anwhile.
Armand Estate.
Armand Manor, Garius’s private room.
Garius leaned back in his chair, while Erinette stood nearby.
"Your Majesty, it’s supposed to be your ti to rest now," Erinette said softly, pouring tea into Garius’s cup.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It’s getting late, you should rest," Alf added, glancing up from his desk, calm and serious.
Garius chuckled. "You two go on ahead. I’m just finishing this last bit of paperwork."
Erinnette’s expression softened with concern. "Your Majesty, I’ve already told you, this month will be busy for you. You’ve already received King Lioness, King Veldrac, and Queen Mylezra. With your upcoming wedding and your son’s wedding, you really should take care of yourself and rest."
Garius chuckled softly, glancing at Erinette and Alf with a warm smile.
"You both keep telling to rest, but what about the two of you?"
"Your Majesty, we’ve discussed this before," Alf replied, his tone steady. "We will serve as long as you are working. We’ll never leave your side unless you wish it."
Erinette added gently, "You don’t need to worry about us, Your Majesty. Besides, our duties are not that tiring."
Before Garius could respond, a knock sounded at the door.
He glanced at the large doors. "Co in," Garius called out.
The doors opened, and Alf and Erinette moved to stand at Garius’s side.
An officer from the command center entered and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, I have a report."
"Go ahead," Garius said calmly.
"Prince Javier’s mission is complete, Your Majesty. But... there’s a problem."
Garius arched an eyebrow. "A problem? If my youngest has completed the mission, what could be wrong? Don’t tell sothing happened to my son?"
"Ah, no, Your Majesty, nothing like that. It’s just..." The officer bowed again, hesitant.
Garius’s eyes narrowed. "Speak."
"Prince Javier was supposed to lure the spies to the main base, but..."
"But?"
The officer swallowed. "He handed them directly to the head torturer, Bernard."
"Oh? And why is that a problem?" Garius asked, intrigued.
"Erm... not to the Torturer Building, Your Majesty. He brought them to Bernard’s personal chambers."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Then Garius burst out in a hearty, booming laugh.
"You hear that, Alf?" Garius wiped a tear from his eye, still laughing. "This is the most entertaining news I’ve heard in years."
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Alf replied, allowing himself a rare, gentle laugh. Erinnette chuckled quietly beside him. "It’s even more amusing than watching Gumarak get dragged off by his queen."
The officer shifted awkwardly. "Er... Your Majesty?"
"Yes?" Garius managed between chuckles.
"This... this is a serious matter, Your Majesty."
Garius smiled and turned to the officer. "Imagine it: that fool Kimar’s best spy unit, so easily tricked by my youngest son, now handed over to our Head Torturer. Besides, knowing Javier, I trust he has his reasons."
Alf continued, "Either the spies were assessed as particularly dangerous by Prince Javier, or there was sothing about them that convinced him only our special head torturer, could handle it."
The officer hesitated, concern in his voice. "But, Your Majesty... that spy group is extrely dangerous. What if sothing happens to Bernard during the interrogation?"
Garius smiled, lacing his fingers and resting his chin atop them as he looked at the officer.
"You assu my youngest son, the troublemaker, chaos-bringer, and inventor, whose skills surpass even his own siblings, and who’s also our greatest strategist and master of assessnt...could be wrong?" Garius smirked.
"N-no, Your Majesty." The officer bowed hurriedly. Prince Javier’s judgnt."
Garius’s smirk widened. "You know, back when we first captured Bernard, I was ready to send him to the gallows for sabotage and for trying to poison our water supply."
"Y-yes, Your Majesty."
"And given his lifestyle is... different, the first of his kind in this world, it was yet another reason to see him executed." Garius’s tone grew thoughtful. "But my youngest insisted Armand could use him. Turn his... peculiar talents to our benefit."
Garius’s right eye glowed faintly. "I know Bernard’s true abilities and strength. He might not be the strongest, but let’s just say... he’s almost at Erisa’s level. And his special skill, that passive field which renders others unable to move, isn’t sothing to underestimate."
He fixed the officer with a steady gaze. "You’d need to be at least at the level of Hesbeirn, Gilmon, the Shadow Unit Leader, Erinette... or." Garius glanced toward Alf and smiled, "...my most trusted aide. If you’re not on that level... let’s just say, you won’t be walking out of his chambers on your own."
"And given that Bernard now has... new kittens to focus on," Garius said with a knowing smile. "I trust he’ll keep his promise not to lay a finger on any Armand officer, guard, or any citizen of Arjam or Armand."
He smiled, glancing at Alf and Erinette. "And since Javier sent those enemies straight to Bernard, I’m certain he knows these spies are the kind only Bernard can handle."
Alf nodded, adding calmly, "Our interrogation of the spy nad ’Kay’ yielded nothing, not even with our... latest thods, I suspect the rest of the group will be just as stubborn."
Garius smirked and turned his gaze to the officer. "Which ans Bernard’s... unique approach will not only secure the intel we need, but also ensure he remains... occupied. A man with a hobby is a man who keeps his promises."
"So you need not worry about those spies," Garius said, his tone final. "The only issue is... we can’t reclaim them for execution or standard punishnt. Once Bernard claims sothing, he never lets go. Inform the officers in charge to simply let Bernard... entertain his new ’guests.’ And don’t interfere, just make sure none of our n enter his chambers."
"As you command, Your Majesty." The officer exhaled in relief, bowed deeply, and withdrew.
When the door closed, Garius chuckled softly.
"So, Alf?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Should we hand ’Kay’ over to Bernard as well?"
Alf gave a faint smile. "I believe it’s best to leave that decision to Prince Javier."
Garius chuckled again, his eyes drifting to another stack of paperwork. "Alf, Erinnette..."
"Yes, Your Majesty?" they replied in unison.
"I trust all the designated successors of our special units have been introduced to my youngest?"
"So far, the Shadow Unit’s successor is the first to make contact with Prince Javier," Alf confird.
Erinnette bowed slightly. "As for the Special Battle Maids, Prince Javier already knows Erisa, the current head of the household maids."
"Good. I want them all to et my heir. When the ti cos, I want them ready to serve with loyalty and without hesitation. We can’t predict the future."
"Do not worry, Your Majesty," Alf replied, his voice steady and certain. "That day is still far off. And every unit already knows whom they serve. Hesbeirn, Gilmon, Erinnette, myself... and all who stand with you now, we remain at your side."
( End Of Chapter )
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