The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: The Investigators’ Fate

By the time they returned to the headquarters, the sun had already begun to descend toward the horizon.

The vast complex of Eclipse was gradually becoming busier as members moved between the various buildings, carrying out their assigned duties. Among them were people responsible for intelligence, logistics, security, and the operations of the Starlight, each organization functioning independently while remaining under the authority of Eclipse.

Herrera led Aoda directly toward her office.

Neither of them spoke along the way.

Once they entered, Herrera closed the door behind them and walked toward her desk.

"Sit."

Aoda obeyed immediately.

She lowered herself into one of the chairs across from Herrera’s desk while Herrera remained standing for a moment, looking at her carefully.

"You were fortunate."

Aoda lowered her gaze.

"I know."

"Do you?"

Herrera finally sat down.

"You are one of the Seven Crowns, Aoda. Your position is not merely a title. You are responsible for operations that can affect the entire organization. Yet today, I found you nearly unable to stand after fighting two people from the kingdom for several hours."

Aoda remained silent.

"They were strong," she eventually said. "Much stronger than I initially expected."

"I know."

Herrera’s expression softened slightly.

"I observed enough of the battle to understand that. The fact that the two of them managed to push you that far despite fighting against you together is proof that they are not ordinary opponents."

Aoda nodded.

"They forced me to reveal considerably more of my strength than I intended."

"And you forced them to do the same."

Herrera leaned back slightly.

"That is precisely why I am not angry that you lost."

Aoda looked up.

Herrera continued.

"What concerns me is that you allowed the battle to reach that point without requesting assistance."

"I believed I could handle them."

"I know."

Herrera’s gaze became sharper.

"And that confidence nearly became recklessness."

Aoda lowered her head again.

"Forgive me."

Herrera sighed.

"At least you understand."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Herrera picked up one of the reports lying on her desk.

"Tell me everything from the beginning."

Aoda straightened.

"The two had been investigating Eclipse for some time. I encountered them while monitoring the area, and after confirming their identities, I decided to confront them directly."

"And you fought them alone."

"Yes."

"What happened afterward?"

"They revealed their true strength. Both of them were considerably stronger than the information we had gathered suggested. I was able to keep up with them, but the battle continued for hours."

Aoda paused.

"Eventually, the three of us were severely injured. I managed to maintain the advantage for a short period, but I was eventually struck in the leg and forced down."

Herrera’s expression darkened slightly.

"You should have retreated before reaching that point."

"I understand."

Herrera placed the report down.

"At least the two investigators were neutralized."

Aoda nodded.

"They will not be able to continue their investigation for the time being."

"Good."

Herrera’s fingers tapped lightly against the desk.

"However, that changes nothing about the larger problem."

Aoda looked at her.

"They have already begun investigating us."

"Exactly."

Herrera’s eyes narrowed.

"And now they have encountered one of the Seven Crowns directly. Even if they don’t know your identity, they have learned that Eclipse possesses individuals far beyond the strength of ordinary knights."

Aoda remained thoughtful.

"They may report what happened if they regain consciousness."

"They will."

Herrera spoke calmly.

"Which means their kingdom will eventually realize that the people they are investigating are considerably stronger than they expected."

Aoda frowned.

"Should we eliminate them?"

"No."

Herrera immediately rejected the idea.

"Not yet. Their investigation may still reveal who is directing the kingdom’s interest in Eclipse. Removing them now would only erase a useful trail."

Aoda nodded.

"I understand."

Herrera stood and walked toward the window.

Outside, the headquarters stretched across the surrounding landscape, while farther away, several structures belonging to the Starlight continued operating as usual.

"The Starlight has also been expanding rapidly," Herrera said. "The more visible our legitimate activities become, the more carefully we need to separate them from Eclipse."

Aoda followed her gaze.

"Do you believe their investigation could eventually reach the Starlight?"

"It is possible."

Herrera turned around.

"Which is why you must be more careful from now on. We cannot allow a single careless operation to create a connection between the two."

Aoda nodded firmly.

"I will remember that."

Herrera studied her for a moment before sighing.

"Good."

She returned to her desk.

"And one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Don’t attempt something like this alone again simply because you believe you can win."

Aoda hesitated.

"Understood."

Herrera’s expression softened slightly.

"You are a member of the Seven Crowns. Your strength is valuable, but your life is more valuable than proving how strong you are."

Aoda lowered her head.

"Thank you, Lady Herrera."

Herrera waved her hand dismissively.

"Rest for now. You’ve earned it."

Aoda stood.

"Yes."

She reached the door, then stopped.

"Lady Herrera."

"What is it?"

"Thank you for coming."

Herrera looked at her for a moment.

"Don’t make me come looking for you like that again."

Aoda gave a small smile.

"I’ll do my best."

Herrera sighed.

"That’s exactly the answer I was afraid you’d give."

Aoda quietly left the office.

Herrera remained behind, staring at the reports on her desk.

A quiet knock came from the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Leonora stepped inside.

She was carrying several documents, her expression calm and composed as usual.

"Herrera."

"Leonora."

Leonora closed the door behind her before approaching the desk.

"I came regarding several matters concerning the Starlight. Aurora is currently in Valeris overseeing the establishment there, so she asked me to handle the reports that arrived from the other branches."

Herrera nodded.

"Go ahead."

Leonora placed the documents on the desk.

"The expansion in the eastern districts is progressing faster than expected. The new suppliers have already been secured, and the local merchants have shown considerable interest in our products. There are also several requests from nobles who wish to establish long-term contracts with the Starlight."

Herrera briefly looked through the documents.

"Any problems?"

"Nothing significant. The local management has handled most matters appropriately. However, there are a few issues regarding transportation routes and the increasing number of people attempting to investigate the organization behind the Starlight."

Herrera’s expression remained unchanged.

"Are they getting close?"

"Not yet. Most of them appear to be ordinary merchants or nobles attempting to understand how the Starlight expanded so quickly."

Leonora paused.

"However, there is one matter I believe you should be aware of."

Herrera raised her eyes.

"What is it?"

"Several inquiries have been made regarding the relationship between the Starlight and Eclipse."

Herrera leaned back slightly.

"So they’ve begun connecting the two."

"Only as a possibility," Leonora replied. "There is no evidence linking them at present."

"Then make sure it remains that way."

"Of course."

Leonora was about to continue when she noticed the reports scattered across Herrera’s desk.

Her eyes moved over them for a moment.

Then she noticed something unusual in Herrera’s expression.

"What happened?"

Herrera was silent for a brief moment.

"Aoda encountered the two individuals who have been investigating Eclipse."

Leonora’s expression changed immediately.

"The same two from the kingdom?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"They fought."

Leonora’s eyes narrowed.

"How did it end?"

"Aoda defeated them."

Herrera paused.

"But not before all three of them suffered serious injuries."

Leonora’s expression became noticeably colder.

"All three?"

"They were considerably stronger than expected. Aoda was forced to fight them for several hours before she was finally overwhelmed by their numbers."

Leonora glanced toward the door.

"And Aoda?"

"She is recovering. I healed her before we returned."

Leonora remained silent for several seconds.

Then she asked calmly,

"Should I deal with those two myself?"

"No."

Herrera’s answer came without hesitation.

"I have already dealt with them."

Leonora looked toward her.

"How?"

Herrera’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"I left a mark on their souls."

Leonora’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"A fear mark?"

"Something worse."

Herrera rested her chin lightly against one hand.

"Their bodies may recover eventually, assuming the kingdom’s healers are capable of treating them. Their minds, however, are another matter."

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on her face.

"I made certain that the fear remains."

Leonora understood immediately.

Herrera’s smile deepened.

"Even if they return to the battlefield, they will no longer be the same people who entered that forest."

Leonora considered that for a moment before giving a small smile of her own.

"That is rather thorough."

"I had no reason to kill them."

Herrera’s voice remained perfectly calm.

"They were useful as investigators. More importantly, their survival will carry a message much farther than their deaths ever could."

Leonora nodded slowly.

"Fear."

"Exactly."

Herrera gathered the reports into a neat stack.

"Those two will undoubtedly report what happened to their superiors. They will describe an organization capable of producing individuals strong enough to overwhelm even elite fighters."

She leaned back in her chair.

"And they will also tell them that interfering with Eclipse comes with consequences."

Leonora’s smile became slightly more pronounced.

"Then perhaps they will reconsider how deeply they intend to investigate us."

"They should."

Herrera’s eyes became cold.

"They have already been given a warning. If they are intelligent, they will understand it."

"And if they aren’t?"

Herrera looked toward her.

"Then there’s no reason keeping them alive, if i wanted to i can make their king become my pupper."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Leonora glanced back at the Starlight documents.

"In that case, I’ll make sure the Starlight remains completely separated from this matter. Aurora and Octavia should be informed as well."

"Yes. Tell them to be especially careful while she’s in Valeris."

"I will."

Leonora gathered the remaining documents.

"Fortunately, the Starlight’s expansion has been proceeding smoothly. The more firmly established it becomes, the easier it will be to maintain the distinction between the two organizations."

Herrera nodded.

"That distinction is essential."

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