Reborn As Noble

Javier let out a long, frustrated groan, finally lifting his head to glare at them both.

”Ugh... now because you two told me the truth, I can no longer pretend everything was normal. I can’t just enjoy my life, my harem, and the missions my father gives me without feeling like there’s some grand cosmic destiny hanging over my head.”

He exhaled sharply, shifting into a seated position with his legs crossed, his elbow resting on his thigh and his chin propped on his hand.

”So? What is it? Why was I summoned here? I’m sure it’s not just because you wanted to see me. Tell me fast, because I’m sure Buddy is running around in a panic looking for me.”

Fayrene chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. ”Do you mean the...”

Before she could finish, Javier raised a finger, wiggling it while still sulking.

”Nope. I don’t want to know if pekkos are divine beings or something. Let me have one last best dream left. Let me enjoy having a huge orange monster bird who’s a glutton, looks dumb sometimes, and always wants to drain my coin pouch dry.”

Fayrene smiled, tilting her head. ”If you say so... but really? You don’t want to know about pekkos?”

”Nope. Don’t want to know. All I need to know is that pekko are special monster birds with two uses: the best mounts that can fight and use skills, and they’re loyal to their masters. The people of Armand use them to pull carriages, and they seem to enjoy doing it. And all I need to know is that Armand is the only region...no... the only nation, that has them. None in the continent have them, and that’s more than enough for me.”

Harran smiled, his expression gentle. ”You don’t need to worry about Buddy searching for you, little one, because...”

Javier exhaled sharply, cutting him off with a bored, annoyed look. ”Because time, space, and matter don’t function the same way here as they do in the mortal realm, right? Time here is either frozen, dilated, or irrelevant. So even if I spend hours or days or even weeks here, only seconds might pass back home.”

Fayrene’s smile widened, a glint of admiration in her eyes. ”My, my~ You’re quite knowledgeable, aren’t you, cutie pie?”

Javier let out another sigh, glancing down at the luminous grass beneath him.

”Ugh... I might be a genius, but I’m also lazy and just want to enjoy life. I love knowledge, magic, crafting, inventing, things that excite me. But knowledge about my true identity, about some grand destiny or responsibility? That’s not the kind of knowledge I asked for. That’s just a burden I never wanted.”

Harran smiled and shook his head, while Fayrene let out a soft, melodic chuckle.

Javier twirled a blade of luminous grass between his fingers before glancing up at them, his chin still resting on his hand.

”So... is there any reason I was brought here? And don’t tell me it’s to grant me access to some divine library or something. I love knowledge, sure, but the more knowledge I gain that I wasn’t meant to have, the more burdens and responsibilities get piled onto my shoulders. And that’s the last thing I want.”

Harran smiled calmly, lifting his book and opening it as he began to read.

”We just wanted to see you in person, little one. That’s all.”

Javier blinked. ”Really? Just that?”

Fayrene tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. ”Why? Can’t we?”

”Ughhh!” Javier let out a long, bored groan before flopping back onto the soft grass, staring up at the shimmering sky.

”If you just wanted to meet me, you could have come down in disguise or something, anywhere in Armand or anywhere in the world. There was no need to drag me here. And besides, I’m not the only son, you know? Both my brothers, Marcellus and Cedric, are also their sons. Why not summon them too?”

Fayrene smiled gently. ”It’s not that simple, cutie pie~”

Harran flipped to the next page of his book, his voice calm and measured. ”It’s not that we don’t want to meet them, but there are... circumstances. Reasons you don’t need to know right now.”

Fayrene’s gaze shifted back to Javier, her expression softening. ”You have something they both don’t have.”

”Yeah, right... whatever.” Javier sighed, waving a dismissive hand. ”So if you two don’t have anything else, I want to go back to the mortal realm. Buddy said he found a rainbow fruit or something, and I want to check it out before he eats it all.”

Fayrene and Harran exchanged a glance before turning their gazes back to Javier, their expressions turning serious.

”Promise us you will protect Fransesca at all costs,” Fayrene said, her voice soft but firm.

”Huh? You don’t need to remind me of that.” Javier sat up, his tone resolute. ”Even if you didn’t tell me, I would still protect my mother, my father, my whole family, and all the people of Armand and our allies.”

Fayrene leaned forward slightly, her eyes holding a depth of unspoken meaning. ”You must make sure you assist her, protect her, and ensure her safety no matter what.”

Javier tilted his head, a puzzled frown crossing his face. ”Yes, yes... but Mother is a goddess, right? And Father is the First Chosen Hero. They’re both way stronger than me. So what’s there to worry about?”

Both of their faces turned serious, and Javier narrowed his eyes as he watched them.

”Is it about those Julius? The summoned heroes from the other continent?”

They both shook their heads in silence.

Javier slowly stood up, dusting off his pants before meeting their gazes.

”I don’t know what you’re both worried about, but like I said before, I will keep my word. I’ll protect my mother, my family, and everyone I care about. That’s not something you need to ask of me. It’s something I’ve already sworn to myself.”

Fayrene’s voice softened, carrying a hint of gratitude. ”If you truly assist her and keep her protected until the very end, you will be rewarded.”

Javier shot them a suspicious look, before playful grin tugging at his lips. ”I’ll refuse that reward if it’s just another burden.”

Harran closed his book, his voice calm and sincere. ”It won’t be. It will be a granted wish. Anything you desire.”

Javier’s playful expression faded, replaced by a calm, serious one. He turned his back to them, slipping both hands into his pockets.

”If that wish really grants me anything... then I’ll use it for something selfish.”

He paused, his voice dropping slightly.

”I know that if Mother is really a goddess, there will come a time when she has to return to the goddess realm. She’ll have to leave us, leave Father, leave me and my brothers behind. I don’t want that to happen.”

He exhaled softly, a gentle smile touching his lips.

”Because... I was an orphan in my old world. I never knew what it felt like to have a mother’s love, a father’s guidance, a family to call my own. And now that I have it... even if they’re strict, even if they’re overbearing at times... it makes me happier than anything else in this world. I know that death is a natural part of life for mortals, and I understand that one day, everyone will have to part. But losing her not to time, but to duty... that’s something I can’t accept.”

He turned his head, a pure, sincere smile on his face.

”So if I get a wish... I’ll use it to keep her here with us for as long as possible. That’s the only selfish wish I’ll ever make.”

( End Of Chapter )