Chapter 243 - 244: Back at the Headquarters

Chapter 243: Chapter 244: Back at the Headquarters

The three finally returned to the headquarters of the Eclipsed Order after leaving Ravellon behind.

The moment they stepped into the outer grounds of the headquarters, the first thing that reached their ears was the sharp sound of steel colliding with steel.

SHING!

Two figures crossed paths in the middle of the training grounds, their swords moving so quickly that the blades were almost impossible to follow with the naked eye. A second later, they had already exchanged several strikes.

SHING! SHING! SHING!

Their movements were fast enough to leave brief flashes of steel in the air, each clash producing a sharp metallic sound that echoed throughout the courtyard. Around them, dozens of other members of the Eclipsed Order were engaged in their own training, some practicing swordsmanship against one another while others were testing their abilities, refining their movements, or sparring beneath the watchful eyes of their superiors.

The headquarters had changed considerably since Ares had first established it.

What had once been a hidden organization gradually becoming a powerful force now operated like a vast, disciplined institution. Every member had a role, every division had its own responsibilities, and even ordinary training sessions were carried out with a level of seriousness that reflected the organization’s growth.

As Ares, Selene, and Leon walked through the grounds, several members noticed their arrival. Some immediately stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully, while others continued their training after acknowledging their Master.

Near the main building, Lydia noticed them approaching.

Her expression brightened immediately, and she walked toward them before stopping several steps away and lowering her head respectfully.

"Welcome back, Master. I hope your journey to Ravellon proceeded without any serious complications."

Ares gave her a small nod.

"It was more troublesome than I expected, but nothing that required much effort from us."

Selene’s lips curved slightly.

"That continent certainly had no shortage of unpleasant creatures."

Leon remained composed beside her, his expression calm and dignified.

"Ravellon appears to possess a rather complicated balance between its various races. Unfortunately, many of those who hold authority seem to mistake their position for absolute superiority."

Lydia remained silent for a moment before looking toward Ares.

"I see. Then I assume the situation there is still developing."

"Probably," Ares replied. "But for now, I have no reason to concern myself with it."

His gaze shifted toward the training grounds, where the members continued to exchange blows at astonishing speed.

"What about the new recruits? And the others?"

Lydia immediately understood what he was asking.

"The new recruits have progressed considerably since your last inspection, Master. Their physical conditioning has improved, and the majority of them have already adapted to the organization’s training methods. Several have also begun showing considerable improvement in their combat abilities."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"The older members have improved as well. Their coordination during group exercises has become much more efficient, and the instructors have reported that the newer members are adapting to advanced techniques faster than expected. The various divisions have also continued their assigned work without interruption."

Ares listened quietly, his gaze moving across the training grounds.

"Good. Make sure they continue without becoming careless."

"Of course, Master."

Ares then looked toward Lydia.

"Tell Nao and Vanessa to come to the throne room later this evening. I have something I want to discuss with them."

Lydia bowed her head.

"Yes, Master. I will inform them."

Ares glanced toward Selene and Leon.

"I’ll go check on Draven, Cedric, and Astra. You two can continue whatever you were doing."

Selene immediately bowed.

"Understood, Master."

Leon followed with a respectful inclination of his head.

"As you command, Master."

Without another word, Ares disappeared.

---

A moment later, he appeared inside Starlight.

The familiar room was unusually quiet apart from the sounds coming from three electronic devices.

Draven, Cedric, and Astra were sitting together, each occupied with an iPad. Their attention was so completely absorbed in whatever they were doing that none of them noticed Ares’s arrival until he had already stepped into the room.

The moment they looked up, however, all three immediately stopped.

"Master."

Ares nodded.

"How have things been while I was gone?"

Draven lowered his iPad slightly and leaned back.

"Everything has been fine here, Master. Nothing particularly interesting happened while you were away."

Cedric nodded in agreement.

"We continued our usual activities and kept an eye on the headquarters whenever necessary."

Astra smiled.

"Everything has been peaceful."

Draven then looked at Ares with curiosity.

"How were things in Ravellon? From the way you disappeared there with Selene and Leon, I assume you encountered something interesting."

Ares looked at him for a moment.

"There were quite a few problems."

Draven gave a knowing smile.

"As I expected. There really is something wrong with that continent."

Cedric placed his iPad down.

"What happened, Master?"

Astra also looked toward Ares with interest.

"Was it related to the races there?"

"There were several issues," Ares replied. "The way humans are treated is one of them. There are also several powerful groups operating behind the scenes, and we encountered demons who attempted to capture us for experimentation."

Draven’s expression changed slightly.

"Demons?"

Ares nodded.

"They weren’t particularly difficult to deal with."

Cedric gave a small sigh.

"I suppose that is one way to describe it."

Astra covered a faint smile.

Ares did not continue explaining the incident. Instead, his attention shifted toward the collection of electronic devices scattered around them.

"How are the power banks?"

Draven blinked.

"The power banks?"

"Yes. How many still have a usable charge?"

Draven looked toward the several power banks they had accumulated.

"We still have around twenty that haven’t been used yet. The other seventy are either nearly empty or already running on very low battery."

Ares stared at him.

"Seventy?"

Draven immediately realized what was coming.

"Well..."

Ares sighed.

"You three really don’t hold back. I thought those would last you more than a month."

Cedric looked slightly embarrassed.

"We may have underestimated how frequently we would use them."

Astra nodded.

"Especially Draven."

"Hey, don’t put all of that on me," Draven protested.

Ares ignored the exchange.

"Give me the power banks. I’ll charge them."

All three immediately began gathering them.

"Yes, Master," they answered.

Ares waited until the power banks had been handed to him before storing all of them inside his subspace.

"I’ll take care of them later."

Draven nodded.

"Thank you, Master."

Ares turned toward the door.

"I’ll check on the others."

He then disappeared from the room.

---

His next destination was Aurora’s office.

When Ares entered, Aurora was standing behind her desk, reviewing several documents. The moment she noticed him, she immediately placed them aside and rose from her seat.

"Master."

Ares nodded.

"Aurora. How have things been at Starlight?"

Aurora walked around the desk and stood before him.

"Everything has continued according to plan, Master. Starlight remains stable, and the various contracts and agreements with the surrounding territories have been maintained without any significant problems. The organizations and merchants under our agreements have continued to fulfill their obligations, and our own side has maintained the services and resources promised to them."

She continued her report in a calm, professional manner.

"The financial records have also remained consistent. The supplies distributed to the different facilities have arrived on schedule, and the personnel assigned to Starlight have been carrying out their responsibilities properly. There have been no serious incidents within the city, and the members stationed there have maintained their usual level of discipline."

Ares listened carefully before giving a small nod.

"I see. That’s good."

He looked at her for a moment.

"Good work, Aurora."

A warm smile appeared on Aurora’s face.

"Thank you, Master. I am glad to know that the work has met your expectations."

Ares turned toward the door.

"Come. Let’s continue."

Aurora immediately followed.

The two walked through one of the main corridors of the headquarters, passing several members who respectfully greeted them as they went.

After a short silence, Ares glanced toward Aurora.

"By the way, it seems the Seven Crowns have been rather busy lately."

Aurora nodded.

"They have. Most of them have been working on the other laboratories and investigating the facilities we have recently discovered."

She paused before continuing.

"Just the other day, Bianca destroyed a major laboratory during one of her missions. We also captured a man who is believed to be one of the numbered individuals connected to those facilities."

Ares’s expression remained calm.

"One of the five?"

"Yes, Master."

Ares considered that for a moment.

"Now that I think about it, Leonora defeated a man calling himself Number Four before, correct?"

"Yes, Master."

"And Number Five was later defeated by Andrea and Celeste."

Aurora nodded.

"That is correct."

Ares looked ahead.

"Then what number was the man Bianca captured?"

"Number Three."

Aurora’s expression became slightly more serious as she continued.

"He is a man with blonde hair who calls himself Number Three. His ability is particularly troublesome because he can inscribe magical commands onto objects, barriers, weapons, and even the battlefield itself. Once those commands are established, he can alter how magic behaves within a limited area."

Ares’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"So he modifies the rules governing magic within his effective range."

"Essentially, yes."

Aurora continued.

"Bianca admitted that if she had become careless during the battle, she might have been the one who was defeated. She was able to destroy the laboratory and capture him, but she considers his ability dangerous enough that she does not want the others to underestimate opponents possessing similar techniques."

Ares remained silent for a moment.

’So they are beginning to encounter abilities that cannot be judged simply by rank or raw strength.’

He then looked toward Aurora.

"Considering that we still don’t know how many powerful beings exist in this world, make sure the others understand that they need to remain cautious, especially when they are assigned to missions that may take a long time."

Aurora’s expression brightened immediately.

"Understood, Master. I will make sure the Seven Crowns and the other senior members are reminded not to become careless simply because they have encountered weaker opponents in previous missions."

"Good."

Ares continued walking.

"Strength is useful, but overconfidence is still a weakness. I don’t want any of them assuming that every enemy they encounter will fight in a straightforward manner."

Aurora nodded firmly.

"Yes, Master. I will make certain that they understand."

After leaving the main corridor, the two eventually arrived at one of the larger facilities within the headquarters.

Unlike the other buildings, this structure was considerably larger and more industrial in design. It served as one of the organization’s primary storage and production facilities, where members specializing in the preparation, maintenance, organization, and distribution of equipment worked continuously.

The moment Ares entered, the activity inside gradually came to a halt.

Several members noticed him almost simultaneously.

One after another, they turned toward him.

The workers and specialists immediately stopped what they were doing and stood straight before bowing respectfully.

"Master."

Ares looked over the facility and the people gathered inside before giving them a calm nod.

"Continue your work. I only came to see how things are progressing."

The members immediately returned to their duties, though several still glanced toward him with quiet respect.

Aurora remained beside Ares as they continued deeper into the facility.

For the moment, everything appeared to be operating exactly as it should.