Reborn As Noble

While Meira and Zania continued their silent magical stare-down behind Cedric, a new voice chimed in from the side of the courtyard.

"My, my... what a womanizer."

Marcellus strolled in casually, arms folded and a smug grin plastered across his face.

"Look at me! Faithful to only one." He turned slightly, dramatically gesturing behind him. "My beautiful dark elf."

Standing quietly beside him was Lithia, her cheeks slightly pink, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. She bowed her head lightly when the others glanced her way but said nothing.

"Ugh... Marcellus… go away," Cedric muttered, rubbing his temples.

Marcellus blinked, then tilted his head like he hadn't heard him.

"Why?"

"I said go away!"

"No can do, little bro." Marcellus smirked, strolling up beside him and giving his shoulder a teasing pat.

Then his tone shifted slightly. "By the way... Father is calling us."

Cedric straightened slightly. Meira and Zania both looked up, tension still in the air but curiosity starting to outweigh it.

"All of us?" Cedric asked.

Marcellus nodded. "Yep. Including you two." He pointed at Meira and Zania with a lazy finger. "And Lithia too."

Cedric sighed. "Let me guess. Something big again?"

Marcellus just grinned. "You'll see."

Cedric stood up, brushing off his cloak as Zania reluctantly let go of his arm and Meira clung a little tighter to his other side.

He glanced sideways at Marcellus, who wore his usual smug grin. "What's so important, Marcellus?"

Marcellus shrugged casually. "Hmm? I don't know. But if Father calls, it usually means we should go."

He smirked. "I don't really feel like having Alf or Errinette show up and drag us there by the collar again."

"Yeah... that's true." Cedric muttered, remembering the last time he tried to 'nap through' a summons.

Marcellus glanced behind him as Lithia walked up quietly to stand beside him. "Besides... Athine, Aelius, and Heres were called too."

"All of them?" Cedric blinked. "Then maybe this really is important."

Marcellus gave a lazy wave of his hand. "Like always. When Father says 'gather everyone', something's probably boiling under the surface again."

When they all arrived, the heavy double doors leading to Garius's private chamber stood at the end of the hallway, framed by the warm light of hanging crystal lamps. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed as Cedric, Marcellus, Meira, Zania, Lithia, and the others arrived.

Just as they reached the threshold, the doors opened with a soft creak.

Garius stepped out—tall and composed as always, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group with calm precision.

Behind him followed Alf, silent and composed, and Errinette, ever-serene but with that familiar steely glint in her eyes.

Hesbeirn, the towering commander, came last, arms crossed, radiating unshakable discipline.

Garius gave a faint nod. "Oh, you're all here? Good."

He turned without missing a beat. "Let's go to the main dining room. We'll talk there."

No one questioned it.

When Father said something was important, it usually meant plans were about to change.

The siblings exchanged glances. Even Marcellus's playful grin faded as he walked in step beside Lithia. Cedric's brows furrowed slightly, with Meira and Zania flanking him—both quiet for once.

As the group walked steadily down the hall toward the main dining room, Garius spoke without turning his head.

"Alf. Errinette."

"Yes, my lord?" they answered in unison, always in sync.

"Have you already contacted the border outpost?"

Errinette nodded. "Yes, my lord. We used the mana talkie to inform them of the meeting. Young Master Javier was notified."

Garius's eyes narrowed slightly with interest. "And?"

Alf answered this time, his tone steady. "They reported that the young master acknowledged the message but said he had something to finish at the border wall first."

Garius paused in thought for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "Good."

"That means he's already preparing."

Errinette offered a faint smile, her voice gentle. "It seems the young master has started thinking like you, my lord."

Garius's expression didn't change, but his voice softened—became warmer. "I hope... he becomes even better than me."

As they approached the doors to the main dining room, Garius walked in silence for a moment—his sharp eyes focused ahead while his mind drifted elsewhere.

"I hope my youngest son is prepared."

Javier had always been unconventional—lazy on the surface, unpredictable, and appearing reckless.

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But Garius knew better.

"He understands more than he lets on. Soon… the first small wave will come. The border wall between Armand and the Human Kingdom... it's a critical point. If they want to test us, that's where they'll strike first."

His thoughts were steady and calculating, each possibility unfolding in his mind like a war game.

The defenses Javier was building—the puppet knights, the anti-air mana guns, the mana cannons...

"He's preparing."

Just then, Alf spoke quietly beside him.

"My lord?"

Garius blinked, returning to the present. "Hmm? Yes, Alf?"

Alf tilted his head slightly. "You seemed lost in thought. Do you wish for me to send another message to the border wall base? To urge the young master to return home sooner?"

Garius shook his head once, his voice calm. "No. There's no need for that."

He paused. "I already briefed him before he left. If he chooses to stay, it means he's acting with purpose."

His gaze hardened, revealing a flicker of steel beneath his calm tone. "He might not return this week."

"Alf. One more thing."

"Yes, my lord?"

"What about the assassin units?" Garius asked, his eyes steady. "Our covert operatives stationed around the region."

Alf's expression remained composed. "They're ready for deployment, standing by to intercept any hidden assassin groups, including those suspected to be sent by King Edmund."

Garius nodded slowly. "Good. But don't deploy them yet. Just make sure they remain within range of the border wall—close enough to strike, but not close enough to be seen."

Alf glanced sideways at his lord. "Are you certain, my lord?"

Garius's gaze darkened, but his voice remained calm. "Yes. Tonight… or tomorrow night, Javier will be ready."

He paused at the door. "This will be his test."

"We already know how strong he is."

His eyes reflected the flicker of torches along the hall. "But I want to know how prepared he is."

He folded his arms behind his back. "The knowledge he holds… it's not from this world. It's not anything in our archives."

"The things he's crafted through magic alone—his puppet knights, his mana cannon, that anti-air gun system—"

He glanced at Alf. "None of those designs exist in any known theory. And yet, they worked. In the last war, when Armand stood alone against the nobles who backed the Saint of the Three Gods…"

A faint smile tugged at the edge of Garius's lips. "...They were crushed without us losing a single man."

Alf nodded respectfully. "Very well, my lord. I'll inform the assassin units to remain hidden but alert. We'll observe."

Garius exhaled slowly, the fire in his eyes now steady. "Good. Let's see if he's ready for what comes next."

( End of Chapter )