Chapter 531: Crafted for War ( 531 )

Javier’s gaze stayed fixed on the map projection floating in front of him.

But if I delay…

His fingers tapped the three glowing markers, each one representing a dwarven stronghold.

If these three fall, it’ll leave only one left.

And that last one will have to defend against attacks from both sides.

Human and Halfling.

He narrowed his eyes.

That’s checkmate.

He stood up.

Then jumped down from his elevated seat, boots landing cleanly on the stone.

“Chief Nofan!”

Nofan, still overseeing roof work near the smithy, turned immediately.

“Yes, my lord!?”

Javier strode over.

“Send two dwarves with strength to man the south gate.”

Nofan blinked. “For what, my lord?”

“My army will stand guard,” Javier said. “I just want eyes there.”

He paused, then pointed toward the old wooden bell mounted near the gate tower.

“They’re not for fighting. I just need a warning.”

He continued without missing a beat.

“Pick four total. Two on shift now. Two after that. They take turns.”

“Understood.”

“They’ll sit in the tower, nothing more. If they see any troops approaching from the south—they ring that bell.”

Nofan slammed his fist to his chest.

“As you command, my lord!”

Javier looked up toward the south watchtower, then back at the war map hovering beside him.

It’s not like my radar skill can’t detect movement.

His eyes narrowed.

But I’m not going to waste mana confirming something that isn’t an enemy.

His gaze shifted toward the distant walls, lined with puppet knights, each equipped with magic crossbows and long-range magic bows.

Silent. Ready. Watching.

If anything approached with hostile intent, they’d shoot first.

He didn’t need to manage that.

What I need to know… is if the Beastkin army has made their move yet.

That first town I left unguarded… if they’re serious about this plan, they’ll have occupied it by now.

He folded his arms, staring toward the far southern horizon.

And once they raise their flag there… they’ll start heading this way.

His fingers tapped slowly on his arm.

Let’s hope they come fast.

So I can finally move on to the next phase.

Javier’s gaze stayed fixed on the southern skyline.

If they come here…

If the Beastkin army takes the town like planned…

Then I can hand off the management of these dwarf survivors. All thirty-nine of them.

He looked around the town square. Dwarves hauling lumber. Women preparing meals. Children sorting clean water jars.

If someone takes over and maintains order, they can live here in temporary peace.

I only need to leave…

He did a quick count in his head.

…100 to 200 puppet knights to hold the town. That’s more than enough. Especially with the defensive circle already in place.

The walls were intact.

The purification device was stable.

Supply stock remained strong.

What I need… is a replacement leader.

Someone who can watch over them when I continue forward…

Deeper into the Dwarven Kingdom.

Javier’s expression didn’t change.

But in his mind.

Everything is already in place.

I just need them to show up.

Javier glanced at the row of puppet knights stationed along the south wall.

Their mithril armor gleamed faintly under the midday light.

Crossbows at the ready. Magic bows lined above.

It’s not like my puppet army can be killed.

He closed his eyes briefly.

Unless they somehow manage to destroy the core inside.

And even then… that’s not easy.

The cores were heavily reinforced.

Layered with enchantments.

Protected by internal barriers.

No normal physical or magic attack will destroy them in one hit.

He opened his eyes again.

Well…

Err…

Javier glanced at one of the puppet knights.

Then smiled faintly.

Not when Liana is super mad.

His expression twitched slightly as the memory surfaced.

The first time he built a puppet knight. He’d been excited—fine-tuned the enchantments, reinforced the joints, inserted a fresh core, gave it the Armand crest.

He wanted to test its combat capability.

So, like an idiot, he commanded it to attack himself.

Just for testing.

He hadn’t told Liana in advance.

Big mistake.

The moment the puppet moved toward him—sword raised—

Liana appeared out of nowhere.

Her eyes glowing.

Mana blades already drawn.

She didn’t even give the puppet time to stabilize.

By the time he stopped her—

The core had already cracked.

The knight’s chest plate had caved in.

That was before she started advanced training.

Javier looked up at the sky, feeling sweat behind his neck.

What about now…?

Javier sat in the open field just beyond Gilikan’s south gate, arms crossed.

He stared at the sky.

“…Well… I’m bored.”

He looked to his side.

“Buddy. Move over.”

“Cuquawked!!”

Buddy puffed up but shuffled aside, muttering like he was insulted.

Javier stood up, cracked his neck, and rolled his shoulders.

“Alright then…”

He reached out and activated his magic storage.

A ripple of light flashed in front of him.

Twenty white ore puppet knights emerged. Taller, sleeker, and far more refined than standard models.

Their armor gleamed silver-white with faint blue veins pulsing along the joints.

Each one armed with a reinforced blade and high-density shield.

Javier pointed forward.

“Command. Training mode. Ten minutes. Full power. Attack me.”

The lead knight’s eyes lit with pale light.

“Command received. Training mode. Battle with master. Activate.”

All twenty knights instantly unsheathed their swords,and then.

Vanished.

A blur of motion.

No noise. No hesitation.

They struck from every angle.

But Javier was already gone.

He twisted midair, flipped backward, and landed on one foot as three blades sliced the space where his neck had been.

Another knight appeared at his side—swinging down.

He ducked, stepped forward, and tapped the edge of the blade with his palm, redirecting it mid-strike.

He leapt again—flipping between two more incoming slashes.

CLANG!

Blades collided midair as Javier used one puppet’s own sword to block another.

He landed in the center of the circle, breathing steady.

A wide grin formed on his face.

“…Wow.”

He turned slightly as another knight dashed past him in a flash of light.

“They’ve gotten faster.”

He smirked.

“Nice.”

Javier reached behind his waist and drew his regular blade, no enchantments, no special alloy.

Just a well-balanced sword, reliable and worn from use.

Mana surged through his arm, coating the blade in a thin, glowing layer of energy.

Another puppet knight appeared in front of him, blade flashing downward.

Clang!

Javier parried cleanly, sliding his foot back and twisting his wrist to knock the puppet’s arm wide.

A second came from behind.

He spun and deflected with the flat of his blade.

Two more moved in—one high, one low.

Javier ducked under the first, redirected the second with a kick, and exhaled.

“Alright… this is a good exercise.”

Clang. Clang.

He moved like water, sharp and precise.

A normal person would be overwhelmed in seconds.

But Javier’s movements were calm. Calculated.

Controlled.

One puppet swung a feint—then another followed with a thrust aimed for his chest.

Javier pivoted between them, let the thrust pass by, and countered with a single upward slash—stopping the blade just before it touched the puppet’s core.

He grinned.

“Oh, nice.”

He parried another strike and glanced at the rhythm of their steps.

“…Maybe I should upgrade them more.”

( End Of Chapter )

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