Chương 439: Chapter : 439

"Hey, Naomi!" Ken called out lazily. He hurried his steps just a little bit to catch up with her.

"Can we take a taxi from the station? My legs are officially done for the day! I refuse to walk up the driveway! It is too steep!" Naomi looked over her shoulder. She rolled her green eyes and smiled warmly.

"Move your feet, farm boy! You are carrying the pudding, so you are not allowed to complain!" The 13th Unit walked into the night together. They were fully rested. They were closely bonded. They were completely ready to face whatever dangers waited for them at the distant border. And the lazy slacker walked right behind them, entirely prepared to protect his noisy, wonderful family from the shadows.

Ken Eliot sat on a tall wooden stool in the kitchen. He held a massive sandwich in both hands. He took a huge bite. Warm cheese stretched from his mouth to the bread. He chewed happily. He closed his eyes. A giant, goofy smile spread across his face. Princess Iris sat across the counter from him. She held a small porcelain cup. She took a slow sip of hot tea. She looked very relaxed. The recent political drama was finally over. The estate felt peaceful. Naomi wiped the kitchen counter with a clean cloth.

She wore her dark combat pants and a simple gray shirt. Her red hair was tied back in a neat ponytail. She looked at Ken. She did not frown. She smiled a very warm, friendly smile. She bumped her hip playfully against his shoulder.

"Wipe your chin, Ken," Naomi teased gently. She tossed a clean paper napkin onto the counter next to his plate.

"You have crumbs all over your face. You look like a messy toddler." Ken opened his eyes. He grabbed the napkin. He dabbed his mouth casually.

"I am a growing boy, Naomi," Ken replied. He slouched his shoulders.

"This sandwich is an absolute masterpiece. I feel completely energized. I am ready to go back to the living room. I plan to take a three-hour nap." Laxmi walked into the kitchen. The fire user grabbed a red apple from a bowl. She tossed it into the air and caught it.

"You just woke up two hours ago, Ken. You cannot take a nap yet. It is still morning."

"My sleep schedule is highly flexible," Ken argued lazily. He took another bite of his sandwich.

"I listen to my body. Right now, my body is telling me to find a soft pillow." Suddenly, a loud, sharp noise echoed through the estate. It was a piercing, continuous siren. The sound came from the strategy room. It was the official emergency alert system. The peaceful atmosphere vanished in a single second. Princess Iris set her teacup down instantly. Her violet eyes turned very serious. Naomi dropped her cleaning cloth. Her posture became completely rigid. Laxmi stopped tossing her apple.

The playful smiles disappeared from their faces. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"That is the priority alert," Naomi stated firmly.

"Something is wrong." Grandmaster Finlay marched out of the strategy room. His silver armor clanked loudly against the floorboards. His thick gray beard bristled. His face looked incredibly grim. He held a glowing blue crystal in his massive hand.

"Attention, 13th Unit," Finlay announced. His deep voice boomed through the hallway.

"Report to the armory immediately. We have received urgent deployment orders from the Upper Council." Sayma walked out of the library. She pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose. She held a fresh notebook.

"An urgent deployment? The tournament phase is still ongoing. The Upper Council rarely issues direct field orders during this time."

"This is not a tournament match," Finlay explained. He looked at Princess Iris.

"We just received confirmed intelligence. A massive, coordinated monster attack is happening right now. It is located near the highly volatile eastern border area. The local defense forces are completely overwhelmed." Zinia stepped out of the training yard. The strong earth mage cracked her knuckles.

"A monster swarm? How big is the attack?"

"It is a total breach," Finlay replied.

"The beasts are destroying the perimeter walls. The Emperor has mobilized several Royal Units. We are ordered to deploy immediately to assist the border guards. Get your gear." Laxmi grinned wildly. A spark of bright orange fire popped between her fingers.

"A real fight! Finally! I am so ready to roast some monsters. The arena matches were getting too boring."

"Do not underestimate this situation, Laxmi," Finlay warned. He looked very strict.

"These are not normal dungeon beasts. The intelligence report says they are highly organized. Go to the armory. Pack your bags. We leave very soon." The elite girls nodded in perfect unison. They moved fast. They rushed toward the back of the estate. The armory was a large, secure room filled with weapons and tactical supplies. Ken Eliot sat in the kitchen. He slowly lowered his sandwich. He looked at the empty hallway. He let out a long, dramatic groan. He slouched his shoulders as far as they could possibly go.

"Are you kidding me?" Ken complained loudly. He stared at the ceiling.

"The border area? That is miles away from the city. We have to take a long carriage ride. Carriage rides are very bumpy. They hurt my back." Naomi walked back into the kitchen. She grabbed Ken by the sleeve of his untucked shirt. She did not yell at him. She just laughed softly.

"Get up, slacker," Naomi smiled. She pulled his arm gently.

"You can finish your sandwich on the road. We need to pack your supplies."

"I do not need supplies," Ken whined. He dragged his shoes on the floor. Scuff. Scuff. Scuff.

"I just need a couch. Why do we have to go to the border? The local guards have swords. They can handle a few angry bugs."

"They are not bugs," Naomi said. She pulled him down the hallway.

"They are giant monsters. Now move your feet. We are on a strict schedule." They entered the armory. The room was bustling with fast, organized activity. Zinia stood by a large metal rack. She inspected a pair of thick, reinforced combat boots. She tested the metal clasps.

"These will work perfectly," Zinia said to herself.

"The border ground is very rocky. I need solid traction for my earth magic." Ira stood perfectly still near a wooden cabinet. Her pale face showed zero emotion. She opened a small box. She pulled out several small, airtight glass vials. She filled the vials with pure, concentrated water. She placed the vials carefully into her dark blue uniform pockets.

"Statistically speaking, the eastern border is an arid environment," Ira stated in her robotic voice.

"Ambient moisture levels will be low. I must carry an external water supply to generate my whips efficiently." Luna leaned against a weapon rack. The lightning user rubbed her sleepy eyes. She let out a massive yawn. She held a small, fluffy travel pillow in her hand.

"I am definitely bringing this pillow. If the carriage ride is bumpy, I need neck support. Do you think the monsters will let us take a nap first?"