Reborn As Noble

Chapter 281 Plans and Ploys ( 281 )

A While Later…

Liana returned, holding a large, detailed map of the Armand region. She gracefully handed it to Javier. ”Here, Young Master.”

Javier sat up, taking the map and spreading it across the ground. His eyes scanned every inch of the layout, analyzing the terrain and defenses.

”Hmm… The southern wall stretches across the entire border, right?” He traced his fingers along the southern section, where the fortified wall stood—an unbroken defense line preventing large-scale invasions.

”From here to here… itʼs a full border wall, correct?”

Liana nodded. ”Yes, Young Master.”

Javier leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. ”That means the enemy has only one real way to push through—our main gate and main wall.” The most obvious entry point. The most heavily fortified. The easiest place to defend.

”Hmmm…” He tapped his chin, shifting his focus. ”Now, on the west side—thatʼs the Beastkin Kingdom, right?”

”Yes, Young Master.”

”And north?”

”That would be the Demon Territory.”

Javier nodded, absorbing the information. ”Our region doesnʼt have any problems with these two, correct?”

Liana gave a small smile. ”Yes, Young Master. Our trade with them continues as usual.”

Gloria adjusted her glasses. ”The Beastkin Kingdom values our resources, and the Demons have no reason to turn against us. So long as trade remains stable, neither side will interfere.”

Javier grinned. ”Thatʼs good. As long as trade is strong, our people can keep making money.”

But then, his gaze drifted toward the western border, where Armandʼs territory met the Beastkin Kingdomʼs land. Something felt… off.

”…The Beastkin wonʼt do anything,” Javier muttered.

Liana and Gloria exchanged glances.

”Correct, Young Master,” Liana confirmed. ”They have no interest in human wars.”

”And human forces from other regions?” Javier asked, his voice quiet but sharp.

Liana hesitated for a second before answering. ”They still have access to this side of the border… but only in small numbers. If too many enter at once, it would be considered a threat by the Beastkin King, Lioness the Third.”

Javier smirked slightly. ”That part isnʼt a problem.”

What worried him wasnʼt a full-scale invasion; it was the possibility of small groups slipping in unnoticed. His eyes locked onto the west, a faint spark of concern flickering in his gaze.

”…The real issue is if a small number of enemies manage to slip inside Armandʼs region from here.” A handful of skilled infiltrators. A silent, unseen threat.

Javier frowned slightly. If he were the enemy, thatʼs exactly what he would do. He tapped his fingers against the map, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the western border.

”All they need is a small number disguised as merchants.”

Liana and Gloria listened attentively, sensing the weight in his words. ”If they enter slowly, in groups of two or three, blending in with trade caravans…”

He traced a small circle around the western villages on the map. ”Before we realize it, their numbers could grow to around fifty to a hundred.”

Gloria adjusted her glasses. ”But, Young Master, a force that small canʼt do anything in a full-scale war.”

”Not for direct combat, no.” Then his gaze darkened. ”But they donʼt need to fight head-on.” Stay tuned with

Lianaʼs fingers paused mid-stroke against his hair. ”…Youʼre afraid theyʼll cause trouble?”

Javier nodded. ”More than that, Iʼm afraid theyʼll create a distraction.”

Liana frowned slightly. ”A distraction?”

Javier exhaled. ”If I were them… I wouldnʼt attack directly. I would spread chaos.”

He pointed at small villages near the Beastkin border. ”Burning villages. Killing villagers. Destroying farms and supply routes.”

Lianaʼs eyes widened slightly. ”That would force us to respond…”

Javier nodded, his smirk fading. ”Exactly. If they hit villages in the west, itʼll look like an attack is coming from that side.”

Gloriaʼs eyes sharpened. ”Which would make us send forces west.”

”Splitting our army.”

Liana inhaled sharply, finally understanding.

Javier leaned back, crossing his arms. ”If they make it convincing enough, we might even pull forces from the south to reinforce the west.”

”Leaving our real front line weakened.”

A perfect bait-and-trap strategy.

Javier sighed dramatically. ”Annoying.”

Lianaʼs expression turned serious. ”Then we need countermeasures.”

Gloria nodded. ”We canʼt let them control the battlefield by dictating our movements.”

Javier grinned. ”Exactly. Now… letʼs figure out how to ruin their plan before they even start.”

Javier suddenly grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

”Liana? Gloria?”

Both maids immediately responded. ”Yes, Young Master?”

Javier stretched lazily, rolling his shoulders before speaking. ”Letʼs go sightseeing along the border, shall we?”

Liana remained calm, as always. ”...You mean an inspection?”

Gloria, on the other hand, sighed, adjusting her glasses. ”But Young Master, I am the head maid of the Armand Household. I canʼt just abandon my duties like that.”

Javier tilted his head in thought. ”Hmm… Well, Father is in Gaze City with Mother and Eridith.So the one in charge right now is…”

He paused, then smirked. ”...Marcellus or Cedric.”

Gloria narrowed her eyes suspiciously. ”Young Master…”

Javierʼs grin widened. ”Okay then! Iʼll go ask them for permission~”

Liana sighed but smiled slightly. Gloria exhaled deeply, already knowing this was going to happen whether she liked it or not.

Javier tossed his gold coin pouch into the air, catching it with ease, before taking off toward the manor at full speed.

”Brother! Brother!”

He raced through the halls, fully prepared to bribe his way into getting permission for his little ”sightseeing trip.” But—

Silence.

”…Hmm?” Javier slowed down, looking around. ”Where are they?”

After a quick scan of the hallway, he shrugged and headed straight for the most likely place—Cedricʼs room. Without bothering to knock, Javier pushed the door open.

”Bro—”

He froze.

His eyes widened for a split second, then his lips curled into a grin. ”Ahhh… sorry to disturb you two… Ehem…”

Inside the room—

Meira was on top of Cedric.

The moment Javier barged in, she let out a small yelp, instantly grabbing the nearest blanket and wrapping both herself and Cedric under it in a panic. Cedric, visibly flustered, glared at Javier from beneath the blanket.

”JAVIER!!!”

Javier chuckled and raised his hands in mock surrender. ”Oh no, please donʼt mind me~ Continue, continue~”

Meira buried her face in Cedricʼs chest, clearly mortified.

Cedricʼs face turned beet red. ”...GET OUT!!!”

Javier laughed and casually closed the door behind him. Well, that was interesting.

Javier burst into laughter as he ran down the hall, his voice echoing through the manor.

”Brother Cedric!! Remember what Mother said! No grandchildren yet! Hahahaha!!”

From behind him, a furious voice roared from inside the room. ”JAVIER, GET BACK HERE!!!”

But Javier was already sprinting toward Marcellusʼs room, fueled by unstoppable energy.

The moment he arrived, he pushed the door open—again, without knocking.

”Brother Marcellus!!!”

Inside, Marcellus sat near his desk, casually reading. At his side, Lithia sat quietly, her face slightly flushed as she sipped tea.

Javier froze for half a second, then his grin returned. ”Oho~ looks like Lithia and you are having a little… ehem?” He smirked, raising an eyebrow. ”Spending quality time together, huh?”

Lithiaʼs face instantly turned bright red, and she lowered her teacup slightly, avoiding eye contact. ”Y-Young Master… p-please donʼt say strange things…” she mumbled.

Marcellus, unbothered, calmly placed a bookmark in his novel and sighed. ”Javier, what do you want?”

Javier laughed, flopping onto a nearby chair. ”Oh, right! Permission! I wanna go sightseeing at the borders with Liana and Gloria!”

Marcellus gave him a tired glance. ”You barged in just for that?”

Javier grinned. ”Yep!”

Marcellus sighed but nodded. ”Fine. Just donʼt cause trouble.”

Javier smirked. ”No promises~”

Marcellus pinched the bridge of his nose. ”At least try.”

Just as Javier was about to escape, a familiar voice called out. ”Oi, little brother!”

Javier froze mid-step, blinking. ”Hmm?”

Before he could react, Marcellus had already closed the distance, his sharp eyes landing on the gold coin pouch in Javierʼs hand. ”Whatʼs that in your hand?”

Javier instinctively hid it behind his back. ”This? Err…”

Too late.

Marcellus smirked. With one swift motion, he snatched the pouch from Javierʼs grip. ”Oh? This is for me, right? Thank you, my dear little brother.”

Before Javier could protest, Marcellus leaned in and kissed Javierʼs cheek.

”Ewww!!” Javier staggered back, wiping his face aggressively. ”Do that to your girl, not me!! Bleerrgghh!!”

Marcellus chuckled, tossing the coin pouch in his hand. ”Aww, donʼt be shy. Brotherly love is important~”

Javier glared at him. ”Give it back!! That was for brib— I mean, important expenses!!”

Marcellus grinned and pocketed the gold. ”Too bad. You shouldʼve been sneakier.”

Javier pouted, crossing his arms. ”Damn...”

Marcellus patted his head. ”Well, thank you! Now go before I charge interest.”

Javier grumbled but turned to leave, muttering about unfair siblings.

Marcellus smirked, flipping the pouch in his hand. ”Haaah~ Being the eldest does have its perks.”

( End of Chapter )