Reborn As Noble

Chapter 284 A Rulerʼs Wisdom ( 284 )

Garius held the letter between his fingers, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he contemplated the Demon Kingdomʼs power.

”The Demon Kingdom possesses nearly a million troops,” he mused. Ogres, Oni, and countless other demon races—massive, brutal warriors built for berserker-style combat. Their magic? Overwhelming. Their sheer physical strength? Unmatched.

Yet—Garius smirked. ”Not as good as her.”

He casually pointed toward Francesca. The elegant countess didnʼt even flinch, calmly sipping her tea.

Eridith, however, snorted and muttered under her breath, ”Iʼd have to agree…”

Francesca simply smiled, but the way she set her teacup down with perfect precision made it clear she had heard them.

Garius leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. ”Letʼs just say, if the Armand region were to fall… I donʼt think the rest of the kingdom would be ready for a full-scale war.”

His fingers drummed against the table. ”King Edmundʼs Royal Forces number over 500,000 strong, and Iʼm sure his allies would back him if necessary.”

He paused. ”But the results of that war…”

”Letʼs just say… no one is walking away unscathed.”

Francesca nodded. ”The kingdomʼs structure would collapse.”

Erinnete added, ”And the real issue isnʼt just the battlefield.”

Garius closed his eyes. ”Exactly. The real problem is the people.”

Refugees flooding into different territories. Entire cities and villages left in ruin. Starvation, banditry, and chaos spreading like wildfire. War wasnʼt just about who had the strongest army; it was about who could survive the aftermath.

Garius slowly opened his eyes, his expression unreadable. ”Thatʼs why we fight smart.”

”Because unlike the nobles who treat war like a game…”

”We understand whatʼs really at stake.”

Alf watched Gariusʼs expression carefully. ”My lord… it seems like youʼre considering the possibility of Armand falling.”

Garius chuckled softly, shaking his head. ”No… not that, Alf.”

He leaned back, his eyes gleaming with confidence. ”Itʼs just a hypothetical. We can never be too sure.”

War was unpredictable. Even the strongest armies could fall due to one mistake. But—

”Our troops are on par with the Demon Kingdomʼs forces.”

That was not arrogance; that was a fact.

In strength and magic, Armandʼs elite forces could match the demons. In equipment and tactics, Armand surpassed them. That was why the Demon King never wanted war.

Garius tapped the table, smirking. ”The Demon King wants peace—not because he fears us, but because he values stability.”

He continued, his voice steady. ”He wants his people to live comfortably. No starvation. No suffering. No families losing their loved ones in an endless war.”

That was the difference between a true ruler and the fools in the kingdom.

Garius and the Demon King both understood one thing:

Strength isnʼt about destruction. Itʼs about ensuring your people can live in peace—without ever having to draw their swords.

Just as Garius was about to continue his speech, the door to the command center swung open. An elite guard stepped inside, his expression slightly awkward.

”Umm… my lord?”

Garius raised an eyebrow. ”Yes?”

The guard hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. ”Your youngest son is here.”

Gariusʼs eye twitched. He pinched the bridge of his nose. ”What does he want now?”

The guard glanced at the others before answering carefully. ”He said he wants to meet you.”

Garius let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. ”...Haaa… Look at your youngest son, Francesca.”

He turned to his wife, who simply smiled gracefully.

”Too clingy to you.”

Francesca sipped her tea, unfazed. ”Isnʼt that a good thing?”

Garius grumbled but didnʼt argue. Meanwhile, Eridith chuckled, clearly entertained. ”Oh? This should be fun~”

Garius leaned back in his chair, exhaling. ”Fine. Let him in.”

The door creaked open, and Javier stepped inside, his posture rigid and unnatural. He was fidgeting, shifting his weight from foot to foot. Behind him, Liana and Gloria followed, bowing politely, their gazes fixed firmly on the ground, not daring to look directly at Garius.

Javier took a deep breath, then declared, ”E-Esteemed Father!” He snapped into a formal salute, standing as straight as possible.

Garius stared blankly at him. Silence.

”…What do you want?”

Javier hesitated, then forced a smile. ”Umm… permission to go sightseeing on the western border?”

Gariusʼs eyebrow twitched. ”Do you realize we are at war right now?”

Javier froze, cold sweat forming on his forehead. ”Umm… ummm…”

Then, in a burst of panic, he turned on his heel and bolted for the door. ”FATHER IS SCARY!!”

His panicked thoughts echoed in his head as he vanished from the command center at full speed. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving two stunned and betrayed maids in his wake.

Liana felt her entire body stiffen. Inside her mind— YOUNG MASTER!! How dare you leave us here!!

Meanwhile, Gloria let out a small sigh, already preparing for the lecture they were about to receive.

Garius rubbed his temples, exhaling deeply as the door slammed shut behind Javier.

”…Liana.”

Liana straightened immediately, still bowing. ”Yes, my lord?”

”What does that brat want?”

Liana hesitated for a moment before speaking. ”My lord, if you allow me?”

Garius sighed, waving a hand. ”Go ahead.”

Liana lifted her head slightly, her eyes steady. ”Young Master is concerned about the western border. He believes that, while the enemy cannot launch a full-scale attack from that direction, they may attempt underhanded tactics.”

Garius narrowed his eyes. ”Explain.”

Liana nodded. ”He suspects that small enemy units may disguise themselves as merchants or refugees, slipping into our territory in small numbers. If left unchecked, they could sabotage villages, burn farmlands, and create chaos—forcing us to divert troops west.”

”A distraction,” Francesca mused, her elegant fingers tapping against her teacup.

Liana continued, her voice calm but firm. ”Yes, my lady. The goal would be to make us believe the enemy is launching an attack from the west, causing us to split our forces and weaken the main defensive line.”

Garius leaned back, tapping his fingers against the table thoughtfully. ”Hmmm. That boy…”

His eyes glimmered with something unreadable. Liana waited patiently, not daring to speak further unless prompted.

Finally, Garius chuckled. ”…So he ran away because he already knew Iʼd approve.”

Francesca smiled softly. ”Clever, isnʼt he?”

Eridith snorted. ”More like a brat with good instincts.”

Garius sighed, shaking his head. ”Fine. Iʼll allow it.”

Liana placed a hand on her chest and bowed deeply. ”Understood, my lord.”

Just as Liana and Gloria were about to step back, Garius spoke again. ”And Liana? Gloria?”

Both maids straightened immediately. ”Yes, my lord?”

Garius smirked slightly, shaking his head. ”About Javierʼs concern… it was already handled before you even arrived.”

Liana blinked. ”…My lord?”

Garius turned his gaze toward Erinnete, who stood calmly by his side. ”Right, Erinnete?”

The head of all maids, smirked slightly, crossing her arms. ”Yes, my lord. Iʼve already deployed additional scouts along the western border, blending in with trade routes and villages. If anything unusual happens, weʼll know immediately.”

Liana and Gloria stiffened before quickly bowing. ”Mrs. Erinnete.”

Both maids lowered their heads in respect to their superior. Erinnete chuckled, tilting her head slightly.

Garius smirked, watching them. ”Well, since youʼre already here… you might as well go after that brat before he causes more trouble.”

Liana and Gloria straightened immediately. ”Yes, my lord!”

”Itʼs better if you both accompany him. Let him observe how things work—how the borders are maintained, how decisions affect lives. Understanding responsibility firsthand is far better than simply being told.”

Then, Gariusʼs tone hardened slightly. ”Make sure you both protect him at all costs.”

Both maids straightened again. ”As you command, my lord!”

”And one more thing.” Gariusʼs gaze turned sharp. ”If Javier confronts any enemy, make sure he controls his emotions.”

Liana and Gloria exchanged a glance. Javier was strong—far stronger than most realized. But raw strength wasnʼt everything.

Garius leaned forward slightly, his voice measured but absolute. ”A ruler who lets emotions dictate their actions will never last.”

Liana clenched her fists slightly, understanding the hidden lesson. Gloria simply smiled knowingly. ”Understood, my lord.”

Garius leaned back, sighing. ”Go. And make sure that brat doesnʼt cause me more trouble.”

Liana and Gloria bowed deeply before quickly exiting the room.

( End of Chapter )