diff --git a/src/game/engine/tests/unit/test_sprite_rendering_capability.gd b/src/game/engine/tests/unit/test_sprite_rendering_capability.gd
index 4851c914..bd31a722 100644
--- a/src/game/engine/tests/unit/test_sprite_rendering_capability.gd
+++ b/src/game/engine/tests/unit/test_sprite_rendering_capability.gd
@@ -172,12 +172,14 @@ func test_unit_sync_queues_redraw_without_sprites() -> void:
 
 # ── City rendering: baseline never removed ───────────────────────────
 
-func test_city_sprite_lookup_returns_null_when_no_files_exist() -> void:
-	var city: CityScript = _build_city("ironhold", 3, 0)
-	var sprite: Texture2D = _city_renderer._get_city_sprite(city)
+func test_city_sprite_lookup_returns_null_for_missing_file() -> void:
+	# Demo art now ships city_q1..q5.png, so _get_city_sprite resolves for real
+	# qualities. The null-fallback contract (→ caller draws the procedural
+	# baseline) is exercised here with a guaranteed-absent sprite key.
+	var sprite: Texture2D = _city_renderer._load_cached_sprite("sprites/cities/city_q99.png")
 	assert_null(
 		sprite,
-		"with empty sprites/ dir, city sprite lookup must return null",
+		"an absent city sprite must return null (caller draws procedural baseline)",
 	)
 
 
@@ -196,21 +198,22 @@ func test_city_population_to_quality_bucket_respects_named_bounds() -> void:
 		)
 
 
-func test_city_add_queues_redraw_without_sprites() -> void:
-	# With zero sprites on disk, add_city must register the city and leave
-	# the renderer ready to draw its procedural baseline (circle + outline
-	# + name letter + HP bar + cultural borders). Direct _draw() calls are
-	# not safe outside the engine's draw cycle.
+func test_city_add_registers_city_and_resolves_sprite() -> void:
+	# add_city must register the city and leave the renderer ready to draw its
+	# procedural baseline (circle + outline + name letter + HP bar + cultural
+	# borders). Direct _draw() calls are not safe outside the engine draw cycle.
 	var city: CityScript = _build_city("ironhold", 3, 0)
 	_city_renderer.add_city(city)
 	assert_true(
 		_city_renderer._cities.has("ironhold"),
 		"add_city must register the city regardless of sprite presence",
 	)
+	# Demo art ships city sprites for every quality, so the lookup resolves; the
+	# procedural baseline is still drawn underneath (additive-overlay rule).
 	var sprite: Texture2D = _city_renderer._get_city_sprite(city)
-	assert_null(
+	assert_not_null(
 		sprite,
-		"with zero sprites on disk, city sprite lookup returns null",
+		"city sprite resolves from shipped demo art (procedural baseline drawn underneath)",
 	)