A Warmhearted Colleague; A New Life in the Imperial Capital / Koku Shibo's Misgivings; Villains in the Imperial Capital

While Sayo sized up Yorii Tsugikuni, Yorii Tsugikuni was also sizing up Sayo.

However, his attention was focused more on the dog-like creature Sayo held in her arms.

It was his first time seeing a dog without fur.

"You don't need to clean anymore. Come with me."

Thinking that the veteran members were bullying the newcomers, Sayo grew angry and looked at the three of them, ready to demand an explanation on their behalf.

Warmhearted Colleagues, a New Life in the Imperial Capital

"Don't you think what we're doing is a little inappropriate?"

"Newcomers naturally need to be put in their place."

"Exactly. Who didn't go through this? Those three newcomers need to learn the Security Force's rules."

Inside the Imperial Guard's office, several veteran members sat in their chairs, smoking.

When they had first learned that the newly arrived recruits had been placed there by Captain Oka, they had intended to assign them a decent room.

But after learning that they came from the countryside, they no longer had any reservations.

Bang!

Just as they were laughing merrily, the Security Force's front doors were kicked open.

The men had just been about to demand who dared kick open the Security Force's doors when the person who entered made the anger on their faces gradually turn into fawning smiles.

"Assign the three of them a clean room."

"Don't let me catch you bullying newcomers again."

After kicking open the doors, Sayo strode inside, her voice filled with anger. "How can you do something like this to your own colleagues?!"

"It was all a misunderstanding. Please, this way, you three."

Seeing Sayo angry, the veteran members who had been so arrogant moments earlier immediately became much more obedient.

The veteran member who had previously led Yorii Tsugikuni and the others forced a smile and took the three of them to another clean and tidy room.

"Thank you, Sister Sayo."

Looking at the bright, spotless room, Sayo was like a happy little deer.

She wandered around the room before finally coming to Sayo's side and thanking her. "If it weren't for you, we'd have had to keep busy for another whole day."

"It was nothing."

Sayo narrowed her eyes and smiled. She liked being thanked.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she hurriedly bid the three of them farewell and quickly left. Her voice drifted back from outside the door. "I still have something to do. If you need help with anything in the future, you can come find me..."

"She really is rather busy."

Watching Sayo's figure swiftly disappear, Yorii Tsugikuni sighed softly. He had a good impression of that energetic girl.

Though they had not known each other for long, he could tell that Sayo was a very warmhearted person.

She reminded him of some old friends from his past, Tanjiki and his wife.

That couple had made him feel warmth.

It's time to begin a new life.

Sitting in the chair Sayo had moved over, Yorii Tsugikuni looked out the window. The distant buildings of the Imperial Capital were framed by the small window like a painting.

Without realizing it, he had already spent quite some time in this unfamiliar world.

Scenes from the past flashed through his mind before eventually settling into calmness.

"What is Master thinking about?"

Sayo carefully organized the documents and clutter on the desk.

Seeing Yorii Tsugikuni lost in thought, she grew curious and waved a hand in front of his eyes.

"Things from the past."

"Even though they happened long ago, I still think of them from time to time."

Interrupted by Sayo, Yorii Tsugikuni gathered his thoughts and looked at Ieyasu, who was fiddling with a Dangerous Species model in the room. "Go ask about our work arrangements going forward."

"Now that we've come to this new place, we should get everything back on track."

"Yes, Master."

Ieyasu put down the Dangerous Species model and vanished in a flash.

"Master always acts so old-fashioned."

"Even though you're still young."

Sayo picked up a piece of fruit, wiped it a few times, then held it in both hands and began taking bites.

Ever since meeting Yorii Tsugikuni, she had felt that he seemed to have experienced a great many things.

As she ate the fruit, she began teasing Yorii Tsugikuni.

"Young?"

"That does seem to make some sense."

Yorii Tsugikuni straightened the wooden Dangerous Species carving Ieyasu had just knocked over on the desk and froze slightly at Sayo's words.

Having lived for more than eighty years, he had long since become accustomed to thinking of himself as an old man.

Moreover, his mindset had long been that of an elderly man.

Sayo's words plunged Yorii Tsugikuni into thought. After his wife had been killed by a demon, his life had probably begun to grow old as well.

Time quietly passed.

By evening, Yorii Tsugikuni, Sayo, and Ieyasu's first day in the Imperial Guard had come to an end.

Though the first day had been somewhat busy at the beginning, they had spent most of the latter half simply passing time.

"I wonder how Tatsumi is doing?"

As they slowly walked back toward their residence, Ieyasu kicked at stones on the ground and brought up Tatsumi, who had left with them that morning.

Unlike the three of them, who had taken positions in the Security Force, Tatsumi had gone to Aria's family's estate that morning, following Ieyasu's suggestion, to seek work as a guard.

"Won't we find out once we get home?"

"Tatsumi should be back by now."

Sayo followed behind Yorii Tsugikuni, stepping on his shadow and hopping about happily.

Seeing Ieyasu's worried expression, she smiled and comforted him.

"Then let's hurry home."

"Maybe Tatsumi is waiting to tell us the good news."

Ieyasu kicked the stone beneath his foot away and took off running toward their rented residence.

He cared deeply about his companions.

"Ieyasu and Tatsumi really have a good relationship."

"He kept talking about Tatsumi the whole way."

Yorii Tsugikuni watched Ieyasu disappear around the street corner with a hint of envy. He remembered the sincere bond he had shared with his older brother when he was young, before his talent had revealed itself.

My brother was so gentle back then.

Yorii Tsugikuni slowly made his way toward their home beneath the warm sunlight, feeling the warm breeze against his face.

He could not help but smile faintly.

"The two of them have always liked being together since they were little."

"I remember once, when a Dangerous Species attacked the village, Tatsumi saved Ieyasu's life."

Sayo tugged on Yorii Tsugikuni's long sleeve and slowly told him stories about her two companions' past.

"Master, wait for me here."

"That little dog seems to be trapped in a snare."

Weak barking came from an alley. Sayo tilted her head to listen and quickly found where the sound was coming from.

In a patch of grass by the roadside, a small dog had one leg caught in an animal trap.

"Poor little thing."

"Your leg is bleeding."

Sayo slowly removed the trap from the dog's leg. Seeing its bloody leg, she looked at Yorii Tsugikuni hesitantly. "It's badly hurt. Master, can I take it home?"

Yorii Tsugikuni's Doubts, the Villains of the Imperial Capital

"It is indeed badly hurt."

"If you want to take it home, Sayo, then carry it."

Yorii Tsugikuni crouched beside Sayo and examined the wound, his brows furrowing slightly.

He casually took out the handkerchief he carried and gently wrapped the dog's bleeding leg. Then he nodded to Sayo. "I'll leave caring for the dog to you, Sayo."

Though Yorii Tsugikuni possessed extraordinary talent in swordsmanship, when it came to caring for dogs...

He did not consider himself an expert.

Moreover, because Yorii Tsugikuni valued and respected life greatly, he had never kept pets.

It was not that he disliked small animals, but that he knew their lives were far too brief compared to his own.

Yorii Tsugikuni did not wish to watch life fade away before his eyes.

"Thank you, Master."

Sayo gently took the little dog from Yorii Tsugikuni's hands and held it in her arms.

Carrying the dog, the two continued walking home.

"Sayo, Master, I have good news to tell you."

"I found a job! Starting tomorrow, I'll be working as a guard for Aria's family!"

Just after turning the corner of the alley, Yorii Tsugikuni and Sayo saw Tatsumi carrying a bag in his hand.

From a great distance away, he greeted them.

"Congratulations."

Yorii Tsugikuni nodded faintly.

The kindness of Aria's family was still fresh in his memory.

"Aria's family has helped us a lot, Tatsumi. You need to work hard."

"You even brought us food. Let me see what you brought."

Although Sayo and the others had already expected that Tatsumi would likely receive help from Aria's family, she was not completely relieved until she saw the result.

Seeing the food Tatsumi held, Sayo inspected it with a smile.

"Aria asked me to bring this to everyone before I left."

"She also asked me to send her greetings."

Tatsumi opened the bag in his hands, revealing the fragrant food inside.

When he had gone to Aria's home today and given Yorii Tsugikuni's name, he had smoothly become a guard for Aria's family.

"Aria really is warmhearted."

"When we get paid, let's treat her to a big meal."