Javier glanced at the guards before speaking back into the mana talkie.

"Felicia?"

"Yes, husband?"

"I’ll probably be back in Armand tomorrow or the day after. If you want to stay with your family for a while longer, feel free to do so. Just contact the Armand Command Center or me when you want to return."

"Mm... I will, husband. And don’t worry. Even though Karu is nesting at the Armand estate, I already borrow another pekko from the Armand Pekko Units if I need to return quickly. And the Armand Special Force is escorting me too, so you don’t need to worry too much."

"Mm... okay. If you say so." Javier let out a small chuckle. "Anyway, since the main road is going to be busy, could you tell your soldiers to clear the second route? I don’t want those bastards in the pekko-drawn carriages to stop anytime soon. We’ll keep moving until dark."

"Mm... okay, husband. I’ll tell the patrols and guards to clear the way on the second route."

"Thanks, Felicia."

"Mm... husband?"

"Yes?"

Javier tilted his head when he heard her mumble something softly that he couldn’t quite catch. "Felicia?"

"U... ummm... n... nothing. J... just... be safe... okay?"

"Okay~"

After the call ended, Javier handed the mana talkie back to the guard.

"Anyway, I have two pekko-drawn carriages coming in right behind me. Could you make way for them? Just until they pass through the gate."

"Of course, Sir Javier." The guard took the mana talkie, sliding it back onto his waist before signaling to the other guards. The Beastkin Royal Special Forces, still disguised as civilians, moved in to help clear the path, directing the waiting crowd to step aside.

"Buddy?"

"Cuquawked?" Buddy tilted his head back, glancing at Javier while gulping down another fruit.

"Don’t eat too much. We still need to run fast after this. Leave some for those two other pekko behind us. And once this mission is done, I promise I’ll get you plenty of roasted meat."

"Cuquawked!" Buddy squawked casually before snatching one more fruit, gulping it down, then striding past the gate to wait.

Javier glanced around, crossing his arms as he sat atop Buddy.

Mm... I’m sure they’re going to be furious and plan to kill me and the two coachmen once I lay out the plan later when we stop to rest.

He smirked, his eyes glinting with anticipation.

I guess I’ll have to prepare that thing~

He glanced at the guard again. "Can you contact your command center and pass this message to the Armand Command Center?"

"Yes, Sir Javier."

"This is the message: S to Eastern Border. Coordinates: V-7. Proceed to SH FT. Tell them to relay it exactly as I said."

The guard nodded, pulling out his mana talkie and relaying the message. "Command Center, this is East Border Gate. Message from Prince Javier: S to Eastern Border. Coordinates: V-7. Proceed to SH FT. Repeat, S to Eastern Border. Coordinates: V-7. Proceed to SH FT. Relay to Armand Command Center immediately."

A crackle of confirmation came through. "Message received. Relaying to Armand Command Center."

Javier smirked, settling back on Buddy.

Well...I’m sure Father will know exactly where I’m heading and what to prepare.

Meanwhile.

Armand Nation.

Gaze City.

Armand Main Military Headquarters.

A female officer hurried through the corridors, a folded paper clutched tightly in her hand. She stopped when she saw several Armand soldiers patrolling nearby.

"Where is His Majesty?" she asked, slightly out of breath.

One of the soldiers glanced at her. "Last we saw, he was in the briefing room. Why didn’t you contact him through the mana talkie?"

The female officer bit her lower lip and glared up at the soldier, who let out a sheepish grin.

"Ah, right... we can’t just casually contact the King directly. It’s not proper protocol." He scratched the back of his head. "Why not contact Sir Alf instead?"

The female officer bit her lower lip again, let out a frustrated huff, and continued running toward the briefing rooms, clutching the paper tightly in her hand.

"What a weird girl~"

The other guard just shook his head and glanced at his companion. "That girl rarely speaks, you know."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Some say she only speaks when it’s absolutely necessary. Otherwise, she prefers to stay silent and focused on her work."

"Oh..."

After a few moments.

Garius stood in the main briefing room, watching the holo-map displayed on the central table, his arms crossed. Alf stood beside him, while other high-ranking Armand officers gathered around the table, listening and analyzing the strategic display.

A sudden knock came at the door.

The door opened, and the guard standing outside stepped in, placing his fist over his left chest and bowing toward Garius.

"Your Majesty. Officer Falme has arrived with an urgent message from Prince Javier."

Garius clasped both hands behind his back and glanced toward the guard. "Tell her to come in."

"As you command, Your Majesty." The guard nodded before gesturing for Falme to enter.

Falme stepped inside, and the door closed behind her. She placed her palm over her left chest and bowed deeply toward Garius, then extended the paper with both hands.

"Your Majesty, we have received an encrypted message from Prince Javier."

Garius tilted his head, glancing at Alf before shaking his head with a faint, amused smile.

"I wonder why he sent a message like this instead of contacting me directly through the mana talkie."

Garius glanced back at Falme before extending one hand, the other still clasped behind his back, his posture calm and commanding.

Falme stepped forward and placed the paper in his hand with both hands, her movements precise and respectful.

Garius took it, glancing at her briefly. "Thank you. Continue doing your job well."

Falme bowed again, took three steps back, then turned and exited the room without a word.

Garius raised the small paper and read its contents. A slow, knowing smirk spread across his lips as he shook his head.

"This youngest son of mine..." he mumbled softly before turning his head and glancing at Alf with a knowing smirk.

"Alf?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Call Hesbeirn and the Shadow Leader. Assemble our best unit. We’re going somewhere."

Alf smirked and nodded. "As you command, Your Majesty."

( End Of Chapter )