What Kind of Savage Thing Are You Saying? (5.2K) (cont.)

So, Mahiro went alone to the recruitment department of the Imperial Military Department that he had seen on the road yesterday.

A notice that read "Recruitment point for Imperial soldiers!" was posted on the earthen-yellow brick wall, and a dozen or so poor people and mercenaries were lined up outside the door.

"The competition is really fierce."

"Mahiro sigh," Zhenxun murmured.

Most people come here simply because they can't survive, want to beg for food, or have some kind of ideal.

Otherwise, who would want to risk their life for this wretched empire?

The recruiter was a low-ranking Imperial officer in uniform, around forty years old, whose expression seemed somewhat nonchalant.

If someone comes to register, they don't even look at it and just throw the conscription form out to them.

The same applies when it comes to Mahiro.

"You want to join the army too? Then go fill out the forms first and hand them to me," the man replied mechanically.

"Wait, I'd like you to take a look at this first."

Seeing that Mahiro showed no sign of moving, the man was about to ask a question when he saw a letter placed in front of him.

It was sealed with red amber, and the emblem on the amber immediately made the man's eyes widen, as if he had been frightened.

"This... this is..."

The Earl's Seal?!

The man quickly stood up and whispered something to the person next to him.

Then he said "Please wait a moment" and turned to walk into the house.

A short while later, the man returned, but he was followed by a burly, imposing man who was holding the letter he had just taken out.

The amber on top has already been opened and clearly inspected.

The man sized up Mahiro a few times, then asked:

"Did you get this letter of recommendation?"

Yes, that's right.

I wrote this letter of recommendation last night when I was chatting with Aria's father and heard that he was planning to stay in the Imperial Capital to seek employment.

Although it was just to trick him into staying, the formalities were quite impressive, with the seals and signatures on it representing his identity. It's just unexpected that it would be used by Yotsuba Mahiro after he was killed.

"Hmm... then come with me."

After a moment's hesitation, the man called out to him and then turned and went back into the room.

Mahiro followed.

Upon entering the room, one sees the burly man sitting at the desk at the far end, his feet propped up on the table, looking at the letter of recommendation in his hand.

On either side of him stood a line of guards standing straight.

However, as he followed him in, the burly man gave a look to those on either side, and they immediately left the office, leaving only the two of them in the large room.

And the thick smoke that filled the air like a thin mist.

"Is that old guy doing alright these days?"

"Hmm, it's pretty good."

"Oh..."

For some reason, the man suddenly sneered, threw the letter on the table, and sat up straight, staring at him.

"Tell me, where did this letter of recommendation come from?"

"Naturally, it was given to me by that Earl."

"You're lying." The burly man stared at him and said firmly, "That old guy never writes letters of recommendation."

Mahiro smiled slightly, "But I'm different. The Earl wants me to be his son-in-law, and he's even prepared to marry Aria to me."

"Aria? Hahahaha!"

The burly man was taken aback upon hearing the name, then burst into deafening laughter. "If you're going to make up a lie, at least make it believable. How old is that child? Betrothed to you?!"

"I know Aria is still young, but that's how the Earl arranged it. He wants me to come to the Imperial Capital Guard Corps for training first, and then we'll get married when Aria comes of age."

Mahiro shrugged and said in a serious tone.

However, since the person is already dead, whatever he says is his business, and there's no way to verify it.

This time, the man didn't speak again, but simply stared at Mahiro, seemingly trying to Mahiro something from him.

Throughout, Yotsuba Mahiro maintained a calm expression, and the subtle aristocratic confidence she exuded convinced the man to some extent.

"Okay, let's assume that's how it is."

The man spoke softly, then leaned back again, his general's boots crossed and resting on the edge of the table.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of the armrest, seemingly urging him to do something. Seeing his lack of response, he clicked his tongue and then spoke:

"Getting a position in our Imperial Capital Guard Corps is easy. With my authority, I could easily arrange for you to become a deputy minister."

"?"

Mahiro looked slightly surprised. Did this person really have that much power?

"Hmph."

Seeing the expression on Mahiro's face, the man was satisfied and continued, "I forgot to introduce myself. I am the head of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps, directly under General Budo. You should understand, right?"

He certainly understands that.

Although the Imperial Capital Guard Corps is called a corps, it is actually a powerful department, and like the Imperial Palace Guard and the army, it is directly under the command of General Budo.

Moreover, the minister's position was almost on par with that of the generals under Budo, and he could even have an audience with the emperor.

"So, if you want to get an officer position in the Imperial Capital Guard Corps, a letter of recommendation isn't enough; you also need to demonstrate your abilities."

"Clear."

Mahiro naturally understood what this "strength" meant.

If it were a straightforward person like Tatsumi, they would probably draw their sword and fight this guy right now, and then they would be kicked out, or worse, arrested and executed.

In reality, this "strength" is nothing more than the money given to the person in front of him.

This is a Yotsuba Mahiro; right now, the last thing he lacks is money.

In fact, you could say that anything that can be solved with money isn't a problem at all.

So he simply waved his hand lightly in front of the minister.

There was a muffled thud!

A box of moderate size landed on the ground in front of him. Mahiro walked over, pried open a corner of the box, and opened it.

Suddenly, golden light shone on the minister's face.

"Here are 100,000 gold coins. Is that enough strength?"

Upon hearing the word "100,000" and seeing the box full of gold coins, a glint of greed flashed in the minister's eyes, but he still sat up straight, averted his gaze, and asked:

"Are you a Teigu user?"

In his memory, only the strange Imperial Arms could pull things out of thin air.

Mahiro shook his head and said, "No, this is just a little trick of mine."

"Um..."

The minister paused for a moment, deep in thought.

No wonder that old man chose this kid as his son-in-law; he's got some skills after all.

He became somewhat certain of Mahiro's identity.

But...

"However, a mere 100,000 gold coins won't get me a vice minister position; I'll have to start as a squad leader."

"But my father-in-law told me that's the price."

"Hehe, that was the price before. Prices are different now."

"Is that so? That's a real shame, Minister."

Mahiro closed the lid of the box, and under the minister's astonished gaze, he casually put it away.

"One hundred thousand gold coins, as far as I know, could buy a rather luxurious mansion and courtyard in the Imperial Capital, and even hundreds of high-quality female slaves wouldn't be a problem, but it can't buy a vice minister's position, what a pity..."

"In that case, I'd better go back and discuss it with my father-in-law. I've heard that the Imperial Assassination Corps next door is quite good; they'll definitely be interested in these 100,000 gold coins."

With that, he turned and made a move to leave.

"Wait! Wait, young man, don't rush."

The minister was sweating profusely and quickly called out to Mahiro.

"What, Minister, are you willing to sell it to me now?"

Mahiro around, still wearing a faint smile, but this time with a hint of barely perceptible mockery.

Although he didn't care much about these gold coins, which amounted to less than a tenth of what was piled up in the mansion's warehouse, it didn't mean he could be easily ripped off.

"No... young man, we can talk this over."

Now, the minister was truly drenched in sweat.

Originally, seeing that he could come up with so much money all at once, I was thinking of ripping him off, but I didn't expect that he wasn't a sucker at all, and that he was the kind of person who would just leave whenever he wanted!

No wonder that old man took this young man as his son-in-law; his character is just too good.

"How about this, considering my friendship with that old guy, I'll sell you the position of deputy minister. But you'll have to start as a squad leader, then go to the army for a couple of days of training, and when you come back, you'll be the deputy minister. How about that?"

"Of course, no problem, but can we skip the military training?"

"Cannot."

The minister sat back down, shook his head, and said, "This is something everyone entering the security department has to go through, and it's a rule set by General Budo. No one is exempt."

Don't worry, the training isn't difficult; it's just a formality.

"Okay, then it's a deal."

"Okay, go out and fill out the forms in a bit, then come back tomorrow to report for duty. Someone will take you there."

"Thank you for your help, Minister. My name is Yotsuba Mahiro. I hope you'll take care of me in the future."

After saying this, Mahiro left the box of gold coins behind and then turned to leave.

Seeing the door close again, the minister breathed a sigh of relief, left his seat, went to the box, opened it, and stared intently at the glittering gold treasure inside.

But thinking of how Yotsuba Mahiro had remained calm and composed throughout, even ignoring his own aura, he couldn't help but sigh:

"What a terrifying brat..."

If the other party really joins the Assassination Department, he will suffer a huge loss.

That's 100,000 gold coins... I bet that bald guy would love to groom this kid as a trusted confidant!

As evening fell, Mahiro returned to the mansion.

As soon as I entered, I saw little Mine casually wiping the floor in the back of the hallway.

Why do I say that? Because her little hands only stay in one place.

"Mine, what are you daydreaming about?"

Mahiro up to her and waved his hand in front of her big eyes.

"Ah!! Master... Master, you're back."

When Mahiro was finally found, Mine's spirits lifted, and a smile appeared on her face.

"Heh, I just went out to run some errands, and you've already polished the floor so brightly. What are you planning to do? Try to expose your panties in front of me?"

Mahiro pointed to the smooth, mirror-like floor tiles, which clearly reflected the pink of Mine's little bottom beneath her skirt.

Mine looked down and saw it too.