"Elara, Alina—you can enter Amestris City now."
Luciel stood before the towering gates of Amestris, his eyes sweeping across the high walls where dozens of figures gathered. From his vantage point, he could tell that most of the city's strongest defenders were already on the walls. Inside, the defenses would be stretched thin.
"Okay," Alina replied softly. Hidden in the shadows beside her, Elara nodded in agreement.
Luciel's voice dropped to a whisper. "Go from the far side of Black Tortoise. Don't approach the wall directly—Skink will be waiting there."
"Understood." The two women exchanged a brief, steady look.
"Be back before dark," Luciel warned quietly, his tone low but firm. "If you're not… I'll come in after you myself."
Elara met his gaze, her expression solemn. "We'll bring Yanlu back before nightfall." She knew what his words meant. If Luciel had to enter the city personally, it wouldn't be a rescue anymore—it would be war.
