The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 182: Chapter 183: A Gift for the Eclipse Order

The room inside Starlight was unusually lively that afternoon.

Draven, Cedric, and Astra were gathered together near the center of the room, each of them watching Ares with barely concealed anticipation as he stood before them with several unfamiliar objects stored within his spatial storage.

Ares looked at the three of them.

’They’ve been waiting for this ever since I mentioned it.’

He reached into his spatial storage and brought out the first iPad.

It was covered in a sleek metallic blue finish, with a subtle silver edge that reflected the light whenever Ares moved it.

He held it toward Draven.

"This one is for you, Draven."

Draven froze.

His eyes widened.

His mouth slowly opened.

For several seconds, he simply stared at the device in Ares’s hand as though Ares had just presented him with an artifact of legendary importance.

Then he hurried forward.

"For me?!"

Ares nodded.

"Yes."

Draven carefully took the iPad with both hands.

The moment it touched his palms, his entire expression changed.

"Master!"

His eyes were practically shining.

"This is mine?"

"Yes."

"Really mine?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Draven stared at the device again before holding it against his chest.

"Thank you, Master! I promise I’ll take extremely good care of it!"

Ares raised an eyebrow.

"You don’t have to treat it like a sacred relic."

Draven immediately looked down at the screen.

"It’s from your world!"

Ares sighed.

"It’s just a tablet."

Draven ignored him completely as he examined every part of the device, turning it over, inspecting the edges, and staring at the screen with obvious excitement.

Ares shook his head before reaching into his spatial storage again.

"Cedric, this one is for you."

The second iPad appeared.

It was completely black, with a smooth matte finish and a simple, understated design.

Cedric’s eyes widened the moment he saw it.

He approached more calmly than Draven had, but the excitement in his expression was impossible to hide.

Ares handed it to him.

Cedric accepted it carefully.

"Thank you, Master."

He looked down at the device.

"I’ll take care of this forever."

Ares blinked.

"Forever?"

Cedric nodded seriously.

"Yes."

Cedric held it with both hands.

"Nevertheless, I will ensure that it remains in perfect condition."

Ares stared at him for a moment.

"Alright, then."

He decided not to argue.

He reached into his spatial storage one final time.

"Alright, alright. Now for the last one."

Ares brought out the third iPad.

It was a soft white color with a faint silver finish around the edges.

Astra’s eyes immediately widened.

She stared at it.

Then at Ares.

Then back at the iPad.

"Master..."

Ares smiled.

"This one is yours, Astra."

Astra immediately jumped.

"Really?!"

"Yes."

She jumped again.

"Really?!"

Ares laughed softly.

"I just said yes."

Astra hurried forward and accepted the iPad with both hands.

"Thank you, Master!"

She jumped again.

"Thank you!"

Another jump.

"Thank you so much, Master!"

Ares stepped backward slightly.

"Alright, alright, you don’t need to thank me that many times."

"But I’m really happy!"

Astra hugged the iPad against her chest.

"I’ll take care of it!"

"Good."

Ares looked at the three of them.

Draven was already tapping the screen repeatedly.

Cedric was carefully examining the settings.

Astra was staring at the display with a smile that had completely taken over her face.

"I already downloaded games and everything onto them," Ares explained. "There are also dramas, movies, animations, and several other things you can watch whenever you want, so you can use them however you like."

The three immediately looked up.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Their expressions brightened even further.

"Thank you, Master!"

Ares smiled.

"You’re welcome."

He watched them for a moment.

’They really like it.’

Draven was already opening a game.

Cedric had begun exploring the different applications.

Astra was switching between several screens while her tails moved continuously behind her.

Ares couldn’t help staring at them.

’Seriously, am I a father to these three or something?’

He shook his head slightly before remembering something else.

"Oh, before I leave, I have something else for the three of you."

The three immediately looked toward him.

Ares reached into his spatial storage.

The first package appeared.

Then another.

Then another.

Within seconds, a large selection of food had been placed across the table.

Fried chicken.

Burgers.

Chocolate.

Cookies.

Potato chips.

Pastries.

Cakes.

Sandwiches.

Packaged snacks.

Various instant foods.

And several other things they had never seen before.

The three stared at the food.

Their previous excitement over the iPads was temporarily forgotten.

Draven slowly pointed toward one of the burgers.

"Master..."

Ares looked at him.

"What?"

"What is that?"

"A burger."

"A burger?"

"Yes."

Draven picked it up carefully.

Ares didn’t bother explaining much.

"It’s food. Try it."

Draven looked suspiciously at it for a moment before taking a bite.

His eyes immediately widened.

He stopped chewing.

Then his expression changed completely.

"This..."

Cedric had already taken a bite of his own burger.

His eyes widened as well.

Astra bit into hers.

Her ears immediately stood upright.

Draven swallowed.

"Master!"

Ares looked at him.

"This is delicious!"

Cedric nodded rapidly.

"The combination of the bread, meat, vegetables, and sauce is remarkably balanced."

Astra took another bite.

"It’s so good!"

She hugged the burger with both hands.

"I’ve never eaten anything like this!"

Ares smiled.

The three immediately began trying everything else.

The fried chicken produced another round of astonished reactions.

The crispy coating and tender meat were completely different from anything they were accustomed to eating.

The chocolates were even more surprising.

Astra stared at the chocolate in her hand after taking her first bite.

"Master..."

"Hm?"

"Why is this so good?"

Ares laughed.

"I don’t know."

Draven was already reaching for another piece.

"I’ll have another."

Cedric quietly took one as well.

The snacks, pastries, and other foods produced similar reactions, and before long, the three were sitting together eating while their iPads remained open beside them.

Ares watched them for another moment.

’They really are enjoying this.’

He smiled.

"I’ll leave the three of you for now. I still need to visit the main headquarters."

None of them answered.

Draven was completely focused on his game.

Cedric was watching something on his screen.

Astra was eating chocolate while simultaneously exploring another game.

Ares stared at them.

"...Right."

He sighed.

"Apparently, I’ve already been forgotten."

He turned around and left the room.

---

Ares eventually reached Aurora’s office.

He knocked once.

"Come in."

Ares opened the door.

Aurora immediately stood when she saw him.

"Master, you’re back."

She lowered her head respectfully.

"Yeah."

Ares entered the room.

"Where’s Leonora and Herrera?"

Aurora answered without hesitation.

"They went to the city of Valeris to inspect the businesses operating there and review the latest reports from our local managers. They should return after completing the inspection."

"Oh, I see."

Ares nodded.

"Anyway, are you busy?"

"Of course not, Master. If there is anything you require, please feel free to ask."

"Good."

Ares reached into his spatial storage.

Aurora watched curiously.

Then—

THUD.

A large stack of packaged food appeared on her desk.

Then another.

Then another.

Within seconds, more than a hundred burgers were piled across the surface.

Aurora stared at them.

Her expression changed slightly.

"...Master?"

Ares smiled.

"This is food."

Aurora looked at the pile.

"I can see that but..."

"These are burgers."

"Burgers?"

"Yes."

Aurora carefully picked one up.

"I’ve never seen anything like this."

"I brought them from Earth."

Aurora’s eyes widened slightly.

"Earth?"

Ares nodded.

"Take one."

Aurora hesitated briefly before carefully opening the package.

The smell reached her immediately.

Her expression changed.

A faint aroma of grilled meat, warm bread, melted cheese, and sauce filled the office.

Aurora looked at the burger for another moment before taking a bite.

Her eyes widened.

For several seconds, she remained completely still.

Ares watched her.

"How is it?"

Aurora slowly swallowed.

"...This is unexpectedly delicious."

She looked down at the burger again.

"The bread is soft, the meat has a rich savory flavor, and the sauce adds a slight sweetness that balances the saltiness. The vegetables also provide a fresh contrast to the meat and cheese."

Ares nodded.

"Good."

Aurora took another bite.

"This will definitely..."

She paused.

Her expression became thoughtful.

"...be useful."

Ares raised an eyebrow.

"That’s what I was thinking."

He gestured toward the remaining burgers.

"I want you to get the recipe."

Aurora looked at him.

"The recipe?"

"Yes. If we can reproduce these here, they could become another business product."

Aurora immediately understood.

"That would be profitable."

"Exactly."

Ares nodded.

"Study the ingredients and preparation process. If necessary, have the research division analyze the food and determine how to reproduce it with ingredients available here."

Aurora smiled.

"Understood, Master."

She looked at the enormous pile again.

"What about these, Master?"

"Distribute them to the members."

Aurora’s expression softened.

"I will."

Ares smiled.

"Good."

He turned toward the door.

"Let’s go to the main headquarters."

Aurora nodded.

"Yes."

She placed the burger down and followed him.

---

The main headquarters of the Eclipse Order was considerably busier than Starlight.

Members were moving throughout the large central courtyard, officers were discussing reports, and several groups were returning from missions.

Near one of the training areas, Vhan and Vince were speaking with several officers when a familiar spatial distortion suddenly appeared.

Ares and Aurora stepped through.

The moment they appeared, the nearby members immediately noticed them.

Vhan turned.

His expression immediately changed.

"Great Eclipse."

He approached with Vince beside him.

Several other officers followed.

"Great Eclipse."

Ares smiled.

"Hello, everyone."

The officers bowed respectfully.

Among them were Samantha, Celeste, and Andrea, who had apparently been discussing a mission report with Vhan and Vince.

Samantha lowered her head.

"Welcome back, Master."

Celeste and Andrea followed.

"Welcome back, Master."

Ares nodded.

"I came here because I brought something from Earth."

Vhan looked curious.

"Something from Earth?"

"Yes."

Ares glanced toward Aurora.

"Call Octavia."

Vhan immediately turned toward one of the nearby members.

"Go to the research division and inform Octavia that Master has requested her presence."

"Yes, Lord Vhan."

The member immediately departed.

Vhan looked toward Ares.

"Shall we use the meeting room?"

"That would be fine."

The group moved toward one of the headquarters’ meeting rooms.

Once everyone had entered, Ares stood near the center of the room.

Vhan, Vince, Aurora, Samantha, Celeste, and Andrea took their seats.

A few minutes later, Octavia entered.

She lowered her head.

"Master."

Ares nodded.

"I wanted to give everyone something."

He reached into his spatial storage.

The table disappeared beneath food.

Boxes of fried chicken.

Stacks of burgers.

Large packages of chocolates.

Bags of chips.

Cookies.

Pastries.

Cakes.

Sandwiches.

Packaged noodles.

Dried snacks.

Fruit products.

Various preserved foods.

And numerous other things that none of them immediately recognized.

The room fell silent.

Vhan stared at the table.

Vince slowly raised an eyebrow.

Samantha looked at the food with obvious curiosity.

Celeste leaned forward slightly.

Andrea stared at one of the burger packages.

Aurora smiled faintly.

Octavia’s expression remained composed, although even she seemed surprised by the sheer amount of food.

Vhan finally spoke.

"Master..."

He looked across the table.

"What exactly is all of this?"

Ares answered calmly.

"Food from Earth."

"Earth?"

"Yes."

He gestured toward the table.

"Most of these things don’t exist here, at least not in the same form. I brought them because I thought everyone might enjoy trying something different."

Vhan stared at the enormous quantity.

"You brought all of this for the Order?"

"Yes."

The room became noticeably quieter.

Ares continued.

"Distribute it among everyone currently at the headquarters, including the new recruits. Make sure nobody is left out."

Vince looked at the food again.

"Master, this is an extraordinary amount."

"I know."

Ares shrugged.

"There are more than six hundred members now. I figured bringing a large amount would be easier than trying to decide who should receive what."

Samantha’s expression softened.

"You thought about everyone..."

Ares looked at her.

"Of course."

Celeste smiled.

"Master, you didn’t have to go through this much trouble."

Andrea nodded.

"Even bringing food from another world must have taken considerable effort."

Ares sighed.

’Ah, here they go again.’

Every time he did something for them, their expressions changed in exactly the same way.

Admiration.

Gratitude.

Respect.

Sometimes it made Ares feel as though he had accidentally become some kind of saint.

’Seriously, why do they always look at me like that?’

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Just eat."

Vhan smiled.

"Understood, Master."

The distribution began.

Members of the headquarters were called in gradually so the food could be divided properly rather than creating a crowd around the meeting room.

Boxes were carried outside.

Burgers were distributed.

Fried chicken was divided among the members.

Chocolates and snacks were placed into separate packages so the newer recruits would receive them as well.

The new members who had recently been rescued from Ramwel were especially surprised.

Some had never seen food presented in such variety.

Others simply stared at the packages before cautiously opening them.

Soon, the headquarters became filled with unfamiliar smells.

The aroma of grilled meat and warm bread spread through the courtyard.

The smell of fried chicken followed.

Several members took their first bites.

Then reactions began.

"This is incredible."

"I’ve never tasted anything like this."

"The meat is so tender."

"What is this sauce?"

"These are amazing."

The new recruits were equally stunned.

One of the rescued children carefully took a bite of a burger.

Her eyes widened.

"It’s delicious."

Another child immediately smiled.

"Can I have another?"

The member distributing the food laughed.

"Of course."

More laughter spread through the courtyard.

For once, the headquarters didn’t feel like a secret organization preparing for battles and dealing with dangerous enemies.

It simply felt like a place where people were eating together.

Ares watched from the meeting-room entrance.

He couldn’t help smiling.

’At least they’re enjoying it.’

---

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