424: Oscar

"Guixu Walker!!! That idiot Mike, just how much trouble has he caused me!"

The Viscount roared loudly.

Butler Horn stood to the side with his head bowed, asking cautiously, "My Lord, should the mine continue to be blockaded? What if the Abyss Church notices?"

"Blockaded, of course it must remain blockaded," Viscount Morris interrupted irritably.

"But we need a different reason. Go to the Town Hall immediately and issue an announcement in the name of the Viscounts Manor, saying that signs of ancient ruins have been discovered deep within the mine, with potential risks of unactivated magic traps and collapses."

"To ensure the safety of the townspeople, the Viscounts Manor will organize a professional exploration team for preliminary surveys. During this period, no one is allowed near it."

He rubbed his brow and continued to instruct, "Find a few trustworthy, tight-lipped new faces to pose as exploration team members and station them at the mine entrance to put on a good show. Set the duration of the survey to three months for now."

"Yes, My Lord," Butler Horn accepted the order. "And how should we handle those two young ladies?"

"Don't provoke them for the time being." A glint flashed in Viscount Morris's eyes. "Especially that Little Priestess; try to avoid her. Just have someone keep a secret eye on them. Do not act without my orders."

"The things inside the mine must never be exposed. At least until the people from 'that side' arrive to complete the transfer, nothing can go wrong."

"Subordinate understands."

Butler Horn bowed and withdrew.

Inside the study, Viscount Morris was alone, his expression shifting.

He had to deal with the trouble at the mine as quickly as possible while also appeasing that Little Priestess who might be from the Abyss Church.

All of this was caused by that idiot Mike.

Meanwhile, at the other end of town, the bustle formed a sharp contrast to the oppression of the study.

Shang Wan Ning was dragging Therese along, weaving excitedly through the crowds of the market. The scent of various foods lingered around her nose, and the shouts of vendors and the rumbling of wheels over stone roads filled the air, brimming with the unique atmosphere of a small town.

"This is the one!"

Shang Wan Ning stopped in front of a small stall emitting a sweet-smelling steam, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the oven.

The stall owner was a woman in a clean apron, briskly taking out golden pies from the oven. The crust was so crispy that cracks were visible, and the amber honey flowing inside was faintly seen, the sweet fragrance wafting into one's nose.

"Honey Pies, three copper coins each!" the woman greeted with a smile.

Shang Wan Ning reached into her linen bag and pulled out a shiny gold coin, handing it over with a soft, sweet voice, "Auntie, I want forty."

The woman's hand froze, her smile stiffening, and Therese's eyes widened instantly.

A single gold coin was equivalent to a hundred silver coins or ten thousand copper coins—a huge sum of money, enough for a family of five to live comfortably for half a year. Using it to buy forty pies that cost only three copper coins each was simply unheard of.

"L-Little girl," the woman gulped, carefully pushing the gold coin back.

"I can't give you change for this gold coin! Forty pies are only a hundred and twenty copper coins, which is one silver coin and twenty copper coins. There's no need for such a large denomination."

Shang Wan Ning blinked, seemingly just realizing the currency conversion of this other world. She withdrew the gold coin, rummaged through her bag again, and pulled out two silver coins.

"This should be enough, right?"

The woman finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly, "Enough, enough!" She deftly wrapped the pies into two large portions with oil paper and handed back eighty copper coins, which clinked as she gave them. Shang Wan Ning stuffed them into her bag without even looking, clearly not caring about the small change.

This Little Priestess looked unremarkable, but her spending was surprisingly lavish. The woman couldn't help but steal a few more glances at her.

Shang Wan Ning took the steaming oil-paper bundles and immediately stuffed one into Therese's arms, "For you."

The heavy oil-paper bundle was hot to the touch, and the sweet scent of honey grew even stronger. Holding it, Therese didn't know what to say for a moment. "Nicole, forty is too many. Even for an adventurer, twenty is enough for several days."

"It's not too many," Shang Wan Ning looked up, her eyes full of anticipation. "One portion for Miss Therese and one for me. These are best when they're fresh out of the oven. If they sit for too long, the crispness and fragrance won't be as good."

She spoke as she impatiently opened her portion and was about to take a bite.

"Wait," Therese stopped her, "that's not how you eat it."

"Hmm?"

Shang Wan Ning paused and tilted her head in confusion.

Therese picked up a pie and gently broke the edge with her fingertips, letting the heat inside slowly escape. "Let the steam out first, otherwise the honey inside will be too hot and burn your tongue."

As she spoke, she pinched a bit of white powder from her small pouch and sprinkled it over the flowing honey. "This is powder made from Frost-top Mint. A little bit helps cut through the sweetness and makes it taste more refreshing."

Shang Wan Ning followed her lead, clumsily breaking open the pie, carefully sprinkling the mint powder on it, blowing on it, and then taking a small bite.

The crispy crust shattered between her teeth, and the warm honey slowly melted—sweet but not cloying. The coolness of the mint perfectly balanced the sweetness. The rich layers of flavor made her squint her eyes instantly, like a cat that had snuck a treat, her cheeks puffing out as she chewed.

Seeing her childish way of eating, the corners of Therese's mouth curled up involuntarily.

The two stood by the noisy market, eating the pies bite by bite, the surrounding clamor fading into the background.

"How does it taste?" Therese swallowed her bite and turned to look at the young priestess.

Shang Wan Ning nodded vigorously, her cheeks still bulging, and responded unclearly, "Super delicious! The mint and honey go so well together."

She swallowed the food and added with sparkling eyes, "I heard from the townspeople that there's another place on the east side that sells Berry Tarts, and they're supposedly amazing too. I'll treat you to some next time."

Therese was stunned for a moment, then chuckled softly, a hint of warmth spreading in her eyes. "Alright."

After finishing over a dozen pies, Shang Wan Ning rubbed her slightly bloated stomach and parted ways with Therese at the market entrance, returning alone to the small inn where she was staying.

As soon as she closed the door and set up a Soundproofing Barrier, Xiao Si's crackling electronic voice rang out in her Sea of Consciousness:

[great host!!! Was your lordship's incognito visit pleasant?

My system database is about to explode from your 'green tea' remarks. 'Wahhh~ So scary~', 'I'm sorry, Miss Therese, I'm really so useless~'...]

Xiao Si drawled, mimicking an affected, sobbing tone.

[Look at that pitiful little look; who wouldn't feel sorry for you~ The scent of 'tea' has even drifted beyond this plane. With your acting skills, wouldn't the Oscars have to cry while handing over the Little Gold Man?]