The Author's POV

[Day 5]

"Where's everyone?"

I was taken aback to discover that the lobby of the mercenary headquarters was completely deserted. At any given time, there would typically be at least one or two of the guys lounging about on the sofas.

"Guess everyone's busy."

I eventually shrugged my shoulders.

When I thought about the upcoming event, it made perfect sense. Indeed, I had given a significant amount of work to each of them.

Without much consideration, I made my way to Ryan's room. Among all the people present, he was most likely the only one who knew where the others were.

They were probably in the building, but the place was quite big, and since I needed to check up on Ryan, I decided to just ask him since he most probably had eyes on the entire place.

Clank—!

After making my way to Ryan's room and opening the door, I discovered Ryan hunched over with his back arched and his feet crossed on the chair as he was looking at more than fifty monitors in front of him.

Displayed on the monitors were the different areas of Ashton city.

"Oh, you're back."

Ryan was quickly made aware of my presence, and after giving me a passing glance, he returned his focus to the screens.

He most likely was aware that I was heading to him long ago and was just being casual about it.

I approached him and placed my hand on the chair he was sitting on.

"How's the situation?"

"They haven't made any movements yet. Not notable ones…at least."

"This is in Ashton city?"

"Yes, same for the other cities. Still no major movement."

"Okay."

I nodded my head, struggling to keep up with Ryan, who looked at all the monitors in front of him without any trouble.

In fact, every two seconds, the screens would switch and new areas would appear on the monitors.

While this happened, Ryan would write a couple of notes on a small book that rested next to his keyboard before switching the screens again.

He kept doing this for all the fifty screens in front of him, and my head started to throb at the sight.

"I'll leave you to it."

I gave the back of the chair a light pat before turning around. When I was on the verge of leaving, I suddenly recalled the purpose of my visit here and asked.

"By the way, do you have any idea where the others are? I didn't see anyone in the lob—"

"Training room."

Ryan responded before I could even finish my sentence. I pursed my lips and nodded my head.

"Alright, good luck with your job."

It appeared as though Ryan was too preoccupied with what he was doing. It was to the point where he did not care about me at all.

It didn't really bother me, as I knew his role in the upcoming war was going to be very important.

I had a lot of things planned out for the upcoming events, and Ryan was going to play a significant part in all of them.

'Well, everyone will.'

I had not chosen my members randomly. They were all selected with this event in mind, and it was time for me to finally bear the fruit of their nurturing.

Bang—!

that I heard was a loud crashing sound, followed by what I took

Take it easy! I'm not made

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

room, I didn't know

all beaten up and full of bruises, continued to punch him relentlessly

Hein was Leopold, who had a pack of gums in his hand and was cheering

Go! Beat

to be on

"Oh, right."

honestly didn't know how to

my eyes drifted toward a young girl who sat at the back of the room, and I made my

long has this been going

the last three

at the numerous small birds that were

her were also multiple cats and mouses, snuggling around

sight surprised me, and I pointed at them. She answered before I could

me to control animals that have not been too impacted by the mana

how many can

beasts affected by mana, which are currently at fifty, then

answered, raising her head and looking

jumped up

"A thousand? That many?"

could probably push it to a couple hundred more, but that would drain

mused to herself, lowering her head and massaging

around the city just like you've asked. I also already coordinated myself with Ryan, so if anything happens, he will be the first to let you

"Perfect."

had expected.

as the eyes and

the city, as well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout the

those that were on

could escape my

keep up the

with the progress, I stood up and decided to head out of the training room. Just before leaving, I scanned the

Liam anywhere. Do you have any idea where

then tapped on the face of her watch and shut her eyes

in the Northern district,

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

that I had established. She was able to provide me with precise information regarding Liam's

my face,

still hear Hein's helpless screams in the background, I didn't pay them any attention. My mind

up and I've got eyes on the entirety

had a grand total of five days left before the human domain would all of a sudden

in place before handing over

will begin the process of developing a new sword art

then would I be able to reach a point where I could fight toe to toe against Malik

"Ren."

training room, the first thing I noticed was Angelica making

her face, and

wrong? Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

I was taken aback by her behaviour at first, but then I understood exactly what it was that she was attempting to

about to break

"Correct."

her head, retrieving her hand and

been close to breaking through for quite a while now, but I haven't had the opportunity

you've found

"No."

look flashing across her

that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on earth is too weak for me to be of

"Right…"

demonic energy was at a drastically lower level than that of Immorra and the other planets that had