Chapter 989: The Device in His Pocket ( 989 )

Armand Estate.

Throne Hall Private Room

Garius sat in his chair, reading the report sent by the Armand Command Center.

"So, Hesbeirn?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Hesbeirn placed a fist over his left chest and bowed.

"These individuals arriving from the Royal Capital...?"

"According to our informants and Alf’s Shadow Unit, they emerged from hidden passages, likely secret doors scattered throughout the capital. They exited separately, from different points."

Garius rubbed his chin, studying the Sky Eye feed images showing figures slipping out of concealed entrances.

"Erinnette?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"How is the Secret Maid Unit deployed?"

"I’ve stationed them throughout the estate, Your Majesty. With rulers and dignitaries from allied nations present, we cannot afford carelessness."

"Hesbeirn."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Double external patrols around the estate. Rotate shifts every two hours to maintain alertness. Ensure all knights are equipped with mana rifles and prepared for close combat and magical engagement. They are to wear Javier’s new standard armor."

"Already done, Your Majesty."

Garius leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the report.

"We still don’t know their objective. But I will not allow them to approach our allies. If they attempt sabotage or espionage..."

He paused, a faint smirk touching his lips.

"It won’t matter. Javier already ensured our critical systems are secured, encrypted mana relays, self-destruct protocols on classified tech, and puppet knights embedded among the staff. They can look all they want. They won’t understand what they’re seeing."

Garius exhaled slowly.

"That fool Kimar still won’t stop. Why can’t he just leave us in peace?"

Erinnette smiled gently. "Your Majesty, perhaps he’s simply... jealous of how Armand has risen."

Hesbeirn smirked. "As my sister said, Your Majesty. That idiot still thinks he’s above everyone."

Garius shook his head. "I don’t think they’re here just to gather information. They’re preparing for something. But none carry obvious weapons, only short swords at their waists. Most are posing as merchants, mingling with our traders."

He leaned back, eyes narrowing.

"They traveled all the way from the Beastkin Nation to our eastern border just to enter. With Arjam and our northern borders closed, they took the long route... which means their purpose is urgent. Deliberate."

His gaze sharpened on Hesbeirn. "And Javier’s puppet knights stationed along the eastern battlement? No response?"

Hesbeirn pressed a fist to his chest. "They detected them, Your Majesty. But the knights are programmed to engage only clear hostiles or during active conflict. Since this group is blending with civilians, the knights held position. They sent a warning to Command, but did not attack."

Garius’s jaw tightened. "So they’re using our own rules against us. Hiding among innocents."

"It appears so, Your Majesty."

Garius rubbed his chin.

"So they’re planning to hide among civilians. Thinking Javier’s puppet knights won’t engage."

He smirked. "Are they that foolish?"

Hesbeirn mirrored the expression. "It seems so, Your Majesty."

"My youngest son’s knights may not attack from the battlements... but that doesn’t mean they won’t pursue." Garius’s voice carried a low, knowing edge.

"As you say, Your Majesty," Erinnette replied, pouring tea into his cup with a soft smile. "The guards have reported Prince Javier’s invisible battle drones are already tailing the group. Gatling mana guns and mana missiles are locked and loaded."

She paused, her tone steady. "The emergency response drone hatch on the eastern wall opened moments ago. No one saw anything leave, only the sound of something moving at high speed."

Garius shook his head, a grim amusement in his eyes.

"So if that group makes one wrong move toward our people..."

Hesbeirn cut in, voice low and sure. "Let’s just say, Your Majesty... it won’t end well for them."

Knock knock.

Hesbeirn’s hand went to his greatsword. The elite knights tightened their grips, and Erinnette’s fingers slipped quietly behind her back, beneath the folds of her maid dress.

Garius raised a palm.

"At ease."

"Your Majesty. It’s me. Alf. I’m with Prince Javier."

"Come in, Alf."

The door opened. Alf bowed, palm pressed to his chest. "Your Majesty. Your son is here."

Javier stepped inside, closed the door, and straightened up, averted his eyes as he gave a slight bow.

"E...Esteemed Father?"

"Good, you’re here. I assume Alf has informed you?"

"Ah... yes, Esteemed Father. Well... to be precise..." Javier offered a sheepish grin and pulled something from his pocket. A sleek, palm-sized device like a polished slate of dark crystal. "The knights sent a signal to Sky Eye, and it pinged this. So I knew which gate... which unit... detected the threat."

"Oh?" Garius’s brow lifted. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, fingers interlaced beneath his chin. "Why don’t I have one of those? Or Alf? Or Hesbeirn?"

"Ah... well... it’s still in testing," Javier admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "It’s not... fully operational yet."

Garius’s eyes narrowed slightly. "So perhaps in the future?"

Javier grinned. "Don’t worry, Esteemed Father. Once it passes final testing, I’ll gladly share it with you."

"Interesting." Garius smirked. "So tell me, what does that thing do?"

Javier who always lit up when talking magic-tech, relaxed without realizing it.

"Ah, this? It’s like the mana computers I installed in the Command Center and Alf’s Shadow Unit, but portable. Fits in a pocket or small bag. Since the first mana satellite went into orbit, I built this so I can get real-time alerts from my puppet knights, review their logs, and monitor threats from anywhere."

Garius raised an eyebrow. "Hmm."

Javier rubbed the back of his head, enthusiasm bubbling over.

"There’s a lot more I want to add, still working out the functions. We’ve got holo-TVs, mana cams, portable recording crystals for music and broadcasts... It’s only been a week since those rolled out. I’m still expanding what this little device can do. Sky Eyes, comms, maybe even remote command functions later..."

He trailed off.

"I... want to add more functions too. Like calling, receiving calls directly."

Garius interjected calmly, "You mean like our mana talkies?"

"Yes....but private. Secured." Javier’s grin widened. "Built into the device."

"Wouldn’t that interfere with threat monitoring?" Garius asked, one brow slightly raised.

"Ah... sorry, Esteemed Father." Javier’s expression softened, realizing he’d gone off track. "The call function is separate. I call this whole thing a... phone."

Garius rubbed his chin and shook his head slowly.

"There’s a lot running through that mind of yours. Too many ideas. Too much knowledge the rest of us can’t even grasp."

"Ah... ehehehe... well..." Javier grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head again.

( End Of Chapter )