Reborn As Noble

Javier puffed out his chest dramatically, one hand on his hip and the other gesturing grandly toward the heavens. ”Ehem! And I, the genius Javier, will sell sugar not just to the nobles but also to the commoners at an affordable price!”

Liana raised an eyebrow, lowering her book. ”Hmm? Why would you do that, young master? Wouldn’t selling only to nobles and royals yield a higher profit margin?”

Javier spun on his heel, pointing a finger in the air like a lecturer about to deliver a groundbreaking lesson. ”Hah! Yes, selling to nobles and royals does bring high profits per transaction. But, Liana, the key is not just profit per unit—it’s about scale! The more consumers we have, the more profit we generate. For sugar, we don’t need massive margins per sale. A small profit multiplied by countless consumers... Ehehehe!”

He clasped his hands together, a mischievous glint in his eye. ”And! Kekeke... My father will be so busy dealing with all the demand, he’ll be running around like a headless pekko. I bet he’ll grow so stressed, he’ll go bald in no time!”

Liana blinked, her lips twitching as she tried to hold back a laugh. ”Young master, that’s quite the... elaborate plan.”

Javier grinned even wider, pacing like an evil mastermind. ”Oh, but it doesn’t stop there! Once the sugar business starts booming, I’ll shift it under Mother’s management—or even turn it into a full Armand family enterprise! That way, Father gets the headaches of setting it up, and I get to enjoy all the benefits while keeping my hands free for more fun!”

Liana sighed, shaking her head. ”Young master…”

Javier waved her off with a carefree chuckle. ”Nope! I love my freedom too much to be tied down. Ehehehe!”

A sudden knock interrupted Javier’s triumphant gloating.

Before he could rush to hide his prized sugarcane magic machine, a deep, commanding voice sent shivers down his spine.

”Javier!”

”Eeep!! Father!!” Javier squeaked, his usual confidence evaporating instantly.

Lord Garius stepped into the workshop, flanked by Mr. Alf and Mrs. Errinette, both wearing their calm yet intimidating expressions.

Lord Garius narrowed his eyes. ”Who’s going bald?”

”Umm...umm...errr...” Javier scrambled for an excuse, his eyes darting around the workshop for an escape.

Lord Garius’s gaze landed on the sugarcane machine. ”Hmm? What is that?”

Javier stammered, his mind racing. ”Uh...ah...it’s...it’s nothing! Just...a fancy...uh...decorative contraption! Totally useless!”

Lord Garius crossed his arms, unimpressed. ”Alf?”

Without hesitation, Alf appeared behind Javier like a shadow and locked his arms in place with a firm grip.

”Eeepp! Father! Let me explain—” Javier protested, flailing uselessly.

Lord Garius turned to Errinette. ”Errinette?”

The ever-smiling battle maid bowed. ”Yes, my lord.” With a flick of her fingers, glowing magical threads sprang forth, binding Liana to her chair before she could react.

”Eeeekkk!! I’ll tell! I’ll tell!” Javier cried, realizing the situation was hopeless.

Liana sighed, slumping in resignation. ”Young master... you truly bring this upon yourself.”

Lord Garius raised an eyebrow, his expression cold and sharp. ”Well? Start talking, Javier. What is this ’plan’ you’re hiding?”

Javier gulped, sweat forming on his forehead. ”I-It’s a...a sugarcane processing machine...for making sugar...”

Lord Garius’s gaze didn’t soften. ”Sugar? What are you planning now, boy?”

Javier grinned nervously, hoping his charm might work. ”Uh...to make the Armand name famous and boost the family fortune? Hehehe…”

Lord Garius sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. ”Why do I feel like this is going to cause me more headaches than it’s worth?”

Errinette chuckled lightly. ”Shall I interrogate him further, my lord?”

”No!!” Javier blurted out. ”I’ll explain everything, I swear! Just...let me go first!”

Lord Garius stared at his son for a moment before motioning for Alf to release him.

”Start talking,” he ordered.

Javier took a deep breath, ready to lay out his grand plan—or at least the parts that wouldn’t get him grounded for life.

Lord Garius leaned back slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Javier. ”Oho, this is good, Alf. So... this farm and business... you’re planning to hand it all over to me, huh?”

Javier grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. ”Ehehehe... y-you could say that, Father…”

Garius’s eyes narrowed, and Javier braced for a lecture. Instead, the Count gave a small nod. ”Hmm... very well. I’ll take it under the Armand estate’s jurisdiction and ensure this machine—or whatever you call it—stays securely within our lands.”

Javier sighed in relief. ”Yes, esteemed Father!!” he exclaimed, standing upright and saluting dramatically, as if he’d just pulled off the world’s greatest negotiation.

Garius maintained his stoic expression, though a flicker of something softer passed through his eyes. He felt a swell of pride for his youngest son.

Turning to his butler, Garius said, ”Alf?”

Alf stepped forward. ”Yes, my lord?”

”Call the workers to begin construction of a factory for this ’sugar machine’ within the estate. Ensure it is well-guarded. Also, inform General Hesbeirn to deploy a security detail to safeguard the factory and its operations.”

Alf bowed. ”As you command, my lord.”

Lord Garius then shifted his gaze to Errinette. ”Errinette?”

With her usual composure, Errinette smiled pleasantly. ”Yes, my lord?”

”See to it that the sugarcane farm, as well as this ’cocoa’ or whatever Javier calls it, is properly handled by the new workers. Make sure they are supervised and the farm remains productive.”

Errinette curtsied gracefully. ”Consider it done, my lord.”

Javier, trying to gauge whether his father was angry or amused, relaxed when Garius gave him a small nod. ”Good work, Javier,” he said gruffly. ”Just... don’t get carried away.”

”Hehehe... of course not, Father! Everything is under control!” Javier replied, though his mischievous grin suggested otherwise.

As Lord Garius and his entourage left the workshop, Liana gave Javier a knowing look. ”Young master, you seem awfully pleased for someone who just handed over their project to their father.”

Javier smirked, leaning back in his chair. ”Let him handle the boring stuff. I’ve got bigger plans brewing, Liana. This is just the beginning!”

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Liana sighed, already bracing herself for whatever craziness her young master would come up with next.

Walking away from Javier’s workshop, Lord Garius, Alf, and Errinette paused briefly under the shade of a tall oak tree.

Alf adjusted his gloves, a rare smile softening his usual stoic expression. ”My lord, it seems the Armand family is destined to rise higher and higher.”

Lord Garius’s lips curled into a proud grin, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. ”Heh, that’s why I let that boy do as he pleases. Not only did he handle that brat from the Jaist household perfectly, but now he’s inventing something that could redefine our household’s income.”

He gazed out at the sprawling estate, envisioning the future. ”More shops will open. More opportunities for our people. The Armand family will grow stronger, not just in wealth but in influence as well.”

Errinette, standing gracefully at his side, added with a warm smile, ”That’s true, my lord. Javier’s foresight in involving Lady Francesca in the business will only solidify the family’s reputation. By the way…”

She leaned in slightly, her tone playful yet respectful. ”It seems your plan to—”

Lord Garius immediately raised a hand, cutting her off with a mischievous glint in his eye. ”Shhh, Errinette. No need to speak of that now.”

Alf chuckled softly, adjusting his posture. ”As expected of you, my lord.”

Lord Garius chuckled, his voice low and filled with amusement. ”Let the boy think he’s outsmarting me. The truth will come to light when the time is right.”

Lord Garius stretched his neck and looked at Alf. ”Alf, where’s Hesbeirn? I haven’t seen him today.”

Alf replied calmly, ”I think he’s busy checking the new recruits, my lord. Today is the last round of selections.”

Garius let out a big sigh and slumped his shoulders. ”Haaa… Hesbeirn could let the other officers handle that. They can do it. I guess he just doesn’t want to hang out with us anymore.”

Errinette covered her mouth and laughed softly. ”Maybe he’s trying to avoid your famous ’hangout sessions,’ my lord.”

Alf tried to hide a smile, but he couldn’t fully succeed. ”To be fair, my lord, your ’sessions’ usually end with someone passed out from too much wine or sparring.”

Garius smirked and put his hands on his hips. ”Tch, sparring builds character! And wine? That’s just good friendship. Hesbeirn is too serious sometimes. Maybe I’ll go find him and bring him out myself.”

Errinette smiled knowingly. ”I’m sure he’ll appreciate that, my lord… in his own way.”

As they walked, Garius waved his hand dismissively but couldn’t hide a small grin. ”Hmph. He owes me a drink anyway.”

Lord Garius let out a low groan and rubbed the back of his neck as he looked at Alf. ”Alf… do we have any updates on the ’movement’ we’ve been watching?”

Alf bowed slightly. ”Yes, my lord. The full report is on your desk. However…” He paused with a rare smirk. ”It seems a certain lord decided to skip his duties today.”

Garius winced and looked away. ”Guh… you caught me. I just needed some fresh air!”

Errinette, walking beside them, shook her head playfully. ”Really, my lord. You haven’t changed since you were a boy. Always finding ways to avoid paperwork.”

Garius crossed his arms with a small grin. ”Heh. It’s better to stay this way. It makes life more interesting.”

Errinette sighed, sounding playful but serious. ”Now, my lord, a proper noble should keep up appearances, especially one as respected as you.”

Garius straightened his back dramatically, puffing out his chest as if to mock her. ”Like this? All noble and stiff?”

Alf and Errinette exchanged amused looks before Errinette replied dryly, ”Exactly, my lord. But I doubt you can hold that pose for more than ten seconds.”

Garius held the pose for exactly five seconds before slumping again. ”Ugh. Who enjoys standing like that? It feels unnatural!”

Errinette chuckled softly. ”And yet, you wonder why young Master Javier acts like you.”

Garius grinned mischievously. ”He’s a good kid, isn’t he?”

Alf laughed softly. ”Indeed, my lord. He reflects his father well… at least in some ways.”

Garius thought for a moment, narrowing his eyes as he walked. ”Our resources are quite strong now, right? Gold, supplies, and all that?”

Alf nodded calmly. ”Yes, my lord. Our businesses have expanded, and the success of the mine and trade routes has really increased our resources. The treasury is more than enough.”

Garius smiled slyly. ”Do you think we could use some of that money to recruit more soldiers? Maybe even improve your ’household,’ Alf, and Errinette’s elite battle maid unit?”

Errinette tilted her head, interested. ”My lord, are you suggesting we expand the maid unit’s? Or give them more training for advanced tactics?”

Garius chuckled. ”Both, actually. If we want to stay ahead of other noble families and any threats, we need to make sure our forces are the best. And with Javier causing trouble, I’d rather be ready for anything.”

Alf added, his voice steady, ”That’s a smart choice, my lord. More soldiers would strengthen our borders and improve security. And upgrading the elite battle maids would make them even stronger.”

Errinette smiled softly, her posture relaxed but confident. ”I would be happy to lead those upgrades, my lord. With the right resources, we can make the unit unbeatable.”

Garius nodded. ”Good. Let’s start making plans. The Armand family isn’t just going to hold our ground—we’re going to take charge in this region and beyond.”

Alf said, ”I’ll prepare a detailed budget and report on the best way to use the funds, my lord. Should we include General Hesbeirn in the recruitment plan?”

Garius waved his hand dismissively but smiled. ”Of course. Let’s pull that stubborn man away from his ’duties’ and get him involved. He’ll thank me later.”

Errinette chuckled softly. ”And as always, you’ll take the credit, my lord?”

Garius smirked. ”Naturally. What’s the point of being the head of the family if I can’t enjoy the glory?”

Alf and Errinette exchanged knowing glances, silently agreeing that the Armand family was set to rise even higher under Garius’s ambitious leadership.

( End of Chapter )