CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 5 THE POWER OF SYMBOLS

When Ireya was overwhelmed by her new job, Li Yu, accompanied by a maid, also arrived at his room.

According to the maid, this was the most comfortable and spacious guest room in the castle, situated on the top floor just like the master’s bedroom, and furnished with the highest standard of furniture.

This included a feather mattress, a full set of walnut desks and chairs intricately carved with the Arias family’s rabbit pattern, silver candlesticks, and even the chamber pot was finely crafted... It was clear that much effort had gone into the decor, but regrettably, in terms of comfort, it couldn’t compare to a budget hotel costing just over a hundred dollars a night.

Moreover, since the room faced the outside of the castle, there was only a small, narrow window on the wall, resulting in rather average daylight inside even during the daytime.

Not to mention the uniquely chilly feel of pure stone architecture, which might be tolerable in summer and fall, but would certainly become even more uncomfortable during spring and winter.

Li Yu had never quite understood why protagonists in transmigration novels always adapted so quickly to their new environments and threw themselves into their grand endeavors without a second thought for their past lives.

Logically, a modern person should experience significant withdrawal if they went a day without touching their smartphone.

Luckily, he wasn’t required to reside here permanently; it was just a business trip, so there was no need to be too particular.

Li Yu removed the battery from the drone and then placed the drone, lighter, screwdriver, and a few other assorted bits and bobs into the large iron chest beside the bed and locked it.

These were items he had brought over during his days at work, bit by bit.

Due to weight restrictions, Li Yu had to carefully consider what to bring each time he set off, and aside from items like the Electronic Anti-violence Device that needed recharging and his phone which he needed daily, he generally wouldn’t bother bringing things back once he brought them over, to avoid taking up another weight allotment.

Five kilograms might sound like a lot, but that number included his clothes and shoes.

Of course, Li Yu could choose lighter clothing, which would allow him to carry more supplies and equipment.

But after some hesitation, he gave up this somewhat tempting idea.

Because as far as he knew, nearly every religion in the world has clothing requirements, and this is not by chance.

Just like Bruce Wayne, whose net worth was in the billions, he could buy all of Gotham City’s clothing factories and change into a new look every day, but when he decided to switch to the role of Batman, he would always wear only black armor, a black mask, and a black cape, driving his black Batmobile.

It wasn’t because he disliked other colors or styles. It was only this way that when the bat lamp lit up the Gotham sky, the criminals and villains of the city would feel terror.

That’s the power of a symbol.

And from the perspective of advertising science, a consistent dress code also aids in the dissemination of information.

When Li Yu first appeared at the Marquis Mansion, he was wearing the same suit he wore to his job interview, and he left a profound impression on everyone, including Marquis Kuren.

Now, if the residents of Rock Snow City were to speak of his deeds and the miraculous skills he displayed, they would surely mention the foreigner dressed in black foreign clothes.

Indeed, in this world without photographs or the internet, people can only grasp a few main features when describing others.

In other words, if Li Yu changed his clothes, those people wouldn’t recognize him anymore.

Hence, Li Yu simply made it a policy to always present himself in a suit, since many companies required formal attire for work anyway.

After locking his suitcase, Li Yu found the maid named Clara and asked her to show him around the castle so he could familiarize himself with the surroundings.

Initially, Clara was quite nervous because Fosto, the steward, had told her that although this Merlin was not a noble, he was a distinguished guest of the Arias family, now the confidant of Miss Ireya, the owner of Teacup Castle.

All his requests should be met to the greatest extent possible, and anything that couldn’t be met should be reported immediately, with Fosto figuring out a solution from there.

Clara, seeing that Li Yu was a foreigner, dreaded that he would make some very peculiar demands.

The oldest matron in the castle, Marina, had once told her the story of a Dwarf Prince visiting Teacup Castle. It was said that the prince had barely entered the house before he demanded that the maids sleep with him, and he wanted seven in one go.

He would also cut off the hair from his privates, sandwich it in bread with jam, and swallow it down, forcing the women around him to eat it as well, because this was the Dwarf Clan’s way of expressing affection.

Therefore, Clara was quite worried that Li Yu might be that sort of person.

But she soon realized her worries were unfounded. Li Yu had only stayed in his room for a short while and hadn’t let anyone else enter; then he called for Clara to take him for a stroll around the castle.

This strangely dressed foreigner in black would stop to talk to each person he saw working, asking them what they were doing, how it was done, and what the results were.

The more detailed their answers, the more satisfied he appeared.

Clara led him through the kitchen, stables, bakery, workshops, and stores, and then the two of them left the castle and walked to the nearby fields.

Li Yu talked a lot with the peasants and farmwives, though most of the time he simply acted as a listener, occasionally asking questions. The content of their conversations wasn’t limited to tilling and harvesting.

In fact, Li Yu’s questions touched on all aspects of life. Many, Clara thought, were trivial matters, and numerous others were common knowledge on the Bratis Continent that nearly everyone knew, which made Clara feel drowsy, but Li Yu still listened with great interest.

In the end, the two even shared dinner at a farmer’s house. Despite the housewife’s best efforts and her bringing out smoked meat usually reserved for special occasions, the meal was still rather modest.

Clara worried that Li Yu wouldn’t be pleased with the meal; indeed he didn’t eat much, just tasted a few bites before stopping.

However, Li Yu did thank the family for their hospitality and instructed Clara to make sure that someone brought the payment for the meal later.

After spending the day together, Clara had grown more familiar with Li Yu. Her speech was no longer as restrained, and as they left the house, she said to him, "You see, I told you earlier, there’s nothing good to eat outside."

"That’s okay, I just wanted to get a feel for their lives," Li Yu replied. "As for dinner, I can eat more when I get back."

Clara naturally assumed that by ’get back’, Li Yu meant returning to the castle. Just as the sun set and they began to head back, they were unexpectedly stopped right before the castle gate by someone.

That person was silent, merely eying Li Yu up and down with a provocative gaze.

After a long while, he finally spoke up, "Are you that Merlin?"