Aquila has agreed to register with the Soldier’s Guild after being persuaded by Hilde.
Hilde mentioned that she intended to recruit everyone capable of fighting in the slums, and they would also register to guard this mansion simultaneously.
Furthermore, Aquila will be registered as a Soldier’s Master.
Considering his status as a former general of Solemne, this is an exceptionally favorable arrangement. However, I had already been considering appointing a Soldier’s Master from Solemne as soon as possible, so the earlier, the better for us.
The soldiers of the Solemne Army who will register later might not find this amusing, but that’s beyond my concern.
After all, the reason for the outcast selection that Aquila told me was that they could use Innate Magic.
“Still, I never imagined that people treated as outcasts could wield Innate Magic,” Hilde commented.
“Indeed. Moreover, they confiscated their homes and property based on that reason and drove them out of the city. It truly makes you wonder what they were thinking,” I replied.
“Innate Magic is a gift from the gods. From Emperor Oscraide’s perspective, who harbored unreasonable ambitions of becoming a god himself, it was something he could never accept,” Hilde mused.
Indeed, Emperor Oscraide had spouted nonsense about becoming the new god of the Helios Orb.
Yet, he himself used magic tools that utilized Innate Magic, granted by those very gods. It was contradictory, a double standard, or perhaps just utterly selfish.
Furthermore, he scorned wielders of Innate Magic as outcasts. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it was an act deserving of divine retribution.
Perhaps losing the war and having his head displayed could be considered divine retribution.
“In that case, it means that most of the common folk cannot use Innate Magic, correct?” Hilde asked.
“They cannot. I suspect that even if they registered with the Guild, they might not be able to use Guild Magic either,” I said.
I had anticipated this, and it had been a topic of discussion, but hearing it from someone living in Solemne makes it feel harsh.
Moreover, with outcasts having a high possibility of being able to use it, a different kind of disparity seems likely to arise.
“We will not create any disparities in treatment based on the presence or absence of Innate Magic. I believe Aquila understands this, but could you please inform your subordinates as well?” Hilde requested.
“Naturally. Although we have been scorned as outcasts, Emperor’s House has fallen, and Amister and Torencia now govern. Before long, our positions will be reversed. However, if we get carried away and look down on the people, we will become the same kind of lowlifes as the Imperial Family that abandoned us. I will ensure my subordinates understand this thoroughly,” Aquila stated firmly.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” Hilde replied.
Still, some will likely get carried away, so I need to keep an eye on that.
“Now then, Aquila, I will assign you your first mission.”
“I am ready to receive it.”
“Please convey my words to your subordinates, those capable of fighting in the slums, and have them register with one of the Guilds. Under Amister’s laws, even members of the Royal Family are obliged to register with a Guild. As we are under Amister’s rule, registration is mandatory for everyone, whether they are outcasts or not.”
“Understood.”
“The temporary Guild branch is scheduled to open in three days. For security reasons, its location will be the Emperor’s Castle. Will the distance be an issue?”
“The Emperor’s Castle? The distance is considerable, it’s true, but that’s not the problem. Rather, having to walk through Deseo City is the issue,” Aquila replied.
So that’s the problem.
Well, from the perspective of the people of Deseo, the slum dwellers were deemed unnecessary by the Emperor and nobles, treated as outcasts, and an evil law allowing anyone to do as they pleased with them was in effect. It’s natural for them to want to avoid walking on the streets if possible.
“I see. However, regarding that point, we have informed the dispatched Sabers and Orders that such actions are illegal, and we are apprehending those who still resort to them. Furthermore, once you register with the Soldier’s Guild, you will become part of the enforcers.”
“I am aware of that. Therefore, I would prefer that only those who understand this point be allowed to register with the Soldier’s Guild,” Aquila stated.
I see. If an unusually resentful person were to register with the Soldier’s Guild, they might retaliate, not knowing what they might do.
Naturally, that would also be illegal, leading to their expulsion from the Soldier’s Guild and consignment to criminal slavery. That would be nothing but problematic. Therefore, it’s best to provide clear prior notice and then register only those who show understanding with the Soldier’s Guild, while others can be directed to different Guilds.
“I will leave that selection to you. However, once registered, we cannot overlook any wrongdoing.”
“Naturally.”
I appreciate their quick understanding. However, this is achievable because it’s Aquila; it’s a different matter how other Solemne soldiers will feel.
No, there’s also the possibility that they won’t be able to use Guild Magic even after registering, so it’s a common problem for all Solemne people.
It’s not that registering with a Guild is meaningless if you can’t use Guild Magic, but it significantly diminishes the purpose of registering. This is especially true for the Healer’s Guild.
“Regarding that, it will likely be decided during the meeting with His Majesty Reinhardt. However, registration with the Guild is also necessary for the registry of the populace. Therefore, even if Guild Magic cannot be used, registration will be mandatory,” Hilde explained.
“So that’s what it was for. In that case, I will be sure to explain it with that in mind.”
I didn’t know that either. However, in Amister, everyone except children is registered with a Guild, and the branch they registered with is recorded. So, with a little investigation, it can indeed be managed as a household registry. While Hunters and Traders often operate in other countries, making them difficult to track, Crafters and Butlers, who tend to settle in one city, are easier to manage. There was even talk of moving A-Rank Healers, who can use Extra Healing, if needed.
“Furthermore, once you register with the Soldier’s Guild, you will also be expected to work as a Soldier. However, the temporary branch for Soldiers is currently located at the Emperor’s Castle, so you will need to come in every few days, though not necessarily every day. Is that acceptable?”
“It is acceptable. However, I had intended to come to the castle every day. Is every few days sufficient?”
“For that matter, it would be best to have Lord Delfina explain.”
Saying so, Hilde shifted the conversation to Delfina.
“Yes. As there is no branch facility, the Soldier Master currently possesses the authority of a unit commander. And a unit commander refers to someone who commands approximately a few dozen Soldiers. I do not know how many will register as Soldiers from this slum, but at most around ten, correct?” Delfina stated.
“If everyone registers, it would exceed fifty, but in reality, it will likely be around that number,” Aquila responded.
“Soldiers will be ordered to maintain public order in Deseo, including the slums. However, there are four Soldier Masters, so Deseo will be divided into East, West, North, and South, and the Soldiers will be allocated accordingly. Approximately fifty each.”
“I see, indeed. So you are a unit commander, and above you is Lord Delfina, the Grand Soldier Master.”
“There is also an Associate Soldier Master, who is not present here today.”
Originally, a Soldier Master would serve as a branch manager, but there is no capacity to dispatch them to other cities. Therefore, all Soldiers are currently in Deseo. Once Aquila registers as a Soldier Master and undertakes the duty of maintaining public order in Deseo, and his subordinates and the Solemne Army register as Soldiers, they will be able to be dispatched to neighboring towns. So, Aquila will continue to maintain public order in the slums for the time being, and learn his duties as a Soldier Master when he visits the castle.
“I see, so that’s why every few days is sufficient. Still, are you certain it’s acceptable to register me as a Soldier Master?”
“It is acceptable. If you were to plot a rebellion, it would mean I had poor judgment. Though the possibility is less than one in ten thousand, in such a case, I will be responsible for quelling it,” Delfina declared.
Aquila broke out in a cold sweat at Delfina’s words. If an Ancient Ogre himself declares he will suppress any rebellion, anyone, even without such intentions, would be terrified.
“I have no intention of such foolish actions. However, I will make sure to convey this thoroughly to my subordinates.”
“Yes, please do.”
“Well, we’ve overstayed our welcome. I shall take my leave for today. Your registration, along with that of your subordinates, will be carried out simultaneously. It will be an inconvenience, but please let us know a day that is convenient for you to visit the castle, or we can come to you. Is that acceptable?”
“Understood. I will explain everything to everyone as soon as possible and arrange for our visit for registration.”
“We await your visit.”
Was that all for the discussion? We left the mansion, seen off by Aquila.
“He was exactly as you described,” Hilde remarked.
“Yes. Perhaps because he was scorned as an outcast, he has no loyalty to the Imperial Family or the Empire. However, he is admired by the outcasts, and Aquila mentioned that he felt his heart had been healed. He is not the type to shoulder everything, but there must have been many situations where he had no choice but to do so,” I replied.
Aquila was made an outcast after Oscraide ascended to the throne and declared war on Torencia. Despite the national crisis caused by the Labyrinth influx, Anomaly Species, and Catastrophe Species, which were resolved by Kazushi and Eliel, when he remonstrated with the Emperor who, upon the death of those two, inexplicably declared war, he was dismissed from the army, stripped of his property, and driven out as an outcast along with his loyal subordinates. Therefore, Aquila had abandoned any loyalty to the Imperial Family.
Afterward, he wandered Solemne for several years. Since Oscraide’s enthronement, public order in every city had deteriorated, and arrogant nobles and soldiers increased, proportionally increasing the number of outcasts. Furthermore, slum residents began to be treated as outcasts, and when the Emperor officially declared them outside the law, it even led to outcasts rebelling. However, for the Solemne Army, a rebellion by outcasts with no weapons, let alone food, was not a significant issue. They were then massacred, referred to as playthings regardless of gender.
Aquila returned to Deseo immediately after that. In the same country, one side laughed as they raped and killed, while the other was raped and killed with vacant expressions. Witnessing this, Aquila, alone, confronted the Solemne Army and succeeded in separating the slums from Deseo. Afterward, Aquila moved into a mansion in the slums, used his owned magic tools to improve the sanitary environment, ordered his subordinates to purchase additional items if they were insufficient, and he himself did not leave Deseo. It was unavoidable, as he didn’t know what the Emperor might do if he moved. However, from the Emperor’s perspective, it must have seemed like a mere outcast dared to resist. Thus, he gathered the Deseo garrison, then elites from all over the country, and attacked the slums to capture Aquila. However, Aquila repelled them all, and eventually infiltrated the Emperor’s Castle, reaching the Emperor’s private chambers. Since then, the slums were no longer attacked.
However, including the years he wandered, he had been fighting against the country of Solemne for nearly thirty years, and his spirit had gradually become exhausted. It was the slum dwellers he had helped, especially the children, who saved him. Although the children were not present today because we were visiting, he usually spends his days teaching the children studies and combat, and he seems to be beloved by them. When David first met Aquila, he recalled with a wry smile how the children had surrounded him, crying, begging him not to leave.
“That nearly broke me. If the ones surrounding us were thugs, I wouldn’t hesitate, but to be confronted by crying children… I didn’t know what to do,” David had said. I would probably also fumble and be unable to do anything but panic if I encountered such a situation.
