Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 183: Chapter 178: Faction Division, Influence, Contribution Points

In ”Yino,” Major Events were critical historical junctures, each one significant enough to alter the balance of power across the entire continent.

For players, they were a carnival of combat and adventure.

More quests, more opportunities, more rewards.

But for the original inhabitants, such events were far less pleasant.

More enemies, worse outcomes, greater chaos.

When Viscount Paris announced at the meeting that the old emperor, Hein Benest, was dead, and that Count Heta was colluding with the Blood Eye Association, many of those present looked as if the sky itself was falling.

What followed was a palpable sense of anxiety.

Jon watched with a serious expression as Paris, Yed, and the others debated various possibilities and countermeasures, but his gaze was fixed on his own system panel.

At the very top of his quest log, a bright golden tag stood out.

——

[War of the Scepter · Legend · Major Event]

[You have learned shocking news: The emperor of the Harvia Empire, Hein Benest, is dead. According to the Empire’s tradition, the next emperor will be chosen through the ”Rite of Kingselection.”]

[Chaos has descended. On which side will you, or your faction, stand?]

[Current Faction Affiliation: Birch Town · Resistance Alliance · Giant God Workshop]

[Currently Controlled Faction: Giant God Workshop]

[Current Influence: 1]

[Faction Contribution: 0]

[Contribution Points Store: (Locked)]

——

’The fewer the words, the bigger the matter.’

Compared to some of the previous quests Jon had done, the brief for [War of the Scepter] was downright plain, simply explaining the current state of affairs.

The golden tag was also easy to understand.

All Major Events were designated as Legendary Level. Their rewards weren’t traditional experience points or reputation; instead, players used Contribution Points to redeem items from the Contribution Points Store.

Everything the faction had to offer could be redeemed.

Divine Weapons, magical spells and martial techniques, faction privileges, high-ranking posts and their lavish rewards...

As long as you had enough Contribution Points, you could even obtain a reward as extreme as [Someone’s Soul Contract]!

The acquisition of Contribution Points was, in turn, tied to one’s Faction and Influence.

This ”Faction” could be an Adventurer party, a player guild, a town, or even a simple verbal agreement.

For example, Jon was the controller of the Giant God Workshop. Because he worked closely with the leaders of Birch Town and had contributed significantly to the fight against the Blood Eye Association and the Eternal Frost Sect, he and his Giant God Workshop were automatically categorized under the [Birch Town · Resistance Alliance].

The larger the faction, the higher its Influence. Once a side was chosen, the more Contribution Points one could earn.

This made perfect sense.

Collective effort always accomplishes more than going it alone. An Adventurer party of a few people and a player guild with hundreds of members naturally held different levels of importance to a larger faction.

Jon’s Giant God Workshop currently had an Influence of only 1, making it virtually indistinguishable from a five-person Adventurer party.

But that was only because he was just getting started and hadn’t yet accomplished anything substantial with his faction.

As long as he remained active—by distinguishing himself in the fight against the rebels or by expanding his business—his influence would increase, and he would garner more recognition.

Of course, one’s allegiance wasn’t set in stone.

If Jon suddenly lost his mind, chopped off the heads of Paris and Yed, and went to swear fealty to the Blood Eye Association, his affiliation would automatically change to [Blood Eye Association · Giant God Workshop], and his Influence would skyrocket...

Not that he would ever do such a thing, of course.

Just as Jon was contemplating the Giant God Workshop’s next course of action, Paris spoke his name.

”Mr. Jon, what are your thoughts on our current plans?”

At his words, all eyes in the room turned to the extraordinary young ”Adventurer.”

Many of the nobles had already heard from their wives about Jon’s possible ”hidden noble status.” Combined with the Power and Mechanical Body technology he had previously displayed, they naturally took his opinion very seriously.

Although Jon had been staring at his panel, he had, in fact, been following the meeting’s agenda.

He knew Paris was asking about establishing a defensive supply line.

In war, logistics are paramount.

While Birch Town was a prosperous and key trade hub with a considerable stockpile of resources, supporting a protracted war would require establishing new supply lines.

Coincidentally, he had some ideas about this very problem.

”I have a different perspective on the matter of logistics.”

Jon steepled his hands under his chin, his ice-blue eyes sweeping over the crowd, his tone grave and measured.

”Viscount Paris just proposed opening a supply route to the Shery Mountain and sending men to gather various resources from the mountain.”

”While this route is feasible, and the towns along it are under our control, the risk of ambush would be significantly higher.”

”Don’t forget, the closer we get to the mountain, the closer we’ll be to those lunatics from the Eternal Frost Sect...”

A chill ran through the assembly at his words.

Who among the Northern People didn’t know how intractable those fanatics who worshipped the Ice Dragon could be?

Furthermore, the earlier intelligence briefing had indeed mentioned collusion between the Blood Eye Association and the Eternal Frost Sect.

It was a point that certainly couldn’t be ignored.

A portly, middle-aged nobleman frowned. He studied Jon’s calm, resolute expression and asked quietly,

”Then, Mr. Jon, where do you propose we find our lifeline?”

”I believe we should head toward the Bolaya River Valley. From there, we can travel downstream along the frozen Nula River to the southern Empire to request aid, hire mercenaries, and purchase supplies.”

Jon’s words were like a stone dropped into a still pond, instantly sending ripples through the room.

”The Bolaya River Valley? The Nula River?”

The deep furrow in Viscount Paris’s brow eased slightly. His fingers tapped unconsciously on the map-strewn oak tabletop, producing a soft tapping.

’This is indeed a path we hadn’t considered... Using the frozen river for transport would be far faster than any land route, and it would bypass the mountain heartlands where the Eternal Frost Sect is entrenched...’

However, a pale nobleman with a worried expression immediately objected.

”Mr. Jon, Lord Paris, I’m from Ryan Town on the banks of the Nula River. That route isn’t viable!”

”The towns and villages along the riverbanks, especially the ferry crossings and outposts downstream, have already been seized by the rebels!”

”Even if we could travel on the frozen river, the rebels would have the high ground. They would only need to set up a few heavy crossbows or attack with flaming oil and falling rocks. Our convoys would be sitting ducks!”

At this, he recalled the horrific sights he had witnessed and couldn’t help but shudder.

A minor baron, one of the Xavier family’s vassals, chimed in.

”That’s right, Mr. Jon. Attacks aside, the river surface itself is extremely unstable, half-frozen and half-thawed. Ordinary carriages would be unable to cross, and boats would easily get stuck in the ice. When it comes to logistics, an unreliable route is the last thing you want!”

An air of anxiety once again filled the hall. Many of the nobles nodded silently, clearly sharing the concerns the two men had raised.