CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 172 –NEW JOB

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.

A retainer hesitated, then asked, "And... what will happen to us?"

"That depends on the City Lord’s arrangement." Liyi Yi’s tone softened, sensing their concern. "But don’t worry. Your strength will not go to waste."

Her confidence reassured them. A few exchanged glances before nodding.

"Yes, young mistress," they murmured in unison.

Liyi Yi took a slow breath. "After tonight, I will no longer be your young mistress."

The words hung heavily in the air.

Her expression grew solemn as she continued, "From tomorrow onward, you will be loyal to the City Lord of Black Tortoise. I don’t want any lingering attachments or hidden loyalties. Such things only cause trouble later."

The retainers fell silent. For years, they had served her faithfully—through struggle and exile, through victory and loss. The thought of serving another stirred complicated emotions.

Carson, ever the steady one, was first to respond. "Understood."

Liyi Yi’s eyes flashed with green light as she looked at them one by one. "Have you all remembered?"

"We remember," they answered respectfully, their voices unified though their hearts wavered.

"Good." She nodded, then spoke softly, "Live well. Focus on your families, and don’t form private factions. Black Tortoise City is not like the Tenth Floor. There are laws and order here. If you make a mistake, I won’t be able to protect you."

That was the truth—within Black Tortoise, there would be no room for favoritism or protection.

The retainers bowed their heads. "Yes, Lady Liyi Yi."

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?" Liyi Yi called.

From outside came a composed voice. "The City Lord invites Miss Liyi Yi to come over."

Liyi Yi immediately recognized the speaker. "Alina? I’ll be right there."

She rose, smoothing her robe, and opened the door. There stood Alina, her petite frame poised, her expression serene.

"Let’s not keep the City Lord waiting," Alina said, turning gracefully.

Unseen earlier, she had been standing silently outside, listening. She would later compile what she’d heard into a neat report for Luciel.

"Understood." Liyi Yi followed her out.

The two women walked side by side up the winding street toward the upper district. Neither spoke. The soft patter of their steps echoed in the night, accompanied by the distant hum of the city that never quite slept.

At last, they reached the City Lord’s Mansion.

Inside the bright and warm dining hall, several familiar figures were already seated. Luciel sat at the head of the table, his posture composed, his presence commanding. Around him were Mirean Moon, Sophia, Mino, and a few others.

Luciel lifted his gaze as Liyi Yi entered. "Come. Sit. Have something to eat."

"Yes, Lord City Lord." Liyi Yi inclined her head respectfully and took a seat beside the red-haired girl—Sophia.

"Fry some meat for our guest," Luciel instructed.

"Yes, my lord," Sophia replied gently, already moving to the kitchen.

Mino, quiet and absent-minded, poured tea into Liyi Yi’s cup before retreating to sit beside Luciel again.

Luciel raised his own teacup, a faint smile on his lips. "Liyi Yi, you handled matters well today."

Liyi Yi quickly lifted her cup in response. "It was your plan, my lord. I merely followed your guidance."

Earlier that day, it had been her who guided the influx of new arrivals through the commercial streets, keeping everything orderly amid the chaos.

Luciel nodded slightly. "Tomorrow, have your people move in completely."

"Yes, my lord." Relief flickered across her face.

"As for your retainers," Luciel continued evenly, "I’ll be integrating them into the City Defense Army. They’ll be under my command directly."

Liyi Yi’s heart tightened. That meant complete separation—no remnants of her old circle. But she merely bowed her head. "Everything is as you see fit."

Luciel took a slow sip of tea. "I’ll also be forming a new department to oversee the safety of the outer city. The defense lines must expand along with the population."

His tone was calm but firm, the kind of quiet authority that made one obey without question.

Then his gaze softened slightly. "So, tell me, Liyi Yi—what do you plan to do now?"

Liyi Yi froze, her fingers tightening around her teacup. "I... haven’t thought that far."

Her voice was small, almost uncertain.

For as long as she could remember, her life’s purpose had been to protect and preserve the Yi family’s influence. But now that her people were no longer hers, that purpose had vanished.

Luciel observed her for a moment. "It seems not."

She lowered her head, embarrassed. "I will follow whatever orders the City Lord gives."

Luciel smiled faintly, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Then tell me—what kind of work do you enjoy?"

Liyi Yi hesitated. "I... like reading. And writing."

Luciel blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Reading and writing—as a profession—sounded almost absurd in this harsh age of survival. He turned his head slightly toward Mirean Moon, silently asking for her opinion.

Mirean coughed lightly, hiding a smile behind her teacup. "Do you mean you enjoy handling documents? Administrative work?"

"That’s all I know," Liyi Yi admitted earnestly.

Luciel chuckled under his breath. "Then you’ll oversee the printing division. You’ll also manage the bookstores in the commercial street. In the future, there will be more work than one person can handle."

Liyi Yi blinked, puzzled. "Printing? Bookstores?" The terms were foreign to her.

"Mirean, explain it to her," Luciel said with an indulgent smile.

"Of course." Mirean’s eyes curved into a soft crescent. She was content with her own duties beside Luciel; helping another find her place cost her nothing.

Liyi Yi bowed her head. "I’ll do my best."

This would be her first task independent of the old world she knew. The thought made her both anxious and excited.

Just then, Sophia returned carrying a platter of freshly fried meat, the aroma filling the air. She placed generous portions on each plate, though Luciel’s share—unsurprisingly—was the largest.

As Luciel cut into a piece, he turned to Mirean. "Have you tallied the beast spars we collected?"

"All recorded." Mirean took a small ledger from her sleeve and passed it to him.

Luciel glanced through it, then closed the notebook and returned it. "Bring this to my room later tonight."

"Yes, my lord," Mirean replied softly, inclining her head.

Luciel leaned back, content. He had recently converted several evolution points to strengthen the city’s domesticated beasts. They would form a crucial part of the coming defense.

His gaze shifted, noticing Mino’s absent expression. "What’s wrong? You’ve been distracted all evening."

"Huh?" Mino blinked, startled. She shook her head quickly. "It’s nothing."

Luciel studied her for a moment, then his voice softened. "Don’t worry. In two days, I’ll send people to Amestris City to look for her."

Mino’s eyes widened, hope flickering within them.

Luciel reached out, gently ruffling her hair. "We’ll use engraved portraits this time—printed images. Dozens of copies. It’ll be much easier to search that way than relying on verbal descriptions."

Mino nodded, a faint smile forming on her lips. "Thank you... Luciel."

She had wanted to ask Liyi Yi for help earlier that day but hadn’t found the courage. Now, with Luciel’s promise, her heart finally eased.

The night deepened. Candles flickered as laughter and the soft clink of cups filled the hall. Amid the warmth and quiet companionship, a sense of belonging began to form—fragile, tentative, but real.

For Liyi Yi, it marked the end of one life and the uncertain beginning of another.