The next day.
Evening.
After passing the Elven west border gate, the group was heading toward the Beastkin Nation’s first border town.
Buddy strode forward with a smug, bobbing gait, his head held high and his beak slightly open in a cheerful squawk. Javier sat comfortably on his back, enjoying the scenery as the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the plains.
Inside one of the pekko-drawn carriages, Gorak sat with his girls, his arms crossed and his expression sour. "This beggar said this was supposed to be fast. And yet, it’s not that fast at all."
Valcrea agreed with a furious scowl. "He lied to us. These dumb birds are slow. We should have kept our horses."
Gorak’s patience snapped. He shoved his head out of the carriage window and shouted, "Oi, beggar!"
Javier glanced back over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "What now?"
"Oi! You told us to change our horse carriages to these weird huge bird carriages because you said they were faster! But this is a joke! They’re just slow, dumb birds! "
Javier shook his head with an exaggerated sigh. "We just passed the Elven west gate, you know. Inside Elven territory, the pekko have to slow down because of their strict road regulations. We’re not allowed to go full speed within their borders."
Gorak sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Excuses. You’re just trying to take advantage of us and waste our money on this slowpoke monster bird. Look at it! It looks dumb and stupid, just like its owner!"
Javier smirked, digging his nose with his pinky before flicking it away, giving Gorak a lazy, mocking look. "Do you really want them to go full speed? Are you sure you and your girls can handle it?"
Gorak let out an arrogant laugh. "Handle it? This slowpoke won’t be any faster than a horse. There’s nothing the best archer like myself couldn’t handle. Go ahead. Prove wrong."
From the other carriage, Jaigar poked his head out of the window, his expression impatient. "Why is this so slow? I thought you said these birds were fast. We need to arrive quickly. Can you actually deliver what you promised, beggar?"
Javier’s smirk widened. "Very well... you asked for it. Don’t bla if you get thrown out of the carriage when it runs at full speed."
Gorak sneered. "Hah! There’s no way this shitty monster bird’s speed could throw anywhere. Just try it."
Javier glanced at the two Armand coachn. Both of them t his gaze with a knowing smirk before leaning down and whispering sothing to their respective pekko. The two massive birds squawked in excitent, their eyes gleaming with mischievous anticipation.
"Well..." Javier leaned forward, his smirk widening as he looked back at Gorak. "You better hold on tight."
He turned his gaze to the two coachn and gave a casual nod. "Let’s hit the first border town within five minutes."
The coachn grinned. "As you wish."
"Huh? What are you talking about..."
Before Gorak could finish his mocking, the pekko let out a thunderous squawk, and the carriages lurched forward with an explosive burst of speed.
In the blink of an eye, the world outside the windows beca a blur. The force of acceleration slamd everyone inside both carriages against the back walls, their bodies pressed flat, unable to grip anything as they were thrown backward.
Gorak’s girls scread, Jaigar cursed, and Gorak himself was pinned against the carriage wall, his face twisted in shock.
anwhile, Buddy had already shot ahead, his powerful legs carrying him at full speed, leaving the carriages trailing behind. Javier sat comfortably on his back, one hand shielding his eyes from the wind as he laughed.
"See you in the first border town!!!"
anwhile.
Beastkin Nation.
East border.
Up on the battlent.
A beastkin guard squinted his eyes toward the distant horizon, where a massive cloud of dust was rapidly approaching, kicking up from the cobblestone road.
I wonder what that is?
He took out the mana talkie from his waist and pressed the button, connecting to the guard post in front of the huge main gates.
"Guard post at the main gate, do you copy?"
A soft crackle ca through before a voice was heard. "What is it?"
"Do we have any information about a full-speed pekko approaching? There’s a huge dust cloud heading this way fast."
"Ah... about that. We just received contact from our command center. Princess Felicia herself inford us to ensure everything goes smoothly. The special units from the Beastkin Royal Palace are already here with us."
"Ah... okay. So I guess we just act normal, right?"
"Yeah. Don’t worry. Just keep doing your job."
"Roger that."
The guard scratched his head before shrugging.
"Well... if the royal special force is here, then we have nothing to worry about. Probably just another joint mission with Armand Nation."
He peeked down from the battlent as an orange pekko ca to a sudden stop and lowered its head, grooming its feathers with its beak. A cart full of fruits was pushed to the side, and the pekko snapped a few with its beak, gulping them down with a satisfied squawked.
"Cuquawked!"
The guard chuckled softly, wiping the barrel of his bolt-action rifle.
"An orange pekko... that ans the guy in those ragged clothes is the Prince of Armand."
He shook his head with an amused smile.
"No wonder Princess Felicia ca back to personally lead this operation. Her own fiancé is here."
anwhile.
At the main huge gate.
Javier narrowed his eyes as he glanced around, noticing sothing unusual. He quickly leaned in and whispered in a panicked tone to the guard who had just saluted him.
"H... hey!"
"Yes, Prince Javier?"
"O... oi! Don’t call that! I’m on a mission!"
"Ah... sorry." The guard rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"
"Why are Nukiz and Zhanik from the Royal Special Force here?"
"Ah... about that... It’s an order from Her Highness, Princess Felicia of the Beastkin Nation. She wanted to ensure your safety during the mission."
"Ihhh." Javier glanced around in panic. "Give your mana talkie. Fast! Before those bastards arrive."
The guard smiled and shook his head before handing over his mana talkie.
Javier pressed the button and hissed, "Felicia! I thought you were in Armand? What are you doing?"
Silence. No reply.
"Felicia. Don’t try to hide. I know you’re there. Why did you send the Royal Special Force?"
A soft crackle, then a shy voice ca through. "I... I was just worried about my husband. Is that wrong?"
Javier exhaled. "Not really, but I don’t want to risk their lives for this mission."
"They’re just there to check on you and make sure everything is going well. We won’t blow your cover, I promise."
Javier exhaled again, his tone softening. "Fine. But don’t worry too much. And don’t risk your life or anyone else’s for this mission. I’ll et you back in Armand."
"Mm... okay~"
"Is Mimi also with you?" Javier asked, narrowing his eyes.
A pause before the reply.
"No. That little sister of mine refused to co back. She’s just having video calls with our parents from the estate."
"Oh... good to know." Javier sighed in relief. "Anyway, don’t risk your special forces, even if I know how strong they are. This mission is mine to handle."
( End Of Chapter )
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