To be honest, ever since Rastina came to Mohe's mansion, everyone in the mansion hasn't been as casual as before.

After all, no matter what, Rastina is considered an outsider.

At that time, she didn't recognize Doro, nor was she aware of the real identities of others in the mansion.

Logically, she should know Lisidorwei, but according to Lisidorwei, the relationship between the Gold-Seeking Commerce Association and the Crimson Queen is quite distant, almost having no business connection. And during that period, most humans only knew the Crimson Queen, not Lisidorwei.

Moreover, the fact that Lisidorwei betrayed the Demon Race actually has little to do with merchants. Typically, merchants of middle to lower levels are not likely to know the details.

If Rastina indeed married a Count from a noble family, she might know about Lisidorwei's matters — she only met A·Gedora when she was a child. It's not surprising that she couldn't recognize her.

However, no one in the mansion cared much about this issue.

After all, the intention was to conceal identities, so in theory, having an "outsider" around makes it easier for everyone to hide their identities. It's like a tool to remind everyone that Mohe is Mohe, not Modoh, and Doro is Doro, not A·Gedora.

In fact, certain influences have already begun.

The most direct manifestation is the rise in food prices.

"You see what I mean? Food prices have gone up. Actually, during times like these, alcohol will also increase in price." Mohe was looking at the mansion's account book and couldn't help but sigh, "In theory, selling them now could yield more profit, but — originally, our alcohol was only of ordinary value in others' eyes. Selling it during such special times would make it rather conspicuous."

Mohe discussed this issue with everyone: "For our little mansion, although we do have a bit of foundation, it's still better not to be too conspicuous during such times. If some people take notice, regardless of whether things go wrong, being exposed to the world is not a good thing. Our scale is not large enough to warrant being exposed until you are strong enough; 'secrecy' is the greatest protection."

Rastina looked at Mohe unexpectedly: "Miss Mohe, you are much calmer than I imagined. Often, people who earn money don't realize this point, and by flaunting small profits, they quickly lose that fund. It's rare for someone to keep their secrets."

Mohe blushed a bit, "Miss Rastina, I'll take your compliment with peace of mind. Now, let's talk about the upcoming matters, although we don't know exactly what will happen, something significant will definitely occur — nearby food production hasn't decreased, but the price rise is directly reflected in the figures. Recently, food prices have increased by nearly a tenth, and it will continue to rise more. This is terrifying."

Such things as food, when prices rise, bring about very frightening results.

At this time, the increase isn't high, perhaps some still think it's within normal fluctuations.

"This kind of situation indicates that the nobles and merchants have already sensed something amiss and started hoarding food to prepare for any possible chaos."

Of course, neither Lisidorwei nor Rose understands this situation very well. They can only listen; although they are in charge of procurement, and they report price changes, they don't have such keen perceptions. In this world, being sensitive to numbers is a very important talent.

"Do you mean we should also start hoarding food?" Doro didn't look too happy.

Mohe initially wanted to say, "We don't need to hoard." After all, if the nobles and merchants are hoarding, it's equivalent to them having it too. It wouldn't be too difficult to take it when the time comes. But considering Doro's feelings... she slightly changed her statement: "You don't need to worry too much. Although unrest might come, you should have more confidence in the great Wise King, His Majesty."

She suddenly mentioned the Wise King: "Despite the fact that His Majesty's actions have some criticized points, his loyalty to humanity, and his love for the subjects within the Central Empire, is indeed enough — this is why he is loved and crowned as the Wise King. He will have ways of dealing with this kind of situation, even if some uncontrollable events occur, everyone should at least survive, so we should just hoard a little, not too much."

Doro gave Mohe a glance.

This young girl could see through his thoughts right away; recently, such events have become more frequent... he couldn't help but understand. With more interaction with Mohe, her understanding of him naturally increased; even among ordinary people, as they spend more time together, gradually a clearer outline emerges.

Moreover...

Doro wasn't sure if his thoughts had been influenced by Mohe to some extent, most likely they had.

Even when examining himself, he couldn't detect the kind of influence, the kind of influence that, no matter how he thought, seemed "right".

He just wanted to say earlier that if unrest really occurs, and food prices rise and become difficult to buy, what would happen to the folks in Baixi Town, whether he could stockpile some food to provide relief in such times — for beings like them, food is easy to get, but for ordinary people, it's difficult.

But Mohe's words were indeed reasonable.

In the flourishing Human Central Empire under the Wise King's rule, even in the most remote places, people can be proud of the Central Empire's glory, proudly saying "I am a noble human," and the Wise King indeed wouldn't let such things slide; he is very responsible for humans, at least in recent years, there haven't been reports of people starving to death…

Of course, it's not saying there's absolutely no darkness — but the Human Central Empire is indeed like heaven to many species now.

If the Wise King continues ruling like this for decades until his abdication, he might leave unprecedented prestige in history, just the feat of vanquishing the Demon King alone is an eternal monument.

But the Wise King's ambitions do not end there.

So turmoil will come.

"Let's be a bit more honest during this period. Winter is coming, we should have no problem getting through it calmly."

Miss Mohe truly is like an ordinary person with a bit of money, looking forward to "stability."

Of course, everyone knows this is just dreaming.

Even Rastina thought so, after all, these people look quite ordinary — but when you think about it carefully, knowing she is the young lady of the Gold-Seeking Commerce Association yet daring to bring her, and her father hasn't even come looking... Is it possible that the crystal ball really prophesied related matters? Was the marriage contract something her father deliberately created just to force her to escape, was the escape route she took set by him?

From this perspective, is the crystal ball predicting the future, or manipulating the future?

Clearly, this is forcing events to unfold according to the crystal ball after seeing part of the future. Is this reasonable?

And it's said that the crystal ball only predicts major events.

In other words, her coming to this mansion is a big event?

For whom?

She doesn't know, she doesn't expect to truly live stably, always feeling something is going to happen.

Some things can get a good answer as long as you calm down, set aside many emotions, and think it through, she couldn't help but think of the deal with Doro — he said he would help her become a merchant not inferior to the Gold-Seeking Commerce Association itself, rather than the young lady who can't even control her own fate.

But so far, it seems he hasn't taken any action?

In this mansion, the girl named Mohe is absolutely the master... Does Mohe have some hidden identity?

"Let me think, how about we go to a warmer place for a vacation?"

Mohe suddenly suggested, "I heard there's a city called Butuo City, a volcano city — it's reportedly warm all year round there. Even in winter, you won't see any snow. There's also a living volcano to watch, it must be quite something."

Butuo City, of course, everyone is familiar with it. It's not too far from Baixi Town, about half a month's journey by normal carriage.

In Rastina's view, it's a reasonable suggestion, even though Butuo City had some situations before, it's been several months. Besides, she just took over Mohe's business and knows that with Mohe's financial power, taking everyone to Butuo City for a warm winter isn't difficult.

However... is she really going to spend all the money earned this year on leisure?

Not to mention, growing grapes and winemaking doesn't mean there's nothing to do in winter; the fields need care — so do the vine. She just praised her for being composed, and now she's starting to indulge? This isn't a money-making attitude...

But subtly, she noticed people present seemed silent.

As if contemplating their own matters, not outright rejecting the idea of going to Butuo City, they seemed to be pondering the significance of going there.

What, what's going on?

Does that city have special meaning for these people? Is there something they must complete?

"Everyone, prepare. We'll set off in a few days, remember to pack your things, don't forget anything that might be hard to buy on site."

Before Rastina could give her opinion, Mohe had already made the decision.

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