The name of this hotel is "Above the Lava".

It once belonged to a certain Count of Butuo City — but that Count has died.

The sort of Count and the one whom Rastina is supposed to marry are two different concepts. The one Rastina is supposed to marry is the son of a Duke; this Count, at most, is just a Count.

At that time, like trash, he was drained by Lisidorwei, and then died shriveled like that.

Naturally, the hotel changed owners. The previous Count wasn't a good person, and the current owner might not necessarily be a good person either. But, how to put it? A shop has the most service spirit, certainly when it's newly opened and freshly renovated.

At this timing, Mohe and the others really chose a great time to come.

Because the place is luxurious enough, each room is standalone, with many small rooms inside, like a cluster of villas.

So, they only need one room, enough to accommodate all of them, just like when they stayed in a mansion.

"Butuo City deserves to be called a great city, they've already started using these alchemy items."

Mohe picked up a sign on the table: "This thing has the ability to transmit information."

She immediately saw the essence of the item before her eyes.

"I know this. It's something Miss Adeline recently created to enable long-distance communication. There's been news reaching Sim City, though they're not supplying it over there yet. I heard the conditions are quite harsh — there needs to be a certain extension to the 'World Reflection'. So, a city wanting to establish a link has to pay a price."

"Miss Adeline... Your friend last time was also named Adeline, wasn't she? Surely it isn't the real one?" Mohe asked with a cheerful smile, "After all, you are the young lady of the Gold-Seeking Commerce Association."

Rastina shook her head: "My status is far beneath hers, haven't even seen her face."

She didn't want to cause trouble for Adeline.

"You don't need to be so self-deprecating — let me see... Ah... I see, so you can directly communicate with the staff here to have them bring food or offer some services... Eh~ that's interesting~ Mr. Doro."

So don't ask me anymore.

Upon hearing, Rose immediately took this item and conveyed the order to the staff to "go to the station and bring our luggage."

"Lord Mohe said he's here for vacation. Are we spending the winter just in this hotel?"

Mohe looked at Rose with interest: "Oh? What do you mean?"

"I think we can go out tonight and see if there are any fun places."

"Absolutely! That's an excellent suggestion." Mohe seemed a bit excited as well.

Both Doro and Lisidorwei were quite surprised, as often times, Rose, though carrying the title of the Charming Demon, usually handled household chores and prepared delicious meals, naturally not needing to worry in a place with dedicated staff for service — thinking this way, it was normal for her to want to do something else.

Mohe showed interest, wondering if Rose was finally planning to develop some affectionate interactions with Doro in such a city? How wonderful.

She restrained the thought of calling companionship services for Doro.

After a little bit of tidying up and waiting, the luggage arrived, everyone chose their own room, and then prepared to go out first.

Then, they left this hotel, planning to return at night for the hot springs.

Today, Mohe was not wearing her maid uniform, seeming not to enjoy wearing a maid uniform in public, and everyone was dressed in casual clothes.

Thus, Doro stood out very prominently.

He wore very plain clothes as usual, the type that wouldn't get a second glance among the crowd, but today he was walking with several beauties of different styles.

Petite and cute Mohe, alluring and charming Rose, noble and cold Lisidorwei, and youthful and spirited Rastina.

Though it's somewhat inappropriate to say, but when such a combination appears, the girls become decorative elements for Doro.

Subconsciously, people would ponder "what merits" that man might have?

Instinctively speculating on Doro's identity, even if he dressed plainly, they wouldn't consider him a simple person.

Doro quickly realized why he was drawing attention; he hadn't been noticed like this by others for a long while. As A·Gedora, he knew he was anticipated, but now he felt little goodwill.

Such glances, just ignore them.

He didn't feel much shame because of it.

"Items like obsidian are only produced near volcanoes, one of Butuo City's pillar industries." Mohe picked up a pendant shaped a bit like a sword made of polished obsidian in front of a shop, comparing it to Doro, "You're not suited for such an accessory!"

"I'm not interested in accessories anyway. It would be better to buy two more bottles of wine with this money."

"Wow, what a jaded thing for an old man to say..." Mohe put the pendant back and saw another one, "Is this the Alchemist's Staff? This looks better than the sword—what do you think of this?"

"It's so-so."

Mohe bought the pendant of the Alchemist's Staff and put it around her neck.

The other girls also picked out an obsidian accessory for themselves to wear.

"Recently, the Alchemist Association has just launched the Alchemy Dolls! They can replace human labor!"

They saw a shop like this.

"What's the difference between this and gargoyles?"

Mohe led everyone into the shop and saw the so-called Alchemy Dolls—though they were called dolls, they looked quite different from humans, only having a human shape.

Not sure if it's intentionally designed this way or if the craftsmanship can't be refined to look like real people.

"To what extent can these dolls perform?"

When the shopkeeper heard Mohe's question, he beamed with a smile and quickly introduced, "These dolls, in terms of strength, are not inferior to adult males. And because they lack intelligence, they will resolutely obey any command you give, unlike many servants who pretend to obey but secretly defy, making them more trustworthy than humans."

"Ho ho~ But that being said, if they lack intelligence, they naturally won't sweet-talk, right?"

Mohe posed with a high demeanor: "Do you think people like us are stingy about rewarding our servants, or are we short of those two people who do the work? Moreover, yours here seems quite expensive; how long can it last?"

As soon as she spoke, the shopkeeper realized Mohe was knowledgeable; they often only talk about the positives, not the negatives when selling: "You truly have insightful wisdom... As you mentioned, these dolls do have some shortcomings, but as alchemical products, they are considered at the forefront of the era. Getting one now is certainly not a loss; others will surely marvel at your foresight in the future."

"Only things that are useless now are talked about in terms of the future; and whether there is a future... that indeed requires some insight and judgment. Doro, what do you think?"

Since entering the shop, Doro had been looking at various items, and when Mohe asked him, his reaction was visibly stiff: "Me? Oh... Alchemy Dolls, I'm probably not very optimistic about them unless one day these dolls come to life. Otherwise, they can't replace true life, can they?"

"What are you talking about? Sir, if these Alchemy Dolls had life, wouldn't they just become like the Demon Race? Just like those gargoyles... That's too frightening! Can you imagine such a scene? Relentless, driven merely by special ores, alchemical dolls swarming everywhere—that's too terrifying."

Listening to the shopkeeper's words, Doro was dumbfounded.

Gargoyles?

Gargoyles should be...

Of course, Doro knew of gargoyles, had actually fought against them, and also saw Lisidorwei create them.

But gargoyles—aren't they different?

These things can't be considered living beings, can they?

After all, they're entirely made of stone...

His gaze lingered on the Alchemy Dolls.

It seems this is also...

If gargoyles weren't outwardly so terrifying but looked very much like humans? What if Mohe covered them with human skin? Gargoyles do possess intelligence and life!

Although Mohe described them as very foolish, merely used as war machines against mages, in essence, gargoyles are no different from other members of the Demon Race; they belong to the creations of the Demon King, Mohe.

It's not that they can't be killed... But Doro clearly realized that when he "kills," his inner feelings are entirely different.

When "killing" other members of the Demon Race, there is an element of sympathy within him, but when killing gargoyles, his heart might...

Uncontrollably, his gaze turned to Mohe, and he saw Mohe's meaningful expression.

Is this Mohe's goal then?!

She knew Butuo City had such Alchemy Dolls, so did she deliberately bring everyone to see them? What benefit does this action have for her? My hesitation? No... there must be some other deeper meaning, if Mohe acts, it won't be so simple.

If letting me see these Alchemy Dolls and give rise to such thoughts is Mohe's goal, then after I have these thoughts, what does Mohe plan to do?

How does she intend to take advantage of my current mood?

Mohe decisively spent ten gold coins to buy an Alchemy Doll.

"Oh~ It's more useful than I imagined."

Walking down the street, Mohe enthusiastically manipulated the Alchemy Doll: "But, an Alchemy Doll can be sold for this price... Don't we have so many gargoyles, can we sell them for higher prices? After all, gargoyles not only are stronger, but they can counter magic, and have a certain degree of intelligence, way more advanced than this—sell a few when there's a financial crisis at the mansion?"

She asked Doro.

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