Chapter 98: An Unexpected Solution

"Oh, shit!"

Lucian sat upright in his chair, finally realizing the mistake he had made.

Across from him, Evelyn stared at his expression for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha! Lucian, are you serious? You have thousands of Shadow Soldiers, and you can even use them to handle all kinds of tasks, but you forgot something as basic as identification documents?"

Lucian’s face darkened slightly.

"Can you stop laughing?"

"How can I stop laughing?" Evelyn asked, still smiling. "You came up with a whole plan to register your mercenary squad without leaving your room, but you didn’t even think about whether your Shadow Soldier had the documents required for registration!"

Lucian rubbed his forehead.

He had to admit that she had a point.

When he came up with the idea, he had only considered the advantages of sending a Shadow Soldier. He could avoid exposing himself, save time, and get the registration done without attracting unnecessary attention.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten that the Mercenary Guild was an official organization. It wasn’t a place where anyone could simply walk in and register without following the rules.

"I was thinking about the practical aspects of the plan," Lucian explained. "I just didn’t consider this particular problem."

Evelyn crossed her arms.

"Being powerful and thinking everything through are two different things, you know."

Lucian looked at her.

"All right, Miss Evelyn. Since you’re so smart, do you have a solution?"

Evelyn raised her chin proudly.

"Of course I do."

Lucian’s eyes lit up slightly.

"Really?"

"No."

Lucian’s happy expression instantly fell.

Evelyn couldn’t help laughing again when she saw his face.

"All right, all right. Don’t look at me like that. I was just joking."

She walked over and sat beside him.

"Actually, we shouldn’t assume that your plan is impossible just because your Shadow Soldier doesn’t have identification documents. We need to check the Mercenary Guild’s registration requirements first."

Lucian considered her suggestion.

That made sense.

They had been discussing the problem without even knowing the exact requirements. Perhaps the guild had an alternative process for representatives, or there might be some other way to complete the registration.

There was no point in worrying about a problem before understanding it properly.

"How do you suggest we check the requirements?" Lucian asked.

Evelyn took out her communication device.

"The internet, obviously."

She gave him a strange look.

"Don’t tell me you were planning to solve everything by asking people directly."

Lucian shrugged.

"I wasn’t planning to do that."

"Good. Then let’s see what the official Mercenary Guild website says."

Evelyn opened the website and began searching for the registration section. After a few moments, she found the relevant page and started reading.

Lucian leaned closer to look at the screen.

The registration requirements were clearly listed.

First, the applicant had to provide valid citizenship identification to establish their identity and prove that they were a citizen of the Earth Federation.

Second, a blood sample was required for verification. The guild would use the blood sample to confirm the applicant’s identity and maintain an official record.

Finally, the applicant had to release a wisp of Martial Aura during the registration process.

Lucian read the requirements twice.

His expression gradually became strange.

"Citizenship identification, a blood sample, and a wisp of Martial Aura?"

"That’s right," Evelyn replied. "Those are the requirements listed on the website."

Lucian leaned back in his chair.

The situation was worse than he had expected.

He had thought that the guild might simply ask for identification documents. But the blood verification and Martial Aura requirements introduced two additional complications.

His Shadow Soldier could imitate his movements and follow his instructions, but that didn’t automatically mean it possessed the necessary documents or could satisfy every official verification procedure.

He looked at Evelyn.

"Does the website mention any alternative process?"

Evelyn carefully checked the page again.

After reading through the relevant section, she shook her head.

"Not in the general registration requirements. It says applicants must complete these verification steps. There might be special arrangements, but the website doesn’t mention any."

Lucian frowned.

"So sending a Shadow Soldier there directly won’t work."

"Not unless you find a way to meet those requirements."

He fell silent for a moment.

His original plan had seemed perfectly reasonable. Now, after checking the official information, he had discovered three separate obstacles.

The first was citizenship identification.

The second was blood verification.

The third was the requirement to release a wisp of Martial Aura.

He can only solve the Martial Aura procedure.

Even if he managed to solve one problem, the other two would remain.

Lucian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What if I sent a Shadow Soldier to ask the guild staff if they have an alternative process?"

"That would help, at least to know that there is one," said Evelyn. "But if it follows the listed procedures on the website, your Shadow Soldier won’t be able to register."

Lucian nodded.

He had already known that much.

But he did not want to give up the idea of using a Shadow Soldier.

That was actually the main purpose of the idea; to set up Shadow Genesis without getting himself noticed by the guild.

If he went to the Mercenary Guild himself, it was bound to start some questions rolling around.

Now, considering his unique attributes, Lucian preferred not to answer any questions for now.

But he did need another idea.

Lucian was mulling over his thoughts when Evelyn piped up.

"Actually, why not ask for someone’s help?"

Lucian turned to her.

"Who?"

Evelyn gave him a look that suggested that she thought the answer was quite apparent.

"My father, obviously."

Lucian blinked.

"Uncle Magnus?"

"Who else?" said Evelyn, rolling her eyes.

"Father is the City Lord of Silverwood City, so he should have more ideas on how city matters are handled, shouldn’t he? Besides, even if he doesn’t know the requirements for registering a mercenary unit, he might know someone who does."

Lucian mulled over the suggestion in his mind.

Yes, Magnus was actually the most appropriate person to go to for help with something like this.

After all, he was the City Lord, so he wielded great power and influence that most people could only dream of.

Therefore, it was highly possible that he knew if there were special considerations that the Mercenary Guild gave to certain cases.

But Lucian hesitated.

"Wouldn’t it trouble Uncle Magnus to help me out with such a simple task?"

Evelyn gave him a strange look.

"Trouble?"

"Yes," said Lucian. "Registering a mercenary unit is my own project, so it should be handled by me alone, don’t you think?"

Evelyn shook her head.

"Lucian, asking for advice is not like asking someone to do the task for you."

She drew a little closer to him.

"Besides, he’s my father. If I asked him, he would certainly listen to me."

Lucian opened his mouth to object but could not find the right words to say in his defense right away.