However, Sayo and Ieyasu weren't particularly worried about Tatsumi.
Among the three of them, Tatsumi was the strongest. He could even single-handedly defeat stronger Danger Beasts classified as Class One. There was no way he would be cornered by bandits alone.
Because of this, Sayo and Ieyasu actually believed it was more likely that Tatsumi had already reached the Imperial Capital.
They simply hadn't run into him yet because they hadn't arranged a meeting place in advance.
"Tatsumi will definitely be fine."
"Even if he didn't make it today, he'll definitely arrive tomorrow."
Ieyasu also looked completely unconcerned.
Still unaware of how dark the world truly was, they didn't understand that what determined whether a person survived wasn't simply strength, but one's understanding of human nature.
"If your companion named Tatsumi heard you saying that,"
Yoriichi smiled gently as he looked at Sayo and Ieyasu.
"He'd probably feel quite hurt."
"In that case, let's report to the Imperial Guard first. Once we finish all the formalities, we can go look for Tatsumi and see if he's already arrived."
"Alright."
"We were originally planning to enlist in the army."
"Let's stop by the recruitment office afterward and ask."
Hearing Yoriichi's suggestion, Sayo nodded seriously.
---
"Oh?"
"You were recommended by Count Kaven, is that right?"
At the Imperial Capital Guard Headquarters, inside Captain Ogre's office—
Ogre slowly took a drag from his cigar as he looked at Yoriichi, Sayo, and Ieyasu standing before his desk. He then exhaled and said:
"Since Count Kaven recommended you, there's no problem."
"Take these identification tags and collect your uniforms."
"Report here tomorrow morning."
"Someone will assign your duties then."
Kaven had clearly written about Yoriichi's background in the letter of introduction.
Ogre wasn't particularly interested in someone like Yoriichi—someone of notable origin but whose family wasn't even within the Empire's territory. He had no intention of developing any further relationship.
He simply waved his hand, signaling for Yoriichi to take his two students and collect their uniforms.
Giving Count Kaven a respect by accepting these three outsiders was one thing, but expecting any special treatment afterward from Ogre 'the Demon' was out of the question.
"Understood, Captain."
Seeing that Ogre clearly wasn't interested in interacting further, Yoriichi simply smiled.
"Sayo, Ieyasu, and I will report tomorrow on time."
Compared to Aria's family, whose attitudes shifted unpredictably, Yoriichi found someone like Ogre, whose emotions were written plainly on his face, much easier to deal with.
Sayo and Ieyasu stood quietly and respectfully behind Yoriichi.
Captain Ogre looked rather intimidating.
The rest of the process naturally became very simple.
After receiving permission from Ogre, Yoriichi, Sayo, and Ieyasu smoothly collected their uniforms from the Imperial Guard.
"Phew!"
"Finally got everything settled."
Walking down the street while holding their uniforms, Ieyasu let out a sigh of relief.
Looking at Yoriichi and Sayo beside him, he grinned.
"That Captain Ogre just now felt really intimidating. You can tell at a glance he's been through countless battles... a real man forged in blood and war."
"Of course, compared to Teacher when he gets serious, he's still far behind."
While speaking, Ieyasu didn't forget to flatter Yoriichi.
Though it wasn't entirely flattery, he genuinely believed that serious Yoriichi was more terrifying than anyone else.
That oppressive presence he had felt earlier in the morning was unforgettable. Even now, when Ieyasu looked at Yoriichi's gentle face, he sometimes felt disoriented.
How could someone so gentle become so terrifying when serious?
"That's... true."
"Next, Teacher, let's head to the inn and settle our belongings first."
Sayo nodded in agreement with Ieyasu's words, then looked at Yoriichi.
"Tatsumi still has money. He might've already found a place to stay."
On their journey to the Capital, Tatsumi, Sayo, and Ieyasu had hunted quite a few Danger Beasts. Although most were Class Two, they still earned a fair amount of money.
"Alright."
Yoriichi nodded.
Count Kaven had actually handled things quite thoroughly, when they parted ways, he had given Yoriichi a gold coin.
If used sparingly, it was enough for Yoriichi, Sayo, and Ieyasu to live for about a month.
Though that was only because the Empire was currently in decline, with heavy inflation. Back when the previous emperor was still alive, a single gold coin could support a family of three for three months.
Now, even one gold coin lasting a month was already difficult.
In the end, to save money, Yoriichi and the others chose a modest inn on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
Yoriichi and Ieyasu would sleep on the floor, while Sayo took the bed. Renting a room monthly only cost three silver coins.
The Empire used a decimal currency system:
100 copper coins = 10 silver coins.
10 silver coins = 1 gold coin.
Spending three silver coins on lodging left them with seven silver coins for food for the month.
As long as they avoided meat and ate simple meals, they could manage.
However, fate often worked in unexpected ways.
At a rather ordinary inn on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, Yoriichi, Sayo, and Ieyasu immediately spotted Tatsumi, who was drinking and chatting with a blonde, well-endowed older woman.
"Tatsumi!"
Sayo and Ieyasu stood behind Tatsumi with dark expressions, each grabbing one of his ears and pulling hard.
They were furious.
Tatsumi had arrived in the Capital carrying all three of their savings, yet instead of handling business, he was drinking and chatting with a busty blonde woman.
Ieyasu's eyes filled with unmistakable jealousy.
After all, that blonde woman was incredibly attractive.
For a moment, Ieyasu even forgot about his goddess Aria.
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