Meanwhile, at a distance.
Garius stood on a thick branch of a massive, ancient tree, his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the scene below. Alf stood on a branch to his right, a faint smirk on his lips. Erinette sat gracefully on her pekko nearby, while Giddie, the king of all pekko, scratched at the ground below, his golden feathers gleaming under the sun. Armand Special Forces and Beastkin Royal Special Forces were positioned around them, hidden among the foliage, watching the scene unfold.
Alf smirked, his voice low and amused. "It looks like the mission is a success, Your Majesty."
"Yes, Alf." Garius's smirk widened. "And the cleverest part was when Javier let Jaigar absorb Gorak's divine weapon. Now their so-called 'goddesses' will notice that the power they blessed has been stolen and absorbed by another hero, one not under their own blessing."
He paused, his eyes glinting with cold calculation.
