Esdeath's Persistence

That's to be expected.

"If you were willing to work hard and follow me into battle for a few years, you could definitely become an outstanding general. Why give up such a promising future and waste your talent by staying in a place like the garrison?"

"Everyone has their own ambitions, General Esdeath."

Faced with Esdeath's questioning, Mahiro smiled and offered an excuse, "It's true that my goal is to climb the ranks, but advancement in the military is too slow. Besides, General Esdeath, your aura is too dazzling; any talent would likely be overshadowed by your brilliance."

Dr. Fashion agrees with this point.

She already knew that Mahiro had spent 100,000 gold coins Mahiro secure the position of vice minister.

With Yotsuba Mahiro's immense wealth and abilities that are in no way inferior to her own, it's only a matter of time before she climbs to the position of department head.

But whether he would stay by Esdeath's side is truly an unknown.

That powerful aura overshadowed Mahiro's development, which was very detrimental to his progress!

"You mean, it's because I'm hindering your progress?"

That's about it.

"You bastard, what a joke!"

Esdeath was angry, or rather, this was the first time she had ever felt such anger.

It felt as if my most beloved toy had been taken away from me!

The snow-white over-the-knee boots stomped down hard, instantly shattering the paving stones beneath their feet.

Those icy blue eyes were fixed on Yotsuba Mahiro, and he said, word by word:

"Listen to me carefully, I will absolutely not allow you to leave my side, understand?!"

After saying that, Esdeath turned to leave, but paused briefly at the door, and then added:

"Yotsuba Mahiro, don't think this will end easily!"

Watching her leave, Dr. Fashion breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "Oh dear, it seems you're in for Mahiro time, Zhenxun. You've actually caught the eye of our Empire's most sadistic Esdeath."

"Really? I think it's quite good."

Mahiro smiled slightly, "Then I'll go report for duty now~"

"Hey, don't forget what you promised me, about helping me research the potion!"

Before leaving, Dr. Fashion made sure to give some advice.

Chapter 123 Esdeath's Unwavering Perseverance (5.1K)

I received the letter of appointment from the Minister of the Guard.

But he will take office tomorrow.

So, Mahiro went home first to check on his little maid.

Upon entering the courtyard, they discovered it had been completely renovated.

The mansion was now filled with many people, all busily working in an orderly fashion.

"Remember, the windowsill must be wiped clean with a clean cloth every day. I will check it periodically. Although the owner is not here now, I don't want to see even a speck of dust, understand?!"

"Yes, Mine!"

The Mine, dressed in a black and white maid outfit, is directing them.

With her hands on her hips, she looked like a little adult, her pink ponytails swaying and swinging with a certain air of authority.

"Wow, not bad. I didn't expect you to be so impressive after just three days."

Who is it?

Mine suddenly frowned her cute little brows, as if she wanted to say, "Can't you see I'm busy?! No slacking off allowed!"

Suddenly realizing it was a male voice, and speaking in such a refined, literary style, Mine immediately turned around and threw herself into Mahiro's arms.

"Master, you're back! It's so wonderful! Mine missed you so much these past few days!"

Like a swallow returning to its nest, Mine gave him a passionate hug on the spot, gently nuzzling against his firm chest, expressing her longing for him in recent days.

Her rosy cheeks looked especially tempting; I really wanted to devour them.

The busy maids nearby were all dumbfounded.

I never imagined that the seemingly small but fierce Mine could have such a charming and adorable side. I really want to hold her in my arms and cherish her...

However, what surprised them even more was that their master, the male owner of this mansion, Yotsuba Mahiro, looked so young and handsome.

Completely different from the fat, pig-like nobles I had imagined, she seemed to possess an innate elegance.

"What are you looking at! No slacking off, get to work!"

Mine noticed that everyone around her seemed to be looking at her, so she turned her head, bared her little fangs, and said fiercely.

The maids immediately realized what was happening and replied in unison, "Yes, Mine!"

"Oh my gosh..."

This scene Mahiro.

"I didn't expect Mine to be a foreman now. Tell me how you did it, getting these people to obey you so well."

He was very curious.

But Mine buried her head shyly in his chest and said in a muffled voice, "Actually, it's nothing... It's just that a slave trader happened to pass by a couple of days ago, and I paid to buy them to serve as my subordinates."

Master, you won't blame Mine for acting on her own, will you?

Mine timidly raised her head, her previous imposing demeanor completely gone, replaced by a soft and gentle voice.

"Of course not. I handed over all responsibilities to you before I left. You can build this mansion entirely according to your preferences."

Moreover, besides Mine, there are only a dozen or so maids in the mansion at most, which is far from enough.

After all, this mansion is indeed enormous.

We'll need to recruit some guards and such afterwards.

"Thank you, Master!" Mine smiled happily, her eyes narrowing into slits.

"And then what?"

"Then... actually, I wasn't very good at managing it at first, but one day I secretly went out for a walk and met a kind person who taught me a method: to act more stern and ensure that orders were obeyed, so..."

I'm sorry, Master, I didn't listen to you and secretly ran away..."

This girl...

Mahiro smiled helplessly and reached out to touch her hair.

"Mine, you really are an idiot... The reason I don't let you go out isn't because I'm afraid you'll encounter danger, you know?"

Mine nodded slightly, though she kept her head down, as if failing to obey her master was a serious matter to her.

"But speaking of which, Mine, who was the kind person you met...?"

Someone capable of teaching Mine how to manage subordinates—that doesn't seem like an ordinary person, does it?

However, when this was mentioned, Mine immediately perked up.

"Actually... I met that person by chance at the market in the Imperial Capital. She was a blonde older sister! Although her clothes seemed a bit out of place in the Imperial Capital out to be a surprisingly nice person!"

For some reason, listening to Mine's description gave me a strange sense of déjà vu.

On the market street, she looked out of place, and she was a blonde older sister...

Leone?

However, it seems like several years have passed since Night Raid was founded. How could Leone, a street Leone, possibly meet Mine by chance?

Is this fate, or something else?

Even so, he didn't dwell on it too much.

After all, he would meet all of these people who Night Raid one day, so there was no need to feel sentimental about it.

Nighttime, inside the tavern.

"Hey, have you heard? Our newly appointed deputy minister is actually a little brat!"

A burly, drunk man, holding a wooden bucket cup, was drinking and acting out.

Those around them couldn't help but keep their distance, especially the women, who quickly hid, afraid of being seen by this person.

It was simply because this person was wearing the uniform of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps, and it was even the captain's uniform.

"Heh, I bet it's some young master from some wealthy family who parachuted in, right? Sigh, it was supposed to be our turn for this selection, but it looks like we'll have to wait a few more years..."

"No, no, I heard that this kid bribed the minister with a lot of money to buy this position."

"Oh? Really?! In that case... Ogre, aren't you going to say something?"

The captains' gazes all fell on the man in the corner of the tavern.

The man was burly and strong, with a long sword at his waist; his muscles were clearly the result of countless battles.

He had an ugly, cross-shaped scar over his left eye and exuded a fierce aura.

His appearance, like his nickname "Ogre the Demon," is not flattering. However, despite his unattractive appearance, Ogre is very strong and can be considered one of the top teams among their captains.

"Hmph... What are you saying? We'll teach that brat a lesson tomorrow and show him that the Imperial Capital Guard Corps isn't a place just anyone can get into!"

As he spoke, Okar's ferocious face forced out a somewhat cruel smile.

The cruel aura he exuded excited the other captains, who all toasted Ogre, saying that everything depended on him tomorrow.

Nothing more was said that night.

The following day, Yotsuba Mahiro successfully took office as the deputy commander of the Imperial Capital Guard Corps.

But problems will follow.

Besides having to handle various case files, the team leaders seemed quite dissatisfied with him sitting in the position of deputy minister.

Especially that scarred guy, who went straight up to provoke them.

"Hey kid, you're the new deputy minister? Did you bring your diapers? This is the Imperial Capital Guard Corps, in charge of the security of the Imperial Capital. This isn't your place to act like a brat who hasn't been weaned yet. Go home and nurse!"

Ogre, standing at two meters tall, looked down at him condescendingly, even speaking rudely to the head of the security force.

The others immediately burst into laughter.

The minister didn't say a word, but simply narrowed his eyes, clearly watching the show.

"Testing my waters? Interesting."

Yotsuba Mahiro has already figured it out.

The minister's meaning was simple: if he couldn't even control these captains, then he wasn't qualified to be the deputy minister of the security force.

Whether I'm qualified or not, you'll soon find out.

Yotsuba Mahiro smiled kindly and walked slowly forward.

His voice was so soft that these people simply ignored it.

"Oh? Looks like you've got some skills, kid. You want to fight me? Well, I'll break one of your legs as a lesson."

Ogre grinned, his smile cruel.

But the next second...

Snap--

The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the room.

Suddenly, a large smear hit Ogre in the face, sending him flying. He spun 1080 degrees in mid-air before crashing heavily to the ground.

Ogre felt a sharp pain in his face and his head was spinning, but then a sharp pain shot through his leg.

Yotsuba Mahiro on his knee, and a cracking sound of bones was heard, followed by Ogre's painful scream.