Outside the bustling walls of Black Tortoise City, the night was deep and quiet. In a small residential building tucked among narrow alleys, the flickering light of an oil lamp illuminated a modest room.
"Young mistress, are we truly going to join Black Tortoise City?" Carson asked cautiously, his voice low, uncertain.
The others looked up as well—ten or so retainers who had followed Liyi Yi for years. Each wore the same uneasy expression.
They were once people of the Tenth Floor City, free and unrestrained, loyal only to Liyi Yi. But now, after arriving in Amestris City, things had changed. Their mistress had made a decision none of them expected.
Liyi Yi stood before them, her emerald eyes calm but resolute. "Yes. I've already decided."
She swept her gaze across the familiar faces. During the day, part of her group had remained in the commercial district to negotiate; the rest had come back to prepare for the move.
