Looming War

 "Are you sure this is true?" the Baron asked in a serious tone.

 "Yes my Lord," the elder of Miri Family exclaimed. "My men had already looked at thendocument, and we do think the Uru Family had been in cahoots with the Esel Barony for quite sometime, the only thing left is the confirmation of whether or not there will be an attack or not,"

 The Baron had a troubled looked on his face, after all, a neighboring Barony suddenly wanted to attack them. Granted, they are not friends, with the kingdom they were under hating the guts of the Esel Barony,s kingdom, but never thought they would dare start a war.

 "Send message to the rest of the higher-ups. We will discuss what will be done in a War Meeting," the Baron decided. Elder Miri merely nodded his head before taking, his leave, as the Baron pondered over the decision of their neighbors.

 "What are you planning?"

-x-

 Consequently, Ryker find himself being called into the War Meeting as well, to his confusion.

 "Why am I here again?" he asked, which is a valid question, one that the other higher-ups of the Barony also did not know off.

 "It's because of one your women, Mashia isn't it? As a Genesis Source expert, her strength would be vital in the coming conflict. As for reason we call you instead of her, it's because she is harder to work with," the other higher-ups and Ryker could not believe how shameless the leader of the Barony sounded.

 The man merely gave a nod to the rest of the higher-ups before sitting down. Once he saw they all seated, the man began the meeting.

 "We are here to discuss of a potential attack, possibly War, with the Esel Barony," shocked gasp filled the room, while Ryker has a serious look on his face.

 He had taken to learn the custom not to mention geographical position of the Barony considering his prolong stay in it. So, he also learned of the neighbors of the Barony, one of them being Esel Barony.

 While the two nations did not have any dealings with one another due to the kingdoms they under in a state of Cold War, it looks like the Esel Barony plan to change the status quo.

 "We manage to uncover this due to searching the Uru's mansion, with the document and letter pertaining of a possible invasion located in one of their smaller safe," the Baron told before looking at Elder Miri.

 "Yes, after we destroy and captured the members of Uru Family, a group of my men where at the mansion to uncover if they made any dealings with other people. They soon found this in the mansion," throwing a piece of paper, along with what Ryker recognized as a Communication Token, the other soon check them both, with a grim face often following the inspection. 

 "This is bad. We have kept thing in a calm position due to both side unable to gain any advantage in previous battle and skirmishes. For them to attempt an invasion, they must have some trick up their sleeve," Elder Hal exclaimed, getting worried glances from the higher-ups. 

 "What should we do my Lord?" the General asked the Baron. The man in question looked at all the higher-ups before saying, 

 "They don't know we have a Genesis Spring expert, not to mention most of our elites had gain a lot in the Secret Realm, allowing more of our men to advance into the next major realm, so we should have an advantage in both secrecy as well as the fact we knew they planned an invasion. 

 So, we can react faster. First, we should..." as the meeting went into the military side of the tangent, Ryker find himself barely listening.

While one of his lovers live inside the Barony, while one potential one is a part of a Great Family with significant amount of power inside the Barony, he himself did not have any personal attachment to the nation.

Still, he was still aware when his name was called by the leader of said nation.

"Yes, My Lord?" he reply to the man.

"Do you agree with your assignment?" Ryker immediately froze though he hide it well. He quickly went through his memory during his absentmindedness and quickly knew what the Baron was talking about.

"Yes, I will lead a special force to deal a deadly blow to the enemy forces," he exclaimed, pretending he heard the entire thing.

"Excellent, that will be all. But remember, we cannot let them knew of the Secret Realm, or the consequences will be dire," the rest of the higher-ups and Ryker nodded, knowing his meaning.

"Dismiss,"

-x-

"So, a war is coming," Mashia said, looking at Ryker who currently reclining on the chair, mentally exhausted.

"Yes, and I agreed to join in," he replied to the dragon girl.

"Are there any benefits?" She asked.

"Well, yes. The Baron agreed to give us more resources, not to mention we also given some amount of power inside the Barony as honorary military officer," he answered with a smile.

"That is a good deal, if our enemies is not as strong as we thought," she pointed, earning a sigh from Ryker.

It is one of the reason why he was wary of involving himself in a war, even if the side he supported has his lover on it. Though, he will do his best now that he make his promise.

"The attack could come any day now. Mashia, will you-"

"Of course I will join the war if you did!" the dragon girl exclaimed loudly, earning startled gasp from the other women.

"I knew I could count on you," he gave the blue-haired woman a kiss, making her blush profusely.

Ryker chuckled at her red face before walking towards the other women, who quickly declared they will join in as well. While Ryker is not too happy with them joining in, but he did not oppose their decision. After all, aside from their lives as couple, they can make their own decision.

-x-

 "General, are our armies ready?"

 "Yes, my lord. Ready and awaiting your command,"

 "Excellent. And our allies?"

 "They agreed to this, but for a lot of resources," 

 "Good enough. After all, we are not short of resources at the moment. Get ready, we attack in 2 days time,"

"Yes, my lord!"