Ep 4. Wolf and the End of Shallow Thinking

In the fourth episode of Spice and Wolf season 2, entitled "Wolf and the End of Shallow Thinking," the story continues to follow the journey of Kraft Lawrence, a traveling merchant, and Holo, a wise wolf deity, as they navigate the medieval-inspired world of trading and economics.

The episode begins with Lawrence and Holo arriving in a new town, where they intend to sell their goods. However, they soon learn that the town's economy is in a state of decline due to the rising costs of wheat. As a result, the townsfolk are experiencing food shortages and unrest.

Lawrence sets out to investigate the situation and discovers that the town's lord has been hoarding wheat for his own profit, causing the shortage and driving up prices. Lawrence and Holo devise a plan to corner the market on wheat and force the lord to sell his hoard at a fair price, thereby helping the townspeople and turning a profit for themselves.

Meanwhile, Holo is struggling with her own internal conflict. As a wolf deity, she has a deep connection with the natural world and the cycles of life and death. However, her time spent living as a human with Lawrence has made her see the value in material possessions and the human world's focus on the future.

This dichotomy comes to a head when Holo befriends a young girl who has lost her mother and is struggling to survive in the harsh world. Holo is torn between her desire to ease the girl's suffering and her understanding of the inevitable impermanence of all things.

As always, Spice and Wolf's blend of economics, mythology, and interpersonal relationships makes for a thought-provoking and engaging episode. Viewers will be left pondering the delicate balance between the short-term gains of hoarding and the long-term consequences of damaging a community's trust and stability. They will also be left wondering how Holo's personal journey will continue to impact her relationship with Lawrence and her understanding of the world around her.