Reborn As Noble

Garius held the letter between his fingers, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he contemplated the Demon Kingdom's power.

"The Demon Kingdom possesses nearly a million troops," he mused. Ogres, Oni, and countless other demon races—massive, brutal warriors built for berserker-style combat. Their magic? Overwhelming. Their sheer physical strength? Unmatched.

Yet—Garius smirked. "Not as good as her."

He casually pointed toward Francesca. The elegant countess didn't even flinch, calmly sipping her tea.

Eridith, however, snorted and muttered under her breath, "I'd have to agree…"

Francesca simply smiled, but the way she set her teacup down with perfect precision made it clear she had heard them.

Garius leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Let's just say, if the Armand region were to fall… I don't think the rest of the kingdom would be ready for a full-scale war."

His fingers drummed against the table. "King Edmund's Royal Forces number over 500,000 strong, and I'm sure his allies would back him if necessary."

He paused. "But the results of that war…"

"Let's just say… no one is walking away unscathed."

Francesca nodded. "The kingdom's structure would collapse."

Erinnete added, "And the real issue isn't just the battlefield."

Garius closed his eyes. "Exactly. The real problem is the people."

Refugees flooding into different territories. Entire cities and villages left in ruin. Starvation, banditry, and chaos spreading like wildfire. War wasn't just about who had the strongest army; it was about who could survive the aftermath.

Garius slowly opened his eyes, his expression unreadable. "That's why we fight smart."

"Because unlike the nobles who treat war like a game…"

"We understand what's really at stake."

Alf watched Garius's expression carefully. "My lord… it seems like you're considering the possibility of Armand falling."

Garius chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No… not that, Alf."

He leaned back, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "It's just a hypothetical. We can never be too sure."

War was unpredictable. Even the strongest armies could fall due to one mistake. But—

"Our troops are on par with the Demon Kingdom's forces."

That was not arrogance; that was a fact.

In strength and magic, Armand's elite forces could match the demons. In equipment and tactics, Armand surpassed them. That was why the Demon King never wanted war.

Garius tapped the table, smirking. "The Demon King wants peace—not because he fears us, but because he values stability."

He continued, his voice steady. "He wants his people to live comfortably. No starvation. No suffering. No families losing their loved ones in an endless war."

That was the difference between a true ruler and the fools in the kingdom.

Garius and the Demon King both understood one thing:

Strength isn't about destruction. It's about ensuring your people can live in peace—without ever having to draw their swords.

Just as Garius was about to continue his speech, the door to the command center swung open. An elite guard stepped inside, his expression slightly awkward.

"Umm… my lord?"

Garius raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

The guard hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "Your youngest son is here."

Garius's eye twitched. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "What does he want now?"

The guard glanced at the others before answering carefully. "He said he wants to meet you."

Garius let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "...Haaa… Look at your youngest son, Francesca."

He turned to his wife, who simply smiled gracefully.

"Too clingy to you."

Francesca sipped her tea, unfazed. "Isn't that a good thing?"

Garius grumbled but didn't argue. Meanwhile, Eridith chuckled, clearly entertained. "Oh? This should be fun~"

Garius leaned back in his chair, exhaling. "Fine. Let him in."

The door creaked open, and Javier stepped inside, his posture rigid and unnatural. He was fidgeting, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Behind him, Liana and Gloria followed, bowing politely, their gazes fixed firmly on the ground, not daring to look directly at Garius.

Javier took a deep breath, then declared, "E-Esteemed Father!" He snapped into a formal salute, standing as straight as possible.

Garius stared blankly at him. Silence.

"…What do you want?"

Javier hesitated, then forced a smile. "Umm… permission to go sightseeing on the western border?"

Garius's eyebrow twitched. "Do you realize we are at war right now?"

Javier froze, cold sweat forming on his forehead. "Umm… ummm…"

Then, in a burst of panic, he turned on his heel and bolted for the door. "FATHER IS SCARY!!"

His panicked thoughts echoed in his head as he vanished from the command center at full speed. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving two stunned and betrayed maids in his wake.

Liana felt her entire body stiffen. Inside her mind— YOUNG MASTER!! How dare you leave us here!!

Meanwhile, Gloria let out a small sigh, already preparing for the lecture they were about to receive.

Garius rubbed his temples, exhaling deeply as the door slammed shut behind Javier.

"…Liana."

Liana straightened immediately, still bowing. "Yes, my lord?"

"What does that brat want?"

Liana hesitated for a moment before speaking. "My lord, if you allow me?"

Garius sighed, waving a hand. "Go ahead."

Liana lifted her head slightly, her eyes steady. "Young Master is concerned about the western border. He believes that, while the enemy cannot launch a full-scale attack from that direction, they may attempt underhanded tactics."

Garius narrowed his eyes. "Explain."

Liana nodded. "He suspects that small enemy units may disguise themselves as merchants or refugees, slipping into our territory in small numbers. If left unchecked, they could sabotage villages, burn farmlands, and create chaos—forcing us to divert troops west."

"A distraction," Francesca mused, her elegant fingers tapping against her teacup.

Liana continued, her voice calm but firm. "Yes, my lady. The goal would be to make us believe the enemy is launching an attack from the west, causing us to split our forces and weaken the main defensive line."

Garius leaned back, tapping his fingers against the table thoughtfully. "Hmmm. That boy…"

His eyes glimmered with something unreadable. Liana waited patiently, not daring to speak further unless prompted.

Finally, Garius chuckled. "…So he ran away because he already knew I'd approve."

Francesca smiled softly. "Clever, isn't he?"

Eridith snorted. "More like a brat with good instincts."

Garius sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. I'll allow it."

Liana placed a hand on her chest and bowed deeply. "Understood, my lord."

Just as Liana and Gloria were about to step back, Garius spoke again. "And Liana? Gloria?"

Both maids straightened immediately. "Yes, my lord?"

Garius smirked slightly, shaking his head. "About Javier's concern… it was already handled before you even arrived."

Liana blinked. "…My lord?"

Garius turned his gaze toward Erinnete, who stood calmly by his side. "Right, Erinnete?"

The head of all maids, smirked slightly, crossing her arms. "Yes, my lord. I've already deployed additional scouts along the western border, blending in with trade routes and villages. If anything unusual happens, we'll know immediately."

Liana and Gloria stiffened before quickly bowing. "Mrs. Erinnete."

Both maids lowered their heads in respect to their superior. Erinnete chuckled, tilting her head slightly.

Garius smirked, watching them. "Well, since you're already here… you might as well go after that brat before he causes more trouble."

Liana and Gloria straightened immediately. "Yes, my lord!"

"It's better if you both accompany him. Let him observe how things work—how the borders are maintained, how decisions affect lives. Understanding responsibility firsthand is far better than simply being told."

Then, Garius's tone hardened slightly. "Make sure you both protect him at all costs."

Both maids straightened again. "As you command, my lord!"

"And one more thing." Garius's gaze turned sharp. "If Javier confronts any enemy, make sure he controls his emotions."

Liana and Gloria exchanged a glance. Javier was strong—far stronger than most realized. But raw strength wasn't everything.

Garius leaned forward slightly, his voice measured but absolute. "A ruler who lets emotions dictate their actions will never last."

Liana clenched her fists slightly, understanding the hidden lesson. Gloria simply smiled knowingly. "Understood, my lord."

Garius leaned back, sighing. "Go. And make sure that brat doesn't cause me more trouble."

Liana and Gloria bowed deeply before quickly exiting the room.

( End of Chapter )