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—!

got closer to the training room, the first thing that I heard was a loud crashing

I'm not made

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

training room, I didn't know what to make of the events that were taking place

all beaten up and full

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

Beat up

You're supposed to be

"Oh, right."

didn't know how to respond to

a young girl who sat at the back of

has this been

the last

holding her hand up and staring at the numerous small birds that were

cats and mouses, snuggling around

at them. She

that have not been too impacted

see…and how many can you

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

her head

jumped up

"A thousand? That many?"

couple

lowering her head and massaging

set up multiple stations around the city just like you've asked. I

"Perfect."

satisfaction. Ava's progress was a lot faster than I had expected. Everything so far was flowing in accordance with what I had

as the eyes and Ava as

Ryan's access to all of the cameras in the city, as well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout the city, I had

it those that were on my

could escape my

up

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

the way, I don't see Liam anywhere. Do you have any idea

at me, then tapped on the face of her

roaming Ashton city. He's currently in the Northern district, Govian Park.

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

had established. She was able to provide me with precise information regarding

my face, and

screams in the background, I didn't pay them

network has been completely set up and I've got eyes on the entirety of Ashton city…It's time that I push up my next

human domain would all of a sudden face

finish putting everything in place before handing over responsibility for the

point on, I will begin the process of developing a new sword art and

be able to reach a point where I

"Ren."

thing I noticed was Angelica making her

serious expression on her face, and my face changed

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

to break through to Duke

"Correct."

her head, retrieving her hand

while now, but I haven't had the

found that

"No."

look flashing across her face

not yet discovered that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on earth is

"Right…"

planet that the demons had set foot on, and the demonic energy was at a drastically lower