Ethan returned to the capital market district under guard escort. The guards tried to look intimidating, but Ethan barely noticed them. His mind was already building models branching into dozens of possibilities. Every restriction was simply a parameter change. Every new rule opened a new angle.

Renn and Mira caught up to him near the index board. Mira’s face was tight with worry. outsider Are you really alright
Ethan nodded. Confined is not the same as defeated
Renn muttered. The nobles hope it feels the same
Ethan smirked. Then they underestimate the market

He turned to the square where merchants were preparing their stalls. Adventurers negotiated with potion makers. Alchemists measured herbs. Even miners from the southern hills arrived with dust still on their clothes. The price index had become the center point of the district. People gathered around it every morning like checking the weather.

Ethan looked up at the board and drew a fresh heading on a new sheet
Ardrel Market Price Index—Day 3

Renn whispered. outsider After yesterday I thought the nobles would ban the Index
Ethan shook his head. They cannot ban information Information flows

Several merchants approached quickly.

One of them bowed awkwardly. outsider We heard about the mines Is it true
Ethan nodded. Yes The hidden supply was real
Another merchant clenched his fists. Those nobles have robbed us for years
A third said. What happens now
Ethan replied. The High Circle begins an investigation But they will not do it fast They want to control the story
A woman asked. And you
Ethan replied calmly. I will control the numbers

He walked through the district like a teacher leading a class. Merchants handed him price updates. Adventurers showed their mana expenditure logs. Potion makers shared ingredient shortages. Mira recorded everything with intense focus. Renn organized it all at impossible speed.

By midday Ethan had updated the Index with new averages and variance notes. At the bottom he added another line in crisp handwriting
Warning Mana stone volatility expected due to northern interference

The crowd murmured. The Index had become their reference point their protection against noble manipulation.

A young miner approached with trembling hands. outsider You saved us My father said prices before were lies
Ethan placed a hand on the miner’s shoulder. Lies break when people look

He turned to the guards shadowing him. They watched suspiciously but didn’t intervene. Ethan smiled. The nobles had told them to watch not to silence.

Good
Watching meant learning
And learning meant influence

As Ethan stepped away from the board, he noticed two hooded figures lingering near a flame stone stall. They whispered too quietly and moved too quickly. Ethan watched them with narrowed eyes. Their actions did not match the flow of buyers.

Mira noticed too. outsider Something feels strange about them
Renn whispered. They look like noble agents
Ethan nodded. They are either buying influence or hiding it

The hooded figures moved from stall to stall quietly offering pouch after pouch of silver. Ethan moved closer pretending to examine a mana stone.

One of the hooded men said to a merchant. Raise your price by two silver today
The merchant asked. Why
The man hissed. Because House Rahl commands it

Ethan stepped forward calmly. Why would House Rahl dictate prices below the Index
The two hooded men froze
One whispered. outsider
The other cursed. The Circle told us to watch him not talk to him
Ethan smiled. And yet here we are talking

The hooded man attempted to walk away but Ethan blocked him. If House Rahl wants to fight information with bribery they will lose
The man glared. outsider We will not let you destabilize the city
Ethan raised a brow. I stabilize it You destabilize it with manipulation
The hooded man snarled. You are pushing the kingdom into rebellion
Ethan’s voice dropped low. No I am pushing the kingdom into transparency

The two hooded agents retreated into the crowd melting away but their movements confirmed everything Ethan already knew. The nobles were panicking and panic always revealed their weakest points.

Renn approached. outsider This is becoming dangerous
Ethan nodded. Good Markets evolve under pressure

He walked toward the edge of the district and stared at the towering walls of the noble quarter. Beyond those walls nobles plotted strategies to stop him. But he knew something they didn’t

You cannot stop a market
You can only fail faster trying

He returned to the Index board and added a final line for the day
Expect noble interference. Report unusual pricing immediately.

Renn whispered. You are provoking them
Ethan said. I am documenting them

Mira looked at him with worried admiration. outsider What happens if the nobles strike directly
Ethan looked at the sky where the sun dipped behind crystal towers. Then we adapt Markets always adapt

But deep inside he knew something else was coming
The nobles wouldn’t just interfere
They would escalate
They always escalated when threatened

And Ethan Mercer had threatened their entire economic structure.