Everyone's mood noticeably improved. The appearance of a true Saint among their ranks could undoubtedly be considered the best news they had received in a long time.
Of course, Lily still couldn't compare to a complete expert like the Ashen Shepherd. In a one-on-one battle, she would undoubtedly suffer a crushing defeat. First and foremost, because she was still a teenager.
One must not forget that cultivation did not create strength out of nothing. It merely enhanced one's existing physical attributes, innate abilities, and the power inherited through one's bloodline.
Geniuses who reached high levels too early always faced the same problem. They could not compete on equal terms with experienced experts who had reached the same level in the prime of their lives.
And that was considered completely normal.
However, this limitation did not mean that reaching a high level early offered no advantages.
On the contrary.
The advantages were quite impressive.
First, a growing body adapted much better to the changes that came with cultivation. If an adult often had to sacrifice part of their health for the sake of deeply restructuring their body, teenagers went through such changes much more easily and naturally, which meant they would face far fewer obstacles as they continued to advance in the future.
There was nothing surprising about this. A developing body adapted better to its surroundings, and therefore to mana as well.
Second, an early breakthrough gave one something precious: time. Time to get used to newfound strength, strengthen one's foundation, and continue cultivating before the body reached its natural limits.
That was precisely why many great families, sects, and nations were willing to spend enormous resources nurturing young geniuses.
Moreover, this path was considered the best way to preserve as much of one's potential as possible and multiply it many times over in the future.
Simply put, Lily had not yet become the strongest expert on the battlefield, but she had undoubtedly taken an important step toward her own bright future.
And yet, at this moment, no one thought about it too deeply.
It didn't matter whether Lily could fight the Ashen Shepherd on equal footing or not. They had no intention of fighting him anytime soon anyway.
What mattered now were entirely different things.
Momentum. Morale. Team spirit.
When a person saw someone beside them achieve success, their own goal no longer seemed so distant and unattainable. It became more real.
Just yesterday, the Saint stage had seemed like something out of a legend to the teenagers. The domain of great figures, a privilege reserved for descendants of noble families and legendary heroes.
But today, one of their own teammates had taken that step right before their eyes.
Could they have reacted any differently?
Junior Grey firmly decided to follow Senior's advice.
There truly was a reason to celebrate, and not just one. It would have been downright foolish of him to miss such an opportunity to raise his subordinates' morale.
Although he had been feeling the unpleasant lightness of his wallet more and more often lately, he did not cut corners on the treats.
He was going to throw the teenagers the grandest feast of their lives.
Following Grey's instructions, Kai and Achilles left to hunt almost immediately, hoping to find some game for the festive table. Grey himself went to the kitchen with Cheryl to prepare several simple sweets for dessert.
Everyone else got to work cleaning the estate and preparing a place for a small banquet.
To Grey's surprise, they finished everything very quickly.
Just an hour and a half later, the entire group was already sitting around the campfire. The teenagers chatted cheerfully among themselves, cracked jokes, and discussed their plans for the future. All the negative thoughts caused by their lack of sleep had been temporarily pushed aside.
Grey raised the cup containing the drink he had handed out to everyone beforehand.
There was no alcohol in it. However, the herbal concoction relaxed both body and mind, gently affecting the body. It was most often consumed before breaking through the lower stages of cultivation to properly prepare the body for the changes ahead.
Grey's week-long absence from the old estate had not been spent in vain.
During that time, he had managed to gather and prepare everything necessary for the teenagers' awakening. After the recent events, his determination had only grown stronger. Grey firmly intended to provide each of them with the best possible conditions for their awakening.
And this concoction was only the first step toward that goal.
Grey stepped forward, quietly cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention, and raised his cup in a solemn gesture.
"Well, since we're celebrating, as your commander, I simply have to say a few words for a toast."
With every word he spoke, his voice grew deeper, like that of a seasoned general on the battlefield, and the teenagers' gazes were drawn to him.
"Lily broke through and became a Saint. That's wonderful news. But..." He paused briefly to give his next words more weight. "But if you think that's the only reason we're celebrating, then you're seriously underestimating my standards.
Two more things happened today that will undoubtedly bring us another step closer to a bright future."
The teenagers exchanged glances and held their breath. No matter how hard they racked their brains, it was difficult for them to imagine what kind of news could make Grey so happy that it rivaled Lily's breakthrough in importance.
"First of all, two more members of our team deserve congratulations. Hope and Cheryl have awakened their abilities! I won't go into details, but take my word for it. From this day onward, they'll be able to provide tremendous help to our team. So don't hold back and give them a round of applause."
Although this news was nowhere near as significant as Lily's breakthrough, the teenagers didn't hold back their praise.
Another roar of applause, mixed with loud congratulations, swept through the old estate.
The two little culprits, who had suddenly found themselves at the center of attention, felt embarrassed and flustered. They had never expected Grey to announce their achievements in front of everyone, so they lowered their heads, trying to hide their flushed faces.
Hope even hid behind Cheryl's back, attempting to escape everyone's prying eyes.
Grey chuckled at her ridiculous antics.
"That's another achievement worth celebrating. I must say, if you boys keep standing still, all the important positions in our organization will end up being occupied by the ladies. I can't even imagine how I'll be able to hold my head high, so I hope you'll all put in a little more effort..."
Everyone burst into laughter at Grey's joke, finding nothing inappropriate about it. However, a few individuals couldn't help but feel the pressure.
"And finally, the last piece of news, though certainly not the least important."
This time, Grey's voice took on a solemn tone.
"I'm delighted to announce that the Merciful Flame's Cult's operational base in Thorn's Cloaca was destroyed last night!"
For several seconds, a heavy silence fell around the campfire.
Grey's voice was loud and clear, yet the teenagers hardly dared to believe what they had just heard. The news was simply too incredible!
Was this really not a dream or a fantasy? Had they finally been freed from the heavy burden they had been forced to carry lately? Could they finally relax and return to their old lives?
"According to the rumors I've managed to gather, a powerful expert stormed the cult's base last night. After learning about their atrocities, he flew into a rage and slaughtered everyone inside. At least fifteen cultists met their end that night, and even the building itself couldn't survive! By dawn, nothing but ashes remained!"
His announcement was followed by a flurry of excited whispers.
"Seriously?!"
"Another fifteen bastards are dead?"
"They got what they deserved!"
"Wait, does that mean the cult is incredibly weakened right now?"
"Of course they're weakened. It's a shame we can't finish off what's left of them right now. We've spent an entire week hunting down small groups, but I'm not sure our hard work can even compare to a single heroic deed performed by that righteous expert almost as an afterthought."
"Are you kidding? He destroyed an entire base all by himself! We had to wait in ambush and pick weaker targets. For now, all we can do is admire his achievements from afar!"
"What's his name?"
Hearing the endless stream of questions, Grey coughed violently, feeling incredibly awkward.
After all, he couldn't exactly tell them that he was the very expert they were praising so enthusiastically. And even if he threw caution to the wind and openly admitted what he had done, hardly anyone would believe him.
After all, although he was a capable fighter, everyone knew he was a cripple who couldn't use mana.
Was it worth revealing the existence of his revolver or hand grenades?
Grey didn't think so.
In his opinion, a brief moment of fame and admiration wasn't worth exposing trump cards that might one day save his life.
After waiting for the cheers to die down, Grey spoke again:
"Nobody knows the true name of this righteous expert, but the city patrols have given him a nickname. Ahem... Ahem... The Quickdraw Butcher."
Speaking that awkward nickname turned out to be much harder than Grey had expected.
He caught his breath, brought the rim of his cup to his lips, and took a long drink before continuing his speech.
The teenagers happily followed their boss's example, mistaking his actions for the end of the toast. They were about to start discussing the news when Grey's solemn voice rang out once again.
"From this day onward, the threat posed by the Merciful Flame's Cult will be significantly reduced. Right now, while we're resting and enjoying ourselves, they're struggling just to survive.
A bunch of nobles driven by their own ambitions will never leave such a huge windfall untouched. They'll seize all the cult's wealth and assets for themselves, while you, the actual victims, won't even be left with the crumbs!
Do you think that's fair?"
No answer was needed. The teenagers' resentful expressions and tightly clenched fists said it all. Who would be happy to see the fruits of their hard work handed over to someone else?
Grey answered his own question.
"Of course not! But that's just how our world works! It's unfair and full of treachery.
A month ago, you were considered nothing but trash, sacrificial lambs, candidates for the grave. Today, everything has changed. The Merciful Flame's Cult is almost destroyed, and you've earned the honorable status of victims.
But will anyone remember you when the time comes to divide the spoils?
The answer remains the same! You'll get nothing!
Only the strong have the right to justice. Only the strong have the right to compensation. Only the strong can make sure their voices are heard!
And that's exactly why we've gathered here and continue to work hard. That's exactly why I created this organization and constantly strive to expand our influence.
One day, we'll become strong enough to make ourselves heard! One day, we'll become strong enough to force the entire world to change!
Don't think your efforts have been wasted!
I've seen your sweat and tears. I've seen your determination and hard work! I truly appreciate it.
That's why I'm officially declaring today the founding day of the Void's Order! Our organization, whose first members, I hope, will be all of you.
We will fight for justice! Protect the weak from oppression! Strive for equality for all, so that everyone's efforts receive the recognition they deserve! And I hope these aspirations won't be limited to some tiny city on the outskirts of the Magical Empire! One day, we'll be able to defend our ideals even before the gods themselves. The entire world will have no choice but to listen to us!
Only then, and only then, will the Void's Order truly deserve to bear its proud name!
To us! To the Void's Order! To true justice!
Cheers!"
Grey raised his cup and drained it in a single gulp.
A chorus of excited voices rang out.
"Cheers! Cheers! Cheers!"
...
P.S.
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