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,

I'm not made of

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

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

beaten up and full

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

Beat

You're supposed to be on my

"Oh, right."

to respond

toward a young girl who sat at the back

long has this been

the last three

her hand up and staring at the numerous small birds that

were also multiple cats and mouses,

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

easier for me to control animals that have not

see…and how many can you

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

raising her head and

jumped

"A thousand? That many?"

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

her head and massaging

you've asked me to do and set up multiple stations around the city just like you've asked. I also already coordinated myself with Ryan, so if anything happens, he will be the

"Perfect."

had expected. Everything so far was flowing in accordance with what I

acted as the eyes and Ava as

cameras in the city, as well as Ava's network of animals scattered throughout the city, I had complete control over what was going on in Ashton

were on my side, or

could escape my sight and

up the good

out of the training

anywhere. Do you have any

to look at me, then tapped on the face of her watch and shut

in the Northern district,

"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

in the background, I didn't pay them any attention. My mind was preoccupied with

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

before the human domain would all

in place before handing

begin the process of developing a new sword art and incorporating the demonic bloodline into my

to reach a point

"Ren."

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

serious expression on her face, and my face changed when I

wrong? Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

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

about to break through to

"Correct."

nodded her head, retrieving her hand and lowering

quite a while now, but I haven't had

found

"No."

look flashing across her face

you because I have not yet discovered that opportunity. It appears that the demonic energy on

"Right…"

that the demons had set foot on, and the demonic energy was at a drastically lower level than that of Immorra and the other