Imperial Capital Streets, Recruitment Office.
"Ah... you also volunteered to enlist? Then fill out this form."
"This... Do I have to start as a private?"
"Of course."
"I don't have that kind of free time. Let me show you my skills. If you're satisfied, give me an officer position, like a captain."
"Get out!!!"
"What's the big deal? What's wrong with taking a look?!"
"What kind of joke is this? Things are so bad now, the volunteers are already countless! Besides, how powerful can you be with your small build? Can you compare to those guard young ladies from the General's Mansion? Because of those devil-like angelic masters, soldiers are almost losing their livelihoods now!!!"
The small head of the recruitment office yelled randomly at Tatsumi, who had been thrown out. Only then did he finally feel somewhat relieved, and then he slammed the door shut without looking back.
Speaking of which, the small head of the office also felt very frustrated. In the past, the Empire would recruit many soldiers every year for wars and such, but ever since those two devil generals and their group of female demons appeared, the value of soldiers had greatly decreased.
Any random guard girl could easily abuse thousands of Imperial soldiers, leaving them completely helpless. Now, these so-called soldiers don't even have the qualifications to go to the battlefield! They only maintain public order, at most suppressing a few small bandits, but they are often no match and get counter-suppressed. They are the most unpromising and useless people in the entire Empire now!
"What guard young ladies and angelic masters, I completely don't understand! I want to be a soldier! I want to be an officer!! I want to make a lot of money!!!"
Tatsumi, who stood up, roared at the sky, but there was no backdrop of stormy waves or thunder from the nine heavens. There was only the disdainful gazes and pointing fingers of the surrounding passersby, as if they were looking at an idiot.
"Seriously, everyone in the village clearly said I was excellent and would definitely make a name for myself in the Imperial Capital. That uncle didn't even give me a chance to show what I can do."
"I can't find Sayo and Ieyasu either. What should I do now..."
His first job application in life ended in failure, Tatsumi said with a little disappointment. He couldn't find his companions, and he didn't have a job either. Although it was quite prosperous, the Imperial Capital didn't seem as good as he had imagined.
"Yo, kid, you seem quite troubled!"
Just when Tatsumi was feeling down in life, a voice suddenly came from behind him. Following the voice, he turned his head and looked at the tall figure before him. Tatsumi's expression instantly froze!
Hehehe... As expected of the Imperial Capital, the girls are so open-minded! Those terrifying oppai were bigger than the dairy cows in the village and completely left Sayo's two small steamed buns far behind by eighteen streets!!!
Uh, but what's with those cat-like ears and the tail constantly swinging back and forth?!!!
"Mon... Mon... Monster!!!"
With a cry of surprise, Tatsumi turned around and ran without thinking.
Before, I always heard the elders in the village say that there were so-called youkai in this world, who looked beautiful and cute, but specialized in devouring people. As expected of the Imperial Capital, even legendary youkai exist. Truly an eye-opener!
"You brat, who are you calling a youkai!!!"
Following a sharp shout, Tatsumi, who had already fled several meters away, was horrified to discover that the youkai had somehow gotten in front of him!
And, the next moment, overwhelming fists followed!
"Ah..."
Continuous miserable cries, completely unable to dodge. Tatsumi thought to himself, the old elders really didn't lie to me, this youkai is so powerful!
Watching the young man being brutally beaten on the street corner, the crowd scattered like startled beasts...
On the streets of the Imperial Capital, a certain inconspicuous small pub.
"Hahahaha... Sorry, sorry, young man, are you okay?"
Leone, holding a wine cup and guzzling, said oblivious to Tatsumi sitting opposite her.
"No... I'm fine!"
Already beaten into submission, bruised and swollen, touching the blue bumps all over his body, Tatsumi replied with immense resentment.
"Um, are you really not a youkai?"
Unable to suppress the curiosity in his heart, looking at the oblivious, guzzling Leone, Tatsumi asked weakly.
"Youkai? Who said THIS LADY is a youkai?! Human, THIS LADY is a real human!!!"
Her sore spot being hit, Leone instantly became angry, stood up, and stomped one foot fiercely onto the table, almost shattering it. She looked like she would fly into a rage at anyone who dared call her a youkai.
Looking at the customers around them who were lowering their heads but constantly glancing towards them, then looking at this fierce-looking youkai woman in front of him, Tatsumi pursed his lips, but was unconvinced in his heart.
"Hey, young man, you're from the countryside, right? You want to find romance in the Imperial Capital, don't you?"
"Hehehe, what's your name? Maybe big sister can help you!"
Her large eyes rolling, Leone didn't want to dwell on this issue anymore, and asked Tatsumi with a sly expression.
Ever since that hateful guy tricked me into becoming a pet, I've almost forgotten my old trade. Hehehe, looking at this foolish kid, maybe I can make a sale today! Leone thought wickedly in her heart.
"How did you know that? Is this also a you... Haha, Tatsumi, my name is Tatsumi."
He originally wanted to ask if this was also a youkai's ability, but seeing the other party's unfriendly expression, Tatsumi quickly stopped himself, replying with an honest look.
"Ta... Huh? You say your name is Tatsumi? Tatsumi!!!!!"
Hearing this name, Leone instantly bristled, grabbed Tatsumi by the collar, and roared with immense surprise.
Her pair of golden eyes widened greatly, like an enraged lion. That pair of ample bosom jiggled with her breathing, truly making one worry if they would suddenly explode.
"Um... um... is there a problem?"
Having personally experienced how powerful this youkai woman was, seeing the suddenly enraged Leone, Tatsumi felt a wave of confusion in his heart, not daring to move, and asked with an uneasy expression.
"Hehehe... No problem! No problem!! No problem!!!"
With a ferocious smile, Leone repeated 'no problem' three times. That terrifying appearance scared Tatsumi into a cold sweat. By any standard, there was a problem, and a huge one at that!
"Tatsumi, right? Remember, older sister's name is Sora. Grievances have their source, debts have their owner; make sure you don't get the name wrong!"
While letting go of the tense Tatsumi, Leone said with a wicked smile, one hand still patting Tatsumi's thin shoulder. It made a resounding 'thud, thud, thud,' almost shaking Tatsumi apart.
"Ah, run! Hurry and run!"
"Didn't hear anything, we didn't hear anything!"
"Wuwuwu, Mama, I'll never again..."
...
As Leone's words fell, the entire pub fell silent for a few seconds, then there was a commotion, and in the blink of an eye, other than Leone and the stunned Tatsumi, there was no one else left in the pub!
The name 'Sora' has now become a byword for 'demon' among the people of the Empire. Tsk tsk, see? That's the power!
"Tatsumi, you really want to make a name for yourself in the Imperial Capital, right? Hehehe, let older sister here help you!"
With eyes like a wolf seeing a little lamb, Leone smiled with a wicked expression...