Online Game: I Started with Max Charisma and Caught the Goddess's Eye

Hearing Luca's remark, Harvis's expression soured considerably.

He hadn't expected Luca to take such a casual comment and turn it into something much more pointed.

Luca didn't let it go, smiling with a hint of mockery. "What's the matter? Surely the Mora family isn't stingy with a little meat, or… is there something questionable about it?"

The remark made Luna pause, her gaze shifting to Harvis.

Indeed, they hadn't really paid attention to the food before—after all, it was just slaughtered livestock. If there was nothing suspicious about the factory or the slaves, then perhaps the problem lay with the meat or the food itself.

Harvis forced a smile. "Lord Luca, your imagination is truly creative. What could possibly be suspicious about the meat? The Mora family wouldn't stoop to saving pennies on that.

"If you enjoy the meat from our factory, I'll make sure you have a supply to take with you when you leave."

"Oh, I'd be very grateful," Luca replied cheerfully, as though oblivious to the sarcasm in Harvis's voice, which nearly made him snap.

This guy's skin was thicker than he'd expected, and he had no shame, not a shred of noble decorum.

Harvis's forced smile vanished entirely.

He turned to Ian beside him and instructed coldly, "Have the kitchen prepare some of our freshest meat dishes for our guests.

"Only the best—heaven forbid anyone think the Mora family is miserly."

"I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be joining you. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

With a sweep of his robes, Harvis turned and walked away.

It truly leaving Luca and the others without a backward glance.

This display surprised the others, casting doubt on Luca's suspicions.

If there were something amiss with the factory's meat, would Harvis be so nonchalant?

Luca, however, remained unbothered by the curious looks of the others.

They weren't wrong in thinking he hadn't noticed anything amiss.

This was merely a way to buy himself more time to observe.

He was certain that Harvis was now suspicious of him.

The look Harvis had given him upon disembarking from the carriage was all too telling.

If they didn't uncover something useful this time, it would be even harder in the future.

Once Harvis had departed, Ian bowed slightly to the group. "Everyone, please follow me to the dining hall. I'll ensure they prepare the finest food for you."

Luca smiled calmly. "Have the cook prepare the ordinary meals the slaves eat. Eating fine food all the time gets tiring—a change in taste would be nice."

Ian cast a long look at Luca before nodding. "I'll have the servants prepare it," he replied.

With that, he led the group toward the factory's canteen.

It was now mealtime for the slaves, too.

They began to file out of the factory in groups.

Weary faces lit up with faint smiles.

At last, there was a bit of life among them.

Noticing Luca and the others heading to the canteen as well, many slaves looked on with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Just by their clothing alone, it was clear that these were high-ranking nobles.

Yet why would these noble lords join them in the slave canteen…?

Upon reaching the canteen, Luca looked around and saw that many slaves were already in line.

Armored guards stood nearby to maintain order and prevent any disruptions or outbreaks of chaos.

In contrast to the crude wooden factory buildings, the canteen was relatively well-built.

At the center of the stone-constructed canteen stood rows of tables and benches, neatly arranged, and the ground was packed down to a solid surface.

At the far end of the canteen were several large iron pots, flames flickering beneath them. A few burly men in leather aprons wielded iron ladles, serving food to the slaves.

To Luca's surprise, the slaves' meal consisted of mushroom and meat soup.

In the iron pots, a layer of fat floated on top of the broth, casting a glistening sheen.

Large chunks of cooked meat were ladled into bowls and handed to the slaves, with the rich aroma of meat wafting throughout the space.

After hours of labor, the slaves' eyes lit up with a hungry gleam at the sight of the fragrant meat soup.

The knight commander accompanying the group remarked, "These slaves are well-fed!"

Even slaves raised in prominent families didn't usually enjoy meals like this.

Everyone was visibly surprised.

Fratis even gulped, her eyes fixated on the steaming pots of meat soup.

"Luca, I'm starving…" she murmured, clutching her small stomach pitifully.

Luca didn't reply immediately, instead observing carefully. There was nothing remarkable about the food—it was just an ordinary meat soup.

But…

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

The absence of an issue was, in fact, the biggest issue!

This meat processing factory housed tens of thousands of slaves.

The daily amount of meat required to feed so many people was staggering.

Why would the Mora family provide such high-quality food for slaves?

In a modern world, this might be unremarkable.

But in Eternal World, especially amidst frequent magical disasters, this practice was downright suspicious.

Was the meat factory not intended to make a profit?

Could it be that the Mora family is a charitable organization?

Or perhaps their patriarch is some great saint?

If Harvis and the Mora family were truly so benevolent, Luca would gladly eat those iron pots.

But why, then, were they doing this?

Luca confused.

The real question gnawed at Luca. What was their motive?

Were they perhaps aiming to build up good karma for the future?

He frowned, deep in thought, unable to piece together the reason behind their actions.

Meanwhile, Ian had informed the cook to prepare meals for Luca and his group.

Even setting aside a few clean tables specifically for them.

Luna led the group over.

Seeing the fragrant, appetizing meat soup, many of them felt their stomachs rumble in anticipation.

Especially Fratis.

Her gaze was glued to the stone bowl in front of her, eyes sparkling, and she couldn't stop swallowing. She hardly resembled a princess at this moment.

Still, she managed to restrain herself, turning to Luca and asking cautiously, "Can I eat?"

Luca, lost in thought, chuckled. "Of course. No matter how bold they are, they wouldn't dare pull anything with us here, especially with you in our company."

Unless the Mora family had a death wish or was ready to face the wrath of the Clinton Empire, they wouldn't be foolish enough to try anything now.

After all, even the slightest disturbance would bring about their utter ruin. Right now, for the Mora family, making it through this period quietly and safely was likely their top priority…

Luca mused on this as he scooped up some broth with the stone spoon, bringing it to his lips.

"Don't eat!" Suddenly, a voice exploded in his ear.

The spoon froze mid-air, just inches from his lips.

"What's wrong? Does the meat soup not suit Lord Luca's taste? I can have the chef prepare something else," Ian said, appearing out of nowhere, his gaze piercing as he watched Luca.

"It's nothing," Luca replied calmly, lowering his spoon back into the bowl. "I just remembered I'm on a diet. No meat for me."

Ian's mouth twitched.

Dieting? At barely a hundred pounds soaking wet?

Couldn't he come up with a better excuse? Did Luca take him for an idiot?

Forcing a smile, Ian replied, "Is that so? It seems Lord Luca will be missing out this time.

"But don't worry. Per Young Master Harvis's orders, I've had a selection of meat packed for you to take home. I'm certain it will be to your satisfaction."

"Well, thank you," Luca replied, meeting Ian's gaze.

For a brief moment, Ian found Luca's stare unsettlingly familiar.

His brow furrowed, but he couldn't quite place it.

By the time he looked again, Luca had already turned his gaze away.

Luca rose from his seat and headed toward the exit.

"Luca, where are you going?" Luna asked, surprised.

Fratis, mid-bite, looked over as well.

Cheeks puffed, she asked with curiosity, "Are you… already finished?"

Seeing the untouched meat soup on Luca's table, she grew even more puzzled.

Why wasn't he eating such a delicious soup?

Others turned their attention to him as well.

"I'm feeling a bit unwell. Just need to step outside for some air." Luca placed a hand over his stomach, giving everyone a helpless look.

The group immediately understood—clearly, he had a case of stomach trouble.

"Always the troublesome one," Luna muttered with mild annoyance. "Go on, but be quick."

With that, she also set her spoon down.

"Right at this moment, of course… Forget it, I'm not hungry anymore."

She rose and started to head outside.

Fratis glanced at both of them in confusion, then at the two bowls of meat soup in front of her.

After a moment of contemplation.

She shrugged and pulled both bowls closer.

Happily digging in.

As she watched them leave.

Ian's eyes glinted coldly, a flash of menace just barely visible.

Lucky for you both!

About a hundred meters from the factory canteen.

Luca quietly asked in his mind, "Was there something wrong with the meat soup?"

It had been Jormungandr's warning that had stopped him from eating it.

Moments later, Jormungandr's voice echoed in his ear.

She let out a cold laugh. "The soup itself isn't harmful, but if you had eaten it, then there'd be trouble."

"I don't understand," Luca frowned.

Why would it affect me but not others?

Are you saying I just can't stomach it?

Jormungandr's voice took on an eerie tone, almost whisper-like.

"Do you know what Pandora's true power is?"

Luca paused, instinctively replying, "Isn't it the power to manipulate desire?"

"Desire?" Jormungandr scoffed, clearly unimpressed by his answer. "Do you even realize how many kinds of desires there are?

"Hunger is desire, lust is desire, greed is desire, ambition is desire… Beyond those, there's also gluttony, violence, obsession, pleasure, superiority… the list goes on."

"Pandora is called the Witch of Desire because every single desire can make her stronger.

"This family raises so many slaves here just to cultivate nourishment for her.

"The reason I stopped you from eating is that the soup is infused with a gluttony seed. If you'd eaten it, shaking it off would've been nearly impossible."

Luca's expression changed instantly.

Fratis!