Javier coughed slightly before focusing back on the report.
A knock sounded at the door.
Garius leaned back in his chair. "Co in."
Javier glanced toward the entrance.
Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, and Heres stepped inside. Heres held a mana phone in his hand, the screen showing Athine’s face in a live video call, which he carefully placed on the table before taking his seat.
"Good. Everyone is here. Take a seat."
Everyone nodded, bowed respectfully toward their father, and settled into their chairs.
"Alf?" Garius said.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Where are Hesbeirn and Gilmon?"
"I have already inford them, Your Majesty. They were at the Arjam naval base earlier. I’m sure they will arrive on their Pekko any minute now."
"Good. We’ll begin our family council once all your mothers are here as well," Garius said, his gaze sweeping over his sons. "This is a family eting, but it concerns matters of importance, and trusted aides will also be present."
Garius glanced at Alf again. "Did you already inform Rasdingen as well?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have inford him. He ntioned he will be arriving shortly."
While Garius continued speaking with Alf and Erinette, Marcellus nudged Javier beside him and leaned in to whisper.
"What is this about?"
Javier gave Marcellus a sidelong glance before passing the report over.
Marcellus took it and began reading carefully, his eyes scanning the printed images, troop markings, supply routes, and annotated intelligence notes. He exhaled slowly.
Cedric and Heres looked at Marcellus, and Cedric nudged his side, whispering, "Yo, brother. What’s this about?"
"Nothing major... just so trouble brewing among the human nobles in the Human Kingdom."
"What does that have to do with us?" Cedric asked, his tone low but curious.
Javier just exhaled. "It won’t affect us directly, not militarily, at least. But there’s a much bigger problem."
"What do you an?" Heres asked, turning his attention to Javier.
"We’d better wait for everyone to get here. What I know is... we’re going to be super busy." Javier sighed again. "Another pain in the ass, caused by sothing that wasn’t even our problem, but now we’re all going to have to deal with it."
Aelius just shook his head.
Javier put down the report and leaned back in his chair. "You all rember the refugee crisis from Arjam before, right? Before we used direct military intervention and absorbed it into Armand?"
"Yeah... what about it?" Marcellus whispered.
"The refugee problem, when the civil war happens... is going to be ten, maybe twenty tis worse."
"Seriously?" Cedric hissed under his breath.
Javier exhaled and crossed his arms, glancing up at the ceiling. "No... I think it’ll be far worse than that. According to this report..." He picked up another docunt with images captured by mana satellites and sky eyes. "The human regions near Arjam and Armand are already filling up with displaced people. They’re moving toward areas with easier access to affordable food, like the regions bordering the Beastkin Kingdom, where supplies can still reach without a weeks-long journey."
He tapped the image on the report. "If a full-scale civil war breaks out, that trickle of movent will beco a flood, and it’ll spill right into our territory."
"So... what do you think Armand should do for them?" Marcellus leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, watching their father as he continued his quiet discussion with Alf and Erinette.
"I don’t know. I don’t think the way we handled the refugees from Arjam before is going to work this ti. But I know for sure Father already has a plan for this." Javier exhaled, reached for his coffee, and took a sip before checking the report again.
"The problem is, we’re all going to be included in this, and it’s going to be a huge headache for and for all of us. Sigh... why did Kimar have to beco the Human Kingdom ruler? He’s more obsessed with his pride and power than the welfare of his own people."
"And now, because of that bastard, my free ti for new inventions, or being with all my future wives, is gone..." Javier narrowed his eyes, frustration clear in his tone. "Not to ntion the wedding for Aelius and Athine in two more days." He glanced at Aelius, who was smiling softly at the mana phone screen, where Athine was talking to him in a low, affectionate tone.
Javier smirked and glanced at Marcellus, Cedric, and Heres. "Since all your partners are pregnant now, maybe that’s why Father doesn’t want any of his sons living outside the Armand estate. He wants us close, both for security and so we can be present for our families and our duties. He wants the next generation close, protected, and raised within the family’s influence."
"Yeah... since we all have responsibilities toward Armand, and now we’re royals, which ans we have obligations beyond just ourselves," Marcellus leaned back again, a faint smile on his lips.
Cedric nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It’s not a bad thing. Better to have everyone close, especially with everything that’s brewing."
Heres smiled softly. "I don’t mind at all. At least here, Kliatana is safe, and there are always people watching over her when I’m not around. Besides, I can see my mother and my little sister, ensure they both are taken care of."
Everyone looked at Aelius, who was still absorbed in his mana phone call with Athine. Javier smirked. "Heh... looks like this one doesn’t care much, as long as Athine is with him."
"Yeah, agreed," Marcellus chuckled softly.
Heres just shook his head, while Cedric nudged Aelius and tilted his head toward the screen. "Oi, little sister. Give him so ti with us~"
Athine laughed softly and shook her head gracefully. "Yes, yes~ I know. I’ll let you have him back for now."
Cedric glanced at Javier. "So, little brother."
"Hmm?" Javier looked over. "What?"
"That thing Aelius and Athine are using... err... what’s it called again?" Cedric asked.
Aelius smiled softly. "Mana phone, brother... mana phone."
"Yeah... mana phone. This thing looks good," Cedric mused. "This ans we can spend ti with our partners even when we’re away on duty or traveling."
Marcellus nodded. "Yeah, this could benefit us, too. It would make coordination easier, and... well, it’s nice to see their faces when we’re apart."
Heres glanced at Javier. "If possible... I’d also like one for and one for Kliatana."
Javier chuckled softly and smiled, leaning forward to rest his chin on the table. "You don’t even need to ask. I’m sure Father will ask for everyone inside this council to get one. That’s why every important person attending today will receive one. I’m pretty sure Father’s first discussion is about this. He knew about it early, even before Aelius and Athine got theirs. The only special thing is... those two got it first~"
( End Of Chapter )
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