Three days later.
Early morning, Farkam Town, Arjam.
Javier humd to himself as he waited in the courtyard, the first rays of morning light catching on his orange Pekko’s feathers.
He grinned, glancing up at his bright orange Pekko. "Ehehehe! We’re going ho today, Buddy! Ah, I can’t wait...I missed my workshop."
"Cuquawked!" Buddy replied, chest puffed out. The other Pekko followed, squawking in chorus, their feathers gleaming in the morning light.
Javier glanced back at the house, brow furrowed.
Ugh, where are they? I told everyone yesterday,we’re moving out at first light so we can reach Armand Border Town in an hour or two. I wanted to take my ti, maybe stop for so grilled at along the way...
He looked up at the sky, letting the breeze wake him up fully.
Father told yesterday I could start packing. The previous Keeper of Royal and Noble Law is now staying to help Jarman, along with Gilmon and a handful of forr royal officers, to oversee Arjam’s governance under Kliatana.
Father really knows how to gather the best people.
Now that construction on the border wall is finished and all the roads are paved, Arjam’s people can finally live without fear.
The new plantations and farms are thriving, jobs are everywhere, and most of the refugees who once fled to Armand have already returned ho.
With the new ore mines opening, even more opportunities have sprung up for the locals.
Heh... The new Arjam barracks is complete, and now they’re recruiting locals as fresh troops under the Armand banner. Most of them signed up just to work under Hesbeirn and Gilmon, those two have beco legends.
Javier looked around, taking in the bustle of the town. The locals moved with ease, chatting and laughing as they started their day. It was a stark contrast to the tension and fear that had once hung over Arjam.
After we pushed out the greedy noble armies and cleaned up the chaos, life here finally turned around. No more bandits, no more rogue knights, no more threats hiding inside the walls.
He smiled, the feeling settling deep in his chest.
Yeah... no regrets at all. Most of these people hated Armand before. But now...
Javier shook his head, quietly proud of what had changed.
I’m not worried about leaving Arjam now.
With my puppet knights standing guard atop every border battlent, and Sky Eyes patrolling the skies over both Armand and Arjam, there’s no way any enemy could slip in and cause chaos. The current defense system here is the sa as in Armand.
Layered, airtight, and automated.
Still, I can’t get careless. That’s why I went a step further and set up an ergency response system at the Farkam estate.
If the first line of defense, the puppet knights with mana rifles and mana cannons, plus the anti-air mana guns, are ever destroyed, the estate’s core system will activate on its own.
Not that I expect any army in this world could defeat my puppet knights, except maybe the main Armand Army itself. After all, I set every parater myself.
Still, if by so chance the enemy manages to break through the first defense and overwhelm the Armand troops stationed at the border or in Arjam, the ergency system will launch a thousand battle drones. Guided by Sky Eye, the drones will strike from above, launching from the estate and attacking in perfect formation.
And if they still manage to destroy that second line, then the mana missiles from Armand Estate itself will launch, guided by Sky Eyes and, soon, linked directly to my new mana satellite.
Javier’s smirk turned cold, just for a mont.
Don’t test my patience. If that’s the price to keep the peace for the people of Armand and Arjam, and the safety of my family, I’ll use that last resort weapon without hesitation.
Javier rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Well... to be honest, I doubt I’ll ever need to use that last weapon.
If anyone manages to break through even the second layer of defense, I’ll co down personally. And when that day cos, they’ll see the weapon I’ve kept hidden all this ti, one I never revealed in the last two wars.
His mood shifted, the usual mischief in his eyes replaced with a rare gravity.
That weapon isn’t just for armies. I built it to face those wielders of the so-called Power of Destruction and Hand of Creation, in case any of them ever ca after my family or threatened the people under my protection.
Still... why did Father tell not to worry?
Does he really think he can handle a bearer of that power if they ever turn evil?
Javier let out a slow breath.
No, I can’t let this go.
I have to press Father for answers.
He has the Eyes of Truth, he must know who the real user is. If I can just learn their identity, I can keep an eye on them and start building a counterasure. And if that user ever turns against us, I’ll deal with them myself, even if I have to crush them with my own hands.
Whatever.
For now... where are they?!
Grrr...
I can’t wait to leave Arjam and finally visit Armand Border Town and check the last refugee area before we head ho.
At least most of the people here rejected the "Saint of Three Gods" faith. They only went along with it because their late lord and those cult churches forced them, no real choice at all. Now, it’ll be simple to make sure that cult never takes root again, not in Armand, not in Arjam.
"Cuquawked!!"
Javier glanced down as Buddy squawked impatiently, shuffling from foot to foot.
"Oh? Buddy, you too, huh? Yeah, I want to leave too, but those girls are still inside... Ugh. Who knows what they’re even doing in there."
He scratched his head, glancing back at the house with a resigned sigh.
Javier glanced up at Buddy at his side and smirked.
Leaning in, he whispered sothing into Buddy’s ear.
"Cuquawked!" Buddy puffed up his chest, eyes glinting with anticipation.
Well... if I want Liana and Gloria to hurry up, this is probably the fastest way. Ehehehe...
Javier strolled out toward the road in front of the house, Buddy waddling right beside him. As he reached the edge of the courtyard, an Arjam girl walked by, basket in hand. She glanced at Javier and instantly blushed, her steps faltering.
Javier ran a hand through his hair, flashing his best iken smile. "Hello, beautiful. It’s a lovely.."
He didn’t get to finish.
Out of nowhere, Liana launched herself from the house, eyes blazing, coming down with a sharp downward kick.
"Wah!" Javier yelped, dodging in a panic. The Arjam girl squeaked and bolted, vanishing down the street as Liana’s aura flared, dangerous and unmistakable.
Javier staggered back behind Buddy, heart pounding. Buddy fluffed his feathers and stood tall, as if trying to shield Javier from any further punishnt.
( End Of Chapter )
User Comments
0 comments from readers