Chapter 913: The Heart of Progress ( 913 )

"He always assesses my orders first," Garius continued. "If it’s acceptable, and not too much of a pain in the ass, he’ll get it done, as long as his girls are around. After what happened to Liana and Gloria, he refuses to let them go out alone. That’s why I never order them to handle outside jobs; they stay by his side, always."

Alf and Erinnette both chuckled. Erinnette leaned in with a teasing glint in her eye. "Isn’t that just like someone else’s husband?"

She glanced at Alf, who raised his fist to his mouth, feigning a cough. "Indeed~ The very same trait as a certain young brat who eventually became a count."

Erinnette grinned, looking straight at Garius. "Right, young master? Just look at your wives and sons... You never wanted anyone living outside the estate, either."

Garius just shook his head, a fond smile settling on his lips.

"Maybe so," he admitted, warmth in his eyes. "But I suppose some habits and stubbornness run in the family."

Garius leaned back in his chair.

"That’s why, no matter what, Javier should be the successor of Armand. It’s not that I don’t trust my other sons, but Javier’s talent is simply beyond anything I could ever hope to match."

He gestured to the glowing map, voice calm but firm.

"Just look at Armand today."

He glanced at Alf. "Remember during the first coalition war? When the nobles deployed their first wyvern unit?"

Alf’s expression turned serious. "Yes, my lord. I remember."

"We had nothing to counter an aerial attack. All we had were a handful of magic archers. Our entire army, less than twenty thousand at the time."

He paused, gaze distant, recalling the pain and chaos of that battle.

"And then... those events happened. That attack on Liana and Gloria, the turning point. After that, my youngest dropped the act, stopped pretending, and revealed what he was truly capable of. He singlehandedly wiped out the remaining wyvern unit and their entire force, one hundred and twenty thousand men, by himself."

Garius exhaled, the weight of memory clear in his voice.

"If he hadn’t interfered and forced us to pull back, there’s no way we could have avoided disaster. That was the moment he finally unleashed his anger, his sorrow, and revealed his first inventions, mana cannons and anti-air mana guns."

He sat quietly for a moment, then nodded with pride.

"That first awakening...or more like, the day he stopped hiding..is where everything changed. Armand’s entire foundation today: mana relay towers, mana talkies, the command center, the business innovations, new farming methods, the waterway network... It all started with him."

Garius’s lips curled into a smirk.

"And soon, he’ll release that next invention of his. When it happens, Armand will pull even further ahead...leaving every other nation behind, thanks to his magic technology... or so Javier claims." He let out a quiet chuckle. "But one thing’s certain: everything he does is for the safety and happiness of the people. That’s always been his guiding star."

"He’s always thinking, tinkering, testing everything before it’s deployed...never rushing a new idea into the field unless he’s certain it’s safe for the people of Armand. Every invention, from the smallest tool to the grandest defense, gets tested and improved again and again. If there’s even a risk it could harm Armand’s people, he’d rather scrap the whole project than let it cause trouble."

Garius’s gaze grew distant, thoughtful.

"And he’s careful, too, he never creates anything that would burden the people, or strip away their way of life. Javier makes sure that never happens here. His inventions aren’t made to replace people or leave them behind; they’re meant to lift everyone up, to create more honest work, stronger communities, and real opportunity for every family. That’s why Armand thrives, no matter how far we advance."

He looked to Alf and Erinnette, a rare, gentle warmth in his expression.

"That’s what sets him apart, and that’s why this territory will never lose its heart, no matter how great the leap forward."

Knock, knock.

Garius glanced at the door just as it opened.

Francesca stepped inside, her smile radiant. Something about her was different today.

Garius’s heart skipped a beat. He swallowed, thrown off for a moment by how beautiful she looked.

"Dear~" she called softly.

"Yes, honey?" Garius replied, trying to keep his composure.

"If you’re not busy... let’s talk about your wedding with Mylezra soon."

"Eh? Now?" Garius blinked.

Francesca tilted her head.

"Hmm? You all are discussing my Honey Bun again?"

Garius scratched his cheek, chuckling under his breath. "Err... sort of."

Francesca moved closer and settled herself gently on his lap, her arms draping around his neck.

"You’re thinking about him becoming the next ruler, right~?"

"Yes," Garius admitted, his voice quiet.

"Now, now~ that’s not the important thing," Francesca cooed, giving his cheek a little poke. "Javier will be the next ruler, everyone knows that. What matters now is your wedding with Mylezra."

"But..."

"No, no." She wagged a finger at him, smiling even as her eyes narrowed. "You’ve stalled this long enough. Every time you postpone, Mylezra comes crying to me."

Garius let out a helpless sigh. "But you know, that ’thing’ is going to happen soon, right?"

"You mean those greedy kings making their move?"

He nodded.

"That’s not important. It’ll be handled. What matters is your wedding with Mylezra."

"Honey... not now."

"No~ no~ Let’s talk themes. It should be gold, right?" She leaned in.

"But if that thing happens, we’ll have to postpone until it’s all settled."

Francesca smile, refusing to budge. "Hmm? It’ll be settled. At least pick a theme. That way, I’ll have something to persuade Mylezra with when she calls the command center again demanding to speak with me. I’m sure my Honey Bun will handle the rest."

Garius couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head as Francesca tightened her hold around him.

Meanwhile, in Arjam.

"Achooooo!!"

Liana glanced over, concerned. She rode Pikko at Javier’s right, while Gloria, mounted on Peanut, flanked his left.

"Young master? Are you feeling cold?"

Javier, perched on Buddy, rubbed his nose. "I don’t think it’s the cold... just feels weird, that’s all."

Behind him, Felicia, Mimi, and Delya followed on their Pekko, keeping pace.

Mimi piped up, her voice bright. "Maybe husband-sama’s just catching a chill. Should I hug you to sleep tonight?"

Gloria shot her a sharp look, lips curving into a gentle but firm smile.

"Ara~ I believe, according to our agreed schedule, tonight is my turn, right?"

Mimi puffed her cheeks, ready to argue, while Liana just shook her head with soft smile.

( End Of Chapter )