If they had been ordinary peasants, Caven might have worried that uneducated peasants would fail to understand the meaning behind his words. But if it was Yorii Tsugikuni, there would be no problem.
In Caven's eyes, Yorii Tsugikuni, who also came from an extraordinary background, would definitely understand what he meant.
If Yorii Tsugikuni failed to understand and intended to stubbornly stay, then Caven could only take action against him.
What Yorii Tsugikuni had displayed so far merely made Caven feel there was no need to act. If Yorii Tsugikuni failed to recognize the situation, Caven would no longer hesitate.
Caven knew that his precious daughter Aria particularly liked this peasant girl named Sayo.
"The Imperial Capital Security Force?"
"I've heard the Imperial Capital Security Force has very good benefits."
Hearing Caven's words, Sayo, who had been quietly eating, brightened slightly and looked expectantly at Yorii Tsugikuni.
The Imperial Capital Security Force was responsible for maintaining order and patrolling the Imperial Capital. It held considerable authority, and even its lowest-ranking members received generous salaries and corresponding benefits.
It was roughly equivalent to modern-day social insurance and housing benefits.
If she could become a member of the Imperial Capital Security Force, Sayo quickly did the math. Combined with Ieyasu's wages, they could probably ease a great deal of the pressure on their hometown.
A Proposal: The Imperial Capital Security Force
Sayo had never imagined that coming to the Imperial Capital would allow her to join an official organization like the Imperial Capital Security Force.
After all, the Imperial Capital Security Force belonged to the Imperial Capital. Not just anyone could join, especially outsiders like Sayo and Ieyasu, who were not local residents.
Outsiders were simply not considered during the Imperial Capital Security Force's recruitment process.
Yet unexpectedly, with Count Calvin's help, they could now smoothly join the Imperial Capital Security Force. Sayo could hardly contain her surprise.
Honestly, Sayo had already prepared herself to enlist in the army.
These days, if someone wanted to make something of themselves, joining the army and going to war was the only path left. Every other road had long since been blocked.
But going to war was not something to be taken lightly. Even if Ieyasu and their other companion, Tatsumi, who had yet to arrive, were both quite capable fighters—
Whether they could survive to the end was still an enormous question mark.
Now that they had the chance to join the Imperial Capital Security Force, there was absolutely no reason to refuse.
Of course, Sayo still looked toward Yorii Tsugikuni, waiting for her master to make the decision.
If Yorii Tsugikuni said go, they would go. If he said no, they would not.
Since they had become his disciples, both Sayo and Ieyasu would obey Yorii Tsugikuni's instructions as much as possible.
"The Imperial Capital Security Force?"
Yorii Tsugikuni glanced at Sayo's expectant expression, then smiled at Caven. "Since Mr. Caven is recommending it, Sayo, Ieyasu, and I will go take a look after we finish eating."
Yorii Tsugikuni could understand what Caven meant.
Although he did not quite understand why Aria's family's attitude had changed so drastically, he could tell that they were not especially welcoming toward Yorii Tsugikuni continuing to stay here.
Compared to Yorii Tsugikuni and Sayo, Ieyasu was much more reluctant to part with Aria.
In less than a day of spending time together, Ieyasu had completely fallen for her.
Was my older brother like this back then too?
Watching Aria, who clearly disliked Ieyasu from the bottom of her heart yet treated him gently, Yorii Tsugikuni shook his head inwardly. This was one reason why he had left the Tsugikuni family without the slightest attachment after his mother died.
As a great family, the warmth of familial affection within it had truly been almost nonexistent.
Back then, Yorii Tsugikuni had seen at a glance that his father disliked him, and they had gone years without speaking.
"Yes, I'll write you a letter of introduction shortly, Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni."
"When Captain Oka of the Imperial Capital Security Force sees it, he'll have Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, Miss Sayo, and Mr. Ieyasu report for duty."
Yorii Tsugikuni's tact pleased Caven greatly.
Dealing with smart people was comfortable. It was nothing like dealing with those peasants who lacked all powers of observation and could not read the room.
"Big Brother Yorii, Big Sister Sayo, and Big Brother Ieyasu."
"When there's time, Aria will come play with you."
Seeing Yorii Tsugikuni agree to her father's arrangement, Aria finally felt genuinely happy for the first time in a while.
Yorii Tsugikuni could only fill his heart with question marks. There were far too many strange things and contradictions in Aria's family's behavior, and he did not know what to say.
"What are you still looking at?"
"Ieyasu, you're absolutely humiliating yourself."
That afternoon, Yorii Tsugikuni's group left with Caven's letter of introduction.
Seeing Ieyasu keep turning back to look behind them, Sayo could not help rolling her eyes. "Aria is the daughter of a count. Ieyasu, you'd better not entertain any ridiculous fantasies."
"We aren't even people from the same class or the same world."
In less than a day, Sayo's opinion of her companion Ieyasu had plummeted to rock bottom.
There was no helping it. Ieyasu's behavior had been far too embarrassing. From beginning to end, he had stared at Count Carl's daughter Aria with a lecherous expression.
He had not realized at all how blatant and burning his gaze was.
"Sayo, I don't agree with that."
"How are we not from the same class or the same world as Aria?"
"Didn't you hear her calling us big brother and big sister?"
Hearing Sayo mock him, Ieyasu was somewhat displeased.
After all, until just moments ago, Ieyasu had been imagining his happy married life with Aria.
At the same time, Ieyasu did not forget to refute Sayo. He grinned cheekily at Yorii Tsugikuni and said, "Besides, once we learn Master's Breathing Techniques, we'll definitely make something of ourselves."
"Can't I pursue the gentle and beautiful Miss Aria after I've made something of myself?"
It was clear that Aria had left an exceptionally perfect impression on Ieyasu.
"Tch."
"You? Forget it."
Sayo rolled her eyes at Ieyasu again, then hurried forward two steps and lightly jumped up, hooking her arm around Yorii Tsugikuni's. With a slightly coquettish tone, she said, "Master~"
"I think you need to properly teach Ieyasu a lesson. He can't even walk when he sees a pretty girl."
If Aria had completely maxed out Ieyasu's favorability toward her, then clearly—
Yorii Tsugikuni had likewise maxed out Sayo's favorability toward him in less than a day.
"What is it?"
"By the way, did Sayo and Ieyasu agree on a meeting place with your companion?"
Seeing Sayo acting coquettishly toward him, Yorii Tsugikuni chuckled softly.
Like a grandfather patting his granddaughter, Yorii Tsugikuni rubbed Sayo's head. "Once we report to the Imperial Capital Security Force, we'll definitely have work every day."
"By then, Sayo and Ieyasu may not have much time to look for your companion."
Just from its name, the Imperial Capital Security Force did not sound like a place where they could simply laze around and slack off.
So, seeing that Sayo and Ieyasu seemed to have forgotten something, Yorii Tsugikuni had to remind them that they still had a companion named Tatsumi who had not yet arrived in the Imperial Capital to meet them.
"Hehe, Master, let's report to the Imperial Capital Security Force first."
"The situation was urgent at the time, so I didn't get the chance to tell Tatsumi where to meet."
Hearing Yorii Tsugikuni's words, Sayo stuck out her soft pink tongue.
Too much had happened from yesterday to today. Sayo had truly forgotten about Tatsumi, her other companion.
Reunion: Finally Meeting Tatsumi
However, neither Sayo nor Ieyasu was particularly worried about Tatsumi.
Tatsumi was the strongest of the three. He could solo even relatively powerful Class 1 Dangerous Species, so it was impossible for a few bandits to drive him into a desperate situation.
Therefore, Sayo and Ieyasu were more inclined to believe that Tatsumi might already have reached the Imperial Capital.
They simply had not arranged a place to meet beforehand, so they had not run into each other yet.
"There definitely won't be any problem with Tatsumi."
"Even if he hasn't reached the Imperial Capital today, he'll definitely get here tomorrow."
Ieyasu also looked unconcerned at this moment.
Having yet to truly understand the world's darkness, they did not realize that what determined whether someone lived or died was not how strong they were, but their understanding of human hearts.
"I think if your companion named Tatsumi heard you talking like this—"
"He would definitely be very hurt."
Looking at Sayo and Ieyasu, Yorii Tsugikuni smiled. "In that case, let's report to the Imperial Capital Security Force first. Once we finish all the procedures, we'll go see whether Tatsumi has arrived in the Imperial Capital."
"Mm."
"We originally planned to enlist in the army."
"Later, let's go ask at the recruitment office."
After hearing Yorii Tsugikuni's words, Sayo nodded seriously.
"Oh?"
"You were introduced by Mr. Caven, is that right?"
Inside Captain Oka's office at the Imperial Capital Security Force headquarters.
Looking at Yorii Tsugikuni, Sayo, and Ieyasu standing before his desk, Oka slowly took a drag from his cigar, then exhaled. "Since Mr. Caven introduced you, there's definitely no problem."
"Here. Take these member badges and collect your uniforms."
"Come report tomorrow morning."
"Someone will arrange the appropriate duties for you then."
Caven had explained Yorii Tsugikuni's background clearly in the letter of introduction.
Oka did not particularly care about Yorii Tsugikuni, someone of unusual birth whose family was outside the Empire, nor did he have any desire to build a closer relationship with him.
He simply waved his hand, telling Yorii Tsugikuni to take his two disciples and collect their uniforms.
Giving Count Calvin some face by taking in Yorii Tsugikuni, Sayo, and Ieyasu, three outsiders, was one thing. But if they expected Oka to give them any special treatment afterward, that was naturally impossible.
"Understood, Captain."
Seeing that Oka did not wish to deal with them, Yorii Tsugikuni smiled as well. "Sayo, Ieyasu, and I will report on time tomorrow."
Compared to Aria's family, whose moods were fickle and ever-changing, Yorii Tsugikuni felt that Oka, who wore his emotions plainly on his face, was easier to deal with.
Sayo and Ieyasu stood honestly and properly behind Yorii Tsugikuni.
Captain Oka of the Imperial Capital Security Force looked rather fierce.
The rest naturally became very simple.
With the permission of Ogre Ouka, captain of the Imperial Capital Security Force, Yorii Tsugikuni, Sayo, and Ieyasu proceeded smoothly and collected their uniforms from the Imperial Capital Security Force.
"Phew!"
"We finally got everything sorted out."
Walking down the street with the uniforms in his arms, Ieyasu let out a breath.
Looking at Yorii Tsugikuni and Sayo beside him, he smiled and said, "That Captain Oka just now had such an intimidating presence. At a glance, you could tell he was battle-hardened, a real man tempered by blood and war."
"Of course, compared to Master when he's serious, he's still far behind."
As he spoke, Ieyasu did not forget to flatter Yorii Tsugikuni.
Before you continue