A Story of Evil

Chapter 106: Dinner

The Domain Expansion Squadron. 

This is a special division led by Solomon Pendragon. A team which has the sole purpose of expanding the land beyond the ten domains. Meaning, it is a group that needs to face all the dangers of the unknown. Fighting monsters day in and day out while also ensuring that, nothing toxic would be left within the area.

Comprised of ten soldiers from every domain, the team is a merry mix of all kinds of people. With a lot of the soldiers actually being exceptional individuals. Those who joined the Culling, in particular, stands out from the rest of the group. Being the only members who were actually exposed to life or death situations.

This includes the past champions. First is Solomon, the commander and leader of the group. Then there's Alice, a co-champion in charge of the quick assault team. Third is Hendrickson who leads the Vanguard group. Then there's Jade who's in charge of the heavy battles. Missions requiring at least fifty soldiers to accomplish could be done by Jade all on his own. Making one of the most valuable asset in the team.

Everyone in the team did their fair share of work. With things being balanced out by Solomon. And, after the end of each day, the group comes back together to the location designated by Sol. Something which occurred at that exact moment.

"Man, let me tell you, the monsters just keep getting stronger and stronger." Hendrickson commented. Rotating his arm a couple of times to diffuse some of the tension on his muscles. Beside him was Jade who had his hands on his pockets. His main uniform used like a blanket over his back rather than being worn properly.

"Maybe you're just getting weaker Hendrickson." The flame user commented, irritating the steel user who received his undivided attention.

"Huh? Wanna have a go matchstick?" Hendrickson suggested.

"Honestly, is fighting all that you can think of?" Jade mentioned.

"What else is there except fighting, booze and women? I'm just living my life to the fullest!" Hendrickson said in reply. Already nineteen at that time. The oldest member of Sol's squadron.

The two weren't the only ones lively at that time. Everyone in the team were having a good time. Relaxing, laughing, and talking with each other. It was as if they weren't really even in a war zone. 

However, both Hendrickson and Jade knew that this wouldn't normally be possible. And that, all of this was thanks to none other than Solomon and his perfect battle plans. A person who waved his hand on the two as they proceeded to entering the encampment.

"You're gonna be late for dinner! Hurry up you two!" The commander said, standing on a makeshift crate platform so that everyone could see him.

"Let's settle this some other time." Hendrickson suggested.

"Agreed." Was Jade's short response.

Sol's team didn't have any permanent location. They moved from one place to the other, using only camping materials as their primary tools while, their food were provisions brought in every week.

It was like Culling all over again. Except, there wasn't any pressure on needing to win and, there was no need to take someone's life. It was just a group of pre-adolescent teens. Exploring the world beyond them and, growing exponentially with each obstacle they overcame.

"Hey what did you think of those goblins?" One lively soldier asked.

"I mean, yeah they are a pretty nasty bunch of creatures." His teammate replied.

"Yeah, if it wasn't for commander calling the shots we would've surely died." A third soldier commented. With Hendrickson hearing the whole conversation and deciding to sit in with the trio.

"Hah! That isn't true! As long as you have me you won't be place d in jeopardy!" The proud steel domain citizen bragged.

"Yeah right, you were the first one we needed to save when the goblins cornered you Rick." One of the three soldiers mentioned. Getting the other two to laugh as Hendrickson defended himself.

"That was also part of my ingenious plan! Those goblins didn't know what hit them!"

As always, Hendrickson was the life of the group. Entertaining everyone with both his vibrance and his bravado. Even Sol and Alice were a bit entertained as they overheard everything. With Alice taking a glance at the vanguard leader before giving her comment.

"Honestly, that guy is as loud as ever." She said to her sole companion for that dinner.

"Tell me about it. If it isn't for his Iron Body skill, he would've died months ago. Plus he would've been the only casualty of this mission." Sol said in reply, eating his barbecue under the campfire.

It was just another peaceful evening. A moment to rest after a day's worth of work. And, another part of this routine were the soldiers eating together with the commander. Something which happened at that moment as a shadow loomed from behind them. One which was bigger than any normal person, making both Sol and Alice sigh; knowing who it was that came.

"Mind if I sit here commander?" Hendrickson suggested, being a plate filled with nothing but large slices of steak.

"Sure Rick go ahead." Sol said in reply as, the offer was immediately taken by the steel user.

"So, we're almost done with mission huh." He began; fitting a whole slice of steak in his mouth as soon as he finished speaking. Surprising both Sol and Alice who almost gagged just by seeing it.

"Yeah pretty much. We only have five more areas to clear and then we'd be heading back to our respective domains." As Sol said this, he expected a lively reply to be given by their company. Yet instead, Hendrickson stared at the fire and spoke in a low and distant voice.

"Yeah, back to our domains."

"Dude you're creeping us out here. What's up with you?" Alice remarked, taking Hendrickson out of his seeming hypnosis. Making the big and beefy man laugh from the top of his lungs.

It was the same vibrant laughter he always displayed. Something which boosted the morale of those around him. Making them feel safe, even in the midst of a dangerous battle.

"It's nothing, I just thought of how better things are outside the domains. How free it feels and, how much I could be myself."

"Meaning what exactly?" Alice asked.

"For starters, I can go all out." Hendrickson took another steak and gave it the same treatment as the same one. Receiving two chews before being gulped down.

"There won't be anyone telling me that I can't use my powers. In fact, it's the opposite out here. Power is all that matters and, there aren't anyone telling me what to do." Hendrickson explained; with Sol giving the fire in front of them the same stare which the steel user did before giving a reply.

"Well that's good and all but, you won't have any stable food source outside the domain wouldn't you?" Solomon replied, giving a faint smile to their vanguard leader.

"I guess you're right about that." Hendrickson said, giving out another heartfelt burst of laughter. Yet in Solomon's mind, one question remained. Something he decided to ask as soon as the laughter died out.

"Since you already brought up something like that, let me ask you something."

"What is it my lord?"

"Do you plan on escaping your domain?" Sol's tone was dead serious. Immediately changing the mood and making Hendrickson's smile disappear momentarily.

"Absolutely not. I may appear as an idiot but, I know when I need to put the breaks. And this is one of those times. I just wish that, you know, I could stay on these kinds of missions longer."

This was actually a sentiment shared by a lot of the soldiers. Although they needed to fight day in and day out, one fact remained. That living outside the domains felt unrestricted. Like they were lifted of chains they didn't even know they had.

"Don't worry. I'm sure things won't simply end here." Sol assured Rick.

"Yeah, knowing king Jubilee, we won't be stopping unless we repopulate the whole of Ether once again."

"I guess you're right about that. Anyway, I just want to say that, I've enjoyed the time I spent in this unit. I know that I've been a bit difficult to deal with and that, I'm not actually the most responsible. But you guys still treated me fairly."

"Hey there's no need to go that low Rick. You're a very capable and reliable teammate." Alice commented, making Rick grin at her.

"Thanks." Hendrickson said, finally standing up to take his leave. 

"Oh and one more thing." Hendrickson said, stopping just as he turned.

"Before we finish, can I have a match with both of you?"

"Heh~ you think you're up for it?" Alice taunted.

"We'll never know unless we actually fight. So what do you say my lord." Rick asked Sol directly. Extending his hand which the commander gladly shook.

"You got yourself a deal." Sol said in reply. With resolve visible on both his and Hendrickson's eyes.

Just like that, the night passed for the group. Everyone slept soundly after having their fill for the evening. There was never any shortage for food and, it is exactly because of this that they could sleep so well.

The only exception to this are the guards who stayed awake at that time. Taking watch until it was time to switch. 

In all this stillness, there were only two people who continued moving. Alice and Sol wore their new camouflage cloaks. Items they bought along just in case. Through this they were able to sneak past the guards. Moving as subtly as they could until they were out of sight. 

Running right after towards their goal. With excitement pumping through their veins.

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