CHAPTER 882: A FATHER’S BLESSING ( 882 )

Garius’s calm voice cut through the laughter, steady, commanding, and carrying the weight of authority.

"Now... about your request, Marcellus."

The room instantly fell silent. The air grew heavy.

Marcellus straightened, his confident grin fading into a nervous half-smile. "Y... yes, esteemed Father?"

Garius’s gaze settled on him.

"Since you’ve passed the marriageable age, and since you’ve formally requested my approval before... I have no objection. You may marry Lithia and Harny, once this operation concludes and Princess Kliatana assumes her position as ruler of the Arjam Region."

Marcellus blinked, surprise flickering across his face before his shoulders relaxed in relief. "T–thank you, esteemed Father."

A soft chuckle escaped Garius. "But truly, Marcellus... a mother and daughter pair?" His lips curved faintly. "You certainly don’t lack ambition."

Marcellus rubbed the back of his head, his smile sheepish, a faint flush on his face. "Y–yeah... I guess I’m lucky to have both of them."

Across the table, Cedric grinned. "Heh~ lucky or brave, still up for debate."

Aelius sighed softly, while Athine hid a quiet laugh behind her hand.

Garius’s expression softened briefly, then returned to that calm, commanding composure.

"But since Lithia and Harny are still your personal maids," he continued, voice steady, "I believe once you marry them, I will need to discuss with Erinnette about assigning new household maids to attend to you afterward."

Marcellus blinked once, caught off guard. "Ah... yes, esteemed Father."

Garius turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp once more, the weight of his authority filling the air.

"You will continue living inside this estate," he said firmly. "You may hold the title of the strongest wizard in the kingdom, but I will not risk the safety of my family, especially my sons, by scattering our strength. If you desire your own residence, I will have Alf and the staff build one for you within the estate grounds."

Marcellus lowered his head, hiding a small smile of relief and quiet pride. "Thank you, esteemed Father."

Garius gave a slow nod. "You will still carry your duties for Armand. Do not forget that."

Marcellus straightened his posture, his tone respectful. "I understand, Father. I won’t neglect my responsibilities."

Garius’s eyes shifted toward Cedric, who had been quietly nudging Javier with a grin just seconds ago.

"Now you, Cedric."

The teasing stopped immediately. Cedric froze, back snapping straight.

"Y-yes, esteemed Father,"

Garius sighed softly, his tone calm yet firm.

"You and Marcellus are not far apart in age. He is twenty-five, and you are twenty-four. Are you planning to let Meira and Zania wait any longer? Or do you intend to wait until they become pregnant before marrying them?"

Cedric’s grin faltered. "Uh... well, I... you see..." He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

"I was going to ask for your permission...but Marcellus already went first, so I thought... maybe later..."

Garius’s calm gaze deepened slightly. "So, are you saying you’re not serious about Meira and Zania?"

Cedric shot up from his seat.

"Nooo! I’m serious! I really am!"

But the moment he saw Garius’s steady, unreadable face, he slowly sat back down, eyes averted.

"Good." Garius leaned back.

"If you truly wish to marry them, I have no objection. Since Zania has no remaining family, and with the fall of the Amazarak Kingdom, you may hold the wedding here in Armand. As for Meira, you will visit her family personally and ask for their blessing."

Cedric straightened again, relief flickering across his face.

"Thank you, esteemed Father. Umm... could I...maybe...hold the ceremony on the same day as Marcellus’s wedding? Eheh..."

Garius hummed, considering it for a moment before giving a faint nod. "Hmm... that’s not a bad idea."

Marcellus smirked and elbowed Cedric lightly. "Heh, look at you trying to steal my spotlight already."

Cedric grinned back. "It’s not stealing...just sharing the glory, brother."

"Now..." Garius’s voice shifted, the light tone gone, replaced by quiet authority. "We will focus on the operation."

He turned his gaze toward the far end of the table. "Javier."

The youngest Armand looked up, caught mid-motion as a piece of ore hovered above his palm, spinning in liquid form under his control.

"Yes, esteemed Father?" Javier replied calmly, closing his hand to solidify the ore once more before setting it aside.

Garius leaned slightly forward, his tone measured. "Since you chose direct military intervention, tell me, how do you plan to carry it out?"

"Ah, about that, esteemed Father." Javier stood, walking toward the large projection device at the center of the council table. He pressed the embedded rune switch, and a shimmering light flared to life, forming a detailed holographic map of the Arjam Region.

"According to the latest reports provided before," Javier began, gesturing toward the glowing terrain, "three noble armies are currently clashing in the northern sectors, north, northeast, and northwest."

He traced the paths with his finger as glowing red lines followed. "Each of these factions is trying to secure land they claim was promised to them by King Kimar. Based on their movement pattern and supply trails, they’re converging toward the central plains of Arjam."

With a smooth wave of his hand, another projection flickered to life beside the map, a live aerial view captured through Sky Eyes.

"Judging by the ongoing fires and smoke columns here," Javier continued, his tone now sharp and analytical.

"The battle is still active. Most of these forces are establishing temporary strongholds, most likely to regroup and secure field advantage for siege preparations."

He zoomed in further, the display revealing scattered camps, formations, and supply caravans moving between war zones.

"In short," Javier said, turning back to Garius.

"The entire northern expanse of Arjam is a chaotic battlefield. If we move in now, we can strike while their forces are divided and disorganized, before any one faction claims dominance."

"I will lead my Puppet Knights and Battle Drones to stop their advance here... and here,"

Javier said, pointing toward the northern and northeastern sectors of the Arjam map. Several blue light markers appeared where his finger traced. Armand’s projected intervention zones.

( End Of Chapter )