Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile, in the Armand estate…

Javier was sprawled on the plush couch in one of the private lounges, grinning from ear to ear like a man who just won the entire continent.

His arms were tightly wrapped around Liana and Gloria—one on each side, snug against him.

He buried his face into their hair, inhaling deeply.

"Ehehe… this is paradise…"

Liana smiled softly, her hand gently stroking his arm. "You're too relaxed, young master."

Gloria let out a quiet chuckle, adjusting her glasses as she leaned into him. "Ara~ You've been like this since breakfast."

"Hmmm… can't help it," Javier mumbled with pure bliss on his face. "You both smell so good…"

Liana rolled her eyes playfully. "You're such a child sometimes."

"I'm thirteen!" Javier protested, though it only made him sound more smug.

Gloria just smiled. "And yet acting like you're three."

Javier tightened his hug. "Then don't blame me for enjoying this. After everything I've been through, I deserve this moment."

He closed his eyes.

Warmth.

Safety.

Their scent.

This… this was his paradise.

Knock knock.

Javier's eyes twitched.

"Ugh… who is it now?" he groaned, still buried between Liana and Gloria like a pampered prince.

The door creaked open, and the tall, ever-serious figure of Alf stepped in—impeccably dressed as always, his expression unreadable.

"Young master."

Gulp.

Javier slowly turned his head like a guilty child.

"Y-Yes, Mr. Alf?"

"Your father is calling for you," Alf said, his tone flat. "To his private chamber."

Javier froze.

"Err… I-I'll go later… maybe after lunch…"

Alf's eyes narrowed, not a single word spoken—but the pressure in the room spiked instantly.

Javier stiffened.

"Eeeekk!! I-I'm going now!! Right now!!" he shouted, bolting upright and scrambling off the couch.

Liana and Gloria just smiled behind him, holding in their giggles.

"Good luck, young master," Gloria said sweetly.

"Try not to die," Liana added with a serene smile.

Javier could only shiver.

"Why do I feel like I'm walking into a trap…"

Javier stood outside the heavy wooden door, his heart thudding softly.

Knock knock.

"Come in," came Garius's calm but firm voice from within.

Javier inhaled, pushed the door open, and stepped inside. "Esteem father, I'm here," he said, bowing politely.

As he looked up, his eyes widened slightly.

Both Marcellus and Cedric were already there—standing straight, hands behind their backs, wearing identical stiff expressions that only meant one thing:

They were probably getting scolded like children before he arrived.

Marcellus gave Javier a quick side glance, face composed but eyes whispering "You're next."

Cedric sighed quietly through his nose—shoulders relaxed, but the slight twitch in his brow betrayed it: He got the full lecture already.

Javier swallowed.

He took his place beside them without a word.

Garius sat at his desk, eyes calm, fingers interlocked, gaze sharp.

"Well then," the Count of Armand said quietly, "since all three of my brilliant sons are now present…"

Garius leaned back slightly, his eyes piercing through Javier as he spoke.

"Javier… did you read the mission scroll I gave you before?"

Javier scratched the back of his neck. "Uh… still not yet, father."

"Good," Garius said flatly, not even blinking. "I have a new mission for you. Cedric and Marcellus already have their own assignments after this."

Javier straightened up, tone respectful. "What is it, esteem father?"

Garius folded his arms on the table. "You will be heading to the Armand border wall—the one between our region and the Human Kingdom."

Javier's brows twitched. He already didn't like where this was going.

"Our informant secured an accurate report that a covert unit from King Edmund's side will attempt to breach the Armand Region."

Javier gulped silently.

"Your task will be easy." Garius's voice was calm.

"Locate. And finish them all."

Garius leaned forward slightly, gaze firm.

"And let me warn you, Javier. This mission… it's related to the unit you've been scouting with your drone system. The same ones that moved during the Halfling border attack."

Javier's expression sharpened.

"Understood, esteem father."

"You may go loud, or silent," Garius added, his tone as cold and deliberate as ever. "You choose."

"So, esteem father…" Javier asked with a faint glint in his eye.

"Hmm?" Garius replied, watching him carefully.

"I can go loud, right?"

"Yes," Garius nodded. "Wipe them clean if needed."

Javier grinned a little. "May I see the report first?"

Garius gestured to a stack of documents on the table. "Go ahead."

Javier stepped forward, picked it up, and skimmed through it quickly—eyes narrowing at the marked coordinates.

"…Their last known location was in Filin Forest, near the Armand border wall," he muttered aloud.

"Yes," Garius confirmed. "The terrain there is dense, but your detection drones have already mapped the blind spots. Use that to your advantage."

Javier nodded slowly. "Okay… So, esteemed father?"

"Hmm?"

"I can use anything I want, right?"

Garius leaned back slightly, arms crossed.

"I gave you full command for a reason. Bring whatever toys you feel necessary. Whether it's your puppet units, mana drones, or those terrifying siege weapons you've been hiding under your workshop…"

He smirked.

"Just don't level the forest."

"Ceh… if I can't level the forest…" Javier pouted, crossing his arms dramatically, "then I can't use that."

Garius raised a brow. "Oh? That?"

Javier scratched his cheek with an innocent grin. "Ah… yeah. Just something I've been working on. I call it the Mana Missile~"

Marcellus and Cedric immediately turned their heads.

"You what?" Cedric asked, frowning.

"You made a missile?" Marcellus squinted.

Javier chuckled nervously. "Ehehe… yeah. I can fire it from the Armand manor if I want… direct trajectory, long-distance locked mana guidance, impact radius… well, depends."

He paused, then added with a casual smirk, "Let's just say, one shot could remove the entire Filin Forest if I wanted to."

Garius sighed. "No missiles."

Garius's voice cut in—firm, serious, final.

Javier froze mid-step. The tone alone brought him back to full attention.

He turned and bowed politely. "Yes, esteem father."

Garius folded his arms. "We don't want any civilian casualties. That forest may look remote, but a kid could wander in searching for herbs. Second—there's a monster population there we've been managing. They're useful for meat hunting and local trade."

He paused, his gaze sharp. "And third… we don't level forests just to win. That's not how Armand operates."

Javier straightened, fully composed now.

"Understood, esteem father. Silent sweep and precision only."

Garius gave a small nod. "Good. Now go—before Edmund's rats burrow in too deep."

( End Of Chapter )