"AHHH!!"
Javier suddenly pointed toward the sky.
"LOOK! UP THERE!!"
Garius instinctively glanced up.
Marcellus and Cedric also looked, out of reflex.
There was nothing.
But by the ti Garius turned back—
Javier was already gone.
A faint dust trail remained where he had stood just seconds ago.
From the distance—
"SEE YA, BROTHERS!!"
Marcellus and Cedric watched in stunned silence as their little brother sprinted away at an absurd speed.
Cedric rubbed his temples. "That little—"
Marcellus scoffed. "Classic Javier move."
They both turned to Garius.
Their father was still smiling.
And that—
That was terrifying.
"So?" Garius asked casually.
Marcellus and Cedric both took a step back.
"...You know what, Father? I suddenly feel like sparring with Cedric instead!" Marcellus said.
"Y-Yeah! No need to waste your ti on us, Father!" Cedric added.
Garius cracked his knuckles.
"Oh? No need to hold back, my sons. I insist."
There was no escape.
Javier may have escaped for now…
But his brothers?
They were dood.
"NO WAY IN HELL AM I FIGHTING THAT MONSTER!!"
Javier's feet moved on instinct.
He rembered too well—
That "dried plum" of a father easily handled Alf, Hesbeirn, and so unknown bulky muscle dude all at once…
With a wooden sword.
A WOODEN SWORD.
Yeah, nope. Not happening.
Javier activated every speed-enhancing skill he had.
Dash! Escape! Run for your life!
He bolted straight toward his personal workshop—his sanctuary, his holy land of inventions, his fortress of solitude.
SLAM!
He rushed inside, locked the door, bolted it shut, reinforced it with mana, then—
Dove under his worktable and curled up.
"…Safe. I'm safe."
anwhile.
Marcellus sprinted down the hallways of the estate, dodging servants and leaping over furniture like a desperate fugitive.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!!"
His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
He thanked every divine force in existence that Cedric's blinding light had worked— giving him just enough ti to escape.
"Sorry, brother! But I'm not dying today!"
He vaulted over a railing, landing smoothly before breaking into another sprint.
—
On the other side…
Cedric was also running.
Far, far away from the training ground.
He grinned to himself, chuckling smugly.
"Heh… I'm sure Marcellus was blinded too, leaving him to deal with Father alone. Ahahaha!" Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire
Victory!
Pure genius!
There was no way that old man saw them escape—
—
Except.
Far away from their delusional confidence, Lord Garius just smirked.
He was already on his way toward Javier's pekko pen, strolling calmly alongside Giddie.
Not affected in the slightest by their feeble tricks.
His presence completely unnoticed—
Back at the javier personal workspace.
A knock at the door.
"Young Master~"
It was Liana and Gloria.
"We brought snacks~"
Javier hesitated.
Snacks… tempting.
But—
"Wait. Did Father send you?!"
"Hmm? What are you talking about, Young Master? Didn't you say you wanted so snacks before?"
"…Oh."
Javier hesitated.
Snacks… He did want snacks.
But sothing felt off.
He narrowed his eyes, still hiding under his worktable.
"Wait a minute…"
"Mhm?" Gloria humd innocently.
"Why did you two co together? You usually take turns bringing food!"
Another silence.
Then—
"Oh my, Gloria, I think the Young Master is doubting us."
"Ara~ That hurts, Young Master~ We only ca because we care about you."
Javier felt his stomach grumble.
His guard weakened.
Maybe… maybe they really just brought snacks.
Creeeak…
Slowly, he unlocked the door.
He peeked out.
Liana and Gloria stood there, smiling.
Holding a tray of his favorite treats.
Javier swallowed.
Maybe—just maybe—
This wasn't a trap.
Then—
A large shadow lood behind them.
A terrifying, overbearing, monstrous presence.
Javier froze.
And then—
A deep voice rumbled.
"Oh? My son finally decided to co out?"
Javier saw him.
Garius.
Standing behind Liana and Gloria.
Smiling.
Javier slamd the door shut and bolted it again.
"NOPE. NOT HAPPENING."
Liana and Gloria froze the mont they felt the oppressive presence behind them.
Slowly, stiffly, they turned around.
And there he was—
Lord Garius.
Standing tall and unmoving, his arms crossed, his piercing gaze locked on the workshop door.
Beside him, Giddie, the golden pekko, lood like a winged executioner, staring at the door with the sa judgntal intensity.
Liana and Gloria imdiately bowed out of respect—and fear.
"My Lord."
Garius stood there, arms crossed, his imposing presence making even the air feel heavier.
"Tell your Young Master…" He paused for effect, his sharp gaze locked onto the door Javier had just slamd shut. "He better not miss dinner."
Liana and Gloria shivered slightly at his tone.
"As you command, my lord."
Behind Garius, Giddie let out a slow, deliberate squawk.
Cuquawwwkkk…
Almost as if warning the hidden Young Master.
Garius smirked as he climbed onto Giddie's back, letting the golden pekko leisurely stroll around the estate.
He had done what he ca to do—strike fear into his sons.
Liana and Gloria kept bowing, unmoving, waiting. Not daring to rise.
Only when Lord Garius and Giddie disappeared into the distance did they exhale in relief.
Then—
Panic.
They spun toward the workshop door and started banging on it.
"Young Master! Let us in!!"
"Quickly, please!!"
Their voices urgent—their expressions frazzled.
Javier, still recovering from the shock of his father's visit, hesitated.
"...Huh?"
"Just open it!!!"
With a sigh, Javier unlocked the door.
The mont he did—
WHOOSH!
Liana and Gloria rushed inside at lightning speed, slamd the door shut, and locked it again.
Then, they both leaned against it, breathing heavily.
Javier just stared at them, arms crossed.
"Young Master…" Liana spoke first, her tone suspicious.
Javier averted his gaze.
"Hmm?"
Gloria narrowed her eyes. "What just happened?"
Javier whistled, pretending nothing happened.
"Young Master…"
"Hmm? Oh, look at that! The sky sure is blue today!" Javier turned away, rubbing his chin.
Liana and Gloria exchanged glances.
Gloria squinted. "You did sothing… didn't you?"
Javier let out a nervous chuckle. "? Do sothing? That's ridiculous. I was just... getting so fresh air!"
Silence.
The two maids slowly stepped forward.
Javier took a step back.
Then another.
Then—
"Wait, wait, wait! We can talk about thi—"
"Young. Master."
Javier raised both hands defensively. "I didn't do anything! I just had a sparring session with Marcellus and Cedric!"
Liana crossed her arms. "Then why was Lord Garius—"
"I don't know!" Javier cut in quickly.
Gloria squinted. "Haa… really?"
"Y-yeah…" Javier nodded, a bit too fast.
"Seriously?"
"YES!!"
Silence.
Liana and Gloria exchanged a look.
Javier gulped.
Then—
They both stepped forward.
Javier took a step back.
Then another.
Then—
"WAIT, WAIT—"
They lunged.
Javier bolted out of the room. "BUDDYYYYY! HELP !!"
( End of Chapter )
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