While the Elrics take Winry shopping, Ed receives his second assignment to inspect the coal mines at the town of Youswell. However, the townsfolk is distrusting of the state military. Lieutenant Yoki, the military commander in charge of the area, comes to collect taxes from the local inn, though a riot erupts. Ed appears in time before Yoki nearly murders Kyle, the son of the innkeeper. Yoki invites Ed to his mansion, after noticing that the Ed is a state alchemist, through flattery and bribery. Come nightfall, the inn is destroyed by Lyra, an alchemist and maid working for Yoki. Al saves Kyle from the rubble. Ed reluctantly transmutes the gold coins that Yoki attempted to bribe him with, overlaying the gold over coal bars. He then uses them to purchase the mine from Yoki under the guise of a priceless transfer before returning the bars to stone and selling the entire town to the people of Youswell for a single night stay at the newly repaired inn. Ed defeats Yoki's alchemist servant Lyra, becoming known as a hero.