Chapter 87: Alliance and Betrayal (1)

The atmosphere in the commander’s office had turned heavy after the Eastern Commander welcomed the Lion Family Head with open arms. 

The Fourth Prince and the two tower masters were all frowning at their miscalculation. While the commanders of the North and Northeast sported stiff expressions after not being informed in advance about the Lion Family’s participation. The only person who was leisurely was the Lion Family Head. He even glanced at Iron with a smirk as if he was telling him that things were quite fun right now.

The Eastern Commander was already sweating bullets from the heavy atmosphere and pressure created by these frowning people but the Lion Family Head was just sitting there and enjoying the situation. 

And a few days later…

The Eastern Command was in a buzz after hearing that the Lion Family would be joining in their operations. Since the Lion Family was scheduled to participate in the fight to stop the dimensional crack that was set to open in the Ghost Island, the attention of everyone in the Empire was drawn to the East. 

By then, rumors had already started to circulate that the scale of the dimensional crack in the Ghost Island was huge and was the first of this size to be ever recorded in history. Evidence also came out at the same time to prove the rumors. They did not know where the evidence came from but it spread widely through the newspapers. 

Another rumor also started to spread. Rumors about the East having forces, like the witch and the dark elves back in the Northeast, behind the dimensional crack began to spread far and wide. The force assumed to be behind the opening of a dimensional crack was the mermaid race. They were a race that had been destroyed by the Empire a long time ago but it seemed like they had resurfaced to open the dimensional crack as a form of revenge. 

Because of this, the Empire’s entire attention was directed towards Eastern Command. Even numerous newspaper companies sent their ace reporters to follow the news. 

And today!

Plenty of reporters had gathered together under Richard Burton’s leadershipfor a press conference. 

“Are you certain that the mermaids are the culprits for the dimensional crack?”

“I’m about 70% sure on this matter.”

Richard Burton answered the reporter with a solemn look on his face. 

“Then, do you know how many mermaids have survived?”

“I’m not certain about their total number. But there’s one thing that we’re certain about. According to the expert from the Northeast, the dimensional crack here in the East is most likely going to develop at a fairly dangerous level.”

“Ah… By any chance, is the expert you're talking about Lieutenant Colonel Iron Carter?”

The reporter’s eyes glowed upon hearing Richard Burton. The information would be extremely reliable if it came from the Northeast’s Hero. Although he was mentioned all the time in the capital, it was hard for them to cover any news about him since he was never sent out of the Northeast and because of his status as a Ghost. Perhaps that was the reason why the reporter's eyes were glowing fiercely.

Everyone was looking at Richard Burton with anticipation. It seemed like they were looking at him as if he did a very great job here in the East.

“That’s right. The Eastern Ghost Island’s dimensional crack is currently known to be related to a divine beast. And I believe that Lieutenant Colonel Iron Carter is second to none in the Empire when talking about both of these topics.”

“Ho… I see.”

The reporters exclaimed loudly as they tried to ask more questions about Iron. But Richard immediately saw through them as he hurriedly continued his speech.

“The Eastern Command is currently receiving support from various places. We will also be receiving more support so we can overcome this crisis. And we will also give enough compensation as soon as the dimensional crack is sealed.”

When the reporters were provided with a huge article that was not yet leaked elsewhere, their eyes glowed brightly as they snatched the bait that the Eastern Commander had cast. 

“Ho… May I ask what kind of compensation is it?”

“Once we have confirmed that the culprits are the mermaid race, the Sea Orb will be one of the compensations.”

The reporters’ eyes started to twinkle at Richard Burton’s words. 

“If it’s the Sea Orb, then…” 

“It’s more than a mana core. It’s safe to describe it as a collection of mana. In addition, it contains the essence of the sea. It's a rare treasure in this continent.” 

“Ah! If that’s the case, then everyone can participate with their eyes lit with determination.” 

The reporter at the front pretended to know a lot as he talked. Richard Burton even smiled and added to the reporter’s words.

“The Orb is something like a necessity for the Magic Tools Workshops and the Wizard Towers but the other compensation for the other forces that came to support us are not bad at all.” 

“Why do you say that?” 

“Because I will rent the Ghost Island to them. I don’t care if they’ll use it as a forward base or build a factory on the island itself. But what’s important is that they will be able to rent it for a long time for a small amount of money that they would pay to the East.” 

“That’s amazing!” 

The reporters were buzzing upon hearing Richard Burton’s words. Then, Richard opened his mouth once again. It was as if he wanted them to focus on him. 

“In addition, we plan to build a dimensional crack research institute and consult with the Merchant Association about further privileges since it will provide us with a lot of benefits. And! We will also listen to their request for fleet support in the future. All of this is under my authority as the Eastern Commander.” 

The shine in the reporters’ eyes glowed even further after hearing the tremendous compensation from Richard Burton. 

“If you have to consult with the Merchant Association, then at what level…?” 

“Since the East had received a lot of help, we want to give them a 30% discount on all of the available items from the merchants. In addition, we also plan to lower the price of the weapons as much as possible after we consult with the Magic Tools Workshops and the Artisan Workshops.” 

“Then, are you targeting people from all over the Empire?” 

“Of course.” 

The purpose of this press conference organized by Richard Burton was not just to promote the dog fight between the two Command units, the two towers and the Lion Family. The Sea Orb? Renting the Ghost Island? Once they visit the Eastern Command, they would think about those things to some extent anyway. However, the discounts from the Merchant Association and the other guilds were completely different. His biggest purpose was to attract the attention of the other-worlders to the East. His second aim was the mercenaries. If the largest trading port in the Empire was able to attract numerous large workshops like the Magic Tools Workshops, the Artisan Union, the Alchemist Alliance and the Machinery Workshop then they would also be able to embrace these mercenaries and other-worlders.

And since the research on the void insects’ shells and skin had been conducted recently in the Northeast, they could expect a huge flow of money in their pockets by the time everything was over. 

This was the best outcome for everyone.

And Richard Burton’s intention had worked properly.

[ The Magic Tools Workshops had made up their minds. 

The Eastern Maricca Magic Tools Workshop had also made a big decision in this battlefield alliance. They will be selling all of their items at a 30% discount until the dimensional crack fiasco is over.

But, there are conditions!

If these two conditions are met, you can get weapons and armor that you can’t normally touch.

This is killing two birds with one stone! You can earn good money and good weapons!

You won’t be missing this opportunity, right?]

It was an article that could easily be misunderstood as something that was paid by the Magic Tools Workshops. However, this was not the only article that came out like this.

[The Machinery Workshop will offer a 40% discount to those who will participate in the dimensional crack defense battle!]

[The Eastern Wizard Tower’s big decision! Big discount on magic tools!] 

[The Merchant Association! From this moment on, there will be a 30% discount for everyone. So, come to the East!]

There were a lot of stimulating phrases that made it hard for the masses to determine if it was a legitimate article or a promotional advertisement. 

As a result, the entire Empire went crazy.

The pie in the Center had already been eaten up by most of the other-worlders, the senior knights and wizards to the point that they were already cramped and overflowing in manpower. However, there was a huge dimensional crack that was scheduled to open in the East. And there were even large discounts that could stimulate the appetites of the mercenaries and the other-worlders that were left behind. So, what would the result be? 

To be honest, if they did not even catch this bait then they should have to quit their mercenary careers. 

[Let’s go to the East!]

[Are there still some people who haven’t gone to the East yet?]

[Let’s show them the power of ants!!!]

[You’ll miss the last train if you miss this opportunity! Let’s take the final train together!]

Not only were the mercenaries forming alliances but even the other-worlders joined together and made teams. As a result, almost all of the people that had been cast aside from the Center and the rest of the Empire flocked to the East. 

And amidst such a buzz, a huge event suddenly happened.

“Breaking news! Breaking news! The Lion Family joined hands with the Eastern Wizard Tower!”

It was a development that none of them expected. They thought that they would ally themselves with either the Northern Command or the Northeastern Command but they unexpectedly joined hands with the Eastern Wizard Tower. 

Everyone thought that it was a lie at first. But just as if they were laughing at their naive thoughts, Lioner and the Eastern Wizard Tower Master joined hands. 

“I hope it’s a good deal for each of us.” 

“Of course.” 

Lioner and Tower Master Cornciel officially showed the reporters that they joined hands. 

In fact, the Lion Family had betrayed the North. However, there was no way that the Lion Family, who promoted individualism, would care about such things. When this situation happened, both the North and the Northeast were suddenly thrown in a hurry. They were keeping each other in check wondering who would approach the Lion Family first but in the end, this happened. Then, the South and the Center were also forced to feel the urgency of the situation. The thought that the Lion Family would approach someone else did not cross their minds at all.

In the end, it was the North that moved first. The North made an alliance with the West after the betrayal(?) of the Lion Family. They planned to wipe out the Ghost Island by joining forces with the West’s airship fleet and the Northern armored and artillery units. 

On the verge of being pushed back, the Northeast joined hands with the Central Wizard Tower, an existence that they hated so much.

From the Central Wizard Tower’s perspective, they could only join hands with the Imperial Family in such a situation. However, if they did so, most of the interest that they would gain would be forced to be handed over to the Imperial Family. If that happened, they wouldn’t receive any benefit at all. In such a situation, they immediately accepted the offer justifying their choice as the Northeast contacted them first. 

Seeing that the Northeast suddenly joined hands with the Central Wizard Tower, the Southern Wizard Tower felt the urgency once more. In the end, Tower Master Sierra headed to the Godly Sword Family. 

“Let’s join hands. I will give you 50% of the profits.” 

“There’s no need.” 

“We’re the ones who support you the most, and we even told you that we will give you 50% of it!” 

“We’re not really interested in those benefits.” 

Sierra couldn’t help but bite her lips as she stared at Sword Saint Terrion Sigurd. It seemed like the man only showed interest in the sword. 

“Are you really going to say those foolish words? Do you not know that the Lion Family is in the East?” 

“What difference does that make?” 

“The dimensional crack that was scheduled to open is considered as the largest to be recorded in history. What do you think will come out of there?” 

Terrion Sigurd flinched at Sierra’s words. 

Feeling that the line had been cast, Sierra immediately opened her mouth.

“There would definitely be a strong existence there. Although they may not be as strong as the witch, the force behind the crack would definitely still be almost on par with her.” 

“Hmmm…” 

When he went to the Northeast, the only thing that Sigurd dealt with was the mana core. Then, he came back. Fortunately, the Lion Family Head was also in the same situation. So, he did not say much. However, he still felt that it was a shame. This was because he really wanted to fight against the strongest witch in history. 

“Besides, it doesn’t matter if you can’t meet them.” 

“Uhm?” 

“The Sea Orb. Are you not curious… about the depth of its mana?” 

The Orb was extremely pure and powerful that no mana core could be compared to it at all. 

Hearing her words, curiosity was suddenly sparked in Terrion Sigurd’s eyes.

“Let’s check it together.”

Terrion pondered over Sierra’s words for a long time before nodding his head.

“Fine. Let’s go together.”

Sierra smiled broadly at Terrion’s answer as she wrote the contract. Then, she returned to the East. 

After a while, news about the Southern Wizard Tower and the Godly Sword Family joining hands spread. The East had suddenly become the hottest place in the entire Empire. 

It was a place where great and powerful alliances had gathered as well as a place that had huge risks lurking from behind the shadows. 

Despite having plenty of small cracks in the Center, the attention gradually drifted away from them. 

And in this situation, there were two people who were laughing the loudest.

“That was a good deal.”

“I think so too… I hope we will have plenty more opportunities like this in the future.”

Richard Burton and Iron Carter smiled at each other widely.