"The Imperial Capital Guard?"
"I remember that members of the Imperial Guard undergo strict background checks."
"If you're not a local resident of the Capital with a clean and well-known background, it's basically impossible to get in."
Leone looked at Sayo and Ieyasu with curiosity.
"You two are outsiders who came from outside the Capital, right? Normally, it should be impossible for you to successfully join the Imperial Capital Guard."
Although in the original story the Imperial Guard often seemed like cannon fodder—
Even Captain Ogre of the Imperial Guard could be cut down by the newly-arrived protagonist—
In reality, the Imperial Guard carried significant prestige.
Whether in terms of salary, authority, or benefits, the Imperial Guard was considered a highly desirable position.
"Normally, Sayo and I wouldn't have had any chance of joining the Imperial Guard."
"But yesterday wasn't exactly a normal day for us."
Hearing Leone's curious question, Ieyasu immediately puffed up with pride.
He clearly intended to enjoy the admiration of this blonde, busty older woman.
He quickly recounted what had happened the day before.
As Leone listened, her eyes flickered.
The traits displayed by Aria's family were very similar to the clues Night Raid had been investigating recently.
The only thing that made Leone uncertain was that, so far, Aria's family had genuinely helped Sayo and Ieyasu. Though, based on Ieyasu's description, it was clear that this had a great deal to do with Yoriichi's presence.
"I see… Your luck really is incredible."
"In that case, it seems Tatsumi doesn't need to enlist in the army after all."
Leone smiled as she looked at them.
"It's getting late. Now that Tatsumi has reunited with his companions, I'll be heading off."
"Perhaps, we'll meet again, Tatsumi."
With that, Leone stood up and left.
Compared to continuing small talk with Tatsumi and the others, she needed to report Aria's family to Night Raid headquarters so they could investigate further.
In fact, Night Raid had already narrowed down the suspects behind the missing outsiders to several noble families.
Aria's family was already among those under suspicion.
Originally, it would have taken a few more days before their turn for investigation.
But now, having obtained additional information from Sayo and the others, Leone planned to move Aria's family up the list.
Tonight, she intended to thoroughly investigate them to prevent more innocent outsiders from being harmed.
The Imperial Capital is becoming more and more disgusting…
On her way back to Night Raid's headquarters, Leone's thoughts grew complicated.
To be honest, she had a very good first impression of Tatsumi, Sayo, and Ieyasu.
Their innocence and purity, so unfamiliar with the world, was something Leone, who had grown up in the slums of the Imperial Capital, found deeply appealing.
But she also wondered how long that purity could last in the Capital's corrupt environment.
Making a name for oneself in the Imperial Capital was never as simple as it sounded.
I just hope they can hold onto their original intentions… If they commit unforgivable crimes, then…
---
"Has that young lady already left?"
"Since we only had one gold coin, I rented just one room for the month."
"Ieyasu and I can sleep on the floor."
Returning from the counter, Yoriichi smiled as he looked at Sayo and the others discussing what to eat.
"But now it seems we can rent more rooms. Sayo is a girl, sharing a room with boys wouldn't be appropriate."
Yoriichi had already noticed the large money pouch beside Tatsumi.
Although most of it consisted of copper coins, with only a small number of silver coins and no gold coins, Yoriichi estimated that it would still be enough to last until next month's Imperial Guard salary.
"Hehe, actually I don't mind."
"But Teacher, I just counted—we now have 700 copper coins and 15 silver coins."
Sayo smiled brightly.
"And if we add the gold coin Teacher still has, we're close to ten gold coins total."
"That's definitely enough to last until next month's payday."
"And since Tatsumi also wants to become your student, teacher, we should hold a proper ceremony for the three of us."
Previously, they had no money or conditions, so when Sayo and Ieyasu accepted Yoriichi as their teacher, they had only bowed hastily.
Now that they had reunited with Tatsumi and had some funds, it was only right to properly carry out some formality.
Yoriichi, as the teacher, might not care about such formalities—but as students, Sayo and Ieyasu believed they must do everything properly.
After all, Yoriichi was genuinely teaching them Breathing Techniques, a secret skill.
Just for that alone, Yoriichi had already become one the most important person in their lives.
"That's right, Mr. Yoriichi!"
"I also want to become your student, just like Sayo and Ieyasu!"
Tatsumi looked at Yoriichi with eager anticipation.
Through their short conversation and Ieyasu's explanation, Tatsumi had already realized that Yoriichi was incredibly powerful, and more importantly, willing to teach his secret techniques to his students.
Who wouldn't want a teacher like that?
Normally, you would have to get acknowledgement.
Many people even do all kinds of shit for ten years without learning anything meaningful.
Tatsumi had grown up with Sayo and Ieyasu, so he trusted them completely. He had no reason to doubt their words.
Grandpa was right…
The world outside the village is dangerous, but it's also a way to get stronger.
Tatsumi looked at Yoriichi with shining eyes.
The only regret Tatsumi felt was that, because they had separated earlier, he hadn't joined Yoriichi and the others in entering the Imperial Capital Guard.
Then again,
If Tatsumi had been there, many of these events might never have happened at all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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