Reborn As Noble

On the Way to Armand Region

The journey back from the Beastkin Kingdom was nothing short of grand. A heavily guarded convoy moved steadily along the road, flanked by elite knights in perfect formation.

Leading the mounted forces were Alf, Erinnette, and Hesbeirn, riding their Pekko birds with effortless precision. Behind them, the elite battle maids—each mounted on their own Pekko—moved in disciplined lines, their presence a silent warning to anyone foolish enough to consider an ambush.

At the heart of the convoy, a luxurious carriage rolled smoothly along the well-maintained road. Inside, Javier sat stiffly, facing his father, Garius, along with his mother, Francesca, and Eridith, who seemed more interested in her next meal than the tense atmosphere around her.

Javier fidgeted. At first, he thought he could handle this, but now…

Garius was too damn serious.

His father's expression was unreadable—sharp, cold, and intimidating. Javier had never seen him smile, not even once. Stuck riding inside the carriage with him, Francesca, and Eridith, he couldn't help but wonder—what was so important?

If it were just a normal return trip, he would've been allowed to ride Buddy, his Pekko, like before, alongside Liana and Gloria, who were outside with their own Pekkos—Pikko and Peanut.

Something was definitely going on.

Following behind the main convoy, two Pekkos—Giddie and Buddy—moved at a steady pace, their feathers ruffling in the wind. Unlike his usual excitable self, Buddy was surprisingly well-behaved, sticking close to Giddie without causing trouble.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere remained tense.

"Javier."

Javier sat up straight at the sound of his father's voice. "Y-yes, Esteemed Father?"

Garius didn't hesitate. "After we return, you will begin training with Marcellus and Cedric."

Javier blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry, Esteemed Father, but may I ask why?"

For a brief moment, silence filled the carriage. Garius stared at him, his expression unreadable, before finally speaking.

"Something serious will be happening soon. I don't know if you're ready, but this is crucial."

Eridith, still chewing on a piece of beef jerky, casually spoke up.

"But this kid is already strong; I believe he's on par with Marcellus and Cedric."

Garius remained firm. "Hmm… but he's still lacking something."

Francesca nodded in agreement. "Yes." Then, turning her gaze to Javier, she softened her tone slightly. "Honey bun~"

Javier straightened up. "Yes, Mother?"

Her expression remained gentle but serious. "You will train with your brothers once we return to the estate."

"Ehh?"

Francesca's eyes narrowed slightly. "No 'Ehh'—this is serious. No more time for playing. Besides, we already know about your power."

Javier gulped. "But Mother—"

"No." Francesca's voice left no room for argument. "Because if this... thing comes out soon..."

A heavy silence filled the carriage. Javier swallowed hard, feeling an ominous weight settle in his chest.

Garius turned his gaze toward Francesca. "Francesca..."

She blinked and let out a small chuckle. "Oops, my mistake~ We shouldn't talk about this inside the carriage, right?" She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Garius exhaled. "Yes." Then he looked at Javier, his expression unreadable. "Once we reach the estate, you will be briefed along with your brothers. This time, we must prepare for the worst."

Javier furrowed his brows. "Why is that?"

Garius turned his gaze toward the carriage window, staring at the darkening horizon. His voice was low but firm. "Because among all of them—there is someone who will betray us."

Javier felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Garius continued, his face unreadable, as if lost in thought. "And if that thing is released… what I fear most is that we might not have enough people to stop it."

Garius sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sorry, Javier... but for now, you need to focus on controlling your power." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. "Liana and Gloria will also be trained—under Francesca or Eridith."

Javier remained silent. His father rarely spoke this seriously. If whatever they were discussing was truly this grave, then he had no choice but to be prepared.

After a moment, he nodded. "If you wish, Esteemed Father."

Garius gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Now rest. Because once we reach the estate, we will all be busy."

Javier glanced out the carriage window, his gaze settling on Liana and Gloria, who rode their Pekko birds not far from him.

Inside, he let out a quiet sigh. What is this 'thing' Father, Mother, and Eridith keep mentioning? The weight in their voices and the way they avoided saying too much—it wasn't just idle concern. It was something serious.

His eyes flickered toward the knights and elite battle maids riding alongside them. Do Alf, Erinnette, and Hesbeirn know too?

Perhaps I should craft more weapons… or more puppet knights.

Javier tapped his fingers against the windowsill, his mind already racing through possibilities. Or maybe I should prepare something even more advanced? His knowledge from his previous life was still intact—though he never spoke of it, it gave him an edge in crafting weapons and magical constructs beyond this world's understanding.

Upgrading my puppet knight army could be an option too.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought. But first… I need to know what this 'thing' actually is. No matter what his father, mother, and Eridith were so wary of, he wouldn't sit idly by.

Javier kept wondering. What is this 'thing' they're talking about?

Why now? Has it appeared before? And if it did, who handled it? Was it Father?

His mind raced with endless questions, but as he turned toward his father to ask, he paused.

Garius was asleep.

Javier blinked in surprise. His father, the ever-stoic and imposing Count of Armand, sat there with his eyes closed, his posture still dignified even in rest. On one shoulder, his mother, Francesca, leaned gently against him, her breathing soft and steady. On the other, Eridith had also dozed off, her head resting on Garius's other shoulder, her arms crossed loosely.

It was… a strange sight.

Javier had never seen his father like this before. He always thought of him as an unshakable wall—strong, strict, and composed. But now, he looked… exhausted.

Am I overthinking this?

Javier frowned slightly and leaned back in his seat. Whatever this thing is, it's serious. Serious enough to make even my father this tired.

He sighed and looked back out the window. All the more reason I need to be ready.

Alf, Erinnette, and Hesbeirn immediately sensed the shift in mana.

A sudden pulse—dense, controlled, and unwavering.

Their heads snapped toward the carriage just in time to see Javier extending his hand out of the window.

"Activate—Full Barrier."

A flawless, translucent dome of golden light expanded outward, encasing the carriage, the escorting knights, and the elite battle maids riding their Pekko mounts. The air shimmered around them, forming an impenetrable wall of protection.

Alf narrowed his eyes. So, he's finally showing it openly…

Erinnette and Hesbeirn exchanged glances, their surprise evident. Until now, Javier had rarely revealed his true abilities, except for that one time—back when he was truly enraged.

But this time, there was no anger.

No grin.

No playful, cheeky smile.

Just a serious, calculating look in his eyes.

( End of Chapter )