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 was a

I'm

Bang—!

'What's going on here?'

into the training room, I didn't know

and who was all beaten up and full of bruises, continued

of gums in his hand and was cheering for Han

Go! Beat

supposed to be on

"Oh, right."

didn't know how to respond to

young girl who

long has this been going

the last three

hand up and staring at

were also multiple cats and mouses, snuggling around

I pointed at them. She answered before

to control animals that have

many can

not talking about beasts affected by mana, which are currently at

raising her head and looking up at

jumped

"A thousand? That many?"

to a couple hundred more, but that would drain my

lowering her

what 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 first to

"Perfect."

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

the eyes and

of animals scattered throughout the city, I had complete control over what

those that were on my side, or those

could escape my sight and

keep up the

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

anywhere. Do you have

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

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

"Okay…"

'Well, there you go.'

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

satisfied smile spread across my face, and I

background, I didn't pay

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

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

five days, I intended to finish putting everything in place before handing over responsibility for the rest

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

reach a point where I

"Ren."

emerged from the training room, the first thing I

face, and my face changed when

wrong? Did

"No, not really."

Angelica shook her head.

entire arm. I was taken aback by her behaviour at first, but then I understood exactly

break through to Duke

"Correct."

retrieving her hand and lowering

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

found

"No."

shook her head, a complicated look flashing

the demonic energy on earth is

"Right…"

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