To the Lion’s Den ( 634 )

Ferine turned her head, confusion on her face.

"Um… what did Javier mean by that?"

Liana, still watching the golden dust trail left by Giddie, smiled softly.

"Hm? That golden Pekko… belongs to Lord Garius. The king of all Pekko in Armand." She paused. "I don't know if Chieftain Gumarak is just unlucky or—"

Before she could finish, Javier's tone shifted. Calm, serious, and sharp.

"No," he said, eyes narrowed slightly. "This was my father's plan all along."

Ferine blinked. "Eh?"

Javier nodded toward the direction Gumarak had vanished.

"He predicted Gumarak would try to run… so he gave him just enough hope. Our shadow units were instructed not to restrain him, only to herd him in the direction they chose. All of this was deliberate."

Liana's gaze drifted toward the Pekkos still resting nearby.

"Those three remaining Pekkos…" she muttered. "That one belongs to Mrs. Erinnette. And the one next to it—Sir Alf's."