Dawn City · North Gate
"Our gate's just staying open like this?"
The soldier leaning against the gate lit a cigarette, looking at the wide-open city gate as he casually said, "Those bastards outside don't necessarily plan on coming in."
Beyond the broad, shadowy gate, diffuse lights glimmered faintly. They belonged to the heavy armored troops stationed outside the city.
"Look."
The speaking soldier raised the cigarette in his hand. "Those bastards even brought siege equipment."
"Quit calling them bastards."
Another soldier beside him chimed in. "We're on the same side now."
He looked up at the open city gate. "Do you know why the boss insisted on keeping the gate open?"
"Why?"
The smoking soldier leaned closer, looking eager to listen.
"Heh, you still haven't figured it out?"
The other soldier glanced at the endless wilderness outside, then turned to look at the tracks left behind by the passing Mercenary Group inside the city. "Our boss doesn't know who'll win either. He's keeping the gate open so we can run at any time."
"Huh?"
The smoking soldier's mouth fell slightly open. "The boss doesn't know who'll win, and he still agreed to open the gate?"
"What's so strange about that? Opening the gate has its own price."
The other soldier raised his hand, took the cigarette butt from the smoking soldier, took a drag, and handed it back. "Besides, the boss might not have been the one who finalized this deal."
He leaned closer and lowered his voice. "I heard opening the gate was General Dick's order. Military orders are absolute, so our boss couldn't refuse. Of course, our boss got quite a lot out of it too, but he doesn't feel secure, so naturally he has to be ready to run at any time."
"Really?"
The smoking soldier