Reborn As Noble

Looking around the table, Javier felt everyone’s gaze turn deadly serious.

He gulped, managing a shaky smile as he wolfed down the rest of his meal, not daring to linger.

”Ah... Father’s calling me on the mana talkie, right? Alright, I’m done eating.”

He stood, straightened his clothes, and made a hasty but dignified retreat from the table, heading toward his room.

Damn... it’s not like I’m trying to add another harem member on purpose. But Liana, Gloria, and the rest... way too serious about it.

He slipped into his bedroom and shut the door, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. Reaching for the mana talkie, he clipped it in place and sent a pulse of mana through the device.

”Calling Armand Estate. Javier here.”

A moment later, his father’s voice came through, steady and commanding.

”Javier.”

”Y-yes, esteemed father?” Javier replied.

”How is Arjam?”

”Ah... it’s good, Father,” Javier answered, forcing a calmness into his voice.

”If it’s going well, then why haven’t I received a report from you?” Garius’s voice was calm, but there was a definite edge beneath it.

”Ah... I thought Gilmon and Hesbeirn already reported to you, or maybe one of the other staff...”

”That’s no excuse. Each person reports differently, some focus on the details, some on the big picture, some on problems, others on progress. I expect to hear things directly from you as well, not just from others. Understand?”

”I’m... sorry, esteemed father.”

”Now tell me: What’s the current status in Arjam?”

”Yes, esteemed father. As you already know, the rebuilding of the border wall is progressing well. According to this morning’s report, all the previous gaps have been closed.”

He continued, voice steady, ”The market in Arjam is open again. With our merchants resupplying the stalls, and the roads safe, people are returning to normal trade. All the bandits and mercenaries have been driven out, so safety isn’t a major issue. Still, I’ve got my battle drones on constant patrol and puppet knights standing guard at every key point.”

”Good. And the other towns and villages?”

”All secure, esteemed father. The Sky Eye’s live feed shows people returning to their routines, even if some are still wary. With Jarman currently advising Kliatana on governance, things are stabilizing. At this rate, everything should be back to normal in another two or three months.”

”Good. Now, onto the next issue,” Garius said.

”Y-yes, esteemed father?”

”Where is your half-brother?”

”H-Heres? Ah... I think he’s... he’s helping Kliatana with, um, paperwork?” Javier replied, wincing as he heard his father sigh audibly through the mana talkie.

”About the previous lord’s estate, do you need to keep it?” Javier ask.

”No... I want it demolished and cleared out. That land can be turned over to the villagers for farming. And, Javier, are you trying to hide something from me?”

Shit! He’s onto me... Javier’s mind raced.

He already knows about the new ore mine...?

”N-no, esteemed father... Actually, I recently discovered an ore mine here. It’s not as large as the three main mines in Armand, but the reserves are promising. Maybe that’s why no one noticed before, it was crawling with high-level monsters until now. I’ve already sent my puppet knights and battle drones to clear the area.”

There was a pause, and then Garius’s low chuckle echoed through the talkie.

Damn it. He didn’t know before...I just slipped up...!

”That’s good to hear, Javier. Well done on discovering the ore mine. With that, Kliatana will have a much easier time budgeting for Arjam. More honest work for the locals. And once the old estate land is converted to farmland, even more jobs will open up. I trust you’ve already begun hiring the locals to construct the waterway?”

”Yes, esteemed father. Since the plan is focused on food production, I’ve already hired locals, with the Armand staff assisting the new Arjam teams and showing them the ropes, and with the equipment shipped from Armand, each town and village will have its own large plantation. Arjam’s food supply should be secure before long.”

Javier continued, ”The road to the sea is also clear now. I’m planning to build a port, something large enough for trade and fishing boats, so we can open up more work for the people here. But I do wonder... why didn’t the previous lord ever build a port? Not even basic docks or any support for fishermen. The coastline’s perfect for it, but it was left untouched.”

On the other end, Javier could hear his father chuckle softly.

”That old noble never cared much for his own people. Or maybe he hated me enough to refuse any idea that came from Armand. Refused seafood, trade, anything that looked like he was ’copying’ us. But that’s not important now.”

”Yes, esteemed father.”

”Now, Javier, listen carefully.”

”Y-yes?”

”You know the two main roads from the royal capital to Armand, right?”

”Yes, esteemed father.”

”Since we can’t move our army openly to secure the routes, and frankly, securing the road through other noble lands isn’t our job, there’s something I want you to handle.”

”Yes?”

”Use your Sky Eyes and deploy two or three battle drones on each road. I’m expecting a guest. Make sure they arrive safely, whether they come directly to Armand, or stop at Arjam first.”

”May I know who this person is, and why he’s a guest?”

”That’s not something you need to worry about right now, Javier,” Garius replied, voice even. ”Just ensure his family’s safety on the road. How you do it is up to you. You have my permission to act as you see fit. There should be two wagons and three on horseback.”

”As you command, esteemed father.”

”Good. Once you’ve handled this, and the wall is fully rebuilt, return to Armand. Your mother’s restless without you, you know how she gets.”

”Yes, esteemed father.”

The connection cut. Javier sat back, brow furrowed.

Who is this guest...? And how does Father always know which route someone will take?

And why do I get the feeling something troublesome is about to happen? Who is he, anyway? Why’s Father so insistent about his safety?

Javier rubbed his chin, mind working through the possibilities, trying to simulate every scenario, piece together what little information he had.

But before he could get far, a gentle knock sounded on his door.

”Young master?”

He glanced over. ”Hmm? Yes, Liana? Just come in.”

The door creaked open. Liana stepped in, her expression soft and composed. ”Young master, Master Heres is here.”

Javier blinked. ”Eh? What does he want right now?” He let out a long sigh.

Liana only smiled, a subtle warmth in her eyes. ”Now, now, young master. Master Heres is your brother, and helping Kliatana is important.” There was a faint satisfaction in her voice.

”Alright, alright... jeez.” Javier grumbled, already bracing himself for whatever new ’favor’ Heres was about to request.

( End Of Chapter )