"So tell me, why do I have to team up with this guy, Garlos?!"
Dylan protested in frustration, pointing at Luther, who was leisurely sipping tea nearby.
"If I show even the slightest opening, this guy will definitely take the opportunity to take me out! Teaming up with him is way more dangerous for my life than working alone!"
Garlos remained calm as he responded, "Dylan, just take a moment to think—using what little brainpower you have. Your magic is clearly more suited for close combat. Pairing you with Luther, a mage proficient in mid-to-long-range attacks, improves your overall combat versatility. It's an advantage for completing the mission, with no downsides."
"You just insulted me with a straight face, didn't you?! What the hell do you mean by 'what little brainpower I have,' you bastard?! And your logic only works if we actually cooperate! This guy is obviously supposed to be my enemy!"
Dylan was on the verge of losing it, fuming at Garlos' sarcastic reasoning.
"Dylan-senpai, what are you even saying?" Luther took a leisurely sip of tea before adding, "Outside of official duels, killing is strictly forbidden. How could I possibly assassinate you so openly… (quietly) At least, not unless I do it in secret."
"Damn it, there are so many things wrong with this that I don't even know where to start!"
Dylan grabbed his light green hair in frustration, feeling like he was about to lose his mind.
"Tina believes we should finish assigning the tasks for this meeting as soon as possible. Otherwise, wasting time will significantly lower the success rate of this operation. Also, Stella-nee has fallen asleep out of boredom and is now slumped on Tina's shoulder, making Tina's shoulders feel very sore. Tina silently complains in her heart about these idiots," the red-haired girl sighed, looking at the increasingly chaotic scene.
"Ahem." Garlos cleared his throat a few times before speaking.
"In any case, this decision is final. It has already been approved by Master. If you have any objections, you're welcome to take them up with him directly."
Dylan looked utterly devastated.
"Alright, then. Everyone understands their assignments now, correct?"
Garlos said in a low voice.
"On the final day, Tsukiyo and Lance will also arrive using their spirit forms. When that thing is activated, we must delay His Majesty Nord's movements. That's all for today. Disperse into your assigned groups."
"Stella-nee, please wake up. The meeting is over," Tina called out sincerely, shaking Stella's shoulder.
"Mm...?" Stella slowly regained consciousness, her gaze still hazy.
But as she processed Tina's words, something suddenly came to mind.
Turning to Garlos, she asked, "Oh, right—Garlos, I haven't asked yet. Where is my Ophelia?"
('My Ophelia'? Since when did Ophelia belong to you?!)
Although Garlos was mentally complaining, he wisely chose not to voice his thoughts.
The last thing he wanted was to suffer Stella's wrath and end up being hunted down.
"Ophelia had another task to attend to and couldn't be here," he replied.
"What task?"
"Stella, are you still half-asleep? You should be the one most aware of this." Garlos smirked meaningfully.
"Ophelia needs to put on a beautiful performance… to lower the vigilance of certain pieces on the board."
..............
In the silent corridor, only the sound of footsteps echoed.
The captain of the Kingdom's Knight Order, Arcadios, walked alone, his expression calm and indifferent.
"Colonel Arcadios."
A voice from behind caused Arcadios to stop in his tracks.
"Minister of National Defense."
Arcadios tilted his head slightly, looking at the short elderly man approaching him.
"What exactly is going on here?" the old man demanded.
"You mean?"
Minister of National Defense Darton spoke with a stern expression, "Don't play dumb. What exactly are you plotting? You've been far too active lately. Don't you think your actions are a bit premature?"
"Because it will soon enter the operational phase," Arcadios replied calmly, his expression unchanged.
"It's still too early! That thing isn't finished yet!" Daton raised his voice.
"Minister, your voice may be a bit too loud," Arcadios responded leisurely.
"Besides… it was completed long ago. Only the final touches remain."
"You… What did you just say? That was only a pretext to secure more funding!"
"Once the magic infusion is complete and the fated day arrives, Eclipse will be ready for use," Arcadios said softly.
"Impossible!" Daton cried out in shock.
"Something of such immense scale and terrifying power… You're telling me it was completed in just seven years?!"
"We are now proceeding with Phase 4B. To move further forward, ensuring the completion of the magical reserves is essential," Arcadios stepped forward, his gaze locking onto the now-sweating Minister Darton.
"You have always been one of the most vocal opponents of the Eclipse project, but at this point, there is no stopping it."
"You're a demon!" Darton shouted in both anger and fear.
"For this world, for the future—whether I become a demon or a god, I will accept it."
Arcadios' voice turned cold and emotionless.
"Before the divine palace that will change the world, the lives of a few mages are far too insignificant."
(Yes, the future of this world will ultimately be held in our hands. Not by you incompetents, but by us.)
A strange, almost eerie smile crept onto Arcadios' lips.
He no longer paid attention to the trembling Minister Darton and instead strode away with firm, determined steps.
In a dark and hidden space, a dense and overwhelming magical energy churned and boiled.
It was a force so terrifying that it would drive any mage to despair.
There was no form, no technique—only the sheer, crushing weight of its absolute quantity.
Even Etherion, the pride of the Magic Council, paled in comparison to the power that surged within this place.
And in the midst of this torrent of magic, a colossal structure shimmered with an ancient, desolate aura that defied description.
It rested in silence, yet its mere presence evoked an instinctive sense of dread.
This was not something that could be compared to human existence.
Just a single glance was enough to make one understand the unfathomable gap between them.
This was a difference beyond dimensions.
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