Lord of Mysteries: Return of the Stars!

He had a feeling that this young baron before him would go far in the future, and so he wanted him to understand just how vast the disparity in this world could be.

Perhaps, one day, he might really make a difference.

----------------------------------

Hastur was unaware of Professor Wayne's little intentions, and even if he had known, he wouldn't have minded.

To have such a devoted teacher guiding him along the path of the law was indeed a great fortune.

Over the next half hour, Professor Wayne offered additional advice and addressed Hastur's confusions, helping the lawyer's potion in his body digest a little more quickly.

But to truly digest the potion, he would have to truly play the role of a lawyer.

As for Bavart Bank, it couldn't be relied on for the time being, and his own abilities weren't sufficient to open a law firm.

Perhaps being a free legal aid provider was more suitable for his current self.

Thinking of this, Hastur began looking forward to Friday's brief trip to the docklands with Professor Wayne.

Before leaving, Professor Wayne gave Hastur a book, one without a title, more like a personal journal.

Hastur only flipped through two pages before realizing it contained Professor Wayne's reflections and thoughts on the law.

Its value was beyond what money could describe.

"Study well. You have a long future ahead of you."

Professor Wayne left with a smile.

...

The next day, early in the morning, Hastur went out to buy three small gifts, spending 8 pounds and 6 soli. These were for convenient gift-giving.

Because today he was going to interview the three candidates for the butler position. Regardless of the outcome, a refined and delicate gift was a must.

In addition to the three gifts, he also bought two tins of marquis black tea and some desserts to go with the tea.

Compared to coffee, black tea suited his tastes better.

At around 8:50, the three candidates arrived one after another outside Hastur's large house.

It was a very appropriate time, arriving too early might catch the host unprepared and lead to awkward sitting around.

But if they arrived past nine, there was no need to interview, someone who doesn't respect time naturally won't earn the respect of others.

After brief introductions and a few pleasantries, Hastur had two of the candidates wait in the first-floor living room while he led one to a rarely used study on the second floor.

Bud Lewis, the first candidate, was a middle-aged man with slightly graying temples, appearing to be around forty-five.

Before beginning the interview, Hastur had already used spiritual power in the room to set a rule:

"No lies allowed in this room!"

To choose a suitable butler, a seer had their own methods and he had his own way.

For this interview, he had thought of many questions the night before, covering all aspects, enough to help him judge who would be the best fit as his butler.

"Mr. Bud, my interview is simple. Just answer a few of my questions simply and honestly."

Bud respectfully said, "It is my honor to answer your questions."

Hastur nodded. "Why were you dismissed by your previous employer?"

"Baron Hill no longer wanted to live in Backlund and planned to move to a coastal city, while I couldn't bear to leave beautiful Backlund."

"What do you think it takes to be a competent butler?"

"Honesty, attentiveness, diligence, lack of greed, and speaking less…"

"Will you devote yourself wholeheartedly to working for me?"

Bud naturally replied, "That is the duty of a butler."

Upon hearing this, Hastur smiled , Mr. Bud had lied on this question. He would not devote himself wholeheartedly.

But that one question wasn't enough to prove he had ulterior motives.

Hastur continued, "What is your opinion of factory workers?"

The sudden shift in topic stunned Bud for a moment, but he calmly replied, "They are pitiable lucky ones. Compared to workers who have jobs, there are many more living even more miserable lives."

His calm tone carried a hint of compassion, and his whole face took on a faint sorrow.

Tsk tsk, Mr. Bud, why are you lying again?

That wasn't your true opinion at all , your heart wasn't as compassionate and kind as you made it seem.

At this point, Hastur had already ruled Mr. Bud out of the candidate pool, but casually asked a few more questions.

Among the remaining questions, he lied once more.

Hastur asked him to wait downstairs, then called up the next candidate.

The second candidate, Mr. Mike, was clearly more honest than the first. His character was commendable.

The third candidate, Mr. Neil, was the oldest of the three at fifty-two, yet appeared to be in the best spirits.

He didn't seem fond of speaking, and his eyes carried a natural coldness that kept people at a distance. However, whenever Hastur asked a question, that coldness would fade, though he still didn't show much delight, and he would answer calmly, gently, and steadily.

His work history was also impressive. He had once been the butler for an old earl, and only left when the old earl passed and a new one took over.

He was an old butler who had witnessed many grand occasions.

He greatly suited Hastur's preferences.

To learn more about Mr. Neil, Hastur asked several more questions.

Neil continued to behave very honestly, and his answers matched Hastur's values well.

Even when faced with intentionally difficult questions, he upheld his honesty, without giving perfunctory or flattering answers.

At the end of the conversation, Hastur finally smiled and asked, "Mr. Neil, what salary do you expect?"

Neil calmly replied, "An annual salary of 150 gold pounds. I believe my abilities are worth that compensation."

"Your honesty and kindness are the reasons you're getting this job."

At this point, Neil naturally understood that he had won out among the three interviewees, but he wasn't overly excited. A capable butler meeting a discerning employer, this was a perfectly normal occurrence.

Neil stood up and respectfully bowed, saying, "Your virtue will be the banner under which I conduct myself from now on."

"Hmm, here are three gifts. One is for you, and the other two are for you to deliver to them."

"Thank you for your generosity."

Neil took the three small gifts and left the study, descending the stairs.

About five minutes later, he returned to Hastur.

Hastur stood up with a smile and said, "Hastur Campbell, your new employer."

Neil also bowed and said, "It is my honor to serve you."

"You can start work right now," Hastur said with a smile. "I don't like being served by too many people, so the household staff must be kept lean."

"Do you have any more specific requests?" Neil immediately entered work mode.

"I enjoy fine food, desserts, regional snacks, like the Intis cuisine left behind by Emperor Roselle. Dixie pies are also nice. If I could taste food from the Southern Continent, that would be even better."

Aside from a strong emphasis on food, Hastur had few other requirements, as long as daily needs were met. As for maintaining noble appearances, that could be addressed later.

Neil considered Hastur's needs and said, "I believe you'll need a pastry chef specialized in desserts, a top chef skilled in international cuisines, a household financial manager, a personal valet, a first-class maid responsible for the bedroom, two second-class maids for the living and sitting rooms, two footmen for receiving guests, one storeroom maid, one kitchen maid, two laundry maids, and two laborers for heavy chores."

"You'll also need an assistant chef, a coachman, a gardener, a page, and general workers…"

Hastur listened quietly, and when Neil finished, he pondered before saying, "I don't need a personal valet. The gardener, page, and general workers can be handled by others as additional duties, with some extra pay. And we don't need that many maids."

This baron is even more frugal than I imagined!

Aside from his passion for food, everything else seemed optional.

Neil paused, then nodded. "As you wish."

Soon, Neil drafted the staffing list: three people including the chef, pastry chef, and assistant; one financial manager; one coachman; three general maids to clean the sitting rooms, bedrooms, and living rooms; two footmen who would also act as pages; three maids for miscellaneous chores; and two male laborers who would also serve as gardeners and general workers.

A total of fifteen people, excluding himself.

Hastur originally wanted to reduce the number further, but seeing Neil's troubled expression, he refrained, after all, the house was quite large.

"Whoever is willing to take on more tasks, give them a bit more pay."

"Thank you for your generosity."

"Select the candidates first. Once chosen, have them come to the study to meet me."

Even though the positions weren't particularly important, Hastur still felt it was necessary to ask a few questions to see if they'd truly commit to working here.

He didn't want unpleasant surprises every few days.

The two also discussed the household order and rules, mostly proposed by Hastur, with Neil taking notes.

As a lawyer, order and rules should always be integrated into everyday life.

Simply playing the role of a lawyer in form alone without truly understanding its essence, such superficial performance wouldn't help one truly digest a potion.

They talked until around noon. Neil originally intended to leave and return in the afternoon after hiring enough staff.

Hastur asked him to stay for a working lunch, spending some money to have two meals delivered from a nearby restaurant.

After enjoying lunch, Neil went out to take care of business. The Household Servants Association in the city had already prepared a group of maids and servants who could start immediately.

At 1:30 in the afternoon, Neil brought thirty people for interviews.

Hastur spent two hours meeting each of them and asking a few questions.

Such as: If you found an unclaimed wallet, would you leave it in place and wait for the owner?

When no one is watching at home, would you have thoughts of stealing and act on them?

Do you enjoy gossiping behind others' backs?

Would you be tempted by bribes from other nobles?

There were about ten questions in total, covering almost every aspect.

Except for a few whose words didn't match their expressions, most were quite good, showing Neil had a keen eye for choosing people.

In the end, Hastur retained fifteen of them, then gave 500 gold pounds to the female financial steward to manage and also pay one week's salary in advance.

The house already had most things it needed. There were few places that required large expenditures, not even a new carriage was needed.

There were still two: one that had belonged to Voltaire Campbell, and one used in daily life by the previous owner.

The 500 gold pounds would last quite a while. As long as he didn't host a banquet, he wouldn't need to spend more money for at least two or three months.

After handling these chores, Hastur let Neil manage the rest while he stayed in the study to quietly read.