Chapter 702: Modern Tactics, Classic Routes ( 702 )

"This," Javier said as he watched his special forces sweep through the camp with careful precision, "is the difference between traditional war... and what I call modern war."

Liana raised an eyebrow and smirked. "You and your strange definitions again..."

"Remember, right?" Javier asked her with a grin. "When I was nine, I spent a lot of time studying war tactics and formations."

"Yes, yes, young master," Liana sighed. "That was the only time you looked serious. After that, all you did was flip maid skirts, sneak into town, and give me endless headaches."

Javier chuckled, not feeling guilty at all. "Ehehe... I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Liana crossed her arms. "You hunted monsters behind everyone’s back, sold their bodies to that shady dwarf merchant, and I had to drag you back by the collar."

"Hey, that was when I made my first gold!" avier puffed out his chest. "And that’s also how I got Buddy here—my first Pekko!"

Buddy let out a proud squawk, as if agreeing.

Liana sighed again "Yes, yes... and then what? Your mother nearly roasted Buddy over a fire when she found out. Said she’d turn him into dinner if you ran off again."

"Ugh... do we really have to bring that up?" Javier rubbed the back of his neck.

"You were the one crying and swearing you’d never run away again," Liana teased.

"Alright, alright!" Javier waved his hand. "No more memory lane. Let’s go check on those captured soldiers before you two start telling more of my ’legendary mischief’ stories."

Gloria adjusted her glasses, the light catching the lens as she asked calmly, "So, what will you do after this, young master?"

"Hm?" Javier blinked. "What do you mean?"

Liana crossed her arms. "Those soldiers already surrendered."

"Yeah, so?" Javier tilted his head, clearly not getting the point.

"You’re not planning to stay here and babysit them, are you?" Gloria said, her voice soft but teasing.

"Ah... yeah. That’s the problem." Javier sighed and scratched his head. "I have no idea who’s going to manage all these surrendered troops."

"And worse," Liana added, "the captain who ran off might’ve gone straight to the next encampment. If he reports what happened..."

"They’ll panic. Maybe regroup," Gloria finished.

"Let them. Even if they regroup, it won’t matter. They can’t fight us—not with the tech gap, not with our formation, and definitely not with me around."

He glanced up at the hovering drone and then down at the soldiers still trembling in the open field.

"They won’t dare launch another frontal assault. But... still. I can’t just leave a few hundred prisoners lying around without someone managing them."

He leaned back slightly on Buddy, thinking. "Maybe I should build an automatic prison camp next..."

Gloria and Liana exchanged glances.

"No," they both said at the same time.

Javier looked confused. "Why not?"

Gloria spoke calmly, adjusting her glasses. "You shouldn’t leave these prisoners here without proper supervision."

Javier crossed his arms, looking troubled. "Yeah, but I don’t want either of you to stay behind just to watch them."

Liana asked, "May I suggest something?"

Javier turned to her. "Hmm? Go ahead."

"How about we take the prisoners with us—march them toward Armand territory from here? That way, they won’t be executed by their own kingdom for surrendering."

Javier stroked his chin, thinking. "Hmm... That’s actually a good idea. But..."

He looked at the tired, terrified soldiers on the field.

"...I don’t want them to slow down my mission."

He paused for a moment, then muttered, "I do have a way to transport them..."

Gloria raised an eyebrow. "You mean your transport drone?"

"Eh—no way. Definitely not that," Javier quickly rejected, waving his hand.

Gloria tilted her head. "Why not? You said it can carry people."

"Yeah, but that thing’s not for prisoners. It’s not even finished for people to fly in it. I don’t want some idiot panicking inside and breaking my prototype."

"That makes sense," Liana nodded. "So, what are you planning to use?"

Javier looked around and smirked.

"I’ll build a mobile wagon," he said confidently.

"...Using what?" Gloria asked, skeptical.

Javier grinned and raised his palm. "With magic crafting, of course."

Liana sighed. "Here we go again..."

"Huh? I’ve already built several that run on mana crystals," Javier said, waving his hand as if it was obvious. "You two even asked about them before, remember?"

Liana and Gloria looked at each other.

"Yes,"

"But I won’t let them be used for public transportation," Javier said firmly, crossing his arms. "No way. This is only for emergencies—like now."

"Suit yourself, young master," Liana said softly with a shrug.

Gloria nodded in agreement. "Mm. We’re already used to your... strange logic."

"Exactly!" Javier grinned. "I don’t want pekkos, horse wagons, and old-fashioned rides to disappear just because it’s easier to float around in magic boxes. Where’s the fun in that?"

He looked at Buddy, who chirped proudly and flapped his feathers a little.

"See? Even Buddy agrees."

Gloria smiled faintly. "Or maybe he just wants more meat."

"Both," Javier said with a laugh. "Now then... let’s get this over with."

He raised his hand, and mana spun in a smooth spiral before forming into a glowing circle on the ground.

Twenty wagons materialized in front of them—lined up neatly, each equipped with wheels and a steering mechanism. At the driver’s seat of each wagon stood a knight, silent and ready.

The captured soldiers stared in awe and unease.

Javier lowered his hand and looked at Liana and Gloria. "Can you two assist me? Help direct the soldiers into the wagons."

Liana nodded at once. "Of course."

"As you command, young master," Gloria replied with a soft smile.

The two women stepped forward with calm authority, their presence enough to silence any doubts among the prisoners.

"You, and you—into that one. Follow the Knight’s gesture."

"Line up properly. No pushing. If anyone tries to run, the knights will act without hesitation."

The prisoners obeyed, nervously following as the silent puppet knights stood guard beside each wagon. The drivers signaled clearly, guiding the prisoners with precise movements.

Javier leaned slightly against Buddy, arms crossed as he watched the process.

"Hmm... efficient as always,"

Liana returned after a few moments. "All are loaded. No resistance."

Gloria joined her. "Everything is under control. The puppet knights are ready to move at your signal."

"Good." Javier nodded. "Then let’s head toward the secondary forward post on the Armand path. Once we secure that zone, we’ll transfer the prisoners to the proper holding site."

"Understood," both replied.

Javier clicked his tongue twice. "Alright, Knights—move out!"

The wagons started rolling smoothly in perfect formation. The puppet knights guided them steadily down the dirt path, with more special operation puppets surrounding the convoy as escorts.

Buddy gave a soft chirp.

Javier smirked. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You don’t get to race with these."

He mounted his Pekko, and Liana and Gloria followed on their own.

( End Of Chapter )