One life

Night had already fallen when Kiyome left the auction house in a carriage bearing no crest or identifying mark.

She did not bring any guards with her.

At least, not openly.

Two members of the fox demon race still followed from a great distance, but when the carriage was still some distance from the location written in the letter, Kiyome ordered it to stop and told them to remain behind.

She continued alone along an old stone road and eventually stopped in front of an abandoned estate bordering the eastern forest.

There were no lights outside.

The main gate was only half-closed, as though the owner of the place had no concern that strangers might enter.

Kiyome pushed the door open and stepped inside.

A single magic lamp cast weak light across the main hall.

The tables and chairs were covered in dust, and the curtains had long since rotted away.

Yet in the middle of the room, one chair had been cleaned completely.