Javier stretched his body, raising both arms up before letting out a long yawn. He rubbed his stomach after the stretch, feeling the familiar rumble of hunger.
He glanced up at his pekko.
"Buddy..."
"Cuquawked?" Buddy squawked softly, tilting his head.
"You hungry?"
"Cuquawked!!" Buddyâs eyes lit up, his tail feathers perking with excitement.
"But since weâre on a mission, we canât grill meat or eat like rich guys, you know..." Javier scratched his head sheepishly, glancing up at his feathered companion. "We have to lay low."
"Cuquawkeddd~" Buddyâs squawk dropped in disappointment, his head lowering as he let out a soft, pitiful sound.
"Just bear with it for a few days." Javier patted Buddyâs body gently, a sheepish grin on his face. "I promise Iâll cook you the perfect wyvern steak once this mission is done, okay?"
Buddy glanced down at him, narrowing his eyes with a suspicious side-eye before letting out a reluctant squawk.
"For now, weâll eat what we can during the day." Javier gave him a reassuring pat. "Donât worry, weâll eat better food once the night comes and the town square clears up."
"Cuquawked!!" Buddyâs mood lifted, his feathers ruffling in approval.
"For now, weâre going to find a small stream. I need to wash my face." Javier glanced around the town square, squinting against the morning light. "Hmm... I wonder where the stream or well is around here."
"Cuquawked?" Buddy tilted his head, his eyes scanning the surrounding area as if searching for something.
"Oh? You know where the stream is?"
"Cuquawked!" Buddy nodded eagerly, puffing out his chest with pride.
"Well then." Javier grinned, jumping up and mounting Buddyâs back in one smooth motion. "Alright, walk slowly. Donât run and cause trouble. If they complain to Father, weâre both going to have a huge problem. You also donât want your Father to be mad at you, right~?"
"Cuquawked!" Buddy let out a dismissive squawk, shaking his head.
"Alright! Off we go!"
"Cuquawked!" Buddy squawked in excitement and began walking with a smug, leisurely stride toward the stream. The elves watched in mild amusement as the beggar hummed a tune on top of the orange pekko, the bird strutting proudly through the town.
Meanwhile.
Amazarak Fallen Nation.
Jaigar stood in the middle of the ruined capital, overseeing a group of Amazarak prisoners forced into labor. His arms were crossed, his expression cold and dismissive. One of the prisoners stumbled, struggling to carry a heavy stone slab. Jaigarâs eyes narrowed.
He walked over and delivered a sharp kick to the manâs side, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Move it, filth! Donât think Iâll go easy on you just because you look weak!"
Another prisoner look up at him, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. Jaigarâs hand shot out, grabbing the man by the collar and punching him square in the face, sending him crashing to the ground.
"What was that look, you piece of filth? Did you think you could challenge me? I am a hero chosen by the Goddess! You are nothing but dirt beneath my boots. Remember your place."
He straightened his cloak, glancing around at the other prisoners, who quickly averted their gazes.
"Any other brave souls who want to test my patience?"
Jaigarâs cold eyes swept over the prisoners, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. "Youâre all lucky I donât kill you on the spot. Your miserable lives are only spared because youâre useful. So be grateful and keep working until you drop."
He kept glaring at the working prisoners until the sound of hurried footsteps running toward him caught his attention.
"Sir Jaigar!" The man stopped and saluted, his breath slightly ragged.
"What is it?" Jaigar glanced over his shoulder, crossing his arms.
"An army has been spotted on the western border."
"Hmm? An army? Halflings, I assume?"
"Yes, Sir Jaigar. What should we do?"
"Huh? Why ask me?" Jaigar smirked, his tone dripping with arrogance. "You know the drill. Load the shells and fire. Tell our rifle brigade to shoot them down. Leave no one alive. This place is our base, our starting point for the full invasion when weâre ready. We wonât let those filthy low-class scum invade our main base."
He let out a dark laugh, placing both hands on his hips as he threw his head back.
"Those primitive races donât stand a chance against our rifleman and artillery brigades. Their pathetic weapons are no match for our modern firepower."
Jaigar let out a dark, loud laugh, his eyes gleaming with cruel excitement. "I really want to hear them scream! I want to see the terror on their faces when they realize theyâre facing something theyâve never seen before! The panic, the fear, the desperation! It will be beautiful!"
He glanced at his subordinate, his smirk widening. "Tell the lead captain to shoot to kill... ah, wait~ Only kill those who fight back. Capture the ones who surrender. We could use some free labor! But anyone who is wounded and canât work, kill them."
He paused, his eyes narrowing with a lecherous gleam. "And if there are any halfling girls among their ranks, capture them and bring them to me~ Iâm sure theyâll provide... entertainment."
"Yes, Sir!" The subordinate saluted sharply before turning and running toward his horse, mounting it quickly and riding off.
Jaigar smirked and crossed his arms, glancing at the Amazarak prisoners who were now hard at work building structures, fences, and a high battlement wall in the distance. They strained against ropes and pushed heavy stones under the watchful eyes of armed guards, their bodies glistening with sweat under the harsh sun.
"Heh~"
Once all of this is finished, my beautiful goddess Rafazelia will praise me for my hard work.
And Iâll get my chance again with her.
Ah~ the feeling of being wrapped in her divine embrace, her soft skin against mine, her whispers of approval in my ear... thereâs nothing in this world that compares to it. Her beauty is beyond mortal comprehension. Every time Iâm with her, I feel like Iâm ascending to a higher plane of existence.
Jaigar licked his lips, his eyes glazing over with lustful anticipation.
Well... I canât wait to see if there are any halfling beauties among the captured ones later. Iâve grown bored of the Amazarak girls already. Their cries are no longer fun to hear, their sobbing sounds the same as all the others, and their pleading eyes no longer excite me. I need fresh prey.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching.
"Sir Jaigar!"
Ugh! Whatâs with everyone today? Canât they leave me in peace for just one day!?
He glanced over his shoulder with an irritated scowl as a soldier ran up to him.
"What is it!?"
( End Of Chapter )