Ch.306[Chapter 306] Eastern Union

The day after the attack disguised as a declaration of war by the Chingyuan Clan, the Tanker Union was able to find several clans hostile to the Chingyuan Clan.

Senator Muscleman proposed that they unite to defeat the Chingyuan Clan on the condition that he would dispatch tankers to them, and they accepted his proposal.

After several exchanges, the alliance centered around the Tanker Union had agreed to strike the Chingyuan Clan this evening.

This information had been disseminated within the Tanker Guild, but the exact time had not been revealed even to clan members.

This was to prevent information leaks.

Of course, since it was impossible to maintain tension all day long, they had at least mentioned the general timeframe of evening.

In this situation, Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica received a proposal from Muscleman.

“So, you’re asking us to go on a dispatch?”

“We don’t mind, but why us specifically?”

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica asked Muscleman why he chose them in particular.

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica had only been in the Tanker Union for a day and were still learning about the clan, and Muscleman had previously stated that he wouldn’t send them on dispatches if possible.

Since he had said this on the day of the attack, Muscleman had essentially flipped his opinion in just one day.

However, Senator Muscleman had anticipated that Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica would question this.

Senator Muscleman, slightly pleased that his prediction was correct, told them:

“There are two reasons for this. One is related to the Eastern Alliance, and one is related to you two.”

“The Eastern Alliance, huh.”

“Related to us?”

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica each focused on different parts.

Senator Muscleman thought about where to start and decided to speak about the Eastern Alliance first.

“Sir Dominic, you know about the Unryu family, don’t you? I understand you attended the amusement park completion ceremony.”

Sir Dominic’s face momentarily stiffened at Muscleman’s words.

He was reminded of the question Unryu Musashi had asked him.

But Sir Dominic soon shook his head to clear his thoughts.

This must be a different matter.

“That’s right.”

Sir Dominic unnecessarily voiced his answer.

Muscleman nodded at Sir Dominic’s response and continued.

“As we discovered last night, the Eastern Alliance is hostile to the Chingyuan Clan. No, beyond hostile—they’re already at war.”

“And at the center of that Eastern Alliance is… the Unryu family.”

“!”

Sir Dominic showed a surprised expression at Muscleman’s words, but after thinking briefly, he nodded in understanding.

Unless they were Sir Dominic, the people of the Unryu family would also be members of a clan.

The reason for Sir Dominic’s surprise was that the Unryu family wasn’t just a clan, but part of something even larger.

“We originally didn’t plan to dispatch Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica, but the Eastern Alliance, or more specifically, the Unryu family, has requested you two.”

“And you agreed to that?”

“If I had, I wouldn’t be asking you like this.”

I would be ordering you to go, Senator Muscleman said with a good-natured smile.

“We told them we’d think about it, and the Unryu family said they hoped for a good result. Of course, since we’re facing a common enemy in Chingyuan, they said it would be fine if we didn’t grant their request, but…”

Muscleman let his words trail off.

Up to this point, he could rely on Sir Dominic’s goodwill, but beyond this was the realm of scheming and politics.

“Anyway, that’s why I’m asking Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica.”

“Then what’s the second reason?”

Sir Dominic, satisfied with the first reason, immediately asked about the second.

“You mentioned it was related to us.”

Sir Dominica added to Sir Dominic’s question.

“Well, this is more of a proposal for personal advancement. Actually, the beta test will be starting soon, won’t it?”

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica nodded.

This much they already knew.

“Because of that, the Executive branch announced they’ll be conducting a Tier Evaluation tomorrow. It will likely be the last evaluation during the alpha test period.”

“I see.”

Sir Dominic stroked his chin thoughtfully at Senator Muscleman’s words.

Based on his achievements so far, Sir Dominic should basically qualify for 4-tier, but he was still at 3-tier.

It was a bit precarious, but without any variables in the evaluation, Sir Dominic could become 4-tier.

“Currently, Sir Dominic is walking a tightrope regarding the evaluation criteria. To ensure you become 4-tier, you need to solidify your position. That’s what this dispatch is for.”

Muscleman’s words sounded quite plausible to Sir Dominic.

“The same goes for Sir Dominica. No, Sir Dominica has slightly fewer achievements than Sir Dominic, so as things stand, you would narrowly fail. This dispatch is essential for your promotion.”

“Hmm…”

Sir Dominica nodded at Senator Muscleman’s words.

I can’t stay at 3-tier forever.

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica thought this almost simultaneously.

“Then it seems accepting the dispatch would be best.”

Sir Dominica suggested to Sir Dominic.

“It benefits everyone, so there’s no downside.”

Sir Dominic nodded at Sir Dominica’s words.

“In that case, we’ll go with accepting it.”

This time, Sir Dominica nodded.

Sir Dominic looked at Senator Muscleman and stated the conclusion he and Sir Dominica had reached.

“As you’ve heard, we accept the dispatch.”

“You’ve made a wise decision.”

Senator Muscleman was visibly pleased with Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica’s decision.

“I’ll mark the location of the Eastern Alliance’s military camp for you. The Eastern Alliance is currently deployed at the front lines due to the ongoing war.”

Senator Muscleman handed a map to Sir Dominic.

The received map was quickly digitized and absorbed into the map app.

A number 1 appeared on the map app.

It meant a new map had been updated.

“The Eastern Alliance will be moving toward the Chingyuan Clan’s clan house. Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica will take on the role of vanguard commanders, opening the path at the forefront.”

The Eastern Alliance has many capable dealers, but also many glass cannons, Senator Muscleman said jokingly.

“Then, I’ll see you at the operation time.”

Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica nodded at Muscleman’s words and left his room.

And so, Sir Dominic and Sir Dominica set off toward the Eastern Alliance.

Following the map app.

…

Eastern Alliance Forward Base.

One of the Eastern Alliance’s armored cavalrymen approached the campfire with an armful of blankets.

“Hey, friends! I’ve got blankets here. Cover yourselves up.”

“Th-thank you.”

“Tsk tsk. You look like newbies. How did you end up caught in the middle of a clan war…”

The archer cavalryman couldn’t hide his sympathy as he looked at the two who resembled drowned rats.

They had been found in the middle of the battlefield between Chingyuan and the Eastern Alliance, and they were so shocked that they kept making the sign of the cross in the air until they were escorted to the forward base.

“Here, we have plenty of food, so eat up. When you’re shocked, eating well helps stabilize your mind.”

The cavalryman handed them several bags of snacks and a few triangle kimbap.

The two looked at the food given by the cavalryman, then bowed their heads in gratitude.

“Thank you. We won’t forget this kindness.”

“Thank you very much…”

“It’s nothing, really not worth such thanks.”

The cavalryman scratched his cheek awkwardly, feeling the gratitude was excessive.

“Rest well now. After you’ve rested, follow the carriage heading to the rear. I have to go on guard duty now.”

With that, the cavalryman made a gesture suggesting they rest well and left.

Now only two people remained near the campfire, wrapped in blankets and sitting in silence.

As everyone has probably guessed, these two were Arkus and Ogreson.

They were silently staring at the blazing campfire.

An uncomfortable silence continued.

“…Everyone seems to enjoy war, perhaps because this is the Hall of Warriors.”

Ogreson broke the uncomfortable silence.

He was thinking about the battle that had just occurred, which was more intense, miserable, and cruel than any battle Ogreson had ever experienced.

Ogreson shuddered again as he recalled the battle.

“If I die, I won’t go to the Hall of Warriors.”

“Then where do you think you’ll go?”

Arkus opened the conversation toward Ogreson.

“Probably the Cowards’ Sanatorium.”

Ogreson made a small joke, and Arkus burst into a disbelieving laugh upon hearing it.

“…By the way, it seems we’ll leave without seeing Sir Dominic after all.”

Ogreson looked at the time that continued to decrease at the edge of his vision.

“…Don’t you think?”

“Who knows.”

Arkus sighed at Ogreson’s words.

“We have a little over a day left, so maybe, if we’re lucky, we might still see him.”

Arkus said this as if trying to convince himself.

The number visible in Arkus’s view now indicated only 1 day and a few hours remaining.