Wolf and the End of Shallow Thinking

Wolf and the End of Shallow Thinking is the fourth episode of the second season of the Spice and Wolf anime.

Official Synopsis
"Lawrence takes action to keep Amati from accomplishing his goal. After planting seeds of doubt in Amati's heart regarding Holo's willingness to become his wife, the merchant sets out to buy a large quantity of pyrite."

Plot
Outside the inn, Lawrence sees Amarty finishing a visit to Holo. Before Lawrence can speak to Holo, the innkeeper gives him a letter from her containing a list of Amarty's assets and, to his shock, a signed marriage certificate. He realizes that he has to drop the price of pyrite or risk losing Holo to Amarty.

Lawrence finds Amarty and proposes a deal based on credit (essentially, a naked short on pyrite), which for Amarty will result in profit if the price of pyrite rises or loss if it falls. Amarty accepts the deal after Lawrence appeals to his chivalry and causes him to doubt that Holo will agree to his marriage proposal. Regrouping with Marc Cole, Lawrence asks for help to purchase the pyrite necessary to pull off the deal. Marc refuses as this would risk jeopardizing his reputation, but he agrees to indirectly assist however possible. Lawrence turns to the alchemists in the belief that they should have a large amount of pyrite that he can purchase.

Trivia

 * The official episode synopsis uses both the anime and the light novel's spelling for Amarty.