Meanwhile.

Armand Estate.

Inside Armand Command Center.

Javier removed the mana glasses, headset, and motion controllers, placing them on the console table before glancing up at the huge screen.

He glanced at one of the officers standing nearby. "You all already captured their full faces, right?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Thanks to your knight’s high-resolution visual camera, we have clear, crisp images of them. We’re printing them now."

"Mm... Good. We also got to record all their conversations?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Thanks to your knight’s enhanced audio recording systems, we managed to capture their names and their entire discussion."

"Mm... I also managed to shoot a few microscopic trackers into their food without them noticing. By now, the trackers are inside their bodies. I’m sure they’re not the main team, but they’re definitely part of something bigger."

One of the officers glanced at Javier before asking, "What’s the next plan, Your Highness?"

"Hmm... I’ll handle those later. For now, make sure to track this group closely. And under no circumstances should any of our personnel be sent after them. This group is dangerous."

"Yes, Your Highness. Our sky-eye view earlier detected this group during their encounter with the Halfling soldiers on patrol in the Halfling Nation area. They slaughtered the entire patrol without hesitation."

"Mm." Javier smirked, clasping both hands behind his back. "I’m sure they were planning to kill the silver armor guy the moment they got the chance. They’re arrogant, reckless, and think they’re untouchable."

He snapped his fingers, and the silver armor knight materialized beside him.

Javier moved his arm, and the knight mirrored his motion perfectly. He tilted his head, and the knight did the same. He spoke, and the knight’s voice echoed in sync.

"Hello~"

The officers around shook their heads and smiled, watching their Prince Javier play around with the silver armor knight like a child with a new toy.

Liana, who was sitting nearby, exhaled softly.

"Young Master..."

"What?" The silver armor knight rubbed the back of his head, mirroring Javier’s gesture. "I didn’t do anything wrong~" The knight then reached back and scratched its own butt, mimicking Javier’s casual movement.

Liana shook her head again. "Young Master... you should stop doing that. It’s annoying."

Javier pursed his lips before pressing a rune on the controller. The silver armor knight stopped mid-motion, standing still before vanishing back into Javier’s dimensional storage with a snap of his fingers.

"Uuu~ Liana~ You’re no fun~"

Liana glanced up at him, standing gracefully before walking toward Javier. The moment she got close, she pinched the skin on his side, twisting it firmly.

"Ow ow ow! L... Liana!" Javier hissed, glancing down at her as she glared up at him, biting her lower lip in frustration. "What did I do wrong this time?!"

Liana didn’t let go of his side, keeping her glare fixed on him.

"Young Master. Tell me. What exactly are you planning with this ’Beggar Jee’ disguise? Are you really going to risk your life by meeting those dangerous people face to face without knowing the full extent of their power? You’re planning to guide them yourself, aren’t you?"

"Uuu~" Javier hissed, his hands hovering over hers but not daring to touch. "Chill, chill, Liana... ow ow ow!"

Liana finally released her pinch, but her eyes shimmered with worry as she bit her lower lip.

Javier glanced at her expression and smiled faintly. "Don’t worry too much about it, Liana. I’m not going to confront them until I know their true strength, their abilities, and their weaknesses. Besides, it’s just a mission to lure them to Armand and make them meet Father. That’s all."

He reached for her and pulled her into a gentle hug, resting his chin on top of her head.

"And I’m going with Buddy. You know Pekko aren’t weak. And Buddy is strong enough to sense danger. If the group we’re about to confront is too strong for us, Buddy will know. If Buddy doesn’t want to fight them, I’ll know they’re a real threat. He has instincts that have never failed me."

Liana glanced up at him, her eyes still filled with concern. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Still... it’s dangerous. Even if Buddy can sense danger, that doesn’t mean they won’t try to harm you."

Javier smiled softly. "I know. But this is the only way we can gather full information without wasting too much time. Father has the Eyes of Truth. If I can lure one of their heroes to the Armand border and capture them, we can bring them to Father so he can extract everything they know. Their plans, their strengths, their weaknesses, everything."

Liana gripped his shirt, her voice quiet. "Did you already discuss this plan with your father?"

"Ah..." Javier let out a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head. "Not yet... but Father said I could plan anything I wanted. So I’m sure he’ll approve once I explain it to him."

Javier gave her his best charming smile.

"Besides, did you forget that this handsome future husband of yours has inventions that could turn the tide of any battle? If things get too dangerous, I’ll summon all my best knights to fight them and buy time." He smirked confidently. "But I doubt they could even hold their ground. I have more than a few tricks up my sleeve."

Liana pulled back, adjusting her maid dress before giving him a side glare.

"How are you going to pull off this ’Beggar Jee’ disguise in the Elven Nation? This ’Beggar Jee’ isn’t even known by the elves."

"Ah... about that." Javier’s smile widened. "Did you forget that Father’s fifth wife is the Queen of the Elves? Hmm? And she’s your aunt. And your father is the new ruler of the Elven Nation now. Aunt Mylezra holds the highest rank among the Elven Elders. So, if I discuss this plan with Father, I’m sure he could arrange something."

Liana narrowed her eyes at him.

"I’m going with you."

"W... what?" Javier’s eyes widened as he grabbed her shoulders, his voice filled with worry. "No... it’s too dangerous. I don’t want to risk your life for something like this."

"Hmmph! I don’t care. I’m going with you."

"L... Liana..." Javier tried to persuade her, but she cut him off.

"No. I’m going. Besides..." She gave him a pointed look." You’re heading to the Elven Nation. I’m an elf. I know the customs, the language, and the people. You’ll need me."

"B... but... if I’m in disguise as Beggar Jee, it’ll look suspicious if a beautiful elven girl in a maid dress is hanging around with a beggar."

"Hmm? You’re a genius, right~? Then plan something." Liana gave him a teasing smirk. "I’m sure you can come up with a way to make it work."

( End Of Chapter )