"Uncle Sam, the remuneration for the guards who died in battle should be issued at the highest standard, and an additional twenty percent from my personal account for each of them; also, make sure their families are well taken care of... They died protecting me, and we cannot let them down."
"Yes, Miss. We have captured a live one and are pressing hard on the interrogation. We will have results as soon as possible."
"Hmm."
"..."
In Bolton Mechanical City, at the office apartment of the Rose Chamber of Commerce, Vera Williams gazed upon the seven bodies covered in white cloth, her eyes filled with sorrow.
These were the loyal guards who had protected her for many years, and she could name each and every one of them.
They were as familiar to her as family.
As the bodies were carried out, Vera looked up at the ceiling, slightly dazed.
Growth had its price. Since she was banished from the family to establish her own commerce guild, she had faced too many hardships.
