"This lingering pain remains quite pronounced, even though the young master has been gone for quite some time," Runa muttered under her breath, her face flushed as she held her lower abdomen.
One of her dreams from a past life was manifesting in her current reality.
However, an unfortunate twist was that when she and her young master had engaged in intimacy, her memories had not yet resurfaced, leaving her feeling a tinge of disappointment.
"Huh! I hope that when the young master returns home, I can experience it fully, allowing me to lay my regrets to rest!" With her fists clenched, Runa left the room, a sense of unease gnawing at her.
Leaving her workspace, Runa entered the mansion's living room to find Natasya engrossed in reading a document, her expression serious.
Noticing this, Runa approached quietly.
Lost in concentration, Natasya remained oblivious to her presence.
Runa cast a quick glance at Natasya before gently addressing her, "Ms. Natasya?" Startled by the call, Natasya's eyes widened, and she turned towards the source—Runa, who was standing there.
"Oh? Lady Runa! Please forgive me for not noticing you!" Natasya exclaimed, swiftly rising from her seat to offer an apology.
Shaking her head dismissively, Runa responded with ease, "Don't worry about it."
With curiosity piqued, Runa fixed her gaze on the paper Natasya held and inquired, "May I ask what you're reading?"
Simultaneously, she sensed that Natasya's expression was shifting, likely in response to the paper's contents.
Runa felt a growing intrigue about what could be written on those pages.
Observing Runa's intent gaze and hearing her question, Natasya lifted the paper and provided an explanation.
"It's not much, just a report on the economic changes down south. The recent border attack news has brought about significant shifts." A sigh escaped Natasya's lips as she handed over the paper for Runa to peruse.
Accepting the paper, Runa settled onto a sofa in the living room and began to read.
Natasya reclaimed her seat, positioning herself across from Runa as she absorbed the contents of the report.
After a moment, Runa's brows furrowed, and she placed the paper back on the table before her.
"How could the impact be felt so quickly?" Runa mused, tilting her head down and propping her chin on her hand in contemplation.
She hadn't anticipated that her young master's prediction would unfold in such rapid succession.
The news of the attack had only recently surfaced, and the southern region had managed to repel the onslaught of five hundred thousand troops.
So, how was it possible for material prices to soar dramatically without any clear source or reason?
Inquisitively, Runa turned her gaze toward Natasya and posed her question in a soft tone.
"When was this report received?" Runa inquired directly, prompting Natasya to respond with resolute certainty.
"This report was just released this morning, and I received the information not long ago," Natasya explained, her voice carrying a faint sigh.
Acknowledging Natasya's response with a nod, Runa delved into her thoughts, seeking to unravel the perplexing circumstances.
"The only one who could orchestrate such a thing is..." Runa's thoughts raced, her memory sparking with the recollection of her young master's words.
Turning her gaze sharply towards Natasya, Runa posed her question with utmost seriousness.
"Is there any information regarding the Merchant Association?" The sudden inquiry caught Natasya off guard, prompting an audible gasp of surprise.
"Yes, I completely forgot to inform you. The Merchants' Association appears to be behind a significant price surge in certain southern regions. They're attributing this to the ongoing war and material shortages, essentially forcing the populace to pay exorbitant prices for essential goods," Natasya explained, offering a detailed account of her recent realization.
Having received the news the day prior, Natasya had intended to inform Runa promptly.
However, observing Runa engrossed in her studies caused her to postpone the revelation.
Now, Runa's inquiry jogged Natasya's memory, prompting her to recount the information.
In response, Runa's countenance turned icy, her brow furrowing in disapproval.
"Their audacity is astounding, capitalizing on the previous day's attack news as a pretext to manipulate prices," she remarked, her fists clenching with indignation.
Nevertheless, the news of Duke David's triumphant repulsion of the enemy forces had been meticulously contained, reaching only a select circle of influential parties—such as the prominent Luvic families across the four regions, along with the esteemed Wilhem family and the Imperial family.
The extent of the enemy troops' defeat remained a closely guarded secret.
The merchants most likely had access to detailed intelligence through their extensive network, exploiting the general populace's lack of awareness for their own gain.
What the young master had foreseen was now unfolding before her eyes.
Fortunately, he had prepared a strategy to counter such a situation.
"Without delay, suppress the regional commodity prices temporarily and extend assistance to the local residents using funds from the mansion's treasury. I will address this promptly, as young master Arthur has devised a plan to tackle this issue," Runa directed Natasya swiftly and resolutely.
Natasya's response was swift, her nod confirming her compliance.
"Of course, as you wish."
With the primary matter addressed, Runa's thoughts shifted to Jack.
"Speaking of which, does Mr. Jack require additional capital to facilitate the production of weapons and related resources?" Runa inquired casually.
Natasya nodded in affirmation.
"Indeed, Miss Runa. It appears that Jack is facing a shortage of both capital and raw materials for the mass production of weapons." As she responded, she opened one of the documents to confirm the details.
"However, Jack appears to have decided against seeking assistance for additional capital and resources this time. He believes that the production of weapons and war equipment can progress at a steady pace without an excessive infusion of resources," Natasya continued, concluding her report and closing the document.
Runa received this information with a satisfied nod.
"Very well, if there's anything you require, do not hesitate to inform me. Carry out the plans I've laid out as swiftly as possible," Runa declared, rising from her seat and conveying her resolve.
Observing the noticeable shift in Runa's demeanor, Natasya couldn't help but smile, affirming her compliance.
"Certainly, I will follow your instructions diligently," Natasya responded, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
Picking up on Natasya's peculiar look, Runa found herself asking, driven by curiosity.
"Is something amiss, Ms. Natasya?" The query slipped out unconsciously.
With a smile, Natasya shook her head, her amusement evident.
"It's nothing significant; I simply sense a remarkable change in you—something quite different." Natasya shared her perception.
Startled by Natasya's acute observation, Runa queried once more.
"In what way is it different?" she asked, intrigued by Natasya's perceptive insights.
Natasya pondered briefly before responding with a slight tilt of her head.
"There's a shift in your temperament and demeanor, a newfound maturity and self-assuredness that sets you apart from before."
Runa absorbed Natasya's assessment, finding it to resonate with her own internal changes since reclaiming her memories as Mira.
She acknowledged it with a nod, recognizing the truth in Natasya's words.
"You're absolutely right... Perhaps this could be considered personal growth," Runa responded nonchalantly, opting not to delve into further explanation.
Natasya's agreeing smile conveyed her understanding, and she playfully echoed, "Indeed, it could very well be called personal growth."
...
Meanwhile, on a vast continent shrouded in darkness, located at an immense distance from the human-inhabited land, a grand and time-worn structure emerged abruptly from beneath the ground.
The emergence of this magnificent and ancient edifice prompted the surrounding terrain to shudder with great intensity.
Hundreds of kilometers of land disintegrated into a haze of particles, forming a staggeringly expansive and profound chasm.
Subsequently, the majestic and ancient structure ascended, lifted by an unseen force as though the very foundations of the building were supporting it.
The creatures inhabiting the vicinity, upon beholding the appearance of the age-old and splendid palace, experienced a shiver of awe.
They instinctively bowed in profound reverence before the venerable structure.
"Boom!"
The structure erupted in a colossal explosion, unleashing a cataclysmic upheaval that engulfed the entire expanse.
Thousands of creatures who had been prostrating before the edifice were abruptly obliterated by the ensuing maelstrom of natural forces.
Torrential rains, ferocious hurricanes, violent tremors, and a mélange of other elemental disturbances converged in an onslaught of calamity, all spawned by the force emanating from the building.
Gradually, the palace's tremors subsided, and the tumultuous environment began to regain a semblance of tranquility.
Within the grandeur of the ancient palace's interiors, altars and halls exuded an aura of antiquity, enveloped by the resonance of countless eons having elapsed since the edifice's construction.
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, at the heart of the altar, an immense black coffin materialized as though from thin air.
Gradually, the coffin's lid began a self-initiated ascent.
"Boom!"
The coffin's lid parted, unveiling a breathtakingly exquisite woman adorned in an opulent black evening gown embellished with swirling patterns of purple flames.
Her cascading tresses were white, adorned with a little black.
The woman lay within the confines of the coffin, her form unresponsive and her visage remarkably pallid.
Yet, in an unexpected turn, the woman's eyelids quivered faintly, parting to reveal blood-red irises as she roused from her unconscious state.
"Where am I?"
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