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—!

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

I'm

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

room, I didn't know what to make of the

and full of bruises, continued to punch him relentlessly while he

was Leopold, who had a pack of gums

Go! Beat

to be on my

"Oh, right."

how to respond to

sigh, my eyes drifted toward a young girl who sat at the back

has this been going

the last three

hand up and staring at the numerous

were also multiple cats and mouses,

at them. She

animals that have not been too impacted by the

how many can you

by mana, which are currently at fifty,

answered, raising her head

eyes jumped

"A thousand? That many?"

to a couple hundred more, but that

lowering her head

stations around the city just like you've asked. I also already coordinated myself with Ryan, so if anything happens, he

"Perfect."

faster than I had expected.

acted as the eyes and Ava as

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

it those that were on my side, or those

could escape my sight and

keep up

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

I don't see Liam anywhere. Do you have any idea where he

me, then tapped on the face of

Ashton city. He's currently in the Northern

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

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

my face, and I headed out of

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

been completely set up and I've got eyes on the entirety of Ashton city…It's time

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

in place before handing over responsibility for the rest

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

be able to reach a point where I could fight toe

"Ren."

I emerged from the training room, the first thing I noticed was Angelica making her way in

a rather serious expression on her face, and my face changed

Did something

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

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

about to break through to Duke

"Correct."

retrieving

a while now, but I haven't had the opportunity

found that

"No."

head, a complicated look flashing across her face

that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on

"Right…"

the demonic energy was at a drastically lower level than that of Immorra