Reborn As Noble

The captain rushed forward, gripping the small magic device tightly. His palms were sweaty and his heart hammered as he pressed it against Liana's cuff.

In an instant, the seal broke. The glowing lines on the cuff dimmed, and the heavy lock clattered to the wagon floor.

The captain gulped, unable to meet her sharp gaze. Wordlessly, he handed the device to her with both hands, as if offering it to a queen.

Liana grabbed it without hesitation, her expression cold, and pressed it against the restraints on her knees. Another click echoed as the cuff loosened. Without pausing, she leaned toward Gloria and used the device on her bindings.

The cuffs snapped open one by one, the wrists, then the knees. Finally, she pulled away the cloth gag from Gloria's mouth.

Both women were free.

The air turned heavy instantly, a chilling aura spreading through the wagon.

Liana's face remained blank, but the captain could see the storm in her eyes. Gloria flexed her fingers, a smile playing at her lips that didn't reach her eyes.

The captain's throat dried up. He glared at his men.

"A-ah! Let's… let's go check the other wagons!" he stammered, tugging at a subordinate's arm.

The soldiers didn't argue as they hurried away, eager to escape the suffocating tension.

Liana glanced at her newly freed wrists, no marks on her skin, but humiliation weighed on her. Anger and worry tangled in her chest.

She spoke firmly, loud enough for the others to hear.

"Pikko!"

"Cuquawked!!" Her pekko sprinted from the convoy's edge, wings flaring, answering her call with a loud squawk.

Gloria's eyes softened as she raised her hand.

"Peanut."

Her pekko emerged from the crowd, moving with graceful steps and bowing its head.

Without hesitation, both women mounted their partners.

Liana's voice stayed steady, though her anger simmered.

"Let's go find Young Master. I won't forgive him if he's hurt himself again."

Gloria's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Yes… how dare he lock us up just to keep us away. When we catch him… we'll make him regret it."

The pekko screeched, wings beating as dust rose beneath their claws. In the next moment, the two charged off into the distance, cutting through the battlefield with unshakable resolve.

Meanwhile.

Javier was darting his eyes around, not daring to meet his father's gaze. His shoulders stiffened, the weight of silence pressing heavier than the battlefield had minutes ago.

Garius stood calm, his presence alone enough to make the air tighten. His eyes lingered on Javier without judgment, yet they cut deeper than any blade.

"Hmm… since the mission is finished, I believe Edmund… is no longer here?" Garius asked, his voice even, calm, but layered with authority.

"Y-Yes, e–esteem father. I… I have done the mission." Javier stammered, fidgeting under the stare.

Garius tilted his head slightly, unreadable as always. "Good. Now, where is your pekko? What was his name again? Muddy?"

"Ah… err… erm… Buddy… esteem father."

"Hmm… so where is he now?"

"Ah… he's probably dashing around this area. I asked him to avoid the battlefield."

"Oh? So you brought your pekko, but left your maids?"

"Ah… err… well… since Buddy is super fast, surely he can run from any attack… well… yes."

"Hmm." Garius rubbed his chin, still studying the nervous boy in front of him. Javier shifted his weight like a child caught lying.

"Well… that is your problem. And that is your business." Garius finally said.

"Anyway, Hesbeirn will take over the cleansing, and Alf's shadow unit will assist him and his soldiers. There is much to be done after this battle." His tone shifted, heavier, commanding. "But for now… Javier De Armand."

"Yes, esteem father!!" Javier snapped to attention, standing straight, saluting firmly though his body still trembled with exhaustion.

"Let's go home."

"Yes, esteem father!!"

Garius turned, his cloak brushing against the dirt as he mounted his golden pekko, Giddie. Francesca followed, her graceful presence softening the steel atmosphere.

"Honey bun~ call your pekko and let's go home." Francesca cooed sweetly, her eyes warm as they rested on her youngest son.

"Yes, esteem mother." Javier smiled, tired yet relieved, and whistled.

From beyond the haze of smoke and dust, Buddy squawked loudly, his feathers glinting under the pale light as he dashed toward his master.

Cuquawked!!

Buddy squawked loudly, wings flapping as he dashed to Javier's side. The massive pekko's feathers gleamed under the dim light, puffed with pride as if showing off.

"Good boy~" Javier said with a faint smile, patting his mount's beak.

Cuquawked!! Buddy straightened his neck, chest puffed even more, looking smug.

Javier sighed tiredly but with affection. Slowly, he pulled himself onto Buddy's back, his movements still sluggish from the exhaustion of battle. His hand brushed over the pekko's feathers like he was drawing strength from the creature itself.

"Alright, Buddy… let's go home."

Cuquawked!!

Buddy let out another loud cry.

Confident, bold.

Until his eyes locked onto Giddie, the golden pekko that carried Garius.

In an instant, Buddy froze, his proud squawk cutting short into silence. His feathers stiffened, his head lowered slightly as if bowing instinctively. A nervous gulp escaped him.

Javier leaned down, pressing his lips close to Buddy's, whispering.

"Don't look at his eyes… Father and his pekko, both of them are scary."

Buddy shuddered once, then obediently kept his gaze averted, taking a cautious step as if the ground beneath him might break.

Garius rode calmly at the front, his golden pekko Giddie moving with steady, regal steps.

Alf followed close behind on his own mount, sharp eyes scanning their surroundings with the vigilance of a shadow master.

Beside them, Erinette guided her pekko effortlessly, posture relaxed yet ready for action at any moment.

Without turning his head, Garius spoke in a calm but commanding tone.

"Erinette."

"Yes, my lord?" she replied, straightening slightly, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.

"I'm certain Liana and Gloria are moving toward the battlefield. They believe Javier is still locked in combat. Go and intercept them. Do not hesitate. If you must, drag them back home by force."

Erinette's smile sharpened into a smirk, her eyes glinting with excitement at the order.

"As you command, my lord. I'll bring those two back before they cause more trouble."

With a subtle kick, her pekko let out a sharp squawk and sprinted forward, feathers scattering in the wind. In seconds, Erinette was already a blur, heading toward the direction where Liana and Gloria would no doubt be making their reckless approach.

Garius kept his gaze fixed on the horizon, his expression unreadable, but his aura radiated quiet authority. Alf glanced briefly at his lord, then returned his attention to their surroundings, already preparing for the next move.

( End Of Chapter )