Ch.303[Episode 303] First Clan War

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica joining the Tanker Union became an established fact through newspaper articles.

People of Gacha Land had three main reactions to this surprising news, the first being acceptance.

“Sir Dominic is a tanker. It’s natural for him to join the Tanker Union.”

“He might have delayed because he was comparing with other clans.”

“The Tanker Union must have been persistently appealing to Sir Dominic.”

These were the people who simply accepted Sir Dominic joining the Tanker Union.

The second group wasn’t much different from the first.

The second reaction went beyond acceptance to approval.

“Sir Dominic joined the Tanker Union? Then we should move toward forming an alliance with the Tanker Union.”

“Is there any need to be on bad terms with Sir Dominic? Just not fighting with tankers is beneficial enough.”

“If we maintain friendly relations, they might even help us on humanitarian grounds.”

Those who thought this way were either clans with people close to Sir Dominic or smaller clans.

Those who didn’t want to be on bad terms with Sir Dominic and the tankers.

Or those who didn’t want to make more enemies.

Such groups wanted to be friendly with not just Sir Dominic but the entire Tanker Union.

The third and final reaction was denial.

“Sir Dominic joined the Tanker Union? Why?”

“Sir Dominic should have come to our clan! He was supposed to be ours!”

“If someone else has it, take it away, and if you can’t take it, destroy it!”

These were people who couldn’t stand seeing others succeed but were full of greed themselves.

And naturally, this group was typically the one that caused problems.

Of course, this time was no exception.

…

“They say a gentleman doesn’t rush, but after all that delay, we’ve lost Sir Dominic.”

A person wearing a crown glared at his subordinates with displeasure.

“Why is everyone silent? You had so much to say about saving face, but now you have nothing to say?”

When the crowned figure overturned a small stool in front of him, the people below flinched.

“Must this great Qingyuan Clan suffer such humiliation?”

These people were the Qingyuan Clan, one of the two major Eastern-style powers.

With a unified concept of martial arts and Chinese style, they were peculiarly proud people.

As evident from the current situation, they valued principles and propriety, and prioritized style and procedure over efficiency.

“With all due respect—”

“Why are you doing something that requires respect!”

The crowned figure erupted in anger.

However, the young Taoist who had spoken continued as if he would speak his mind even with a knife at his throat.

“Sir Dominic went to the Tanker Union because he had made a promise to them.”

“…So what?”

The crowned figure’s anger subsided slightly.

Impressed by the young Taoist’s courage, he decided to at least hear him out.

The young Taoist, relieved that the crowned figure had calmed somewhat, continued.

“He values martial virtue and keeps his promises, making him a talent suitable for our Qingyuan’s principles.”

“That’s not why I’m upset.”

“Of course. However, if our previous justification was forced, why don’t you see that Sir Dominic’s demonstration of keeping his word gives us a real justification?”

“…Continue.”

Good. The young Taoist secretly rejoiced.

The crowned figure had completely calmed down and was showing interest.

“Until now, we’ve claimed Sir Dominic should join our Qingyuan because he values martial virtue and honor, but others criticized this as a forced argument. Now that Sir Dominic has truly demonstrated his commitment to martial virtue and honor, who could say he doesn’t fit our concept if he were to join Qingyuan?”

“Oh.”

The crowned figure was completely captivated by the young Taoist’s words.

“But Sir Dominic has already joined another clan, hasn’t he?”

A malevolent nine-tailed fox on the opposite side of the young Taoist spoke.

“How do you propose to bring someone who has already joined another clan?”

“W-well…”

The young Taoist stammered at the fox’s words.

Being young and inexperienced, he hadn’t thought that far.

But suddenly catching a fleeting thought in his mind, the Taoist blurted it out without further consideration.

“W-we can have a clan war!”

“A clan war?”

The crowned figure raised his eyebrows in surprise at the young Taoist’s suggestion.

Then, sinking back into his throne, he repeated the phrase.

“A clan war.”

“Y-yes. If we absorb them through a clan war, who could criticize our Qingyuan?”

Excited that his improvisation was working, the young Taoist began saying whatever came to mind.

“The justification?”

“Pardon?”

“What’s our justification, I’m asking.”

The crowned figure liked the young Taoist’s idea but knew that having a proper justification would be advantageous in this fight.

So he asked what justification they would need to declare war.

“…”

The young Taoist fell silent and hung his head, seemingly at a loss for words.

His limited experience had been exposed.

But when one person paves part of the road, another often continues it.

“What if we take a straightforward approach?”

“Straightforward?”

An old monk beside the young Taoist spoke while turning his prayer beads.

“We could say our Qingyuan lacks tankers, so we’re absorbing the Tanker Union to supplement our needed personnel.”

“…Isn’t that too blunt?”

“No. People respond better to simple justifications than contrived ones.”

The old monk’s argument had some merit.

People in Gacha Land prefer simplicity over complexity.

Therefore, his claim that a simple justification would be more effective than a complex one gradually received positive responses.

“I also think that justification is good.”

“How about this? We could say we’re merging with the Tanker Union to be among the eight clans remaining in the beta test—”

The young Taoist’s suggestion began to take shape and grow into something plausible.

The proposal to “attack the Tanker Union” had evolved to a level that sounded quite convincing to anyone, and even the crowned figure was tempted.

In fact, the crowned figure was completely captivated by this proposal.

To completely swallow the Tanker Union.

If that were possible, the Qingyuan Clan could grow to twice, no, three or four times its current size.

Then even the Eastern Alliance, ignorant of the situation, would bow their heads and come under the great name of Qingyuan.

“Very well. Then time is of the essence.”

“I should go as the envoy. It would be even better if I could charm Sir Dominic along the way.”

The crowned figure watched his subordinates still earnestly debating.

And without their knowledge, he covered his mouth with his sleeve and snickered.

With this, he could flatten his cousin’s nose.

Thinking that.

Somehow, his appearance resembled someone from Mountain Bridge Marsh.

…

“Sir Dominic. On the day you joined the Tanker Union, every clan member whispered your name.”

“You’ve been itching to say that, haven’t you? Wish granted.”

On the day Sir Dominic joined the Tanker Union, the clan members surrounded him, unable to hide their joy.

Their happiness was understandable.

Until now, the situation had been kept quiet, but in fact, no tanker had reached 5-star tier or above.

Considering that each field had at least one, and up to five, 5-star dealers, this was unusually strange, but looking deeper, the situation made sense.

Tankers were critically few in number.

Dealers, who made up the majority of Gacha Land, had many examples and naturally many reached 5-star tier, but tankers were so few that those who reached 4-star tier could be counted on one hand, let alone 5-star.

It wasn’t for nothing that the Tanker Union worked to protect tankers’ rights.

In this situation, the existence of Sir Dominic, who was about to reach 4-star tier and might even aim for 5-star or beyond, was a blessing in itself.

And now Sir Dominic had joined the Tanker Union?

Naturally, the clan members couldn’t help but cheer.

“This is embarrassing.”

“I know. I didn’t expect such a warm welcome.”

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica looked at each other with sheepish expressions.

They both had party hats placed on their heads.

“Party! Party!”

“Quickly call everyone who’s off duty!”

The Tanker Union office was about to descend into complete chaos.

Until someone entered.

With a bang, the door of the Tanker Union office was smashed.

Mist crept in through the gap, and then someone appeared.

It was a woman with fox ears and nine tails, wrapped in splendid silk, but despite her elegant appearance, she had the eyes of a ferocious predator.

“Is this the Tanker Union office?”

“…Yes, it is?”

Pandemonium, who had been blowing up a balloon, answered the intruder.

The balloon he was holding had deflated and returned to its original state.

“That’s a relief. I almost lost my way.”

The woman with fox ears and nine tails covered her mouth and laughed gracefully, then immediately got to the point.

“I almost started a war without a declaration.”

“…Declaration?”

Pandemonium asked the nine-tailed woman.

“Yes.”

The nine-tailed woman slowly nodded.

“When?”

Pandemonium asked incredulously.

“Now.”

The nine-tailed woman answered.

With a bang, the building shook.

Sir Dominic looked out the window at the sudden vibration.

There, people in Eastern-style clothing were knocking on the windows with glowing swords.