The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Coffee with Mother

The following morning, the D’Averon estate had already returned to a relatively calm atmosphere.

However, that did not mean the events of the previous day had been forgotten.

Inside one of the estate’s reception rooms, Frederick sat across from the captain of the household knights and several officers who had been involved in the investigation. Maps of the surrounding territory had been spread across the table, along with reports detailing the locations where the corrupted creatures had been sighted.

Ares happened to be passing through the corridor when he noticed the gathering.

He stopped near the entrance, remaining just far enough away that they would not immediately notice him.

"The corrupted creatures have not appeared again since yesterday," the knight captain reported. "Our patrols have searched the surrounding forest, but we have yet to find any further signs of their presence."

Frederick studied the map for a moment before answering.

"That is certainly a relief, but we cannot afford to become complacent simply because they have temporarily disappeared."

"Yes, Lord Frederick."

"Increase the number of patrols around the villages and roads leading toward the estate. I want the surrounding settlements monitored continuously, particularly those closest to the forest."

The captain nodded.

"I will have additional knights assigned immediately. We can also establish temporary patrol routes around the areas where the creatures were first encountered."

"Do so. If these creatures return, I want us to know before they have an opportunity to reach the civilians."

"Understood."

One of the officers then spoke.

"There is also the matter of the knights who were injured during the incident. They have recovered considerably faster than we anticipated, thanks to the assistance of those two."

Frederick nodded.

"I have already heard about it. Their healing abilities were extraordinary."

Ares listened quietly.

So the patrols are being increased.

That was the correct decision.

The corrupted creatures might have stopped appearing for now, but that did not necessarily mean the problem had been resolved. If their origin remained unknown, there was always a possibility that another group could emerge somewhere else within the territory.

Still...

Ares glanced at his father.

The Eclipse Order had already intervened once.

And now they had apparently helped the patrol again.

I wonder what the knights would think if they knew those adventurers were actually members of the Order.

A faint smile almost appeared on Ares’s face.

Fortunately, they had no reason to suspect anything.

After listening for a little longer, Ares decided not to remain there and quietly left the corridor.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Elsewhere in the estate, Mara had been looking for him.

She eventually found Ares near the staircase.

"Ares, there you are."

Ares turned around.

"Good morning, Mother."

"Good morning."

Mara smiled before glancing toward the corridor behind him.

"Where are your friends? I haven’t seen them this morning."

"They’re still sleeping. I think the journey yesterday exhausted them."

"I see."

Mara thought for a moment before smiling.

"In that case, why don’t you join me for coffee? I was about to have some in the garden."

Ares nodded.

"Of course."

A short while later, the two of them were seated in the garden.

The morning air was cool and pleasant, and the sunlight filtered through the trees surrounding the estate. A small table had been prepared beneath a shaded section of the garden, with two cups of freshly brewed coffee placed in front of them.

Ares took a sip.

The flavor was unfamiliar, but surprisingly pleasant.

Mara watched him with a faint smile.

"You heard the conversation earlier, didn’t you?"

Ares lowered his cup.

"Some of it."

"I thought so."

Mara looked toward the distant walls of the estate.

"It seems the Eclipse Order has helped us once again. First during the territorial conflict, and now with the recent incidents involving those corrupted creatures."

She rested her hands around her cup.

"Even now, I still cannot understand why they continue to involve themselves with our family. They appear whenever something threatens us, yet they never ask for anything in return."

Ares remained silent for a moment.

Then he answered naturally.

"Perhaps they simply want to protect people."

Mara looked at him.

"Perhaps."

Ares took another sip of coffee.

"Not everyone does something because they expect a reward."

That much was true.

At least, that was how I wanted people to see the Eclipse Order.

Mara smiled softly.

"You’re probably right. Whatever their reasons may be, I’m grateful that they have intervened whenever our family was in danger."

She took another sip before suddenly looking at Ares with a more curious expression.

"Speaking of which..."

Ares immediately noticed the change in her expression.

"What is it?"

Mara leaned slightly closer.

"Is there anyone at the academy you’re particularly close to?"

Ares blinked.

"Anyone?"

"You know what I mean."

She smiled.

"A friend you spend a great deal of time with, perhaps? Or maybe someone you find especially interesting?"

Ares stared at her.

Oh no.

"Mother, I’m twelve."

Mara’s smile widened.

"I am aware."

"Then why are you asking me something like that?"

"Because you’re growing up."

"I’m still twelve."

"That doesn’t mean you cannot have close friends."

"I have friends."

"Female friends?"

Ares sighed.

"Mother..."

Mara laughed quietly.

"Alright, alright. I was only curious."

Ares shook his head and returned his attention to his coffee.

Mothers really are the same everywhere.

After a moment, Ares remembered something.

"By the way, Mother, I heard that my sister is currently in Valeris."

"That’s right."

Mara nodded.

"She’s continuing her studies there. She wanted to focus on magic and several other subjects that aren’t offered at the academy here, so your father arranged for her to stay in Valeris for the time being."

"I see."

Ares glanced down at his cup.

"This coffee is quite good. I’ve never had it before."

"You haven’t?"

Mara looked pleased.

"It came from the Starlight. They’ve recently begun selling several ingredients and specialty products that aren’t commonly available here."

"The Starlight..."

Ares quietly smiled.

So Mother has already become a customer.

Mara continued.

"I also asked your father to purchase some of their dresses for me. I’ve heard that they only release a limited number of their highest-quality pieces each day, but unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get one yet."

Ares raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes. They seem to sell out remarkably quickly."

Mara sighed dramatically.

"I don’t understand how people manage to buy them so quickly."

Ares couldn’t help smiling.

"Then how about this, Mother?"

"What?"

"When you visit the capital, I’ll ask Aurora to prepare a dress for you personally."

Mara’s eyes widened.

"You would?"

"Of course."

Ares nodded.

"I’ll ask her to make something specifically for you."

Mara’s expression immediately brightened.

"Really? Ares, thank you!"

She looked genuinely delighted.

"I almost forgot. Aurora mentioned before that the two of you were quite close."

"Now that I think about it, how exactly did you become so close to her?"

Ares looked away.

"It’s a long story."

Mara narrowed her eyes.

"A long story?"

"Yes."

He gave an awkward laugh.

"There’s really nothing interesting about it."

Mara continued staring at him.

"Don’t tell me..."

"Mother."

Ares immediately interrupted her.

"Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not that."

Mara’s lips curved upward.

"I haven’t even said anything yet."

"I know that expression."

Ares sighed.

"And besides, Aurora and I don’t have that kind of relationship."

Mara laughed softly.

"Alright, alright. I believe you."

Ares took another sip of coffee, hoping the subject would finally be dropped.

Unfortunately, judging by the amused expression on his mother’s face, he wasn’t entirely convinced.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!