Reborn As Noble

At the gates of Armand Estate, the group slowed as the gold banners of House Armand fluttered in the wind. Javier gave Buddy a gentle kick with his heel.

"Buddy! Let's head toward the pekko pen!"

Cuquawed!

Buddy squawked happily, wings flapping as he bolted ahead, eager to return to the comfort of the stables. His large orange body wobbled with excitement, and Javier had to hold on tight as his mount dashed toward the pen.

Behind him, Garius reined Giddie to a stop, calm but commanding. His sharp eyes flicked to the two maids riding at Javier's side.

"Liana. Gloria." His tone left no room for disobedience.

Both maids immediately straightened in their saddles, bowing slightly with their hands pressed to their chests. "Yes, my lord."

Garius' gaze didn't waver. "Make sure your young master doesn't sneak out of the estate."

The two exchanged a quick glance, then replied in unison, their voices firm.

"Yes, my lord."

"Good." Garius gave the smallest nod, then turned his gaze back to the estate. "Now go to Javier. Stay with him."

"As you command, my lord."

The moment the words left their lips, Liana tugged her reins, guiding Pikko into a brisk trot toward where Buddy had gone. Gloria urged Peanut after them, her eyes sharp with determination.

Javier, meanwhile, was already sliding off Buddy in front of the pekko pen, a familiar shiver running down his spine.

"They're coming…" he muttered under his breath.

Buddy tilted his head, puffing his chest as if proud, then gave a soft, cheeky cuquawk!

Javier sighed heavily. "Yeah, yeah… laugh it up, traitor."

His eyes scanned the familiar courtyard of the estate, the air of home finally wrapping around him like a long-lost comfort.

It feels like forever since I've been able to stand here without rushing off again.

The last time?

Just a day or two at most… then it was straight to Liana and Gloria's hometown, before heading to the Human Kingdom.

Sigh.

Yeah… it's nice to finally relax, even if it's just for a moment. But how long will it last? I know Father. Another mission will come soon enough.

He let out a soft exhale and lowered his shoulders, as if trying to release the weight he carried.

I'm sure it'll be about sending relief to the Human Kingdom. The Dwarven Kingdom already has our support, alongside Beastkin aid. Even the Elven Kingdom has started sending their relief efforts.

But the real problem lies elsewhere.

His gaze turned distant, heavy with thought.

The Halfling Kingdom.

An internal war brewing, tearing itself apart after King Gurdan's death at Edmund's hand. No clear heir. No stability. And chaos spreading.

And Father will make me step into that mess too, won't he?

Javier leaned back against the rough bark of the tree near the pekko pen, the faint scent of hay and wood from his small workshop drifting into the air. His gaze wandered upward, following the clouds drifting lazily across the blue sky.

I really hope this peace lasts.

After this…

I will watch more. Experience more of what life really means.

It's not that bad.

Yeah, some of the things I've been through are gruesome.

Well...

For someone who summoned into another world.

Like this world?

Yes.

But being reborn?

No… rebirth is different.

Because you start learning from the beginning.

You grow with the world.

You experience everything.

Pain, joy, and hardship.

Right from the start.

And most of all…

Because I had a good mentor here.

Not one who ordered me. Not one who spelled things out.

But one who guided me… silently.

By simply being who he is.

A father.

Javier's lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile as his eyes softened.

No matter how old a child grows… a father's responsibility never ends.

Not until death comes for him.

Strict, yes. Sometimes even frightening.

But it was that strictness that kept him steady. That reminded him of the weight of power.

If I've had been born into, or worse, reborn into...

A greedy noble house that only cared about wealth and title.

A family that ignored the suffering of their people.

That hoarded gold while others starved.

That treated land and citizens not as lives to protect, but as property to exploit.

Then… he might have grown into exactly what he despises.

A pampered fool.

A man fattened by luxury, with no discipline.

Arrogant, blind, and weak. Maybe Fat and ugly.

Abusing others because he had never known true responsibility.

He wouldn't have learned compassion.

He wouldn't have understood freedom.

He wouldn't have known the weight of protecting people, or the joy of seeing them smile.

Instead of standing on a battlefield fighting for something real, he might have been hiding in some gilded hall, drunk on comfort, calling himself a ruler while being nothing more than a parasite.

Javier leaned his head back against the tree, closing his eyes for a moment. A quiet thought drifted through his mind.

I was lucky… lucky to be born into this house. Into Father's shadow. Into a family that showed me what strength really means. If it had been anywhere else… I'd probably be nothing but trash.

Yes. I was lucky.

Even if he pretended otherwise sometimes, he knew the truth.

Father was always watching him. Always planning, always setting the path ahead. Not just for him, but for all his brothers, half-siblings, and sisters.

It wasn't control.

It wasn't domination.

It was guidance, subtle, but unyielding.

Every trial, every mission, every burden Father placed was never random. Each step was designed to shape them into something greater. Not just stronger warriors. Not just cunning rulers. But better people.

To be greater in discipline.

To be greater in wisdom.

To be greater in kindness.

That was Father's true strength, not the unmeasurable power he held in silence, not the overwhelming aura he could summon at will

But the way he shaped lives without breaking them.

Yep.

I will grow to be like him.

When I marry Liana and Gloria after reaching adulthood in this world, I'll carry that same weight on my shoulders. The same responsibility.

I'll become strict like him, firm, unwavering, the kind of man whose children will never doubt his care, even if they curse his rules.

…Err, maybe not as strict. Javier scratched his cheek in thought.

Father's glares alone could freeze the blood in anyone's veins. If I tried to copy that exactly, Liana would pout and Gloria would scold me for acting like an old man.

Still… I want to protect them the same way he protects Mother. The same way he protects all of us.

To be the kind of man who doesn't just fight wars, but builds peace.

The kind of husband who guides without crushing.

The kind of father who shapes futures with his hands, but never demands thanks.

That's the kind of strength I'll carry. Strict, yes… but with a smile they can rely on.

( End Of Chapter )