The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: The Rise of the Eclipsed Order

Inside the private meeting room, the discussion concerning the Order’s recent progress had finally come to an end.

Vhan had finished presenting the latest reports regarding the organization’s development, including the advancement of the newer recruits, the expansion of the research division, the improvement of their equipment, and the various projects currently being handled throughout the headquarters. Aurora and Octavia had also provided their respective reports, allowing Ares to gain a clear understanding of how the Eclipsed Order had developed during his absence.

Ares listened carefully until the final report was concluded, then leaned back slightly in his chair.

"That is enough for now. The Order has progressed considerably, and the current arrangements appear to be functioning properly. Continue along the same course, but make certain that our resources are being used efficiently rather than simply accumulating."

Vhan nodded respectfully.

"Understood, Master. We will continue monitoring the divisions closely and make adjustments whenever necessary."

Octavia added calmly, "The research division has also become significantly more productive since the arrival of the newer materials. With the resources you brought back today, several projects that were previously limited by material shortages can now proceed without interruption."

"Good," Ares replied. "That was the main reason I brought those materials back in the first place."

He was about to continue when something suddenly came to mind.

Ares’s expression changed slightly as he remembered the final and most important object he had obtained from the S-Rank dungeon.

’The dungeon core.’

He reached into his storage space without saying anything further.

A moment later, a dense sphere of energy appeared in his hand.

He placed it carefully on the center of the table.

The moment it touched the surface, the entire meeting room seemed to become heavier.

An immense concentration of mana immediately spread throughout the room, so dense that even those accustomed to powerful magical phenomena could feel the pressure radiating from the core.

Vince stared at it in disbelief.

"Such dense mana..."

Vhan’s expression became serious as he examined the object from across the table.

"That level of mana concentration is extraordinary. I have never seen a core with this degree of density before."

Octavia remained silent for several seconds, carefully observing the core without attempting to touch it.

Even Aurora, who had already witnessed the enormous quantity of resources Ares had brought back, could not hide her surprise.

Ares looked at the core resting on the table.

"This is the core of the S-Rank dungeon. Given its power, what do you think would be the best way to use it?"

Octavia studied the core for a while longer before answering.

"Given how powerful it is, I am afraid I cannot provide a reliable recommendation immediately, Master. We would need to conduct extensive analysis to determine its exact properties, energy capacity, stability, and compatibility with our existing systems. Rushing the process could result in us wasting an opportunity of this magnitude."

Ares nodded thoughtfully.

"I expected that."

Before the discussion could continue, Selene slowly raised her hand.

Everyone’s attention shifted toward her.

Ares looked at her with mild curiosity.

"Yes, Selene?"

"If I may, Master, I have a suggestion regarding the core."

"Of course. Go ahead."

Selene lowered her hand and looked toward the enormous core.

"Considering the amount of energy contained within it, I believe we should avoid limiting its use to a single device or conventional magical system. A core of this magnitude could provide a much more fundamental benefit to the Order if we used it as the primary energy source for the mountain itself."

Aurora’s eyes narrowed slightly with interest.

"The mountain?"

Selene nodded.

"The mountain where the Main Headquarters is located has already become the central foundation of the Order, but its location and structure still place certain limitations on us. If we properly integrate this core into its foundation, we could reinforce the entire mountain with a continuous supply of high-density mana."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"More importantly, we could use that energy to alter the mountain’s physical structure and raise it above the surrounding land, creating what is essentially a massive highland suspended above the region. The entire mountain could be reinforced from its foundation upward, making it considerably more stable and resistant to external forces while allowing the Order to expand across a much larger area."

Vince looked at her with growing interest.

"You mean we could turn the entire mountain into a fortified elevated territory?"

"Yes," Selene replied. "And it would not simply be a matter of lifting the mountain into the air. The core could be used to establish a stable magical foundation beneath it, reinforcing the rock, soil, structures, and defensive formations throughout the entire territory. The mountain would effectively become a self-sustaining stronghold with an immense amount of energy supporting its foundation."

Octavia’s expression changed as she began considering the implications.

"That would also provide us with considerably more freedom when expanding the headquarters. We would no longer need to work within the limitations of ordinary terrain."

Selene nodded.

"Exactly. The upper regions could be developed into additional facilities, training grounds, residential areas, gardens, production facilities, and defensive structures. Because the core would provide the energy necessary to maintain the foundation, we could also establish defensive barriers around the entire highland rather than protecting individual buildings separately."

Vhan folded his arms as he considered the idea.

"And if the mountain itself were elevated, reaching the headquarters would become considerably more difficult for anyone who did not have access to flight or teleportation."

"That is another advantage," Selene said. "The elevated position would naturally provide the Order with a defensive advantage, while the magical reinforcement would allow us to control access to the entire territory."

Aurora looked toward Ares.

"That is..."

She paused, apparently reconsidering the scale of what Selene had just proposed.

"I think that is a very good idea, Master. It would give the Order a territory that is not only larger, but also considerably easier to defend."

Ares remained silent for a moment, his eyes resting on the dungeon core.

Then a faint smile appeared.

"Now that I think about it, highlands, huh?"

He leaned back slightly.

"I suppose it isn’t a bad idea. In fact, it could solve several problems at once. We could expand the headquarters without worrying about the surrounding terrain, strengthen our defenses, and make the mountain itself part of the Order’s infrastructure."

His gaze shifted toward the others.

"However, there is still the problem of access. Not every member of the Order can use teleportation yet."

Selene answered immediately.

"We can solve that as well."

Ares looked toward her.

"How?"

"We could establish a permanent teleportation system between the ground and the highland. A central teleportation device could be constructed at the base of the mountain, with corresponding teleportation points established throughout the headquarters. Members without the ability to teleport could simply use the system whenever they need to travel between the two locations."

Octavia’s eyes brightened slightly.

"That is certainly within the realm of possibility. With the research division’s current capabilities, constructing the framework for a large-scale teleportation system would be difficult, but not impossible."

Vince nodded.

"And if the dungeon core is powering the system, we would not need to rely on ordinary mana crystals every time the device is activated."

Vhan immediately added, "We could also establish several separate teleportation points rather than relying on a single destination. That would prevent unnecessary congestion and allow members to travel directly to different sections of the headquarters."

Selene nodded.

"Precisely. The core could serve as the central energy source for the entire system, while the teleportation points themselves could be distributed throughout the highland."

Ares considered the proposal carefully.

"So we would have an elevated territory, a reinforced mountain foundation, a large-scale defensive system, and a permanent transportation network connecting it to the ground."

"Yes," Selene replied. "And because the core is exceptionally powerful, we would not necessarily need to limit the system to transportation. Once the primary infrastructure is established, its remaining energy could support other facilities throughout the highland."

Octavia looked toward Ares.

"If we proceed with this plan, I recommend that we divide the project into several stages. First, we should thoroughly examine the core and determine its output and stability. At the same time, the research division can begin designing the foundation system and the initial teleportation framework."

Vhan nodded.

"I can oversee the construction planning and coordinate the different divisions once the designs are approved."

Vince added, "I can assist with the material requirements and determine which of the resources Master brought back can be incorporated into the foundation and teleportation devices. With the amount of orichalcum and other rare materials available, we should have more than enough to begin."

Aurora looked toward Selene.

"And you would be able to assist with the magical side of the project?"

Selene gave a calm nod.

"Of course. I understand the nature of high-density magical energy, and I can help ensure that the core is integrated without destabilizing the surrounding environment."

Ares looked around the table at everyone.

"Then that’s our plan."

His gaze settled on the dungeon core.

"We will not rush its use. Octavia, begin the examination and determine everything you can about the core. Vhan and Vince, coordinate with the research division and prepare the materials necessary for the foundation and teleportation systems. Aurora, oversee the organization of the headquarters while we determine how the expanded territory should be divided."

He then looked toward Selene.

"And Selene, work with Octavia on the core’s integration. If we’re going to turn the mountain into the Order’s new highland, I want the foundation to be strong enough that we never have to rebuild it later."

Selene smiled faintly.

"Understood, Master. I believe the result will exceed your expectations."

Ares glanced once more at the core resting on the table.

"Then let’s make it happen."

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