The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: The Fall of Number Four

The room was dimly lit, with only a few lamps illuminating the long table in the center.

Four figures were gathered around it.

The absence of one person was immediately noticeable.

There had once been five of them.

Now there were only four.

Number One stood at the head of the table with his arms folded, his expression unusually grim. Number Two sat nearby, silently examining several reports, while Number Three leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Across from them sat Number Five, the only woman among them.

None of them spoke for several moments.

The silence itself carried more weight than any argument could have.

Finally, Number One broke it.

"So Number Four got himself killed."

His voice was cold.

Number Five lowered the report in her hand.

"Yes. We’ve already confirmed it."

She placed several documents on the table.

"His body was recovered from the seventh laboratory, along with the remains of the personnel stationed there. Judging from the condition of the laboratory and the wounds on his body, he was involved in a serious battle before he was killed."

Number Three clicked his tongue.

"That idiot."

His expression darkened.

"I specifically warned him not to engage them recklessly. He was too confident in his own strength."

Number Two looked toward the report.

"And now we’ve confirmed the consequence of that arrogance."

He paused.

"Number Four was stronger than any ordinary Swordmaster, and yet he still died."

Number Five nodded.

"He even used Substance C."

The room became noticeably quieter.

"Substance C?"

Number Three’s expression changed.

"He actually used it?"

"Yes."

Number Five turned another page.

"The traces were still present in his body. He injected himself with a considerable amount of the substance, which should have increased his physical strength and magical output considerably."

She looked at the others.

"And despite that, he was defeated."

Number One’s expression hardened.

"Then the reports weren’t exaggerated."

"No."

Number Five shook her head.

"The people from that organization are considerably stronger than we originally anticipated."

Number Two leaned back in his chair.

"So what exactly are we supposed to do now?"

He glanced toward the others.

"If the higher-ups discover that Number Four has been killed, we’re finished."

Number Three frowned.

"Not necessarily."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"We become more careful."

Number Three pushed himself away from the wall.

"Until now, we’ve been operating under the assumption that the people investigating us were merely an inconvenience. That assumption is no longer valid."

His eyes moved toward Number One.

"Number Four was killed because he underestimated them. If we make the same mistake, we’ll end up the same way."

Number One remained silent for several seconds.

Then his hand slowly tightened into a fist.

"That organization..."

His voice became colder.

"For the past two months, that foolish prince has been investigating them. We’ve been monitoring the situation through the information available to us, and yet nothing has changed. Every report produces the same conclusion."

He struck the table lightly with his fist.

"They appear without warning, destroy our facilities, kill our personnel, and disappear before anyone can identify them."

Number Two nodded.

"And now they’ve taken six laboratories from us."

"Seven," Number Five corrected.

Everyone looked toward her.

"The seventh laboratory was also compromised."

Number One’s eyes narrowed.

"Seven..."

The number clearly displeased him.

"If they continue at this rate, we’ll eventually lose everything."

Number Three looked toward the documents.

"The higher-ups said the experiment should only require a few more months."

"Exactly."

Number One’s expression became grim.

"We don’t have the luxury of wasting time fighting them."

He looked around the room.

"Our objective hasn’t changed. We need to complete the experiment and obtain the results before they interfere any further."

Number Five crossed her arms.

"Then the least we can do is increase our security."

"Agreed."

Number Two nodded.

"We should assume that every movement we make is being observed. No unnecessary communication, no predictable routes, and no direct involvement unless absolutely necessary."

Number Three gave a faint smile.

"You’re finally beginning to understand."

Number Two glanced at him.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You were the one who suggested that we could simply eliminate them if they continued interfering."

"I was wrong."

Number Two answered without hesitation.

"Number Four’s death made that clear."

Number Five sighed.

"Even I won’t deny that they’re dangerous."

She looked down at her hands.

"I’m confident that I can defeat most of them individually. Their strength is certainly impressive, but I don’t believe any of them are beyond my ability."

She paused.

"However, that confidence doesn’t mean I should become careless. If I were surrounded by several of them at once, the situation could become considerably more difficult."

Number One nodded.

"That’s exactly the problem."

He looked toward the empty seat.

"Number Four probably thought the same thing. He believed his strength was enough, and now he’s dead."

Nobody responded.

The silence that followed was uncomfortable.

After a moment, Number Two changed the subject.

"Enough about him. What about the humans?"

Number Five’s expression changed slightly.

"The next batch has already been secured."

She spoke with a faint smile.

"Ten men."

Number Two raised an eyebrow.

"Already?"

"Yes."

Number Five leaned back.

"My ability made the process considerably easier than expected. They didn’t even realize what was happening until it was already too late."

Her smile widened slightly.

"They’re currently being kept in a secure location. None of them have been harmed beyond what was necessary for transportation."

Number Three nodded.

"That’s good."

He glanced toward her.

"Your ability is particularly useful for this part of the operation."

Number Five smiled.

"I know."

Number Two looked at the documents again.

"At least we have another batch secured."

He sighed.

"The security throughout the kingdom has increased significantly since the attacks began. Sending ordinary personnel to abduct people has become far too risky. They either get caught by the authorities, or they encounter that Eclipse organization before they can complete the operation."

"Exactly."

Number Five nodded.

"That’s why I’ve been handling the more delicate acquisitions myself."

Number One looked toward her.

"How long can you continue doing that?"

"As long as necessary."

She smiled calmly.

"Unless you intend to volunteer yourself."

Number One ignored the remark.

"The important thing is that we still have enough subjects to continue."

Number Three glanced toward the documents.

"And the previous subjects?"

"Most of them are still being processed."

Number Five’s expression became colder.

"Some have already reached the required stage. Others failed."

Number Two frowned.

"How many?"

"Not enough."

She answered without hesitation.

"That’s why the next batch was necessary."

Number One slowly nodded.

"We can’t afford another delay."

He looked around the room.

"The higher-ups are expecting results. If we fail to provide them, they’ll replace us with someone else."

Number Three’s expression darkened.

"Or worse."

Nobody needed an explanation.

They all understood what happened to people who became useless to the organization.

Number Five leaned back in her chair.

"Regardless, we should stop worrying about what has already happened."

Her eyes moved toward Number Four’s empty seat.

"Number Four is dead. There’s nothing we can do about that."

Number One looked at her.

"And you aren’t bothered by it?"

She shrugged.

"He was an idiot."

Her answer was remarkably cold.

"He ignored orders, underestimated the enemy, and paid the price. If we waste time mourning him, we’ll simply make the same mistake."

Number Two gave a faint nod.

"She’s right."

Number Three sighed.

"Unfortunately."

Number One turned toward the table.

"Then from this point onward, everyone operates under a different assumption."

The others looked toward him.

"The enemy is stronger than we believed."

He spoke slowly, making sure every word was understood.

His gaze hardened.

"That means they are no longer an organization we can treat as an external nuisance."

Number Five nodded.

"They are becoming a direct threat."

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