Jackson leaned closer to Alfie, whispering something that made the boy immediately clamp his mouth shut. Lucy caught the exchange but didn't bother scolding. Instead, she gave a soft smile and said calmly,
"There's nothing to worry about, Jackson. I won't go back on my words."
With that assurance, the group followed her down the bright streets of Ashura. The lamps lining the road hummed with low Renshi currents, glowing white-blue, casting a warm sheen over the cobblestones. Few Shinras were out at this hour, their silhouettes gliding past in silence. The kingdom looked both peaceful and intimidating under its structured lights.
Lucy stopped in front of a tall, clean-built apartment building along the civilized street. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Alfie, Jackson, and Sasaki followed closely.
The interior nearly left Alfie speechless. Polished concrete floors, a living space decorated with fine furniture, and walls trimmed with faint Renshi patterns radiated quiet security.
"Wow! This is so beautiful—it's like a castle!" Alfie shouted with his usual excitement.
Jackson chuckled dryly, folding his arms. "Don't underestimate a real castle, Alfie. This is beautiful, I agree… but compared to a kingdom's Special Darkside Knight Castle?this is nothing."
"That's none of my business, redhead. I've got my own castle now, and that's all that matters," Alfie shot back proudly, chest puffed out as he walked closer to Lucy.
She was already running her fingers across the walls, activating thin Renshical barriers along the doors and corners of the apartment. Energy rippled across the rooms like an invisible shield.
"Okay, Alfie, before you start asking your endless questions—your room's the last door on the left. Go check it out," Lucy instructed.
How the hell did you get a place like this Lucy?
Sasaki voice ranged across the apartment
Pipe down you idiot,I paid for it
Lucy reply without looking at him
Alfie smirked and strutted away. Jackson followed behind casually, knowing his own room was the first on the same side.
"Hey, Alfie," Jackson called before they split off. "You wanna hang out in my room tonight?"
"I'm in, Jack. I need to know more about you, so you can know more about me," Alfie replied with a wide grin.
The two boys opened their doors almost in sync. Alfie gasped in awe, nearly bouncing inside. "Whoa! So big and beautiful! I can't believe I'll be sleeping in this place!"
Jackson scanned his own room with little reaction. The neat bed, wardrobe, and polished furniture were nothing compared to what he'd once seen in the scales of Guhan.
Alfie, unable to hold himself back, ran into Jackson's room next. "Jack, this is insane! Look at this furniture! The bed—ugh, I can't stop staring!"
Jackson smirked faintly. "They're beautiful, sure. But not more beautiful than my room at home. This is nothing new to me."
"That's nice. For me, even if our house wasn't all that, it was still the best place to be. Always." Alfie answered softly, his grin fading into something warmer.
Jackson smiled quietly, almost hiding it.
"Hey, both of you—freshen up. We're heading out for dinner. Check the wardrobes, new clothes and shoes are stocked. Hats too, if you want." Lucy's voice rang from the living room.
Alfie darted back to his room. After showering, he stepped out with a towel tied around his waist. He opened the wardrobe and froze. It was packed full of outfits his size—jackets, shirts, boots, trousers.
"Okay, okay… what can I wear to look good?" Alfie muttered, pulling hangers aside frantically.
Minutes passed as he searched. Still no perfect shirt.
"Hey, Alfie, it's time to go," Jackson called through the door.
"One minute! Just wait!" Alfie groaned, tossing shirts aside.
"ALFIE! JACK!" Lucy's sharp voice echoed from the living room.
"Come on, Alfie, what's taking so long? I'm coming in," Jackson said, reaching for the handle.
"Hey! Don't open yet—I'm not dressed!" Alfie shouted in panic.
He finally grabbed a white elastic cover-neck shirt, black combat trousers, and quickly slipped them on. He added a random pair of white shoes, then froze. At the back of the wardrobe hung a black long jacket. Something about it called to him. He yanked it off and slid it on just as Lucy opened the door.
Her eyes scanned him once. "Not bad. Now I see why you wasted my time. Come. Let's go."
With Lucy leading, the group stepped out into the night. They soon reached a nearby restaurant buzzing with Shinra energy. Every table was filled with Shinras laughing, drinking, or sharpening their blades.
Lucy guided them to the first table near the door. They sat, drawing subtle glances from the crowd.
A Shinra waiter approached. "What will you have?"
"Four bowls of beef steak, rice, and vegetable sauce," Lucy answered.
The waiter nodded and slipped into the kitchen.
At a corner of the restaurant, a captain court sat nursing whiskey, flanked by two of his men. One of them leaned close, whispering with a sly grin.
"Captain… I'm sure of it. They're the newcomers. I saw that redhead get knocked down today, rushed to the hospital by the woman. It's them."
The captain narrowed his eyes, then set down his cup. "Go check them out. Don't start trouble. Just ask questions."
The two men nodded, pushing their chairs back. Slowly, they approached Lucy's table, tension rippling through the room.
"Lucy…" Sasaki whispered, his eyes narrowing.
"I see them," Lucy replied softly, not turning her head. "Keep your cool. They'll test us. Do not panic. Do not respond to provocation."
The men stopped by their table. One of them, a lanky Shinra with a snake-like grin, sat beside Lucy without invitation.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Do you mind if we join you?"
Lucy's gaze didn't waver. "I have nothing to say to you. Get yourself and your partner back to whoever sent you. I don't want trouble."
The kitchen door swung open as the waiter returned with steaming trays.
The skinny man chuckled, leaning closer. "We're not here to cause trouble. We just want to know… your ambition here."