At Tōjin Kiyomi's command, Tachibana Masao hurried to the entrance, opening the door ahead of the other attendants to let Chen Si in.
Chen Si raised an eyebrow at Tachibana Masao's light, floating steps. Was this man quite a fighter?
As soon as he entered the sitting room, Chen Si flung the man he was carrying onto the floor.
"Maren!" Tachibana Masao exclaimed, his expression turning grim. He had already realized what had happened. Although this man was one of their attendants, he had been outside at this hour and had been caught by Chen Si. He was clearly a spy.
Before long, Tōjin Kiyomi hurried downstairs, and a group of attendants in suits rushed over. Chen Si glanced at them. Clearly, none of them had felt safe enough to sleep.
"Take roll immediately! Hunt down anyone missing and kill them on sight!" Tachibana Masao ordered fiercely, drawing the long blade from behind his back.
Tachibana Masao was furious. He had not originally planned to accompany Tōjin Kiyomi on this trip, but while in Hizuru, he had kept sensing covert eyes watching them. Uneasy, he had come along anyway, only for a spy to infiltrate their ranks despite his precautions.
"Yes, sir!" the attendants shouted.
"No need to count. He's the only one," Chen Si said, waving a hand to stop them.
Tachibana Masao frowned slightly at this, but Tōjin Kiyomi said, "Tachibana, have everyone stand down. Trust Marshal Chen Si's powers of observation."
"Yes, ma'am!" Tachibana Masao sheathed his blade and stood behind Tōjin Kiyomi.
Tōjin Kiyomi glanced at Maren on the floor, anger flashing in her eyes. This visit to Paradis Island had been utterly humiliating. "Tie him up!" she ordered at once.
The attendants immediately took out hemp ropes and bound Maren in layer after layer.
"Marshal