"I don't want to make the same mistake."
Renault lowered his head.
"Understood."
Outside the tent, a worker approached, seemingly wanting to ask for instructions. But when he saw the expressions on the Demon Hunter Association President's face and Renault's, he stopped and didn't dare speak.
Wu Heng glanced at him.
"What is it?"
The worker swallowed.
"President, the foundation has been dug. We can start pouring tomorrow. Do you think we should hold some kind of ceremony?"
Wu Heng fell silent for two seconds.
"No."
The worker nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait."
The worker stopped.
Wu Heng looked at him.
"What's your name?"
The worker froze. He hadn't expected the president to ask his name.
"A... Abdul. I'm from Algeria. I used to carve inscriptions on monuments."
Wu Heng nodded.
"Work hard."
Abdul stood there, unsure what to say.
Wu Heng had already turned and walked deeper into the tent.
Africa Headquarters, atop the tower.
Raymond stood by the railing, watching the desert in the distance sink into darkness. The evening breeze carried the smell of sand, along with a faint trace of sulfur.
Ella came up from the stairway and stood beside him.
"An order just came in." Her brows drew together as her hands moved unconsciously. "It's the highest level of combat readiness."
Raymond turned to look at her.
"The highest level?"
Ella nodded.
"The president issued it personally. All Demon Hunter Knights are to prepare themselves and remain on standby at all times."
Raymond fell silent for several seconds.
"Why?"
Ella shook her head.
"They didn't say. But when Renault passed on the order, his expression was terrible."
Raymond turned back and continued staring at the desert.
In the distance, those faint energy fluctuations, almost too weak to see, were still pulsing. Compared to a