Reborn As Noble

Javier smirked, feeling a surge of excitement. He leaned in closer, his voice sharp and mocking. ”Here’s a lesson for you, brat!”

SLAP!

The boy’s head snapped to the side, his eyes widening in shock.

”Pay!” Javier shouted, delivering another slap.

SLAP!

The boy’s cheeks flushed a bright red, tears welling in his eyes as Javier’s hand struck him repeatedly.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

Gasps rippled through the crowd, some covering their mouths in shock, while others laughed or cheered quietly. The brat’s defiance crumbled, and he started crying, his voice breaking between sobs.

”Stop it!” he wailed, tears streaming down his face.

Javier crossed his arms, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh. ”I’ll stop when you pay. Now, PAY!”

The brat’s lip quivered, but before he could respond, his guards raised their swords, fueled by their master’s humiliation.

Buddy and Pikko squawked menacingly, stepping closer and scraping their talons on the ground. The guards hesitated but stood firm, only to freeze as an overwhelming presence descended upon them.

Thirty armored guards bearing the Armand household emblem appeared, their polished weapons shining in the sunlight. They flanked Javier, forming a solid wall of authority. Alongside them, a squad of impeccably dressed maids advanced, their serene yet intimidating demeanor commanding respect.

Then, Gloria stepped forward, her tranquil smile somehow sharper than a blade. ”My, my… what do we have here?” Her soft voice carried an unsettling tone as she turned her gaze to the brat. ”Young master, are you alright?”

Javier grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief. ”Oh, I’m fine, Gloria. Just giving our little guest a lesson in manners.”

The brat’s face drained of color as he looked around, his eyes flitting between the guards, maids, and the prominent emblem of the Armand household.

”W-Wait…” he stammered, trembling. ”Y-Young master?”

Gloria’s smile grew sharper. ”Hmm? Why, yes. This is Javier De Armand, the youngest son of Count Garius, the lord of this town and ruler of this entire region.”

Murmurs of astonishment rippled through the crowd as the brat’s bravado evaporated.

Just then, the town guards arrived, the captain leading the way. ”What’s going on here?”

Gloria gestured toward the Jaist guards. ”These men dared to raise their weapons against our young master. I trust you’ll handle them appropriately?”

The captain nodded sharply. ”Of course. Arrest them all!”

The Jaist guards dropped their weapons, realizing they were hopelessly outmatched. The town guards moved in to apprehend them.

Javier turned to Gloria with a mischievous smirk. ”Gloria,if you please?”

She gave him a small bow, her smile unwavering. ”As you wish, young master.”

With a swift motion, Gloria stepped toward the brat, her calm demeanor unshaken as she raised her hand.

SLAP!

The sound echoed through the marketplace, silencing everyone.

The brat crumpled to the ground, clutching his cheek and sobbing loudly.

Gloria dusted her hands elegantly. ”Now, then. Let this be a lesson in respect and humility.” Experience new tales on freewebnovel

Javier crouched slightly, resting his hand on Buddy’s beak for dramatic effect. His sly grin widened as he looked the brat square in the eye, his tone dripping with mockery.

”I’m Javier De Armand, the youngest son of Count Garius, son of the actual lord of this region,” he declared, his voice loud enough for the gathered crowd to hear.

Gesturing lazily toward the food stalls, the Pekkos squawked in agreement. ”And yet, even with my rank, I still pay for everything I eat. Every last bite.” He leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

”Unlike some poor household, ” Javier continued, his grin sharpening as the brat flinched. ”Selling their title to avoid paying for a handful of goods? Pathetic.”

Murmurs of amusement and approval rippled through the crowd.

Javier straightened, brushing off his tunic with exaggerated nonchalance. ”And just for your information, my family rank is higher than yours. Yet here you are, flaunting your title like it’s a ticket to freeload? Hah!”

He clicked his tongue, shaking his head dramatically. ”What an embarrassment to nobles household.”

The brat trembled, cheeks red with humiliation and fear, and the crowd began to jeer openly at him.

”Maybe,” Javier added with mock contemplation, ”you should take this opportunity to learn something. Like, oh, I don’t know… how to behave like a decent human being.”

Buddy squawked loudly as if to emphasize Javier’s point, while Pikko strutted proudly in front of the brat, making him flinch again.

Liana sighed softly, shaking her head as she watched Javier’s antics. While unconventional, his actions mirrored the principles she admired in the Armand household—a family that valued honor and integrity over arrogance and entitlement.

She glanced at the crowd; they were now cheering Javier’s boldness and laughing at the brat’s predicament. Despite Javier’s playful mockery, his stance against injustice resonated deeply with the townsfolk.

”Young Master… truly one of a kind,” Liana murmured, a faint smile forming on her lips.

Her thoughts drifted to the Armand household. Lord Garius—a strong ruler—had instilled values of fairness and respect in his children. Unlike other noble families, the Armands never exploited their people; they protected their region and led by example, earning loyalty through action rather than fear.

”It’s no wonder the people are fiercely devoted to their lord and his family,” Liana thought, her gaze returning to Javier, now theatrically lecturing the brat, flanked by Buddy and Pikko like an eccentric general. She felt a swell of pride.

”To serve a family like the Armands,” Liana reflected, her expression softening, ”is a privilege.”

Liana stepped forward, her composed demeanor commanding attention. She addressed the town guards’ captain in a calm yet firm tone, ”Captain, I’m certain our young master has something to say regarding this situation.”

Javier smirked, arms crossed, while Buddy and Pikko squawked in apparent agreement.

”Oh, absolutely,” Javier said, his voice dripping with mock authority. ”Capture this brat and ensure he pays for every single thing he’s taken. Not a single coin less. Only after that may you release him.”

The captain hesitated, a nervous look crossing his face. ”But, young master… this boy is of noble birth,” he said, glancing uneasily between Javier and the brat.

Before Javier could respond, Gloria stepped forward, her serene smile unwavering. She reached into her pouch and pulled out an official letter sealed with the Armand household crest.

”This is an official order from Lord Garius himself,” Gloria said, handing the letter to the captain. ”Please proceed as instructed by our young master.”

The captain took the letter, his hands trembling slightly as he read its contents. His eyes widened in understanding, and he immediately straightened his posture. ”As you wish, young master,” he said, bowing deeply before signaling to his men.

The brat’s protests were drowned out by the crowd’s murmurs and cheers as the guards seized him and his entourage. Javier, satisfied, turned to Buddy and Pikko, patting them both on their beaks.

”Well, that’s settled,” he said with a sly grin. ”Now, who’s up for more food?”

Liana sighed, her hand gently massaging her temple, while Gloria chuckled softly, her tranquil demeanor remaining unshaken.

( End of Chapter )