The Herb King

The ladies felt as if they were in a dream. The conditions that Leric was giving them as his employees were something they would have never thought was possible. He was giving them rest days and free accommodations. He even offered them free meals and also five mid-rank soaps per month! Not to mention that they will be getting five thousand for their salary every month! This was unthinkable for servants like them who only receives five gold coins at most.

Even Skylar and Kathlyn who have much better living conditions than these young women were surprised by his generous offer.

"Aethelwolf, are you sure about this? There are twelve of them here and if you include Skylar, Kathlyn, and me, that would make us fifteen working under you. The amount of money you have to give us would be a lot if we follow the offer you are giving." Samira could not help but ask him. This man was giving them a lot of benefits. Could there be some motive behind this gesture? She fell into deep thinking as she thought about this.

'So it was because of this.' Leric smiled gently at the ladies. "I'm sure about this. Don't forget that I can just earn what I'm paying for you guys by just selling one Awakening Pellet." His words made the ladies' eyes twinkle. That's right. His pills were very popular and all items on display were even sold out on the first day of their opening. As long as this continues, Leric would become one of the most successful business owners in the empire!

Samira chuckled when she heard his words. "In that case, I have no objections. I believe that the others are more than eager to accept your offer."

"Great! I'll write a formal contract and send them to you guys shortly, but before that, how about we celebrate our successful opening? I saw a restaurant nearby and I think they are selling roast lamb and beef kebabs." Leric chanced upon the restaurant yesterday and he wanted to see if their food was as tasty as the ones he had in the Reynolds Household.

"Sir Aethelwolf, are you talking about Neil's Steakhouse?" Skylar asked him.

Leric recalled the name of the restaurant and it was indeed Neil's Steakhouse. "Yeah. That's the name of the restaurant. I'm a lover of meat, but if you guys don't like meat, we can look for other places to eat." He said as he observed their faces.

"Neil's Steakhouse is a famous restaurant in Lion City and it is among the most frequented restaurants of the nobles because the meat they use comes from high-level beasts in the wilderness." Skylar said as she salivated at the thought of eating delicious food.

"Oh? I hope that the taste of their food will not disappoint me. By the way, Samira, where are your parents and Sir Julius? I haven't seen the three of them." Leric asked.

"Mother and grandpa have matters to do and they left after I gave them the gifts you've prepared for them. As for father, he hasn't come back since he left earlier. I think he might be discussing something important with His Majesty." Samira answered.

"I see. That's a pity. It would have been much better if they can come with us, but since they are not here, we should get going." Leric smiled as he led them downstairs. His smile deepened when he saw the empty display cases.

After locking the door, they boarded the two carriages outside the clinic. Each carriage was driven by Level 2 elite guards of the Reynolds Household. Reed left together with Lord Julius and it seems like they were about to do something big. As for what it was, Leric didn't even need to think to know that it is definitely related to the Northern Viper Group.

Leric was no longer worried about them after becoming a Level 4 Esper. Besides, those bandits wouldn't dare to commit a crime at the moment since some of their men were captured. However, Leric still checked his [Virtual Map] from time to time. He was together with his employees and it wouldn't be nice if some random cockroaches decides to mess with them. Luckily, the journey was smooth and they arrived at Neil's Steakhouse safely.

After alighting from the carriage, Leric turned his gaze to the two coachmen and asked. "Do you want to go with us?" These two have been standing guard outside the clinic, preventing the customers from causing trouble. If he finds their personality to his liking, he might even offer them the same treatment he gave to the ladies, but he scraped off this thought since it wasn't a good idea to poach the servants of the Reynolds Household.

The two coachmen stared at him and shook their heads firmly. They were tasked by Lord Julius to protect the clinic from troublemakers. "We cannot leave the carriages behind, Sir Aethelwolf so we can only decline your offer."

Leric shrugged when he heard this. He then walked inside the restaurant with fifteen ladies following behind him.

When they entered the restaurant, their arrival immediately sparked the attention of the dining customers. They were surprised when they saw a black-haired man surrounded by more than a dozen beautiful young maidens. He was living the life that they all want and they could only stare at him in jealousy. Some of them were also wondering who this man was. No ordinary person could make fifteen stunning young women follow him willingly.

"What a lucky bastard! He actually dares to parade his women in front of us! My eyes! I think it's burning! Argh!"

"Isn't he just a little bit more handsome than me? Why is he surrounded by those beauties? Why is the difference between us so huge? I think I'm about to have a heart attack!"

"Handsome my ass! Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?! I doubt if the mirror can even withstand your hideous face! Peh!"

The diners chatted between themselves as they stared curiously at Leric's group.

"Hello, guests! Welcome to Neil's Steakhouse! Do you want a private room or do you want to dine in the public area?" A professional-looking waiter in his late twenties walked up to them with a smile. He was also observing Leric closely, trying to remember if he had seen this man before.