"As Always, a Calm Afternoon."
This is a melody composed by Miss Mohe herself.
"This... this feels strangely familiar yet seems like I haven't really heard it before. The melody is quite delicate..."
Rastina, knowledgeable in many things, couldn't help but ponder after hearing Mohe's song.
The others in the know did not share such doubts. After all, when the Demon King suddenly brings out something, it's hard to say what its origin is. It's quite likely that today's music trends were influenced by this piece, but since Doro and others aren't very familiar with the minstrels' songs, they couldn't feel the same.
What concerned them more was the instrument Mohe took out at this moment.
Even though Mohe was riding the Earth Dragon, and they were in the carriage — as soon as they heard that melody, certain things came to mind.
How much of the Demon King's legacy is there?
The alliance obtained much of the Demon King's legacy after breaking into Demon King City. However, correspondingly, some items with names left in history hadn't been found. At that time, the alliance did not properly count and verify, but in hindsight, everyone assumed that some faction had secretly taken them.
From then on, all major factions started distrusting one another.
For instance, at this very moment, if Doro guessed correctly, relying on his instinctual sensing, and the hearsay over the years about the Demon King's deeds, he believed the instrument in Mohe's hands was most likely the so-called "Celestial Scale," a "magic weapon" with a name left in history.
This "magic weapon" is tremendously different from alchemy items.
Unlike creations from alchemy that are born with magical powers, magic weapons are enchanted objects; their strength depends on the object's inherent qualities, enchantment techniques, runes, and the user's magic power — in other words, the effectiveness varies completely in different people's hands.
Don't be fooled by its name, Celestial Scale, which according to various rumors, is said that the instrument in the Demon King's hand could make people lose their lives directly. Those who hear such scales might feel as if they're in the Celestial Realm, receiving divine baptism, while in reality, they've already died. So it has another name, "Dance of the Dead."
Of course, Doro only remembers this matter.
Anyway, Mohe is unlikely to truly make a move.
Moreover, her current magical power hardly allows the magic weapon to exert much effect. There's probably no need to worry.
Mohe certainly had no intention of doing anything bad; she is a pure good person.
Even describing herself with the holy name seems too belittling.
She took out this instrument purely because she suddenly remembered there was one in her treasury. Playing such music might dispel others' "malicious intentions," serving as a minor influence on the mind, making those who hear this melody feel leisurely and relaxed.
Primarily, she felt that Doro — perhaps due to a Hero's qualities, perhaps related to destiny's arrangements — always encounters troublesome matters when out with him. When some significant "roles" appear, she doesn't mind joining in, watching, and observing, but if it's some trifling matters involving two or three big cats or small cats, Mohe isn't particularly interested.
This melody serves as a filter; those who can come into contact under her performance have a necessity for interaction.
However, the occasion where she wants to play music is indeed her true sentiment at this moment.
The girl's melodious and leisured voice drifted with the Earth Dragon Vehicle as it advanced.
The journey was quite safe.
Using the Earth Dragon made the trip proceed much faster than originally planned; the journey initially expected to take half a month ended up reaching Butuo City in just eight days.
When the Earth Dragon Vehicle stopped at the city's gate for inspection, Mohe suddenly chuckled.
They saw Butuo City's walls were still being repaired, though most areas had no issues...
But Doro recalled that Mohe hadn't actually caused any destruction in this city. So this repair work was likely a product of the later people's power struggles.
Suddenly, he understood the reason for Mohe's chuckle.
"Butuo City's populace really has gone through untold hardships!"
Mohe expressed this sentiment.
She cast a meaningful glance at Doro, which made him feel a bit uneasy.
Despite their long discussion, they still couldn't figure out what value Butuo City holds for Mohe at this moment. Why did she insist on traveling to this city? The most likely answer is that she buried something akin to "Abinu's Mirror" here.
However, this answer was quickly dismissed since Mohe's treasury seemed to contain everything.
At least from the perspective of several familiar individuals, the girl named Mohe never lacked usable items.
Moreover, for things with not high demands, she could make them herself — although she seemingly hasn't retrieved her lung, in alchemy, what's important seems to be knowledge, technique, and imagination — although the Demon King's lung could apparently provide some sort of enhancement to alchemy, Mohe without it still managed to create the "Artificial Sun".
What is most possible for ordinary people, for Mohe, is instead the least possible.
Excluding her own components, there might not be anything worth the Demon King making a special trip to fetch.
She lacks for nothing.
"Hmm~ The last time we visited, the inn was quite ordinary. This time, we have no shortage of money, so let's go straight to the most high-end inn in Butuo City!" Mohe glanced at Lisidorwei, "Lisidorwei, you're familiar with this place, so you'll be our guide."
Lisidorwei nodded.
Rastina looked over: "Is Miss Lisidorwei a native of Butuo City?"
"Yes, Miss Rastina, I've lived here for over ten years."
"So this is Miss Lisidorwei's hometown! With you showing the way, it will be much more convenient. Shall we buy some things and pay a visit to your family?"
Lisidorwei hesitated for a moment.
But Mohe signaled Rastina with his eyes to stop: "Miss Rastina, Lisidorwei is the steward of my residence!"
She emphasized this issue, which made Rastina suddenly understand something. She looked at Lisidorwei apologetically: "Sorry, Lisidorwei, I didn't mean to say that. I didn't realize..."
Clearly, Mohe led the girl to misunderstand that Lisidorwei had a change in her family's circumstances, forcing her to sell herself into servitude, becoming a key figure in Mohe's residence—either her parents are deceased, or she was simply sold by her parents, or perhaps abducted... In any case, it's likely this woman doesn't have a "home."
Rastina felt quite sorry for her slip of the tongue. Given that she was already such an experienced businesswoman, she shouldn't have made such a mistake here.
"It's nothing, no need to worry, Lady Rastina," Lisidorwei responded, "This is the highest-end inn in Butuo City, offering all kinds of luxurious services everyone knows about, such as chefs ready to prepare gourmet meals for you at any time, open-air hot springs in every room, and even some companionship services."
Speaking of this, the girls' eyes drifted over to Doro.
Of course, Doro knew what they were talking about.
But he remained unruffled.
Although he wasn't a good person, he wasn't into those kinds of things, especially when Mohe was the one paying for everyone to have fun. Would you spend Mohe's money on companionship services?
Doro was sure Mohe would definitely be happy to see him make such a request, but he wouldn't do it.
"Oh~ It's all unique to Butuo City. Since we're here, Mr. Doro, you have to experience it!"
You see, just like that. Even if you don't bring it up, someone will proactively offer. As long as Doro shows that desire, Mohe would definitely arrange a private room and order three to five companionship services for him.
The Demon King has always been generous to his subordinates.
"However, this place..."
To determine if a place is high-end, you only need to look at the mounts parked outside.
Regarding the most luxurious mounts?
They are certainly those waiting outside, dressed in lavish suits, for their "master" servants.
Many rare beasts, like Earth Dragons, cannot walk openly in the city. There are specialized stations to accommodate these things—for example, after they check into the inn in front of them, someone would go to the station to bring their items over, which of course requires payment.
So the noble gentlemen use manpower to demonstrate their prestige.
"Even with money, you might not be able to stay in such a place, right? And are you really that wealthy?"
Rastina was very aware that some places can't be handled with money alone; you need identity to spend money—sometimes, money can't be spent and becomes as useless as wastepaper.
"Aren't you someone with status?"
Mohe said directly to her.
Rastina thought for a moment, then shook her head: "The power of Gold-Seeking Commerce Association isn't here. Besides, if it were here, I wouldn't dare to spend, because my father would come after me, and that would be a terrible situation, so my reputation doesn't work here—however, at the end of the day, I'm just a merchant."
Mohe showed understanding: "Lisidorwei, you go and ask for us. If they receive us, we'll consume here; if not, we'll change places."
"Yes, Master Mohe."
Lisidorwei then took the lead and entered the inn. After a short time, she came out: "Master Mohe, they can accommodate us here. According to the steward, the inn recently changed owners—this is a time when business is needed, so there's no reason to not accept guests. Things are different now."
"That's much easier then."
Of course, Lisidorwei definitely didn't use any conventional methods; it's possible the steward is already under Lisidorwei's control.
Being able to stay doesn't have any adverse effects.
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