Meanwhile.
Armand Nation.
Javier's personal workshop.
The evening air was filled with the sizzle of fresh meat hitting the grill, the clinking of wine glasses, and the easy laughter of brothers unwinding after a long meeting. A puppet worker, one of Javier's automated creations, stood silently by the grill, flipping the meat with mechanical precision while Buddy circled it like a feathered vulture, waiting for any opportunity to snatch a piece.
Marcellus stretched out on his deck chair, his wine glass balanced on his stomach. He noticed Javier pulling out a sleek, metallic helmet from his dimensional storage and slipping it over his head. Faint runes along the surface began to glow.
Marcellus raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
Javier's voice came through slightly muffled. "Oh, this? Just checking on something. Trying out my new puppet knight."
Marcellus smirked, taking a sip of his wine. "Didn't Father say not to use your puppet knights?"
