"Are you sure that you should have paid so much for these? One silver magic crystal a piece seems like too steep a price." Evelyn said, scowling at the identification card she was holding.
Lucia had just bought forged Identification for their entire group. However, these were not normal identification cards that anyone could pick up, but ones denoting them as first-class citizens of the Usturg Federation.
"Yes, it was worth it. A silver magic crystal was a bit more than I expected to spend on each one, but it was within the possible upper ranges from what my preliminary investigations uncovered. While these may be fakes, it will be pretty much impossible for anyone to find out without a very detailed investigation. The man we bought them from used to work directly for the Usturg Federation after all.
He used the same process this nation uses to make their legitimate identification cards for the ones we now have." Lucia said, explaining just how impressive their forged identification cards were.
With them, they would immediately have a high status within human society just about anywhere. The Usturg Federation was not one of humanity's four major powers, but it sat just under them. Plus, its status as a neutral nation meant it had decent relations with just about every other human nation on the continent. The Tyrannis Union included.
"But won't it be suspicious for citizens of such high status to be offering their services as mercenaries?" Rehni asked.
"Any where else in the world it would be, but not here. In this nation, it is common for children of upper-class families that aren't likely to succeed their houses to become mercenaries. From the research I've done it is a good way to build up both wealth and connections. In fact, we've all sort of met a very prominent individual that was once a mercenary from the Usturg Federation.
The Verdant Warlord originally built up his power here before going on to conquer basically the entire continent."
Evelyn was shocked to hear this information. She still did not know a great deal about the man that had built the domain they used to rapidly grow stronger.
Nevertheless, if he had once taken over this content, she could not help but wonder why it was now split up into so many different nations.
"I certainly never expected them to have that sort of use." Evelyn commented in amazement.
"That's the power of status. Even the dumbest of criminals know that most first class citizens have strong guards or are powerful themselves. In their eyes, messing with us is a certain death sentence." Lucia said cheerfully.
After walking down a few more streets, and scaring a few more ruffians half to death, they arrived at their destination.
The Mercenary Association building stood just outside the inner wall that separated the inner city where the second- and first-class citizens lived from the outer city.
It was a large and well-maintained building that clearly stood out.
Several individuals were constantly going in and out of the building. Some looked almost indistinguishable from the thugs hanging around the city, but others were in distinctly opulent clothing or were wearing expensive and powerful magical armor.
"As you can see, we will fit in well enough. We're just another group of rich kids trying to make a name for ourselves." Lucia said, pointing out the mercenaries that were undoubtedly members of the upper crust.
Having seen proof that Lucia's plan was likely to work, Evelyn and her companions walked into the Mercenary Association Building without any hesitation.
Once inside they all quickly looked around and Evelyn spotted a set of reception counters like those at a bank.
Lucia spotted them just a moment later and beckoned for them to follow. It was time for them to register as mercenaries and move on to the next step in their plan to infiltrate the Tyrannis Union.