Chapter 930: Sealed Fates, Quiet Smiles ( 930 )

They reached the doors to Garius’s private study. Hesbeirn knocked, and a deep, commanding voice answered from within.

"Come in."

Hesbeirn opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Gilmon to lead Savran inside.

"My lord, we’ve brought the guest."

"Good work," Garius replied, his tone serious and unreadable.

Savran’s gaze flickered across the room, catching the stern faces of Alf and Erinnette, standing at Garius’s left and right. The presence of the Head Butler and the Head Maid, both calm and watchful, made the atmosphere even heavier.

Garius leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on Savran. With a simple wave of his hand, he gave the signal.

Hesbeirn stepped forward and quickly cut the bindings from Savran’s wrists.

Savran flexed his hands, feeling the tension in the room. He swallowed hard. Somehow, Garius seemed more intimidating than he remembered.

Garius’s voice broke the silence.

"Savran."

"Y-yes, Lord Garius," Savran managed, voice unsteady.

"Hand me the decree. There’s no need for ceremony. Just set it here."

Savran quickly reached into his coat and produced the sealed scroll, laying it on the table before Garius. He kept his gaze down.

"Please, Lord Garius... spare my family," he pleaded softly.

Garius regarded him for a moment, an unreadable expression crossing his face. "Your family is already settled in the guest house. There’s nothing for you to worry about."

Savran’s hands shook as he spoke. "My lord... I don’t understand. Why have us captured and detained when we were so close to Arjam?"

Garius tapped his fingers on the desk, the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.

"That was the only way to ensure my youngest son didn’t catch you first. If I hadn’t ordered your ’arrest,’ Javier would have been the first to find you, and if he realized you brought a decree that would threatened his freedom, he’d do whatever it took to keep it from reaching me. I can’t have him running off to confront the king himself. That would only make things more troublesome and ruin everything I’ve planned."

Garius broke the wax seal on the decree, barely glancing at the parchment before passing it to Alf as if it were nothing more than a routine letter.

"You understand what this decree means, don’t you, Savran?" Garius asked, his voice casual, almost amused.

Savran nodded, his hands still trembling. "Y-yes, my lord. Since the Armand Region is already an autonomous territory, this decree won’t affect the current ruler of Armand."

Garius let out a quiet laugh, the corners of his mouth curling in a smirk. "How foolish. They actually believe stripping me of title and rank would let them seize my army, or take my own land?" His eyes glinted with cold amusement as he shook his head.

"Hesbeirn."

"Yes, my lord?" Hesbeirn stepped forward, back straight.

"Send orders through the command center. Alert all posts and barracks near the Human Kingdom–Armand border, seal the gates. Make sure the Arjam gate is also closed to any merchants or travelers. If anyone wants to do business with Armand, they’ll have to come through the Beastkin–Human border and enter from the Armand–Beastkin side. No exceptions."

"As you command, my lord." Hesbeirn pressed his palm to his chest in salute, bowed, and left at once.

Garius turned back to Savran. "Now then, Savran. I hear that fool of a king relieved you from your post as Keeper of Noble Law?"

Savran stiffened, panic flickering in his eyes. How does he know? That decision hasn’t even been announced yet...

Garius’s gaze sharpened. "Savran?"

"Y-yes, Lord Garius." Savran bowed his head.

Garius’s tone shifted, calm but firm. "Since you’re no longer Keeper of Royal and Noble Law, I imagine you’ll need a new position. And since your wife is originally from Arjam, perhaps there’s a suitable place for you. Gilmon will soon be assisting Princess Kliatana in governing Arjam, and Jarman is already supporting her as advisor. I believe you could be quite useful to our former princess."

"As for your salary, you’ll receive a modest raise over what you had before. You’ll also be provided with a house and land within Arjam. I doubt you’ll find any reason to refuse," Garius said, tone final.

Savran’s eyes widened in disbelief. "N-no, my lord... I wouldn’t dare. Thank you for trusting me, thank you for granting me the chance to assist Princess Kliatana."

"Good." Garius nodded. "And as for your eldest and second sons, since they both served as royal knights, I expect they can continue their service under you. Gilmon, you’ll oversee this, as you once did with the royal army."

"Yes, my lord." Gilmon bowed respectfully.

Savran bowed even lower, struggling to contain his gratitude. "Thank you, my lord... truly, thank you."

Garius let out a sigh, a faint smirk touching his lips as he glanced at Alf and Erinnette.

"Ah, I imagine my youngest will be furious when he learns of all this. Alf?"

"Yes, my lord." Alf inclined his head, a knowing smile on his face.

"Have our officers prepare formal letters for all my close friends. King Lioness of the Beastkin Nation, King Veldrac of the Demon Nation. And for Queen Mylezra, I’m sure she’ll be delighted with the news."

Garius pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling quietly. "If Mylezra hears that Armand’s independence is finally at hand, she’ll be overjoyed to know she’s marrying the Sovereign of Armand soon."

Erinnette smiled, her voice calm and teasing. "Yes, my lord. I believe Lady Francesca will be the first Queen of Armand, Lady Garcinia the second, Lady Phenelopie the third, Lady Eridith the fourth, and Queen Mylezra will be thrilled to see her wish finally fulfilled."

Garius shook his head, resigned. "But I’m sure Mylezra will come straight to Francesca, crying that it’s been postponed yet again."

Alf let out a small laugh. "This will be the fourth time, won’t it, my lord?"

Garius shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"Alf, Erinnette. Prepare our officers and have the fastest Pekko ready. Those formal letters need to reach my friends before my youngest catches wind of any of this. If Javier learns what Savran is truly carrying, he’ll make sure those letters never arrive," Garius said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Move now, while we still have the advantage. I expect he’ll bolt for the gates as soon as he hears Savran brought something to shatter his precious ’freedom.’"

"As you command, my lord." Alf and Erinnette bowed in perfect sync.

Garius’s smirk deepened. "Contact our officers stationed at the border. Move quietly. Let my youngest believe they’re still in Gaze Town. I won’t have him interfering with our dream." He exchanged a knowing look with Alf and Erinnette.

"Yes... your majesty," they replied together, sharing in the quiet satisfaction of a long-awaited victory.

( End Of Chapter )