Chapter 577: Unspoken Fears ( 577 )

After breakfast, the two maids walked with quiet steps through the estate corridor, the morning sunlight softly spilling in through the tall arched windows.

They paused briefly near the entryway, double-checking the contents of their small bags—uniforms, enchanted tools, and personal weapons. Liana adjusted the straps of her white ore bow across her back, while Gloria gave her twin blades one last inspection, ensuring they were perfectly secured beneath her skirt.

As they stepped out of the maid dining room, a familiar and commanding figure waited for them.

“Liana. Gloria,” Alf said, his voice calm but firm as always. “Lord Garius wants to see you both.”

Without hesitation, both maids lowered their heads slightly and placed their right hands over their hearts with respectful grace.

“Yes, Mr. Alf,” they replied in unison.

Alf gave a small nod and then turned.

“Mm… follow me.”

Upon arriving at the grand chamber, Alf stepped forward and knocked firmly on the ornate double door.

“My lord. It’s me. I’ve brought them,” he announced.

From inside, Garius’s deep, composed voice responded, “Come inside.”

The doors opened smoothly, revealing the heart of the Armand estate.

Garius sat at the head of his long table, posture straight and commanding as always. Lady Francesca was seated beside him, enjoying her morning tea with serene elegance. Her personal maids stood quietly in formation nearby, maintaining a respectful presence. Standing just a step behind Garius was Mrs. Erinnette, her arms crossed, her expression firm but attentive.

Alf moved to the opposite side of Garius, folding his arms across his chest as he took position.

“Liana. Gloria,” Garius addressed.

“Yes, my lord,” both replied in unison, bowing politely with hands over their hearts.

“You’re departing with your Pekko birds, correct? Pikko and Peanut?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Good.” Garius unfurled a detailed map across the table. “Follow this path. It’s already been cleansed of miasma. Once you pass the Armand border into Beastkin territory, head to the central capital first. Deliver this letter to King Lioness personally.” He passed a sealed envelope toward Alf, who handed it to Liana.

“Yes, my lord. As you command.”

Lady Francesca smiled warmly from her seat, setting her teacup down with grace. “Be safe, both of you,” she said gently. “Don’t take unnecessary risks. I don’t want my little honey bun sad again.”

“And Liana, Gloria,” Garius continued, his gaze steady and commanding.

“Yes, my lord,” both replied in unison, standing tall with hands over their hearts once more.

Garius gave a slight nod to Alf.

Alf stepped forward and handed each of them a well-sealed pouch—its weight and clink unmistakably filled with gold and silver coins.

“This is for your travel expenses,” Garius said. “Since you’re riding Pekko, if you maintain a steady pace without stopping, you should reach the Beastkin Kingdom’s central capital in two—perhaps three days at most.”

Liana and Gloria nodded, accepting the pouches with respectful bows.

“If my old friend—King Lioness—requests that you stay for a day, honor that request. She wouldn’t ask lightly,” Garius added.

“Yes, my lord,” Liana answered. “We understand.”

Garius then pointed to a marked path on the map. “Once you leave the capital, it should take another two days at full speed to reach Javier’s current location—assuming there are no interruptions. But I expect you’ll stop at the first town along the way.”

Gloria gave a soft nod. “We will, my lord.”

“I’m sure of it,” Garius said. “King Lioness will likely arrange for your travel permits and local clearances. Once those are processed, report your arrival and continue your journey to Gilikan Town.”

“Once you reach Gilikan Town,” Garius continued, his voice steady and calm, “I expect my old friend, King Lioness, will ask you to deliver a letter to the Beastkin commander stationed there. Handle it discreetly.”

“Yes, my lord,” Liana responded, standing at attention.

“From Gilikan, if you ride without stopping, it should only take two or three hours at most to reach the last known stronghold—where my youngest son is stationed. Do not waste time checking the other ruined towns along the way.”

“We understand, my lord,” Gloria said, her expression composed.

“Liana. Gloria.”

“Yes, my lord,” they replied in unison once more.

“Stick to the designated route. The roads are free of miasma. Do not stray from them under any circumstance.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Suddenly, Garius’s right eye flashed briefly with a faint glow. A pulse of divine-like pressure shimmered in the room.

Within the minds of Liana and Gloria, two distinct voices echoed in layered, ethereal tones.

“Ari… Aria!”

“Y-Yes, yes, we know that already, Garius…” the two voices responded, half-grumbling, half-teasing.

Garius’s eye dimmed again as he sighed faintly. “Hmph. I’ll hold you both responsible if anything happens to them.”

Garius leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp as ever. His voice, though steady, carried the weight of a father’s unwavering will.

“This is my command to both of you, Liana, Gloria.”

The two maids straightened, placing their palms over their hearts once more in solemn acknowledgment.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Don’t die.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Even Lady Francesca paused mid-sip, her expression briefly still.

Liana and Gloria nodded, their voices calm but resolute.

“Yes, my lord.”

But inside Garius’s mind, a storm was quietly stirring.

If you both die…

That boy will lose all reason.

He’ll go berserk, and no one in this world will be able to stop him.

No one… unless Francesca and I intervene personally.

He closed his eyes for a moment, concealing the weight behind his gaze. Then he opened them again—regal, steady, unwavering.

“Dismissed.”

The two bowed once more, then turned to leave—hearts firm, spirits sharper than the weapons at their sides.

Once Liana and Gloria stepped outside, the grand wooden door closed with a quiet thud, leaving only the core of the Armand household inside.

Lady Francesca set down her teacup gently and looked at her husband.

“Dear…”

“I know,” Garius replied before she could say more. His voice was quiet. Firm. “That command might sound heavy…”

Alf, standing with hands behind his back, nodded solemnly. “But necessary, my lord.”

Mrs. Erinnette, ever composed, added softly, “We all remember, don’t we… how he lost control back then.”

Garius’s eyes darkened with memory. “The day he crushed that entire summoned heroes’ party… not a shred of mercy, no hesitation. Just pure, uncontrollable rage.”

Francesca’s expression turned somber, her fingers gently interlacing in her lap.

Alf lowered his gaze. “They never even had time to scream, my lord.”

Erinnette’s usual stern demeanor wavered for a moment. “He looked like a different person… not our Javier.”

Garius exhaled slowly, like a man lifting a mountain of old regrets. “I don’t want to see those lifeless eyes again. Not ever.”

The room fell into a heavy silence—one that only those who knew the truth behind the smiling, mischievous boy named Javier could truly understand.

( End Of Chapter )

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