Reborn As Noble

"Oh, Alf?"

"Yes, my lord?" Alf responded immediately, stepping forward.

Garius leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "We're going to be busy. Call all my sons and my daughter here—Marcellus, Cedric, Heres, Aelius, Athine and Javier."

Alf bowed slightly. "At once, my lord." He turned swiftly and left the grand hall, his steps precise and confident.

Hesbeirn smirked, tossing a chunk of roasted meat into his mouth. "Calling all of them, huh? Guess things are getting serious."

Meanwhile, in Different Parts of the Estate…

Marcellus and Cedric were sparring in the training courtyard when Alf arrived.

"Masters Marcellus and Cedric," Alf announced, his tone calm yet firm. "Your father has summoned you both immediately."

Cedric wiped sweat from his forehead and exchanged a glance with Marcellus. "Hah… And here I thought we had the day off."

Marcellus stretched his shoulders and smirked. "If Father's calling us, it's something important. Let's go."

Meanwhile, in the main town of Gaze, Aelius and Athine were overseeing a new trade deal when an Armand knight approached.

"Master Aelius, Lady Athine, a message from the Count. You are to return to the estate immediately."

Aelius narrowed his eyes. "Understood. Tell the merchants to finalize the contract. We'll continue this later."

And finally, in Javier's personal workshop, he was deep in thought, fine-tuning his Mana Talkie device while Liana sat nearby, reading.

"Young Master?" Liana called softly.

"Mmm?" Javier responded absentmindedly, adjusting the small magical rune inside the device.

"Alf is here."

Javier froze. "Wait… ALF?! Here?! Oh no, that means—"

Before he could finish, Alf's voice rang from the doorway.

"Young Master Javier."

Javier turned slowly, forcing a nervous grin. "Ummm… Y-Yeah?"

"Your father has summoned you. Immediately."

Javier gulped. "Crap."

Back in the Grand Hall

One by one, all five brothers arrived, standing before their father.

Garius looked at them, his gaze unreadable, before speaking in a low, commanding voice. "War is coming."

A heavy silence filled the hall.

Javier sighed deeply. "Haaa… I knew it."

"Marcellus, Cedric—your priority is the safety of this estate." Garius's voice was firm, his eyes sweeping over his eldest sons. "Fortify our defenses, oversee the knights, and ensure that no threat steps past our walls."

The two brothers nodded immediately.

"Aelius, Athine—since both of you are in charge of trade, make sure your personal maids and escorts are with you at all times. When the war breaks out, focus on maintaining our trading routes with the demon folk and the beastkin."

"Understood, Father," Aelius replied calmly, exchanging a glance with Athine.

"Heres—stay with your mother and your little sister. Make sure the maids and escorts remain close to them. Your duty is to protect them above all else."

Heres hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I will, Father."

At that moment, the doors to the grand hall opened, and three women entered.

"Dear?"

Fransesca, Eridith, and Garcinia stepped inside, their presence immediately drawing everyone's attention.

Eridith crossed her arms, a playful smirk on her lips. "You do remember that I can transform into my dragon form and burn them all at once, right?"

Garius sighed. "I know, Eridith… but not now."

"Ehh? Suit yourself." Eridith pouted.

Javier, who had been quietly observing everything, suddenly grinned.

"Can I join the war?"

The entire room fell silent.

Marcellus facepalmed. Cedric sighed. Aelius and Athine exchanged skeptical glances. Heres looked at him like he was crazy.

Fransesca simply shook her head. "Oh dear…"

Garius shot Javier a sharp look, his tone final. "Not now. It's too early for you to join a war. Even your brothers are staying put."

Javier opened his mouth to argue, but— Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

"No buts!" Garius's voice cut through the room, leaving no room for negotiation.

Javier deflated, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "Understood, Esteemed Father…"

Garius studied him for a moment longer before turning his attention back to the war plans.

Meanwhile, inside Javier's mind—

"Ehehehe… I can always sneak out and check the border wall. Experience is important, after all! Ehehehe~"

Liana, standing behind him, sighed deeply as if she could already sense the trouble brewing.

Inside Garius's mind, he pondered. It's not that I don't want them to learn… but war isn't a place for play. They will all have their time to experience it—just not today.

He exhaled through his nose, pushing aside thoughts of battle for now.

"Alf, Erinette."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Is dinner ready?"

Alf nodded slightly. "Soon, my lord. The chefs are making the final preparations."

Garius stretched his shoulders, rolling away the tension. "Good. Because I'm hungry."

Rasdingen, still casually drinking from his flask, let out a hearty chuckle. "Aye, then let's eat first! Nothin' like a full belly before plannin' war!"

Garius shot Rasdingen a sharp glare.

The dwarf cleared his throat, raising his hands in surrender. "Oops… sorry, m'lord."

Turning his attention to Heres, Garius spoke firmly. "Heres, go call your mother and tell her to join us in the main dining room."

"Yes, esteemed father." Heres quickly bowed and left.

Garius then turned to the rest of his family. "Now, everyone—let's head to the main dining room. Who knows how long I'll be in town and away from the estate."

Marcellus stretched his arms. "Well, we might as well enjoy a proper meal before things get busy."

Cedric grinned. "Yeah, who knows when we'll get another peaceful dinner like this."

Javier, walking alongside them, smirked mischievously. "Peaceful, huh? That depends on who you're sitting next to."

Liana and Gloria exchanged amused glances, already predicting Javier's usual antics at the dinner table.

Once everyone arrived at the dining table, they stood waiting for Lord Garius to take his seat at the head of the table.

As soon as he sat down, the rest followed, each taking their designated places. Javier, as usual, sat at the far end of the table.

The maids moved swiftly, preparing plates and glasses, making sure everything was in order. One by one, they poured wine into each glass—except for Javier's.

Javier frowned slightly and leaned toward Liana, whispering, "Liana, I want wine too."

Liana, who usually ignored his antics, whispered back just as quietly, "Not today, Young Master. Not in front of Lord Garius."

Javier pouted, but Liana remained firm, standing behind him with a composed expression.

All the maids stood attentively behind their masters, the room filled with the soft clinking of plates and the quiet murmurs of noble conversation.

( End of Chapter )