The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: The Name Hidden in Darkness

Seraphine slowly gathered the reports into a single stack and looked over the names of the territories where the incidents had occurred.

"We’ll increase patrols around every location connected to these attacks, but keep the changes subtle. I don’t want the criminals to realize that we’re watching them, and I certainly don’t want whoever is behind these incidents to know that the kingdom has begun connecting the reports."

The Minister of Internal Affairs nodded.

"Understood. I’ll have the regional authorities adjust their patrol schedules and place additional investigators in the affected areas. We’ll make it appear as though the changes are part of our usual security measures."

"Good."

Seraphine placed another report on the table.

"At the same time, investigate the organization responsible for these incidents. We still don’t know their name, their purpose, or even whether they operate as a single organization, so don’t make assumptions based solely on the clothing described by the witnesses."

"The reports concerning the strange black attire will be treated as a lead rather than confirmation."

"Exactly."

Valric leaned forward, his eyes moving across the collection of documents.

"We should also keep the investigation divided between the criminal incidents and the laboratories. If they’re connected, we’ll eventually find a common point. If they’re unrelated, combining the investigations could contaminate the information we’re collecting."

Several officials nodded in agreement.

The intelligence officer reached for one of the reports.

"I’ll have the intelligence division compare the locations, dates, and known movements surrounding each incident. We’ll also review previous reports for anything that may have been overlooked because the individual cases appeared insignificant at the time."

Seraphine gave a quiet nod.

"Do that."

She looked toward the map spread across the table.

"For now, that’s enough. We don’t know what we’re dealing with, and that is precisely why we shouldn’t move carelessly."

The room remained quiet for a moment.

Everyone understood what she meant.

The kingdom had powerful armies, elite knights, skilled mages, and influential organizations, but none of those strengths meant much if they were deployed against an enemy they didn’t understand.

A large military response would only announce that the kingdom was investigating.

A premature confrontation could destroy evidence.

And sending one of the kingdom’s strongest individuals after rumors and incomplete reports would be an unnecessary gamble.

Seraphine finally closed the folder.

"We’ll continue gathering information."

Her gaze hardened slightly.

"If the incidents remain isolated, we’ll deal with them accordingly. If the situation expands, or if we confirm that this organization poses a threat to the kingdom, then we’ll escalate the investigation."

Valric nodded.

"At that point, we won’t rely on ordinary investigators."

The Minister of Internal Affairs looked toward him.

"The kingdom’s top intelligence forces?"

"Yes."

Valric’s expression remained serious.

"We have people whose entire purpose is to investigate matters that ordinary divisions cannot handle. They aren’t used without reason, and once they’re deployed, the matter will no longer be treated as a collection of unrelated incidents."

Seraphine glanced once more at the strange reports scattered across the table.

"Until then, we’ll watch."

She pushed the documents toward the intelligence officers.

"Increase the patrols. Continue the investigation. Keep the reports coming."

The officers immediately began gathering the documents.

"And above all," Seraphine added, "don’t let our curiosity turn into carelessness."

The meeting had continued for some time, but eventually the discussion returned to the strange organization that had appeared around the kingdom.

Ares had been listening from the beginning.

He stood in the darkness outside the building, his presence completely concealed. Beside him was Vhan, who had remained silent throughout the entire meeting.

When the voices inside finally grew quieter, Ares looked toward the illuminated windows.

"It seems they’re beginning to make a move."

Vhan glanced toward the building.

"It appears so."

He waited for a moment before turning toward Ares.

"What would you like me to do, Master? If you give the word, I can deal with this matter before their investigation reaches anything important."

Ares shook his head.

"No. There’s no need."

His gaze remained fixed on the building.

"As long as they don’t interfere with us, we have no reason to interfere with them."

Vhan nodded.

"Understood."

Ares was silent for a moment before continuing.

"If the situation becomes worse, however, we’ll do what is necessary."

Vhan’s expression sharpened slightly.

"Yes, Master."

Ares then seemed to remember something.

"Ah, before I forget."

He turned toward Vhan.

"We’ll only give them one name."

Vhan immediately understood what he meant.

"Eclipse."

"Exactly."

Ares smiled faintly.

"Let them wonder what kind of organization we are. The world will eventually learn that we exist anyway. There’s no point pretending we can remain completely hidden forever."

After hearing that a faint change appeared in his eyes.

It wasn’t fear or concern.

It was something closer to excitement.

The idea that the name of the Eclipse Order would eventually spread throughout the world seemed to ignite something within him.

Ares noticed the slight change in Vhan’s expression but decided not to comment on it.

"By the way, how are the Four Black Roses? They’ve been rather busy lately."

Vhan’s expression quickly returned to normal.

"They’ve been occupied with several matters recently, Master. There is nothing you need to concern yourself with. I’ll speak with them and make sure everything is handled properly."

Ares glanced at him.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Vhan hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Although... there is one matter I would ask you not to involve yourself in."

Ares raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Vhan’s expression became unusually serious.

"Because it is something the Four Black Roses are preparing personally."

Ares stared at him for a moment.

"Preparing?"

Vhan immediately realized he had said too much.

"Yes, Master. However, I believe it would be better if you allowed them to handle it themselves."

There was a brief silence before Ares shrugged.

"Fine. If that’s what they want, I won’t interfere."

Vhan quietly relaxed.

"Thank you, Master."

"Just make sure everything is going according to plan."

"Yes."

Ares turned his attention back toward the building below.

The meeting inside had already begun to disperse, and there was little reason for them to remain there any longer.

"Let’s go."

Vhan nodded.

"Understood."

The two figures stepped away from the edge of the rooftop before leaping into the night.

Ares disappeared toward one direction while Vhan moved toward another, their figures quickly swallowed by the darkness beneath the moonlit sky.

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