Chapter 922: Captured at the Border ( 922 )

Two days later.

The keeper rode at the front, his hand gently gripping the reins as his horse trotted steadily along the dirt road. His two eldest sons flanked the family wagon on horseback, one on the left, the other on the right.

Behind the wagons, the adventurer party they hired back in the border town followed on horseback, maintaining tight vigilance. Their heads turned constantly, scanning the trees, the bushes, the shadows.

The keeper furrowed his brow, casting a glance toward the treeline again. Inside his mind, he pondered in silence.

Why has this journey been so smooth?

The skies were calm. The roads were quiet.

No bandits. No monsters. Not even wild beasts in the underbrush.

There hadn’t been a single ambush or dangerous encounter. The hired adventurers barely had to do anything aside from light scouting.

And yet... there was that odd, low hum. Faint, rhythmic, and sometimes coming from above, every few hours, like a quiet pulse through the air.

He adjusted his grip and looked toward the horizon. The hills were opening up into wide plains.

Better not to alarm the family with baseless suspicions.

Besides, whatever the sound was, it hadn’t brought danger.

He glanced back, taking in the sight of his family huddled safely in the wagon.

Soon, we’ll be at the Arjam border. I just hope they’ll let us in without trouble. After all, since the Armand Conquest, The rumors say it’s locked down ever since Armand took control.

The road curved gently toward the distant hills, where Arjam’s border wall now rose.

Let’s hope everything goes smoothly from here.

The keeper kept moving his horse forward, tension tightening in his grip.

Just a little more. Just a little more...

He narrowed his eyes.

The enormous Arjam border wall finally came into view.

But before relief could settle.

The horses suddenly panicked, hooves shuffling, neighs sharp with alarm.

"What the...?"

The keeper pulled hard on the reins.

His sons reacted instantly, drawing their blades.

The adventurer party scrambled, hands reaching for weapons.

But they were already surrounded.

Heavy stomps shook the ground.

Shadows loomed from every direction.

Hundreds of Pekko units.

Armand’s elite Pekko cavalry.

Full gear. Weapons ready. Perfect formation.

The keeper’s breath caught.

"Drop your weapons and surrender!!"

The booming voice echoed across the road.

At the head of the formation rode Hesbeirn, his voice sharp and commanding. Gilmon followed close behind, silent and grim.

He raised both hands slowly as Hesbeirn and Gilmon rode closer, massive Pekko birds stomping forward with heavy, intimidating steps.

"I am not here as an enemy. I am the Keeper of the Law. I’m here to deliver a royal decree... for Lord Garius De Armand!"

"Don’t care," Hesbeirn’s voice cut through like steel. "By order of Lord Garius De Armand, you are under arrest."

"What?! For what reason!? We’ve done nothing! This is an official mission!"

"You are under arrest for illegal trespass into Arjam territory," Gilmon answered flatly. "By order of our Lord, you will be detained and escorted to Armand."

"You can’t just!"

"Units," Hesbeirn raised his gauntlet, "escort them to Arjam. Move."

"Sir, yes sir!!"

The Pekko riders advanced immediately.

The keeper clenched his jaw. There was nothing he could do. They were surrounded from every angle.

He looked back at the wagons. His wife held their youngest daughter tightly. His remaining children huddled together, eyes wide with fear.

Weapons were dropped.

The adventurers surrendered with raised hands.

The cavalry closed in, forming tight lines around the wagons.

The keeper lowered his arms.

Inside his mind.

There’s no use resisting... I just hope Lord Garius shows mercy. At least... for my family.

The keeper looked up, his gaze shifting between Gilmon and Hesbeirn.

"C-can you both... please spare my family? If I’ve done something wrong... then punish me. Just... show mercy to my family."

Hesbeirn let out a long sigh.

"No can do, Savran. You know how Lord Garius is. His wish is our command."

When they passed through the Arjam Border and the massive gate slammed shut behind them, Savran saw two Pekko-drawn wagons already waiting.

He turned to Gilmon, hoping for even a small hint of familiarity,but Gilmon avoided his gaze.

Inside Savran’s mind.

Gilmon... he’s changed. We used to work together under the Royal Court before he was dismissed. But now... after joining Lord Garius... he doesn’t even look at me as a friend anymore.

Savran’s focus shifted upward.

Something was flying above, small, gliding smoothly with faint mana hum.

What is that...?

He then glanced toward Hesbeirn, who seemed to be talking to thin air.

Hesbeirn’s voice sounded irritated.

"What now, brat? ... Yeah, yeah, I heard you."

There was a pause.

"I don’t know. It’s your father’s order!"

Another pause, then Hesbeirn clicked his tongue.

"Gih! Like I know why. All I got was: ’Capture him and his family.’ That’s it."

Gilmon raised an eyebrow as Hesbeirn continued listening to the voice only he could hear.

"Huh? ... Don’t give me that tone. You think I can disobey your father?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, your father told you to ensure their safety until Arjam. From here on, I’ll handle it."

A beat. Then.

"O-oi! It’s still your job to monitor them until we reach Armand!"

Hesbeirn flinched and pulled the mana talkie slightly away from his ear.

"Ugghh! Don’t shout in my ear!"

There was a pause, and he blinked.

"Eh? You’re not? Check my mana talkie...what for?"

Realizing, Hesbeirn let out a sheepish laugh and rubbed the back of his head.

"Ahahaha... my mistake. I pushed it too deep into my ear. Aha... yeah."

Javier’s voice on the other side said something again.

Hesbeirn scoffed.

"No! I didn’t drink with Gilmon yesterday! I’m not getting drunk every day! Do you think I want your father scolding me again?"

Gilmon just snorted in amusement.

Hesbeirn kept grumbling, still talking into the mana talkie jammed halfway into his ear.

"Hey...hey, I don’t know, alright? Even if you ask me, your father didn’t give me the details!"

He sighed hard.

"How about you ask your father?"

A pause.

"Huh? ’You don’t want to’? Of course you don’t! If you ask why, not only will your father scold you, my sister Erinnette will scold me too! No thanks!"

Hesbeirn barked a laugh, loud and booming.

"See? Even you don’t dare to ask him directly!"

Another pause from the other side.

"Hmm? Yeah, yeah. They’ll be transported with Pekko-drawn wagons. Faster, safe, and..."

He stopped, brows twitching.

"Huh?! How should I know the exact arrangement!? Don’t ask me detail like that, brat!"

Another pause.

"Gihhhh!!! And stop calling me uncle!!"

Gilmon just chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he watched Hesbeirn argue with thin air like a man possessed.

( End Of Chapter )