Chapter 932: Public Eyes, Private Schemes ( 932 )

"Young master?"

Javier froze at the sound of Liana’s voice behind him. "Yes, Liana?"

"What are you doing, standing there, striking poses in front of those girls?"

He turned, confused. "What girls?"

"That girl," Liana hissed, her voice low and dangerously sweet.

Javier glanced over his shoulder and instantly went pale. On the roadside, a crowd of Arjam girls had gathered, whispering and giggling, faces flushed with excitement. A few had already fainted after catching sight of Javier’s "cool" pose, sprawled dramatically along the edge of the street.

He swallowed hard. "Err... I... I..."

"I what, young master~?" Liana stepped closer, her presence suddenly heavy. In one hand, she dragged a thick wooden plank, leaving a faint trail in the dirt.

"Uh... Liana? Let’s... let’s talk about this calmly."

"No, no~" Liana cut him off, her smile sharp and her aura even sharper. "I’m asking you, why are you showing off in front of all those girls, hmm?"

Javier backed up a step, sweat beading at his forehead as the group of Arjam girls continued to swoon, their admiration only fueling Liana’s jealous glare.

"I... I wasn’t posing for them!"

"Oh? Then what were you doing, young master~?" Liana’s voice dripped with sweetness, her grip tightening on the wooden plank.

"It was a... a winning pose! Really, calm down, Liana, chill, chill... shi...pui pui shi~"

Liana arched a brow. "A winning pose? In front of all the beautiful girls? Is that what you’re saying, young maaasssterr~?"

"No, no! I swear, I was just thinking about Father’s wedding plans! Here, I’ll show you, See that holo TV?" He pointed desperately to the floating holo screen, rubbing the back of his head as he angled the mana cam toward the Pekko flock.

On the holo display, Buddy immediately tilted his head to stare curiously at the camera, fruit juice dripping from his beak.

"See? This is why I was doing the winning pose. I didn’t even notice those girls, honest!"

Liana leaned in, eyeing him skeptically. "Really~? Hmm~?"

"Yes, yes! Really!" Javier nodded, putting on his most innocent grin.

Liana’s gaze flicked to the wooden plank, then back to Javier. "Alright then. Take that thing and head to the backyard. Or I’ll use this to send you flying there myself."

"I will! I will! Easy, Liana... easy~" Javier yelped, scrambling to gather his things, the sound of giggling girls and Liana’s steady footsteps chasing him across the courtyard.

Javier slipped into the backyard, glancing back to find Buddy strutting proudly after him, a sack of dried fruit clamped in his beak. Right behind them, Liana followed with arms crossed, making sure Javier didn’t try to sneak off anywhere else.

He sighed.

Damn. It’s not even my fault I was born this handsome...

He set the holo TV cube down and watched it activate, a shimmering holo screen flickering to life in the open air. Javier angled the mana cam toward himself, then leaned against Buddy for dramatic effect.

"Buddy! Squawk!"

"Cuquawked!!" Buddy replied, as if on cue.

Javier grinned, fiddling with the controls.

This button starts the recording. But maybe I should add something to edit footage later... Or maybe, just to be safe, I should remove the record feature altogether. Misinformation could be a real problem if these recordings fall into the wrong hands.

No, better to keep this for live broadcasts only. Holo screens should show things as they happen, no chance for tricks or rumors.

He rubbed his chin, thinking.

Maybe I should make a mana radio for everyone.

News, entertainment, even music.

If I craft mana crystals to capture audio, we could record songs from talented singers all over Armand. More jobs for people, more ways to share news. I could draw up the plans, set up the prototype, and just let Father handle the rest.

The mana relay towers already transmit military signals; all we’d need is to separate public use, or create a new signal wavelength just for citizens.

Yeah... I should bring this up with Father. Let him handle the logistics. I’ll just build the tools.

Javier nodded to himself, feeling a familiar surge of excitement.

First things first, I should launch the mana satellite before Father’s wedding. Once that’s up, I’ll hand over the Holo TV cube prototype to Father, so every town and village can have their own. Well... after the surprise, of course. Ehehehe.

Next, I should give a few of these to Kliatana for Arjam Region. This way, Father’s wedding will be broadcast live, and everyone in Armand and Arjam can celebrate together. There’ll be feasts in every settlement, and nobody will be left out.

Still, I wonder how long Father’s planning to keep me here in Arjam. I haven’t even set foot in the public office or done a single bit of lordly paperwork since we arrived.

Maybe it’s a safety precaution. In case the Human Kingdom tries something desperate and sends their army to retake Arjam?

Not that it would do them any good.

With my puppet knights posted along every battlement, from end wall to end wall, there’s not a single gap or rat hole left unguarded. No way for anyone to sneak in—not with the main gate sealed and my new battle drones patrolling the perimeter.

Meanwhile.

Human Kingdom.

Royal Capital, Royal Palace.

King Kimar sat in his throne room, eyes fixed on his newly appointed advisor.

"Any news from Savran yet?" he asked, his tone impatient.

"Not yet, Your Majesty," the advisor replied, bowing respectfully. "But given how many days have passed since he left for Armand, I believe the decree has already reached Garius by now."

Kimar let out a low chuckle. "Heh! That’s what Garius gets for trying to cross me. Just because he commands a strong army, he thinks he’s above the crown. I can’t wait for the day the news spreads, his title stripped, his rank gone, and the people of Armand forced to respect a ’commoner’ in their lord’s seat!"

He snapped his fingers. "Jalir!"

The royal advisor stepped forward, bowing again. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Prepare the public announcement. I want word of Garius’s loss of title and rank spread to every corner of the kingdom. Notify every noble lord in their own regions and have them proclaim it publicly. Three days from now, send a high-ranking officer to Armand to take command and govern in his place. By law, we have the right to appoint a new temporary ruler over Armand’s lands when Garius is stripped of his position."

"As you command, Your Majesty. Ah... if I may, Your Majesty?"

Kimar raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"About the now-vacant seat of Keeper of Royal and Noble Law..."

Kimar waved off his concern. "Don’t worry. I trust you’ll find a suitable replacement for Savran."

A sly smile crept across the advisor’s face. "Ah, yes, Your Majesty. I have an excellent candidate from my own lineage...should you approve."

Kimar nodded. "Do as you see fit. Just be sure the post is filled quickly."

( End Of Chapter )