The journey continued.
Because the convoy was moving day and night without rest, the support unit split its forces into two shifts: day and night. During the day, the night shift would sleep, and vice versa, all to ensure they were always prepared for any monster attacks.
"Carl Marcus, you're on night duty."
"Got it."
I was assigned to the night shift. It was a natural choice—more skilled soldiers were typically placed on night duty due to the increased danger.
'Traveling by vehicle really is convenient.'
Back when I used to go on recon missions, we moved on foot, which meant we had to take proper rest stops. But with this large-scale support convoy led by the Young Lady, there was no such need. If rest was needed, one could just relax inside the moving truck.
'At this pace, we'll arrive earlier than expected.'
Still, one concern lingered—whether the Young Lady would actually allow this journey to proceed smoothly. That is, the Commander of the Shadow Order was an extraordinary ether-compatible individual. If she wanted, she could easily lure nearby monsters or beasts and completely sabotage this mission.
'What is she really after…'
Part of me wanted to just confront her directly, but that would end with me getting filled with holes by over a hundred soldiers here. No matter how strong I was, I couldn't take on every soldier here alone—nor did I intend to.
["What are you thinking so hard about?"]
'What do you think?'
["What's with that voice full of complaints? Got a problem with me?"]
'Not exactly, but not it either.'
Honestly, if Esther hadn't said something unnecessary, the Commander wouldn't have made such a move.
'…Though, it's not really something I can blame Esther for, either.'
What could I say? In situations like these, you just want someone to blame.
["No need to worry too much."]
'Do you even know what you're saying?'
["I do. More or less."]
'Based on what?'
["She seemed to be in a good mood."]
'…'
An absurd reason. Yet somehow, that made it more convincing.
A good mood, huh…
The Shadow Order' Commander may seem impulsive and emotional on the surface, but everything she did had a purpose. If she was in a good mood, it had to mean something.
'Maybe…'
But my thoughts were cut short by the sudden commotion outside.
Boom!
Thud!
Distant vibrations. Something was coming.
"Enemy attack. Everyone prepare."
With the quiet warning from the operations officer, the night shift soldiers began moving in sync, aiming their guns outside. This wasn't the first attack during our journey, so their reaction was smooth and composed.
Ammunition had already been resupplied. At the signal, they were ready to turn any approaching monsters into Swiss cheese.
[KIEEEEK!]
[KAAAK! KAAAK!]
This time, it looked like the attackers were monsters of Grade-7 or lower. No need to even wake up the day shift—the night crew could handle this easily.
'Let's give it a go.'
I, too, aimed my rifle outside and pulled the trigger without hesitation. No need for precise aiming. The swarm of monsters would run into the bullets themselves.
Click—
BANG!
The Ark-34 Automatic Conversion Rifle switched into automaric mode, then immediately began spitting sparks—less fire, more like electric flashes.
'Hmm… even without railgun mode, the internal magnetic propulsion is enhancing the bullets.'
In short, it was firing faster and harder than standard Ark-34 rifles. That much was proven as the bullets easily tore through the monsters.
Even though I wasn't using the high-powered A-985 explosive rounds, just standard ammunition, the upgraded Ark-34's firepower was exceptional—thanks to Maybell Pilgrim's work and the Thunderstruck Branch used as material.
SHRAAAAGH──!
ZING! SHRAK!
The monsters charging toward the trucks fell like autumn leaves. Even if there had been higher-ranked ones, it would've been doubtful they could endure this firepower.
"…What is that? "
"Holy crap…"
The sheer force of the blast turned every soldier's attention toward me—even those in the heat of battle. That's how overwhelming the firepower was from the Ark-34.
"Isn't that the guy…"
"Yeah, pretty sure it is. "
"Carl Marcus. "
"Impressive…"
I hadn't intended to stand out, but this mission was too important to hold back. Besides, displaying such skill increased my fame stat, which triggered boosts from the [Path of a Hero] trait. It wasn't a bad deal.
["Wow~ Popular, aren't we?"]
'…Shut it.'
["Why? Isn't popularity a good thing?"]
'I said shut it.'
Esther's teasing was expected. I'd braced for it.
[KRAAAK!]
[KIEEEEK!]
Regardless, I kept firing relentlessly at the charging horde.
Click—
BANG! BANG-BANG!
And just like that, the battle ended in a flash.
This was Ark's elite support unit, after all. For mere Grade-7 or lower monsters, this fight was over before it began.
"Is it over?"
"Seems like it."
"Hmm, that was dull."
"At this rate, this mission's going to be a breeze."
After the incredibly uneventful skirmish, the soldiers in the truck let their guard down and relaxed. It was understandable—the fight had been overwhelmingly easy from their perspective.
'Though who knows how long that'll last...'
Right now, the support unit's condition was solid. Supplies were plentiful, morale was high from annihilating waves of beasts without a scratch, and spirits were soaring.
But if the beast attacks kept up and supplies began to dwindle, the situation would change. Since they had to deliver materials to Chronos, the time would come when conserving ammunition became necessary—and when that happened, the battles would naturally grow more difficult.
'If that happens, they won't be so relaxed anymore.'
In that obvious progression, there was still one unpredictable factor: the Young Lady—the leader of the Shadow Order and the current head of this Kronos support unit. A mysterious figure whose true intentions were still hidden.
'Tch.'
Her goal had always been the same: to claim Ark.
She had the background and the power to make that happen. So, the question was, what action would she take now to achieve that goal?
That's what I needed to figure out.
'Hmm...'
While I was deep in thought, the truck I was riding in and the command truck—the one the Young Lady was in—pulled up side by side. At the same speed, a bridge was placed between the two.
Clang, clank—
It looked like something out of a spaceship docking or midair refueling scene.
Since time was short, they couldn't stop, so they were exchanging supplies and moving personnel between trucks while still in motion.
'But… it's not time to resupply yet, is it?'
That thought barely formed when a familiar face came crossing over the bridge from the other truck.
If I remembered right… it was Captain Cliff?
He came to a stop directly in front of me.
"Carl Marcus."
"What's the matter?"
"The Young Lady wishes to see you."
"…Me?"
"Yes."
An unexpected summons.
But strangely, I felt like it might be for the best. Rather than sitting here fretting the whole trip, I figured it might be better to just confront whatever this was head-on.
"Let's go."
"This way, please."
I followed the officer and crossed over the bridge to the other truck.
They'd slowed down significantly, so it wasn't dangerously shaky or anything, but crossing a moving bridge between two speeding trucks wasn't exactly easy, either.
"You've got good balance. Most people wobble a few times."
It sounded like a compliment, but didn't quite feel like one. Still, I didn't bother responding.
"This way."
He led me into a private compartment inside the truck.
A privilege afforded to someone leading a large support unit like this.
"You may enter."
At his word, I opened the door slowly.
"You're here."
Inside, the Young Lady looked at me and smiled.
And she wasn't just talking to me.
["…Commander."]
"Come in too, Esther."
"So, why did you call me?"
"Oh, nothing serious. I just thought we should have tea. Funny how we've known each other so long, yet never sat down for a cup."
The Young Lady smiled and held up two drip pots, one with coffee and the other with tea.
"Tea? Coffee?"
"I'll take coffee."
"How unexpected. I thought for sure you'd be a tea guy."
She smiled and poured the coffee into my cup.
"Sugar?"
"None."
"Hmm, that part was predictable."
As I brought the coffee to my lips, her eyes arched in mild surprise.
"I didn't think you'd actually drink it… Do you trust me more than I thought?"
"Doesn't seem like you're the type to go to the trouble of poisoning someone after inviting them for tea."
A lie.
It was just that I knew this aristocratic woman wouldn't stoop to something so crude and messy as poisoning.
"Hm… is that so? Well, I'll let you fool me once."
"So, what's the real reason you called me here?"
"My, aren't we in a rush?"
She calmly set her teacup down.
"Carl Marcus, I have a proposal for you."
"A proposal?"
"Oh, don't worry. We've had a change of policy—regarding you, and Esther too."
["…A change in policy? What kind?"]
"So impatient. Just listen."
She went on.
"I hear you've been working as a mercenary in Ark? This mission too—you're here as a mercenary."
"And what does that have to do with this conversation?"
"Oh, quite a lot actually. We're considering hiring you in that same capacity— as a mercenary. What do you think? Not a bad offer, right?"
Her smile deepened,
["…WHAT?!"]
Esther's voice rang out, completely shocked.