On Friday evening, a rented carriage drove in from Enki Town's Whitestone Gate, passed through Mermaid Road, arrived at Memorial Square in front of St. Witt's Church, and then headed towards Golden Champagne Avenue.
Inside the carriage, Lex lowered the curtain and said sincerely, "I didn't expect the Town to have changed so much in just over a month since we left."
Just where they had passed, Lex saw that some of the original streets had already been paved with hard concrete roads.
Furthermore, in some public places, like the Memorial Square they just passed, public restrooms were already visible, which would greatly improve the Town's hygiene.
"It looks like the construction fund is operating normally. In due time, our Town will become a vacation Holy Land."
Lex said happily, genuinely delighted by the changes in the Town.
Soon, the Baron's Mansion was reached. When the iron gate opened and the carriage arrived near the fountain, Matthew first opened the carriage door, jumped down, and then helped Lex alight.
Stepping down from the carriage, Lex saw Butler Sebastian and Housekeeper Quenna, each leading the male and female servants of the house, lined up in two rows to welcome him.
"Welcome home, Young Master Lex."
All the servants said in unison, with standard posture and respectful attitudes.
Lex nodded and greeted Sebastian and Quenna. Just then, a small figure rushed out from the main door, excitedly shouting, "Big Brother, Lex, you're finally back!"
It was Joe, the youngest member of the family.
Although he was arranged by Bison to be Joe's 'shield,' Lex still genuinely liked this little boy.
The little boy, dressed in a miniature tuxedo, was picked up by Lex. "Our little Admiral, look what I brought you."
He gestured to Matthew, and the male servant handed over an exquisitely crafted box. Opening it, Lex took out a short sword from inside.
He gave it to Joe.
Joe excitedly yelled, "It's a sword! It's a real sword!"
He drew it out, made a few swings, and jumped with joy.
Lex ruffled his hair, then took his hand and walked into the house.
Behind him, Matthew and Gru carried wrapped gifts and entered the house with the other servants.
Entering the hall, he saw Pasha, the little girl Bison had adopted earlier. After some time, her spirits were much better than before.
Her face was rosy, and she wore a dress with intricate ruffles and carefully styled hair, making her look like a beautiful little princess.
Clearly, she had received etiquette training during this time. Seeing Lex enter, the little girl gently picked up her skirt and curtsied, "Welcome back, Lex."
"Hello, Pasha."
Lex took a gift from Matthew's hand and gave it to her, saying, "This is what I brought from Tingen. I hope you like it."
The little girl said happily, "Can I open it now?"
Housekeeper Quenna next to her cleared her throat, and Pasha stuck out her tongue, "I forgot, gifts can only be opened in the room."
Lex laughed, "Then go back to your room and open it quickly to see."
He looked around but didn't see Bison, his mother, or his sister Harribel.
Sebastian, the butler with classic looks and a gray beard, seemed to read Lex's thoughts. He said calmly, "Young Master Lex, Madam and Miss Harribel are entertaining a guest. Your father is handling affairs in his study; he has been quite busy recently. He instructed that if you return, please go to his study first to see him."
"Alright."
Lex had Matthew distribute the remaining gifts to everyone in the house. He had prepared a pipe for Sebastian, perfume for Ms. Quenna, and small gifts for the other servants.
Of course, the servants' gifts could be given to Sebastian and Quenna for them to distribute to their respective subordinates.
Lex went to the study alone. He adjusted his mindset at the door, put on a smile, and then knocked on the wooden door.
"Come in."
Having received Bison's permission, Lex pushed open the door and saw his adoptive father looking at documents at his desk, which was covered with various letters.
"I'm back, Father."
Hearing Lex's voice, Bison looked up. Under the light, the Baron's forehead shone brightly, and Lex noticed that his hairline seemed to have subtly receded a little more.
"You're back, Lex."
Bison laughed heartily, put down the documents in his hand, walked over, and gave Lex a strong hug.
Then he let him go, stepped back slightly, and after scrutinizing Lex from head to toe, Bison nodded, "Hmm, you've become more mature and steady. This finally allows me to confidently entrust you with some important matters."
Lex smiled and casually asked, "Do we have guests?"
Bison frowned, glanced outside the door, and lowered his voice, "Your mother's teacher is here, an old geezer I don't like."
"Mother's teacher?"
Lex was stunned for a moment. Wouldn't that be an 'Abraham'? Why would his mother's teacher come? It shouldn't be as simple as visiting a student.
"You did very well this time. McGovern has already agreed to give me a substantial loan, which will allow me to smoothly implement my plan to invest in the steel industry."
"In addition, the collaborators introduced by Sir Videl are all very charming and wealthy; they will be good partners."
"It's just Councilor Maynard, which is a pity. I didn't expect such an excellent man as him to suffer such an accident, alas."
Bison walked back to his desk, sat down, and a smile returned to his face, "Regardless, my plan is going very smoothly."
"Oh, about your assassination attempt, I've already investigated. Do you remember that big merchant I told you about?"
Lex thought for a moment, then said, "Rivicon Peter?"
"Exactly, it's him."
Bison said excitedly, "He's dead, in a very strange way. I guess the strange assassination you encountered was arranged by him, but the people he arranged mysteriously died in Tingen. Therefore, he was retaliated against."
"This is good news for me. I can take the opportunity to acquire his company. He happens to own a steel mill, and I've made arrangements. The acquisition should be completed smoothly at a price below market value."
"Let me tell you another piece of good news."
Bison looked at him with a chuckle and said, "Lex, you are now an adult and have proven your capabilities. So I've decided to proceed with property division. I will divide a portion of the land under my name, as well as my logging camp and farm, and transfer them to your name."
"However, this will take time and legal procedures. Therefore, when you have achieved something on the Sea, earned merits, and become a high-ranking officer in the Kingdom's Navy, I think the time will be just about right."
If it were before, Lex would certainly be full of gratitude. But now, he only felt that Bison was painting a picture for him.
A very big picture.
But whether he could actually achieve it was an unknown.