The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: While the Eclipse Remains Hidden, the Shadows Continue to Spread

The meeting had already come to an end.

Inside the private meeting room of Starlight, only one of the seven Crowns remained, with the documents from their latest investigation spread across the long table.

Another trace of the laboratory had been discovered.

Not enough to reveal the enemy’s entire operation, but enough to narrow down the possibilities considerably. With each new fragment they uncovered, the scattered pieces of information were beginning to form something resembling a map, and finding the enemy’s main base was no longer an unrealistic goal.

Aurora leaned back in her chair and slowly crossed her arms.

"With this information, locating their main base should only be a matter of time."

Herrera nodded while reviewing the final report.

"Agreed. The previous traces were too isolated to establish a reliable route, but this one connects several of them. If our assumptions are correct, their operations extend considerably farther than we originally believed."

Octavia glanced toward the documents.

"Then the fifth through the first Orders will have more work to do. The Seekers have already begun tracing the remaining locations, while the Sentinels are checking whether the areas we’ve identified are still being used."

Leonora smiled faintly.

"And the Vanguards?"

"They’re waiting for confirmation before moving," Samantha answered. "The last thing we need is for them to rush in and destroy evidence before the Seekers finish their investigation."

"Wise," Aurora said.

She glanced at the documents one final time before setting them aside.

"For now, we have enough to proceed."

The names of the five Orders were already well established within the organization.

1st Order — The Harbingers.

2nd Order — The Watchers.

3rd Order — The Vanguards.

4th Order — The Sentinels.

5th Order — The Seekers.

Each Order had its own purpose, and although their duties sometimes overlapped, their responsibilities were becoming increasingly specialized as the organization continued to expand.

And expand it had.

The Eclipse Order was no longer the small organization it had once been.

The number of members had continued to increase, while the headquarters hidden deep within the mountains had grown alongside them. What had once been little more than a concealed base had gradually become a vast complex capable of housing hundreds of people, with training grounds, storage facilities, workshops, living quarters, meeting halls, and several restricted areas reserved for the highest-ranking members.

Most of the newest recruits had already been transferred there.

As for Starlight, its own development was proceeding smoothly.

Aurora turned toward the others.

"That leaves Starlight."

She picked up another report.

"The construction has progressed without major problems. The payments for the land have already been completed, and the remaining expenses have been covered according to the original arrangements. There are no outstanding issues that require our attention."

Samantha gave a small nod.

"The merchants we work with have also received their payments. Nothing has disrupted the supply chain so far."

"Excellent."

Aurora closed the report.

"Then there is no reason to interfere with the current management. Let them continue doing what they are doing."

Herrera smiled slightly.

"Considering how quickly everything has been expanding, I expected at least one problem."

"Naturally, there had to be one," Leonora said.

Everyone looked toward her.

She calmly lifted her teacup.

"The problem is that everything is going too smoothly."

There was a brief silence.

Then Samantha laughed.

"That’s hardly a problem."

"For an organization like ours, it could become one."

Aurora smiled.

"Perhaps. But I would rather have that problem than the opposite."

The others agreed.

With the meeting concluded, the atmosphere gradually became less formal.

Aurora glanced toward the window.

"Then that’s everything for tonight."

She stood from her chair.

"Let us continue according to the current plans. Once we obtain another trace from the laboratory, we should be able to narrow down the location even further."

Her expression became slightly colder.

"And when we finally find them, we will make certain they regret leaving so many traces behind."

The other Crowns quietly nodded.

The meeting was over.

That same night, inside Ares’ room at the academy dormitory, the room was quiet.

Ares was sitting by the window when it suddenly opened without warning.

A figure slipped inside and landed silently on the floor.

"Master Ares."

Ares turned his head.

Zyra stood there, immediately lowering her head in respect.

"The latest report has arrived."

"Go ahead."

Zyra opened the documents she had brought with her.

"Following the investigation of the ruins, we have confirmed several traces connected to the laboratory. The Seven Crowns have been comparing the information recovered from the ruins with the records from our previous investigations, and they believe they are finally beginning to understand how the various sites are connected."

Ares listened quietly.

"With enough information, they believe locating the laboratory’s main base will only be a matter of time. The investigation is already being handled by the Seekers, while the Watchers and Sentinels are monitoring the surrounding areas."

"And if they encounter something beyond their expectations?"

"If the situation becomes serious, they intend to request assistance from the Eclipse’s Hand. If even that proves insufficient, they will call upon the Four Black Roses."

"I see."

So the girls really are making progress.

I gave them permission to investigate the laboratory, but I didn’t expect them to get this far.

Still, there’s no reason for me to interfere when they’re handling it themselves.

Besides, if I suddenly appear every time they encounter a problem, what’s the point of having them investigate in the first place?

Ares calmly closed his eyes for a moment before looking back at Zyra.

"Allow them to continue. If they require my assistance, they know where to find me."

"Understood."

Zyra lowered her head.

"There is also an update concerning the main headquarters."

"How is it?"

"The Eclipse’s Hand has been handling the internal affairs in your absence. The newly recruited members have also been assigned to the officers, who are currently overseeing their training."

"Hmm."

Ares thought for a moment.

"If I remember correctly, Lydia was assigned to oversee one of the training grounds?"

"Yes."

"I see."

Lydia was one of the people I placed there because she’s capable enough to handle it. In terms of strength, she’s comparable to the Seven Crowns.

Of course, there are several other members like that as well.

The problem is that there are simply too many of them now.

When the organization was smaller, I could remember everyone’s names without much effort. Now that we’re approaching three hundred members, remembering every capable subordinate is becoming considerably more difficult.

I really should try harder.

After all, I’m supposed to be the ultimate ruler of this organization.

It would be rather embarrassing if I started asking the orders, "And you are...?"

Ares maintained his usual calm expression.

"How are the new recruits progressing?"

"Their progress has been satisfactory. Several of them have shown considerable potential, and the officers believe some may eventually be suitable for higher positions."

"Good."

Ares nodded.

"Then leave the matter to the officers. The organization is growing, and they should learn to manage their own responsibilities."

"Understood."

Zyra closed the report and stepped back.

"Is there anything else, Master Ares?"

"No. Continue with your duties, and inform me immediately if the investigation discovers anything significant."

"Yes."

Zyra bowed once more before quietly slipping back through the window.

Ares watched her disappear into the darkness.

The laboratory was finally becoming easier to track down.

Ares sighed quietly.

"...Things really have gotten rather large."

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