Reborn As Noble

I don’t have much time.

Within three months, everything has to fall into place. I’ve already sent Gorak and Jaigar on this mission, knowing full well that they despise each other and can’t cooperate. Knowing their arrogance and recklessness, they are bound to fail before they even reach Armand. But that’s fine. That’s exactly what I need.

Their failure will buy me time, distract Julius, and give me the cover I need.

During that time, I have to properly plan everything.

Gather my own team, my own resources, people I can trust. People I could control.

But I can’t trust anyone from our continent. Not my party members, not the other summoned heroes. They are loyal to Julius, loyal to the Supreme Goddess. They would betray me the moment I step out of line

The soldiers, I can handle. They know I’m the main strategist. Everything I do and plan will be seen as part of the mission. They won’t question my orders or report back anything unusual, as long as I frame it within the scope of the invasion.

But I have to be wary of the girls. Rasya, Gulia, Deliza, Erlaine... and now Falce.

They might suspect something. They might report my movements. I need to keep them occupied, distracted, and away from my true plans.

Even if I know Fayna is someone who is loyal to me, someone I can trust fully... I don’t want to take any risk. Especially for her.

If Julius or Angrar or any of the other summoned heroes find out about my plan, and if Fayna is with me when they do, she will be labeled a traitor, tortured, and executed in front of me. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let her suffer for my choices.

She’s the only one who truly stand by me. And that is exactly why I have to keep her away from this.

First thing first...

I will send my entire team away. Fayna will lead them toward the Human Nation under the guise of gathering additional intelligence. That way, she will be far from here when things start to unfold. She will be safe, and no one will suspect her involvement while I move forward with my true plan.

He glanced around, making sure his expression remained calm and unreadable as he began walking, his hands clasped behind his back, pretending to inspect the progress around the base. Two soldiers fell in step behind him, keeping a respectful distance.

Before I am able to obtain those divine fragments, I won’t risk her life. This is the best way to keep her safe from any harm.

If they are sent to the Human Nation to gather intel for this ’invasion,’ no one, not even the Supreme Goddess, will suspect Fayna’s involvement. She was simply following my orders, doing her duty as a loyal soldier. Her name will remain clean, and she will be far from here, far from the danger, far from Julius’s reach.

But I know Julius. He would spare the others if they were caught in my betrayal. But not Fayna. He would make an example of her. He would torture her, break her, and kill her slowly, just to hurt me.

Vane’s eyes narrowed, a cold fury simmering beneath his calm exterior.

I know very well that Julius has been eyeing her since the day she was assigned to my party. He tried to use his authority and the Supreme Goddess’s name to force her into his bed, but she rejected him. She pushed him away, ran from him, refused to submit. And he has never forgotten that humiliation.

He knows she was mine from the very beginning. From the day she was assigned to my party, she has been by my side for over seven years. She has been my confidant, my support, my anchor in this world. She is the only one who truly understands me.

That is more than enough reason for me to protect her, even if it means sending her far from my side.

She is mine. And I will make sure she stays safe, no matter what it takes.

After a while.

Vane sat in his office, leaning back in his chair as he studied the leather map of Amazarak spread across the table, his fingers rubbing his chin thoughtfully. On a separate table nearby, a feast of roasted meats, fresh bread, cheeses, and fruits had been laid out, steam still rising from the dishes.

He was about to reach for his hot coffee when a knock came at the door.

Vane glanced up, still holding his cup, his voice calm. ”Come in.”

The door opened, and the soldier who had been guarding the entrance stepped inside.

”Sir Vane. The Amazarak chief is here.”

”Mm.” Vane kept his calm gaze fixed on the map, his tone unhurried. ”Tell him to come in and close the door.”

”B... but, Sir Vane.” The soldier hesitated, his voice dropping. ”Are you sure it’s safe to be alone with him? He may try something.”

Vane glanced up, his eyes narrowing as he fixed the soldier with a cold, steady look. ”I appreciate your concern, but I am not so weak that I need to fear a single unarmed man. Let him in and close the door. If I need you, I will call.”

The soldier saluted stiffly. ”Understood, Sir Vane. We will be right outside if you need us.”

He stepped aside, gesturing for the Amazarak chief to enter before closing the door behind him.

The door clicked shut behind the Amazarak chief, who stood trembling, sweat beading on his brow.

”S... Sir Vane...” the chief stammered, his voice low and uncertain. ”Do you... need something from me?”

Vane clasped his hands together, lacing his fingers and resting his elbows on the table. He glanced up at the chief, his expression calm and unreadable.

”Have a seat.”

The chief hesitated, his eyes widening slightly before he bowed his head. ”I... I am but a prisoner, Sir Vane. A man of my standing does not deserve to sit in the presence of a commander such as yourself. I am not worthy.”

Vane’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice remaining even. ”I did not ask for your opinion. I asked you to sit. So sit.”

”As you command, Sir Vane.” The chief hesitated, then slowly pulled the chair, making sure not to make a sound as he sat down. His eyes remained fixed on the table, doing his best not to show any disrespect.

Vane snapped his fingers, and a faint shimmer of magic spread across the room, silencing the space so that no sound could escape.

The Amazarak chief turned pale, his hands gripping his knees nervously.

Vane leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands together as he regarded the chief with a calm, measured gaze.

”I have something I want to ask you, and I want you to answer me honestly. I don’t want lies, I don’t want half-truths, and I don’t want you to tell me what you think I want to hear. I want the truth. Do you understand?”

( End Of Chapter )