Seeing Gunko's reaction, Kuro was almost certain that Ian's identity was either a noble or royalty from the Oykot Kingdom.
A walking fat sheep.
Although he played it safe, having remained anonymous in Syrup Village to swallow Kaya's family fortune, now there was a greater temptation before him, and he naturally couldn't help but be moved. As long as the profit was large enough, he didn't mind his identity as The Hundred Plans Kuro being exposed.
However, he didn't show it, but instead spoke up in time to explain Ian's purpose to Kaya.
Hearing that Ian and his group had encountered an accident at sea, causing their ship to sink, and learning the purpose of Ian's visit to Syrup Village, the kind-hearted Kaya not only didn't take Gunko's 'rude' behavior to heart but immediately called Merry.
"Merry, this is Mr. Ian."
Kaya, arriving in the living room, spoke softly due to her health, with a touch of a pirate-version Lin Daiyu, "He is an honored guest from the Oykot Kingdom. For the next period, you will focus on designing and building a ship for him. Do not overreport the cost; it should be exactly what it is."
"Understood, Miss Kaya."
Merry, with his sheep-like hairstyle, nodded slightly, then turned to Ian and politely said, "Mr. Ian, I am Merry. Feel free to state any requirements you have regarding the ship design."
Ian smiled and nodded: "I only have one requirement. That is, it must be fast. Don't worry about the cost, This Young Master is not short on money."
Just then, Kaya, who was sitting opposite Ian, suddenly started coughing.
Seeing this, Merry quickly stepped forward and asked with concern, "Miss Kaya..."
"It's nothing," Kaya gently raised her hand to stop Merry, then looked up at Klahadore and spoke weakly, "Klahadore, please entertain Mr. Ian for me. Distant guests are to be treated with respect; do not neglect them!"
Before Klahadore could react, she immediately stood up and looked at Ian with an apologetic expression, "I apologize, Mr. Ian, Kaya is feeling a bit unwell. Until the ship is built, please feel free to stay in the mansion. If you need anything, just tell Butler Klahadore."
Ian nodded: "Thank you."
Kaya didn't linger and, accompanied by Merry, went upstairs to her bedroom.
"Miss Kaya, Mr. Ian's identity is not simple at all."
As soon as she returned to the bedroom with Kaya, Merry quickly closed the door, helped Kaya to the bed, and whispered, "They might be nobles or even royalty from the Oykot Kingdom."
"It's fine," Kaya pulled the quilt over herself and said softly, "No matter who they are, we should fulfill our duties as hosts. During this time, try to meet all their needs and avoid any complications."
"I'm worried about Butler Klahadore!"
Merry looked back at the door and continued, "Ever since the Young Lady fell ill, Butler Klahadore has never allowed anyone near the mansion, but now he's letting Mr. Ian and his group stay in the mansion. I have a bad feeling about it!"
Hearing this, Kaya shook her head and smiled: "You're still suspicious of Butler Klahadore?"
"Doesn't the Young Lady think he's crossed a line? As a butler, he constantly restricts the Young Lady's freedom!" Merry's eyes darted around, and he tentatively suggested, "Should I go ask Mr. Ian to help us test Klahadore?"
At the same time.
In the villa's living room, after watching Kaya return to her bedroom, Kuro subtly walked over and sat down opposite Ian. After habitually pushing his glasses up, he spoke elegantly and 紳士ly, "Mr. Ian, I wonder—"
"How dare you!"
Before Kuro could finish his sentence, Gunko suddenly took a step forward and coldly reprimanded, "As a butler, it's bad enough that you're not entertaining the honored guest, but you even dare to sit opposite him. Do you know who is sitting in front of you? Hurry up and prepare fine wine and delicious food. If the Young Master is satisfied, all is well, but if he is not, you are dead!"
"Hmm?"
Kuro's eyes narrowed, and his head slowly lifted, an invisible killing intent suddenly spreading out.
However, Kuro immediately took a deep breath, and then stood up at once, politely saying, "My apologies, I have been negligent! Honored guest, please wait!"
With that, Kuro turned and walked towards the kitchen.
A short while later, Kuro returned to the living room with some snacks and two bottles of red wine, skillfully pouring a glass of red wine for Ian.
But before he could place the glass in front of Ian, Gunko walked over, picked up the glass, and took a sip.
"Pfft!"
After just one sip, Gunko immediately spat it out, then glared at Kuro and said coldly, "What kind of wine is this? It's terrible! Change it immediately! Didn't the Young Master just give you a bag of gold coins? Go, bring out the best wine in your mansion!"
"Also, prepare some fresh fruit for these maids around the Young Master!"
"And, it's the Young Master's mealtime now. Go prepare a sea king donburi, no green onions, no garlic, and no cilantro!"
Listening to Gunko's incessant demands, Kuro almost couldn't help but snap then and there.
"Enough!"
Finally, upon hearing Gunko's utterly ruthless demand for him to prepare some sea king donburi, Kuro could no longer hold back and blurted out, "Even if you give enough gold coins, this is not a place for you to show off! sea king donburi? What are you joking about! This is a mansion, not a restaurant!"
Seeing Kuro provoked by Gunko's few words, Ian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, unable to suppress a chuckle, "You couldn't hold back already? It seems the rumored The Hundred Plans is nothing more than this, hiding his name and identity here, yet he was provoked by a few words and almost revealed his true form!"
"Hmm?"
Kuro's pupils constricted, looking at Ian in disbelief.
However, in just an instant, Kuro hid the shock in his heart and said in a deep voice, "What The Hundred Plans? I am Klahadore, the butler here!"
"How about we play a game?" Ian looked at Kuro with a beaming smile, "Rock-paper-scissors, best two out of three. If This Young Master wins, you kneel and pledge allegiance to This Young Master! If you win, This Young Master can now let you obtain the family fortune Kaya's parents left for her!"
Hearing this, Kuro knew that his identity and his purpose for living anonymously here had already been known by Ian.
After looking up at the second floor, Kuro suddenly shook his head and smiled, then sat down on the sofa, gazing intently at Ian, "I don't believe my plan had any flaws. How did you know? Or rather, what exactly is your identity?"
"Holy Land, Celestial Dragons!"
"Young Master of the Nerona Family, Ian!"
Ian casually picked up the wine glass on the coffee table, habitually swirled it gently, and said lightly, "Rock-paper-scissors, want to play?"
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