Reborn As Noble

Chapter 493: Off the Leash ( 493 )

“Cuquawked! Cuquawked!”

The sound of many Pekko squawking filled the forest clearing, echoing through the trees like a wild parade.

Javier had just finished his breakfast, casually sitting by the portable grill. Delya and Mimi were munching nearby, both still half-lazy from eating.

Buddy, sitting beside the campfire, suddenly perked up.

He jumped to his feet, flapped his wings excitedly, and dashed a few steps forward like a child spotting a playground.

His eyes gleamed as he caught sight of something beyond the trees.

Flap! Flap! Cuquawked!

Buddy bounced and hopped around, unable to contain himself.

“Hmm?” Javier stood up, brushing crumbs from his clothes.

He squinted toward the treeline.

Far beyond, the sound of countless Pekko birds drew closer—marching in a surprisingly organized way, their lively squawking blending into a noisy chorus.

“Who’s that?” Javier muttered, narrowing his eyes.

“Nya?” Mimi looked up, ears twitching.

“Hmm?” Delya tilted her head, curious.

Meanwhile, Buddy was already dragging his feet in the dirt, preparing to charge like he always did when he found a group of Pekkos to “challenge.”

Javier’s brow furrowed.

“…That’s a lot of Pekkos.”

He squinted harder, trying to get a better look.

And finally—he saw them clearly.

Cedric—riding his Pekko proudly, flanked by Meira and Zania on either side.

Javier groaned inwardly.

“Ugh… another annoying person…”

Cedric rode closer, a big grin plastered on his face.

He raised a lazily casual hand in greeting.

“Oho? What do we have here?”

Cedric’s eyes glinted mischievously.

“My little brother’s already dating two new girls, hmm?”

He cast a teasing glance at Mimi and Delya, still sitting innocently by the grill.

“Ah~ I wonder what will happen when Liana and Gloria see this~” Cedric teased, chuckling softly.

Javier sighed heavily.

“Ugh… what now, Brother Cedric?”

Cedric shrugged casually.

“Hmm? Nothing. Just enjoying the sight… with my lovely future wives here.”

Meira remained stoic behind him.

Zania puffed out her chest proudly, as if claiming her rightful place as his “future wife.”

Javier rubbed his forehead.

“Ugh… yeah, yeah…,” he muttered.

Meanwhile, Buddy was circling around Cedric’s Pekko, puffing himself up proudly like he was declaring himself the boss of all Pekkos here.

“Cuquawked!” Buddy squawked loudly, his chest puffed up proudly.

“Cuquawked!!!”

All the other Pekko in Cedric’s group responded instantly, their voices echoing through the clearing like a raucous chorus.

Buddy stood tall, chest out, radiating a sense of pride.

With slow, deliberate purpose, he lifted his right leg high into the air.

“Cuquawk!”

Without hesitation, every Pekko in Cedric’s formation lifted their right leg too—mimicking Buddy perfectly, like a well-drilled squad.

Javier’s face froze in a mixture of disbelief and mild embarrassment.

Cedric blinked, glancing around at his own Pekko, who was obediently lifting his leg as if he were a loyal soldier.

“…What the heck are they doing?” Cedric muttered, eyes narrowing.

Buddy gave another proud squawk and began walking in a slow circle—marching, as if leading his tiny army through a grand parade.

All the Pekko followed, forming a perfect circle around the clearing, their little legs raised in unison, moving in lockstep.

Mimi clapped her hands excitedly.

“Nya~ Buddy’s amazing!!”

Delya chuckled, resting her chin on her hand.

“Ugh! Little brother! Make them stop!” Cedric shouted, half-laughing, half-panicked as his squad’s Pekko continued lifting their legs and marching around in circles.

Javier sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead.

“Ugh… fine…”

He called out lazily.

“Buddy.”

Cuquawked? Buddy tilted his head, marching proudly at the front of his “army.”

Javier pointed at him.

“Stop it.”

Buddy strutted toward Javier, chest puffed even bigger, smugly bobbing his head as if to say, Look at me!

He squawked once, gave a little hop—clearly demanding praise.

Javier ignored him, turning back to Cedric, eyes cool.

“What do you want, Brother Cedric?”

Cedric dismounted smoothly, pulling out a sealed envelope embossed with Garius’s crest and handing it over.

“Nothing much. Father said to take over your current mission and deliver this letter to you.”

Javier raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

He broke the seal and carefully unfolded the letter

To Javier De Armand,

From this day onward, you are no longer recognized as the “Armand heir” for the purposes of political and diplomatic standing.

You are free to act as you please.

Your actions, decisions, and movements will no longer bear the name of “Armand,” nor will they implicate the Armand household.

Every action you take from this moment shall be considered your sole responsibility.

I have already warned you not to “visit” the Dwarven Kingdom without proper clearance.

I have warned you not to “punch” Chieftain Gumarak.

Yet, despite these warnings, you chose to act on your own judgment.

Thus, as punishment for your “wrongdoing,” you will carry the consequences alone.

Any decision, alliance, negotiation, battle, or provocation you engage in will be deemed your own private actions, under your own jurisdiction.

The Armand Family shall bear no responsibility should you be:

Attacked by Halfling or Human forces,

Captured in foreign territories,

Accused of any acts that might be considered war crimes under international law.

This letter shall serve as witness and evidence that your actions henceforth are conducted without the backing or endorsement of the Armand Family.

Furthermore, any acts of war you may commit upon foreign lands—be it destruction of property, defeat of enemy forces, or assassination of key figures—will not be recognized as actions sanctioned by the Armand family.

Therefore, this letter will stand as official witness:

All consequences arising from your actions shall be yours alone to bear.

Your actions from this point onward are on your own authority.

Signed,

Garius De Armand

After reading the letter, Javier smirked.

He understood perfectly.

This was his mission.

Javier smiled.

A slow, knowing smile.

This letter… this “punishment”…

It was freedom.

Anything he did after this would not drag the Armand name into trouble.

No risk to the region.

No danger to his family.

No harm to the people he swore to protect.

Inside Javier’s mind, the gears were already turning.

He couldn’t wait to start.

Couldn’t wait to unleash everything.

His fingers tightened slightly around the letter.

The real battle was about to begin.

And this time—

He could fight without holding back.

Without worrying about politics.

Without worrying about nobles whispering in shadows.

He was free.And this was the freedom he had been waiting for.

( End Of Chapter )

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