground world. Accordingly, steward Jabbar specially organised a farewell banquet.
The penguin steward, Mr Jabbar, was faultless in his work ethic.
Banquets and salons were significant indicators of upper-class society. Usually, a simple banquet could reveal the wealth and stature of a nobleman. On this aspect, Mr Jabbar had strong confidence in achieving perfection because he had the world’s best chefs and brewers at his disposal. His sole dissatisfaction was that, as a lord’s mansion, an abode where a war hero of the Double Dragon Ceremony lived, there was not a single formally appointed maid.
No maids meant that Mr Jabbar had no competent assistants when arranging banquets. Tasks such as arranging the tablecloth, placing cutlery, positioning candlesticks, arranging flowers, alternating dishes, pouring wine and tea, and arranging song and dance – all these tedious details – ended up entirely on him. The absence of such aids meant a lack of ambiance at the event, which could signify a lack of nobility. Such failures could firmly declare a steward’s grave incompetence.
Mr Jabbar had retired leisurely at the age of fifty from Windsor Castle, the king’s palace of the Bimon Kingdom.
After retirement, Mr Jabbar was repeatedly courted by various nobles to serve as their steward. Over eleven years, he served as the steward of three prestigious families, earning high praise. Recently, Lord Rosenborg of the Northeast Province invited him to serve as the Chief Etiquette Instructor. At the governor’s mansion, not only were there numerous beautiful Fawkes women, but there were also many desert people’s dancers. Lord Rosenborg even secretly kept a swan woman and a hill woman giant as his concubines. Because of this, the gentlemanly Mr Jabbar, knowing he could not change the situation despite advising against it, strongly requested retirement. As a result, Lord Rosenborg sent him and his family to live in Feilengcui as a favor.
Although loathing to bear manager over such disgraceful behaviour, it did not mean Mr Jabbar could tolerate that the mansion he oversaw was left with only giants and sturdy men doing odd jobs.
Lord Feilengcui had a plethora of beautiful women, yet he did not have a single maid-servant. Whenever a guest came, and tea was to be served, it was either the lady of the house herself or fools like Fat Luo who did it, a situation Mr Jabbar found utterly unbearable.
If only the Pigiel race lived here, it still would be tolerable. But it was filled with beautiful women! Of the Bimon’s four famed beauties – the pure Swan, the charming Fox Girl, the elegant Butterfly, and the seductive Medusa – all of them had made their appearance in Feilengcui. In particular, all the butterfly clan resided there. Also living there were the Naga, Sirens, and Fairy Dragon, along with the Mermaid Princess and Ning Yu, who were in deep sleep. This place was home to not just all the world’s beautiful women, but at least 90 percent of them.
Considering this, penguin steward Mr. Jabbar personally selected twenty unmarried Butterfly women, skilled in singing and dancing, as the city lord’s maids. The beautiful and intelligent maids not only brought glory to the city lord, they were also a great help to the steward.
The selection, however, took a toll on the steward as there were too many applicants vying for the position, almost making him go cross-eyed.
As expected, the selected Butterfly maids were quick learners. They promptly understood how to arrange the dining table and musical performances, unlike fools like Fat Luo, who despite numerous explanations, still remained clueless. Get full chapters from Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
Liu Zhenhan and all senior leaders were a little stunned upon attending the banquet. Was this still the old dining hall they were used to?
The soft light of the Night Pearl wove a splendid, dreamy glow that covered every corner. The tablecloth was folded into multiple fan-shaped patterns, the utensils were neatly arranged, and the dishes, although not made of precious eastern porcelain, were shined as new. A flower vase full of blossoms was set on the long table, from which a few insignificant but vibrant Eustoma flowers protruded symmetrically.
A row of beautiful Butterfly maids stood all around. Dressed in a tailcoat, with not a hair out of place, the penguin steward held a wine jug wrapped in a snow-white napkin. Although the jug was only carved out of bamboo root, Mr. Jabbar could still pour from it from a distance–a wine line so perfect that not a drop was spilled.
Seeing such a luxurious scene, the rough men held back their rowdy behavior, showing their respect as they took their places at the table.
"When the Talented Lord returns, we should procure some carpets and silver tableware from the human kingdom. This time, let’s make do with a little rudimentary," the penguin steward bowed and muttered, stepping aside.
"This is already quite extravagant," said Liu Zhenhan, his mouth agape in astonishment.
"Extravagance is the greatest sin," said Steward Jabbar with a pleased smile. He complimented the Talented Lord very subtly but very politely, "The decorations here hardly cost any money. On this, I hold the same view as you, my Lord. A real nobleman doesn’t need jewels and extravagance to prove his taste."
"Dear Steward Sir, you have put in a lot of effort," Elder Andulan exclaimed with genuine admiration.