Reborn As Noble

The Armand estate was peaceful, but inside Javier's room, a quiet tension lingered.

Javier had not woken up for three days straight.

Francesca sat beside his bed, carefully checking his condition. Her gentle hands glowed with a soft white light, continuously monitoring and stabilizing his mana flow.

Beside her stood Erisa—one of the elite battle maids and Francesca's personal attendant—at attention, her sharp eyes observing Javier's state.

"It seems Young Master still hasn't woken up yet," Erisa noted, adjusting her gloves.

Francesca sighed softly, brushing Javier's hair aside.

"Yes... His body couldn't handle the tremendous amount of mana he forced out."

Her eyes darkened slightly.

"Lucky we arrived early… Who knows what would've happened if we had been even a second late."

Erisa lowered her head respectfully.

A brief silence settled between them.

"Erisa."

"Yes, Madam?"

"Status on Gloria and Liana?"

Erisa adjusted her stance before answering.

"They are stable but still unconscious. According to Mr. Alf, the blade that the Assassin Hero used was fused with a strong poison."

Francesca paused, then exhaled softly.

"I'm not worried about the poison."

Her calm but confident tone made Erisa raise an eyebrow slightly.

"Alf is a master of poisons," Francesca continued, "so he already knew exactly which cure to use to nullify the poison's effects."

Erisa nodded.

"Understood, Madam."

Francesca gently placed her hand on Javier's forehead, her soft glow of magic continuing to soothe him.

Inside Garius's private room, the air was heavy with tension.

Seated before him were Alf, Erinnete, Marcellus, and Cedric, the weight of the recent battle still lingering in their minds.

Garius, his expression unreadable, tapped his fingers against the wooden desk before speaking.

"Alf."

Alf stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Report on the recent incident."

Alf silently handed over a stack of documents.

Garius flipped through them, his eyes narrowing as he read.

"Hmm… so the heroes managed to enter by pretending to be beastkin?"

"Yes, my lord."

"How did they do that?"

Alf exhaled.

"According to our investigation unit, the heroes disguised themselves by wearing artificial beastkin ears and tails."

Garius's brows furrowed.

"Ears and tails?"

"Yes, my lord." Alf nodded. "They were designed to resemble real beastkin features. Not only that, but the fakes were enchanted—they could even move using mana."

Garius's jaw clenched slightly.

"So they found a way to fake it…"

Alf lowered his head respectfully.

"It appears so, my lord."

A moment of silence passed.

Then—

Garius's voice was firm, unforgiving.

"Relay this message to all border guard stations:

All beastkin attempting to enter must be checked.

For males, have male guards physically inspect their ears and tails. For females, assign female guards to check them carefully. If any beastkin refuse to be checked—deny them entry immediately. No exceptions. No negotiations."

Alf bowed.

"As you command, my lord."

Garius closed his eyes for a brief moment, collecting his thoughts.

Then—he spoke again.

"Alf."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Are there any survivors from the village that was massacred by those damn heroes?"

Alf's expression darkened slightly.

"…Only one child, my lord."

A heavy silence fell upon the room.

Garius's hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles turning white. His teeth gritted—but only for a second. Then, his breathing steadied, his emotions locked away.

"This child… did she see everything?"

Alf nodded.

"Yes, my lord. She managed to escape and witnessed everything. She is calm for now."

Garius exhaled slowly.

"…If only we had known sooner, our people wouldn't have suffered like this."

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Garius opened his eyes, his gaze cold and sharp.

"From now on, the guards will inspect not only beastkin but all races entering our territory—elves, dwarves, and humans alike."

His voice turned ice-cold.

"If they refuse to comply, they are not allowed inside. No exceptions."

He glanced at Alf once more.

"One more thing. Any guards caught accepting bribes to let people in… will lose their jobs. Immediately."

Alf bowed deeply.

"Understood, my lord. I will personally ensure these orders are carried out."

Garius leaned back in his chair, his eyes glowing with quiet fury.

This would never happen again.

The tense silence inside Garius's private chamber was suddenly shattered—

A soldier burst through the door, breathing ragged, his expression urgent.

"My lord! Emergency!"

Garius slowly turned his gaze toward him.

"Hmm?"

The soldier saluted, then stepped forward, presenting a sealed report.

"Message from General Hesbeirn—the coalition army is marching toward our border. Estimated time of arrival—one day."

A heavy silence fell upon the room.

Garius's eyes narrowed.

"One day, you say?"

He glanced at the Pekko-riding soldier, then quickly calculated in his mind.

"Including the time it took for you to reach the estate… that means we have less than twenty hours to prepare."

The soldier nodded.

"It seems so, my lord."

He handed over the report from Hesbeirn.

Garius flipped through the details quickly, absorbing the situation.

Then—he closed the report with a snap. His expression turned sharp. Cold. Absolute.

"No time to waste."

"Alf. Erinnete."

Both immediately straightened, awaiting orders.

"Let's go."

Without hesitation, they nodded.

Garius turned his gaze to his sons, Marcellus and Cedric. Both stood ready, already anticipating his command.

"Ensure the safety of the estate."

Marcellus nodded firmly.

"Understood, esteemed father."

"Tell the mage units and paladin units to stand by."

"Yes, Father."

"If the enemy manages to break through our first defense—the main border wall—ensure the safety of our family at all costs."

Cedric placed a fist over his chest in salute.

"We will not fail, Father."

Garius looked at his sons one last time before turning away.

The war had resumed.

Eridith had just finished her meal, licking the last traces of sauce from her fingers when—

She noticed Garius striding through the estate halls, his aura sharp and his pace urgent.

Without hesitation, she stood and rushed after him.

Meanwhile, Francesca stood inside Javier's room, still tending to her sleeping son.

Then—

She heard the commotion outside.

Her expression shifted.

She walked to the window and saw her husband already preparing to leave.

Her eyes sharpened.

Without wasting a second, she turned to Erisa.

"Erisa."

The elite maid stood at attention immediately.

"Yes, Madam?"

"Stay here and take care of Javier."

Erisa lowered her head respectfully.

"Understood."

Francesca glanced at Javier one last time, brushing his hair gently.

Then—she turned away.

"Once he wakes up, tell him we're at the border."

Erisa nodded firmly.

"Yes, Madam."

Without another word, Francesca rushed out of the estate, following her husband into battle.

Garius mounted Giddie, the majestic golden Pekko letting out a deep, commanding squawk as it flapped its powerful wings slightly.

Francesca arrived right after him, her steps quick and determined. Without hesitation, she climbed up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his back.

"Hmm~ Warm."

Garius chuckled but kept his focus forward.

Then—

Eridith suddenly leaped onto Giddie, seating herself in front of him. She stretched lazily, her hair flowing in the wind.

"Mmm~ Good, I got the best spot."

Garius raised an eyebrow.

"You're riding in front of me?"

Eridith grinned, looking back at him teasingly.

"Of course! I get motion sick if I sit in the back."

Garius sighed but didn't argue.

From the entrance of the estate, two figures stood watching—Phenelopie and Garcinia. Their eyes were filled with a mixture of worry and quiet strength.

Phenelopie clasped her hands together, her voice soft but firm.

"Husband… please be careful."

Garcinia nodded beside her, her expression serious.

Garius turned his gaze toward them and then smirked.

"I will."

His voice carried confidence and reassurance.

"Don't worry about it."

With those final words, he flicked the reins. Giddie let out a mighty squawk—

And the Armand lord rode off toward war once again.

( End of Chapter )