Everything he saw in front of him at this moment was different from the impression he had before entering the door.
On the way from the second floor to the restaurant on the first floor.
There are a lot of decorations in the manor, but the number of people is definitely small.
A manor of this size has the status of the Nicklaus family.
According to the information Ronald learned after traveling through time, there should be at least a lot of specially hired servants responsible for many tasks.
But the result...
Along the way, Ronald only saw one maid.
It looks like there is no shortage of money...
With such doubts, Ronald and Patricia came to the restaurant together.
——The number of people is still very small.
Frey, whom he had seen last time, was sitting here, and Ronald did not recognize anyone else.
Only the old man sitting at the main seat in the restaurant, Ronald could tell that he should be the person with the highest status among the people present.
As for the details...
Although there are servants standing in the restaurant to serve the owner, there are only three servants including the old butler with a smile on his face.
This is not in line with Ronald's impression of the Grid nobles at all.
On the contrary, the dinner fit Ronald's impression of this kind of great aristocrat.
Some spices and ingredients that are rarely used by ordinary people can be seen on the dining table of the Nicklaus family.
During the meal afterwards.
Patricia made a special introduction to Ronald.
Her father had recently taken a posting in an overseas colony and had left the Springs with his wife, as had indeed most of the adult Nicklaus family.
Except for a man of Patricia's uncle's generation.
There are basically only young people here who have not been given positions, or very old people.
And it can be called a gain.
It was probably Ronald who knew Patricia's nickname.
When dining at home, the old man usually called Patricia "Lily".
When dinner was over, Ronald left the restaurant and was about to say goodbye.
Walking in the corridor of the mansion, Patricia spoke:
"Ronald, let me see you off."
Hearing the affirmation in the girl's words, Ronald was not pretentious:
"Um……"
"let's go."
"..."
Walking out of the Nicklaus family's estate, Ronald and Patricia walked side by side on the streets of Springs.
Seeing that there was no one around, Ronald found a topic and asked:
"By the way, Patricia."
"When I was a guest at your home just now, I found that servants and the like were very rare. Your family shouldn't be short of money, right?"
After hearing Ronald's question, Patricia generously explained:
"Of course there is no shortage of money."
"But this matter actually involves the rise of those emerging nobles."
Ronald paused:
"Emerging nobility?"
Patricia nodded with certainty:
"That's right, the emerging nobles."
"Because of His Majesty's various reforms, a group of new nobles have emerged in the country who are good at doing business and controlling money. As a result, issues related to the competition for various interests have also begun to arise."
"But you know that too, Ronald."
"Our Niklaus family is not just a noble by status. The mysterious side of swordsmanship is a very dangerous and important thing."
After hearing this, Ronald also understood the actual situation:
"So with the rise of these new nobles, special nobles like you have also begun to respond, and even dare not hire servants they don't trust?"
Patricia confirmed Ronald’s guess:
"After all, times are different from the past."
"Not only is the shape of the world changing, many things that were useful in the past are now facing obsolescence. If we want to continue to survive, people like us must also think about how to deal with it."
"..."
Looking at Patricia with emotion on her face.
Ronald can probably understand how this girl feels now.
As strong men on the mystical side and great nobles in the secular world, when faced with this change in the times, they are impacted from many aspects, and it is reasonable to have such a reaction.
After walking for a while in silence, Patricia suddenly spoke:
"By the way, Ronald."
"I remember, didn't you cooperate with the [Ginkgo Business Alliance]?"
"From a personal point of view, I suggest you make contact with them. This should be quite beneficial to you."
"..."
Suddenly hearing Patricia's suggestion, Ronald's mind turned to another aspect.
——Meteorites.
A commercial organization like the [Ginkgo Leaf Business Alliance] must be responsible for buying and selling many types of goods.
Then use the meteorites needed for "Almagest" yourself.
Can it be obtained from this commercial organization?
This is a large chamber of commerce with a mysterious background. You should be able to collect meteorites and the like, right?
On the other side, Patricia also noticed Ronald's contemplation at this moment.
"Ronald, what did you think of?"
Ronald naturally responded:
"Because of the magic problem, I want to buy a meteorite now."
"The ginkgo leaves you mentioned can be found there, right?"
Patricia's eyes were stunned:
"Meteorite..."
"To be honest, I don't know much about this kind of thing?"
"But with the capabilities of a commercial organization like Ginkgo Biloba, they will definitely be able to get it if you need it."
Ronald smiled gratefully:
"Patricia, thank you."
Patricia waved her hand nonchalantly:
"It's nothing, I just mentioned it casually."
"Springs actually has limitations in all aspects. I also thought it would be more convenient for you, so I said this."
Ronald immediately added:
"Maybe so, but it's really important to me."
"..."
While chatting like this, the two walked for a long time before the journey of 'seeing off guests' came to an end.
And on the eve of farewell.
Ronald then hurriedly took out the gift he had prepared a long time ago.
A book wrapped in oil paper.
"Ah, right."
"And this."
"I've wanted to do it for you before, but I didn't find any suitable opportunity."
Looking at what Ronald handed over, Patricia was a little confused:
"This is...?"
Ronald immediately replied:
"Gift, this is the gift I prepared for you."
"It's my first visit today, I can't come empty-handed, can I?"
"..."
Upon hearing Ronald's words, Patricia was stunned for a moment.
But she quickly came to her senses, and then reached out to take Ronald's gift.
"Ronald, I'm very happy."
"Thank you very much for your gift."
Patricia did not open the package while saying this.
Holding Ronald's gift in one hand, the girl turned and walked back to her home.
For Patricia.
The important thing about a gift is who gave it and why.