Andrew's smile faded.
His voice became serious.
"Kai."
Kai looked over.
"When we get inside..."
"...Stick to my side."
Kai frowned.
"Why?"
Andrew sighed.
"We've had problems."
"What kind?"
"Assassinations."
Kai's expression changed.
Andrew counted on his fingers.
"Three nobles."
"Two military officers."
"One merchant."
Kai remained silent.
Andrew continued.
"They sent an investigator."
Kai nodded.
"Reasonable."
"He died."
"..."
Andrew scratched his cheek.
"...The dog with him died too."
Kai blinked.
"...Dog?"
Andrew shrugged.
"I don't know."
"Apparently the investigator had some tracking dog."
"They both ended up dead."
Kai stared.
"...That's oddly specific."
"I know."
"People still talk about the dog."
Kai couldn't tell if Andrew was joking anymore.
"So..."
Andrew pointed toward the city.
"We're monsters on the outside."
He gestured toward the walls.
"No demon army has broken through these defenses."
Then he tapped his own chest.
"But inside?"
He slowly shook his head.
"We're a mess."
Kai understood immediately.
Strong military.
Weak politics.
The exact opposite of Asphyxia.