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—!

thing that I heard

Take it easy! I'm not made

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

walked into the training room, I didn't know what to make of the events

and full of bruises,

of gums

Go! Beat up

supposed to be on

"Oh, right."

how to respond

young girl who sat at the back of the room, and I made

has this been

last three

and staring at the numerous small birds that were

multiple cats and

and I pointed at them. She answered before I could

lot easier for me to control animals that have not been too impacted

many can

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

her head and looking

eyes jumped

"A thousand? That many?"

it to a couple hundred

her head and massaging her

the city just like you've asked. I

"Perfect."

had expected. Everything so far was

eyes and

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

those that were on my side,

my

keep up the good

to head out of

see Liam anywhere. Do you have any idea

her head to the side to look at me, then tapped on the

Ashton city. He's currently in the Northern

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

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

satisfied smile spread across my face, and

background, I

I've got eyes on the

the human domain would all of a sudden face a catastrophe that had never

everything in place before handing over responsibility

will begin the process of developing a new sword art and incorporating the demonic

a point

"Ren."

the training room, the first thing I

face,

Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

out her hand, at which point a dark radiance emanated from her and covered her entire arm. I was taken aback by her behaviour at first, but then I understood exactly what it was that she was attempting to

break through to Duke

"Correct."

nodded her head, retrieving her hand and lowering

while now, but I haven't had the opportunity to do

found

"No."

her head, a complicated look flashing across her face

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

"Right…"

foot on, and the demonic energy was