Reborn As Noble

Chapter 438: A Farewell Feast ( 438 )

”Esteemed Father.”

”Good, youʼre here. Sit.”

Javier nodded and took his seat in the main meeting room.

Across the table, Alf stood at attention, silent and composed. Beside him, Hesbeirn gave a small nod in greeting.

Javier raised an eyebrow.

Whereʼs Mrs. Erinnette...?

Then he remembered—his father had just ordered Liana and Gloria to meet her.

…Right. That explains it.

He sat straighter as Garius placed a rolled-up map on the table and tapped it.

”Javier.”

”Yes, Esteemed Father?”

”Youʼll be going on a sightseeing trip.”

Javier blinked.

”…Eh?”

”To the Beastkin Kingdom. Specifically, the border town shared with the Dwarven Kingdom.”

Javier stared for a moment, then leaned forward.

”And my mission is…?”

”Sightseeing.”

The room fell silent.

Even Alfʼs usual unreadable face seemed to twitch slightly.

”…Father, if this is your way of sending me on a mission, couldnʼt we just call it that—?”

”No.” Gariusʼs voice cut clean through the air. ”This is a sightseeing trip. And due to how unstable the Dwarven Kingdom is right now, youʼll be traveling alone.”

”Huh—!?” Javier stood slightly from his seat. ”But Father, what about Liana and Gloria? What if—”

”No.” Gariusʼs tone didnʼt rise, but it left no room for argument. ”Those two will remain in the Armand estate. They are scheduled for special training.”

Javier sat back down, a small frown forming.

”…Training?”

Garius turned his gaze toward Alf and Hesbeirn briefly, then looked back at his son.

”Youʼve seen how strong Erinnette is. And how powerful Alf and Hesbeirn are.”

Javier nodded slowly.

”Yes, Esteemed Father. Theyʼre in a different league.”

”Thatʼs because of their experience, but also because of the training theyʼve undergone.” Gariusʼs voice was steady. ”Now, itʼs time for Liana and Gloria to receive the same.”

”And Ari, Aria?”

”Theyʼll undergo synchronization training as well. With the help of Erinnette.”

Javier fell silent.

He didnʼt like the idea of traveling without Liana and Gloria. Not because he couldnʼt handle it—he could—but because he wanted them nearby.

Still…

”…I understand.”

Garius nodded, pleased with his sonʼs response.

Then his tone shifted slightly—becoming calmer, but deeper.

”Itʼs better if you donʼt bring them with you.”

Javier looked up.

”Liana and Gloria—if the other celestial vessels discover who they are, they may try to capture them… or worse.”

Javierʼs eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.

”I know youʼre strong, Javier. I know youʼd protect them with everything you have. But even so… we canʼt risk their safety. And you—” Garius leaned back slightly, ”you canʼt afford to lose them. Not again.”

Javier lowered his gaze, his jaw tight for a moment.

”…Yes, Esteemed Father.”

”Thatʼs why those two will undergo special training… in a special place.” Garius turned to Hesbeirn briefly before continuing. ”Donʼt worry about their safety. Hesbeirn, Mrs. Erinnette, and our other ʼshadowsʼ will handle everything. Their synchronization with Ari and Aria must be complete before the next wave begins.”

Javier took a slow breath.

”…If theyʼre guiding Liana and Gloria, then… who will protect you, Esteemed Father?”

A grin tugged at Gariusʼs lips.

”Worry about yourself, not me. Or your mother.” He tapped the table lightly. ”Do you think Marcellus and Cedric are weak?”

”No, Esteemed Father.”

”Exactly.” Garius folded his arms. ”We all have our roles to play.”

He stood up, glancing toward the window where sunlight cast warm golden rays into the chamber.

”And by the way, Javier…”

”Yes, Esteemed Father?”

”Enjoy your time with Liana and Gloria tonight.” Gariusʼs smirk returned. ”Youʼll depart tomorrow morning. Your mission may take time… and so will their growth.”

He turned back toward his desk, his voice calm.

”If youʼre lonely, you can bring Buddy.”

Javier blinked, then laughed softly.

”Understood.”

Inside, though, he knew—this journey was no simple sightseeing trip. And once they parted tomorrow, the road ahead would grow far more complicated.

Gariusʼs gaze lingered at the window, a smile spreading as he watched the scene outside.

Buddy—puffed up and smug—was proudly strutting in circles around a group of wild Pekko, squawking boastfully. The once unruly wild birds now huddled together like obedient recruits, recently ʼconscriptedʼ into Giddieʼs growing flock. Their confused squawks echoed softly in the distance.

”It seems,” Garius muttered with a chuckle, ”that your Pekko has… evolved.”

Javier glanced over his shoulder and grinned when he spotted Buddy doing his usual dramatic prance, wings slightly flared, beak held high like a proud general.

”Heʼs getting cocky,” Javier snorted.

”No,” Garius corrected, his tone half-teasing, half-proud. ”Heʼs growing. Stronger… faster. His instincts are sharpening. Just like his master.”

Garius turned back to Javier, his expression serious once more.

He reached into his coat and placed a sealed letter on the table between them. The wax seal bore the Armand family crest, etched with magical reinforcement.

”Once you arrive in the Beastkin Kingdom,” Garius said, ”open this. It contains your true mission.”

Javier looked at it but didnʼt pick it up yet.

”Donʼt worry about your journey,” Garius added. ”King Lioness has already been informed. Heʼll be expecting you. Do not disappoint him.”

Javier picked up the envelope and nodded.

”Understood, Esteemed Father.”

”One more thing.” Gariusʼs voice slowed. ”Whatever happens in the Beastkin lands… do not act recklessly. Youʼre my son, but more than that—you carry Armandʼs future now.”

Javierʼs expression shifted, a mix of pride and quiet burden in his eyes.

”...Yes, Esteemed Father.”

Javier stepped out of the meeting room and, as expected, the two figures dearest to him were already waiting outside.

Liana stood still, her hands clasped in front of her apron, eyes lowered slightly. She looked composed, as always, but Javier knew her well. Her calm demeanor only made the subtle tremble in her eyelashes more obvious. Her lips quivered, as though she was holding back words… or tears.

Gloria, standing beside her, tried to keep her usual teasing smile. But even she couldnʼt fully hide the tightness in her cheeks or the flicker of worry in her gaze.

”Young master...” Liana spoke gently, her voice warm but slightly thinner than usual.

Javier looked at both of them. The silence between them was heavy—thick with unspoken feelings. He knew what they wanted to ask.

Instead, he smiled.

”Liana. Gloria.” He stepped forward casually, hands slid behind his head as if it were just another normal day.

”Iʼm hungry. Can you cook for me?”

Liana blinked, startled. Gloriaʼs eyes widened.

”Y-Yes, young master,” Liana said, bowing her head slightly, her voice steadier this time.

”Of course we will!” Gloria added with a grin that almost turned into a tearful laugh. ”And you better finish every bite, okay?”

”Heh. Then donʼt burn the stew this time,” Javier teased, walking ahead of them with his hands in his pockets.

Liana and Gloria exchanged glances.

”I didnʼt burn it,” Liana whispered.

”You did.”

”I added extra spice, thatʼs all.”

”Too much is also called burning.”

( End Of Chapter )