While walking back, Giddie appear and stopping Pikko.
Cuquawked!
Pikko stopped, looking nervous, while Liana began to climb down from the carriage. She noticed Lord Garius nearby with Alf and Erinette.
"Liana?" Garius called out, his tone calm but firm. "Where is your young master? And why are you leaving him?"
Liana politely bowed. "I'm sorry, my lord. It's just… Young Master Javier wanted to test the new device he just finished crafting."
"Which one?" Garius asked, raising an eyebrow.
"This one, my lord," Liana replied, pulling the Mana-Talkie from her ear and carefully handing it over to Garius while still bowing politely.
"How do I use this?" Garius asked, examining the device.
"Just put it on your ear, my lord, and channel so mana to start talking," Liana explained.
Garius placed the Mana-Talkie on his ear and channeled a small amount of mana.Imdiately, he heard:
"Lianaaa… I love you… co back to … ehehehe…"
Garius's expression shifted, and he glanced at Liana.
"Liana? Why aren't you answering?" Javier's voice continued through the device.
Garius smirked, then channeled mana into the Mana-Talkie.
Javier, still lounging in his workshop and admiring his genius invention, nearly dropped the Mana-Talkie when he heard the deep, commanding voice of his father.
"Javier. Co to the courtyard. Now."
His entire body stiffened. Oh, crap.
Javier gulped and glanced toward Buddy, who had been happily playing chase with Peanuts. Suddenly, Buddy stopped, tilting his head at the distressed tone in Javier's voice.
Cuquawked?
Javier took a deep breath, crouching beside his feathered companion. "Buddy… save . Father is calling."
Buddy blinked. Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned right back to playing chase with Peanuts, pretending not to understand.
Javier's eye twitched. "Oi. You understood that, didn't you?!"
Buddy deliberately flapped his wings and squawked louder, acting even more excited in his ga.
Javier gritted his teeth. That damn bird knew.
Buddy wasn't just ignoring him—he was pretending not to understand on purpose because he knew Giddie was most likely nearby with his father.
Javier clutched his head. "Damn it, Buddy! You betrayed !"
Peanuts let out a playful squawk, as if laughing.
Javier sighed in defeat. There was no escape.
With heavy steps, he dragged himself toward the courtyard. As he arrived, he saw his father standing tall, arms crossed, his piercing gaze locked onto him. Beside him, Alf and Erinette stood with unreadable expressions, while Liana focused intently on the ground, avoiding his gaze entirely.
Garius held up the Mana-Talkie between his fingers. "So… this is what you've been working on?"
Javier straightened his back, attempting to regain his confidence. "Uh… Yes, esteed father! A revolutionary device to improve communication across long distances!"
Garius nodded slowly. "Impressive."
Javier exhaled in relief. Okay, maybe I'm safe—
Then Garius's smirk widened.
"But tell , Javier… when exactly did 'I love you, Liana~ ehehehe~' beco part of this device's 'revolutionary communication'?"
Javier choked on air.
Liana turned even redder.
Alf suppressed a chuckle.
Erinette covered her mouth, amused.
Javier panicked. "I-It was a feature! A secret encryption to test private communication security! You see, if an enemy intercepted the signal, they'd only hear nonsense instead of important strategy discussions!"
Garius raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then that ans I should try it again, in case I hear more 'encrypted nonsense'?"
"NO!! I an—Y-Yes, but—WAIT! NO!"
Javier sweated buckets.
Garius sighed, shaking his head. "At least your invention is useful. But next ti… test it with soone other than your personal maid."
Javier nodded frantically. "Yes! Of course! Absolutely, esteed father! Lesson learned!"
Garius tossed the Mana-Talkie back to him. "Good. Now go improve it."
Javier caught it and bolted, Liana following closely behind, still flustered.
Alf finally let out a chuckle. "Looks like the Young Master's inventions will provide us with much more than just military advancents."
Erinette smirked. "Indeed. I'd say this one has already proven… entertaining."
Garius exhaled, massaging his temple. "My son is a genius… and an idiot."
Javier slumped into his chair inside the workshop, rubbing his face. "Ughhh… that was humiliating…"
Liana walked in behind him, arms crossed, her cheeks still slightly pink. "Young Master… why do you always do things like that?"
Javier looked up at her, grinning despite his embarrassnt. "What? I can't tell my future wife that I love her?"
Liana sighed, shaking her head. "At least make sure you're not broadcasting it to your father next ti."
Javier groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, yeah… lesson learned."
Before Liana could scold him further, a loud squawk ca from outside.
Cuquawked! Cuquawked!!
Buddy and Peanuts charged into the workshop like madn, wings flapping wildly. They crashed into Javier's table, knocking over so tools.
"Oi! Oi! What's wrong with you two?!"
Then, slowly, Pikko move inside.
Javier froze.
Pikko was… trembling.
"Hah?"
Javier glanced outside—
And there he was.
Giddie.
The golden Pekko stood majestically in front of the workshop, his sharp eyes surveying the scene like an inspector.
Pikko quickly hid behind Buddy and Peanuts.
Buddy and Peanuts took a half step back as well.
Javier narrowed his eyes. "Are you guys… afraid of him?"
Pikko shivered, Peanuts refused to make eye contact, and Buddy looked away.
Javier blinked.
Wait. Wait. Wait.
His cool, battle-ready Buddy. His hyperactive troublemaker Peanuts. And even his most elegant and refined Pikko…
All three were scared of Giddie?!
Liana sighed. "Well, what do you expect, Young Master? Giddie is Lord Garius's Pekko. He's been with your father since before you were even born."
Javier stared. "So? Buddy's with now, and we're aweso."
Liana smiled. "Yes, but Giddie isn't just any Pekko. He was trained by your father himself. He's been through battles. His presence alone makes even knights nervous."
Javier turned back toward the door.
Giddie was still standing there.
Silently. Watching. Judging.
Javier gulped. Why does he feel like an old general inspecting recruits?!
Then—
Cuquawk. Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire
Giddie gave one final squawk before slowly walking away.
Buddy, Peanuts, and Pikko all exhaled in relief.
Javier gulped. "…Uh, Liana?"
"Yes, Young Master?"
"…Close the door."
Liana slowly reached for the shutters and gently closed them.
Thud.
They both exhaled in relief.
Pikko still refused to move from behind Liana.
Javier smirked. "Heh. Guess even Pekko have a pecking order, huh?"
Liana shook her head. "Enough playing around, Young Master. You still have to improve the Mana-Talkie."
Javier groaned but got back to work, occasionally glancing at the window to ensure Giddie wasn't watching.
He stretched his arms and looked at his pile of Mana Crystals. "Alright, back to work! Ti to make improvents! Liana, help with mana calibration."
Liana turned back to him, relieved that he was finally focusing on his project again. "Yes, Young Master."
Javier activated his Magic Crafting, channeling energy into his hands. A faint glow surrounded the materials on the workbench as he began refining the next version of the Mana-Talkie.
( End of Chapter )
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