Red hair and big, green eyes. That young woman's rabid gaze reflected her surly character. A light leather armour wrapped her chest and shoulders, tight with straps.

What's that girl looking at? Anyway, I can't just accept Takamori's invitation and join the guild without knowing what I'm up against. It's time to raise the bar, Yochi thought, slightly embarrassed by the woman's insistent gaze. ​​

"I am delighted that you are asking me to join your guild, Takamori-Sama. Tell me, what would my obligations towards the Nightblades be?" Yoichi questioned, interested.

"Well, you'd do the same assignments as your comrades, of course!" the moustached man smirked. "Besides me, if you accepted, you would be our twelfth warrior. You know, we Nightblades don't like to consider ourselves a simple guild. We're a real family, Yoichi. We help each other."

"I see it. I got it since the moment I saw you all sitting at this table. Anyway, maybe I didn't explain myself well. I mean, what am I supposed to do when I agree to join the guild? It's the first time I'm receiving an offer like this, so I'd like to understand every detail specifically," Yoichi specified, maintaining a calm and relaxed tone.

"Since you're novice tamers, I'll give you a hard training to follow. Once you've completed the first stages, you'll start flanking your teammates in the field, and then... then you will be able to achieve missions on your own," Takamori explained.

"What kind of missions? Do you fight at the front too?"

After that question, the guild master's gaze suddenly saddened. "Let's say the Nightblades guild is going through a difficult period. My warriors deal with exploratory missions. Let me explain in detail", Takamori replied, coughing. "Current missions consist of journeys to the territories north and west of Tentochu. Our goal is to fortify our arsenal of demons and be able to flank the most powerful guilds to the front, against Kamakiri's army", he explained.

It was as I imagined. These guys are no match for the Emperor's Heralds and the other guilds fighting on Nomi Island. Nonetheless, joining the Nightblades could be an excellent place to start. Yoichi pondered, reflecting on the words of his interlocutor.

"I understand..." the young tamer confirmed. Before continuing to speak, he slipped his hand into his pouch. During that gesture, Sada Takamori's warriors watched him closely, staying alert.

Under the astonished eyes of Enatsu, who had not yet figured out what his friend had in mind, Yoichi pulled out the Princess's comb. Making room between the food in the centre of the table, he put it under Takamori's eyes.

Everyone present remained silent. The guild chief grabbed the small metal object and approached it to his eyes, looking closely. Yoichi's goal was to make his interlocutor understand that he should make the offer more appealing if he really wanted him to join his warriors.

When Takamori's gaze traced the lines of the imperial symbol carved into the metal, his eyes opened wide. The guild master slammed the comb on the table in a sudden gesture, covering it with his hand.

"How did you get this item, Yoichi?" he trembled, not believing his eyes. The interest of his subordinates, who had failed to see the imperial symbol, was at the highest level.

"I was told that I could join any guild by possessing that rare object," Yoichi affirmed. The young tamer did not answer Takamori's question on purpose. "If you really want me among your warriors, you must accept my conditions" he added, approaching his hand to that of the guild master and taking the Princess's comb.

"What conditions?" Takamori inquired, crossing his arms. Judging by his gaze, he seemed slightly fearful.

Yoichi's finger pointed towards Enatsu, who looked around naively. "He will enter the guild with me, and you will pay both of us as the strongest of your warriors," he dictated with conviction. Speaking as a veteran fighter, Yoichi made his interlocutor feel that he wasn't going to negotiate.

"Both of you?" Takamori gulped, drinking in one draught all the sake in his glass.

"You heard me."

"Master, who does he think he is, this toddler?" one of the warriors sitting at the table suddenly interrupted. His face was as pale as that of a dead man, and his long, black hair covered half of it.

"I got this, Toshi. Please be nice to Yoichi. He came here because I explicitly invited him," Takamori immediately replied, shutting down his subordinate.

The filthy and sickly appearance of that man instilled fear. After the reproach of his master, he did not say a word.

"So, Yoichi. Like I told you before, our guild hasn't had it easy lately. My highest paid warrior, he earns one gold coin every ten days", the guild leader explained, touching his moustache. "I offer you the same compensation once a week," he added with conviction, knowing that he had pushed to the limit of his possibilities.

The tamers sitting at the table mumbled something incomprehensible to each other. Their eyes turned on Yoichi and Enatsu. The merchant stood still staring at the table, not knowing what to say.

It looks like this man's going beyond his limit. He is willing to pay me as an experienced warrior, risking losing control over his team just to recruit me. I did not expect such a reaction. Thought the young tamer, surprised by that answer.

"A gold coin for me and one for my friend Enatsu. Two gold coins a week," Yoichi reported, asking the guild master to confirm what he had just said.

"Uff... yes. But your training will be fast and very intense. You're going to start tomorrow morning," Takamori confirmed. The guild chief reached out a hand to Yoichi, waiting for him to shake it and ratify the deal.

"No problem. Enatsu and I are quick learners," he commented, shifting his gaze to his friend. Enatsu did not believe his ears: from being a simple merchant, his life was really going to be turned upside down in just two days.