After a philosophy class ended, Klein felt as if he hadn't slept in three days. His mind was full of terms and concepts like skepticism, metaphysics, a priori and a posteriori, nominalism and realism, social Roselleism, existentialism, positivism, and so on.
If his original self hadn't picked up some philosophical knowledge while studying history, he doubted he could have made it through the whole class. This wasn't like his non-one-on-one education back on Earth when he was in college, where if he didn't understand, he could just sleep, zone out, read a novel, or play on his phone.
"Mr. Hamid is quite different from what I imagined—witty, cheerful, outgoing, and with a lively teaching style. He doesn't come across like a philosophy teacher, nor does he hold the views often associated with believers of the Lord of Storms…"
Klein raised his hand to rub his temple, turned away from the door, and headed toward the staircase in the depths of the hall, going back up to the third floor. His personal valet, Richardson, followed silently beside him.
As he walked, he noticed that the maids and manservants were all busy with their own tasks, none of them slacking off. Only when their employer passed by did they pause to bow and greet him, showing their good upbringing.
Taneja was indeed quite capable in handling and managing household affairs…
Klein stepped into the third-floor corridor and approached the semi-open room.
Before he even entered, he saw the butler, Walter, hanging two double-barreled shotguns on the wall, adding a somewhat rugged and bold touch to the room.
This was a standard arrangement in every wealthy merchant's home. A hunting license was very easy to obtain, and double-barreled shotguns were quite powerful, enough to allow the servants to deal with burglars or even kidnappers who might sneak in.
After hanging them, Walter stepped back two paces, examined the shotguns for a moment, and then pulled a gold-cased pocket watch from an inside pocket of his clothes.
Snap!
He pressed open the watch, looked at the inside of the lid, and his stern, rigid face softened visibly.
Klein coughed lightly to alert the butler, then pushed open the half-closed door and walked in.
Walter snapped the watch shut, put it back, bowed sideways, and said,
"Sir, I've obtained six hunting licenses and bought six double-barreled shotguns along with the corresponding ammunition."
Klein had a revolver called "Death Knell" hidden under his arm, so he wasn't particularly concerned and merely nodded to show he understood.
He then gave a gentle smile and asked conversationally,
"When I was reading the materials from the Household Servants' Aid Association, I noticed that you, Walter, seem to already have a wife and children?"
A butler, or head steward, was the employer's deputy and a trusted confidant in many matters. So it was only natural for every employer to build a good relationship with their butler, and Klein was no exception.
Besides, he remembered that the magic mirror Arrodes had mentioned that there would be additional developments concerning Mr. Walter.
Walter replied formally,
"Yes, when I worked as a servant at Viscount Conard's estate, I often came into contact with a lady due to certain matters, and we developed feelings. Then, under the gaze of the Goddess, we entered into marriage and had a daughter. She is now attending a grammar school and hopes to pass the entrance exam for Backlund University, but that's something to consider only after two years…"
When he mentioned his wife and daughter, this ordinarily stern butler unconsciously softened his tone.
—At present, all churches were emphasizing the importance of family to counteract the life pressure and mental health issues brought by the tide of technological progress. The only difference was the focus of each church: the Goddess of the Night advocated gender equality and mutual support within the family; the Lord of Storms had men busy outside while women managed the home, acting as supporting angels; the God of Steam and Machinery encouraged learning more technology and working hard, each having their own strengths and complementing each other.
Klein felt a mixed emotion as he listened, then changed the subject,
"Ms. Taneja seems to be single?"
"Yes." Walter's expression turned serious again. "In modern society, there is still inequality between male and female servants. This isn't about salary—housekeepers are on the same level as butlers and butler's assistants, all with an annual salary of 25 to 50 pounds. It's about deeper concepts and ideas, which the churches are trying to change, but face many obstacles. After all, the Goddess is not the only faith in Loen."
He paused and added,
"Male servants can marry. But if a female servant starts a family, it means either losing her job or becoming a lowly, temporary laundress who doesn't live in the employer's home. This only changes at the housekeeper level, but that's not a position a young, inexperienced lady can handle."
Klein didn't continue this line of conversation. He gave a slight nod and walked toward the easy chair.
Just then, his gaze swept over the newspapers stacked on the side table.
Struck by an idea, Klein stopped, turned sideways, and said to the butler,
"I saw an advertisement in the newspaper about the transfer of shares in the Backlund Bicycle Company. Have a professional lawyer and accountant look into it and find out the specifics.
"Heh, I'm quite interested in this industry. If the price is right, I'll consider buying it."
In that instant, Klein had thought of a point: a wealthy man bringing a large sum of money to Backlund in search of further opportunities would definitely not ignore the transfer of shares in the Backlund Bicycle Company.
Even if "he" didn't see prospects in this industry, it would be only normal to have someone investigate it, or else it wouldn't fit his persona.
Of course, it could also help drive up the price, making that 10% stake sell for more money… Hmm, I have to remember to just nudge it a little and not be too greedy. If I push it too much and end up stuck with it, I'll cry—it would lock up all my liquid assets and leave me unable to cover daily expenses…
While indulging in these pleasant fantasies, Klein gave himself a few mental warnings.
At 4:35 PM, the personal valet Richardson knocked and entered the room, saying to Dwayne Dantès, who was leisurely reading a book,