Reborn As Noble

Chapter 642: Protecting the Dream ( 642 )

Liana narrowed her eyes as she gently tugged the reins on her Pekko, settling in beside Javierʼs Buddy.

”Young master…” she said, her tone laced with suspicion.

”Hmm?” Javier turned his head, pretending innocence.

”What about Felicia and Ferine?”

”Ah, those two?” Javier scratched his cheek.

”They canʼt come. Theyʼre both princesses. Royal duties and all that. Besides… weʼre not heading into a warzone yet.”

Liana blinked. ”Not yet?”

Javier smirked. ”Hmm? I miss home. So—weʼre going home first.”

Gloria, riding gracefully on Peanut, raised a brow. ”So weʼre following you home… but not to the battlefield?”

Javier gave a shrug. ”Who knows?”

”Young. Master!!” Liana hissed, clearly catching on to his vague answer.

”Ehehehe…” Javier leaned forward on Buddy. ”Buddy!! Dash!!”

Cuquawked!!

The Pekko burst forward with wild speed, kicking up dust.

”Donʼt you run away from this conversation!!” Liana shouted, Pikko squawking as she gave chase.

Gloria just sighed softly with a smile. ”Ara… truly, our young master is impossible.”

And just like that—

The three dashed down the road, wind at their backs.

Back to Armand.

Back to where it all began.

Javier leaned forward, the wind brushing through his hair as Buddy sprinted ahead with thrilling speed.

”Cuquawked!!” Buddy cried proudly, kicking up dust as his powerful legs launched them down the cobbled road.

Behind him, Lianaʼs voice rang out.

”Young master!! Donʼt you dare run from us!!”

Gloria narrowed her eyes, already steadying her posture atop Peanut. ”Ara~ Heʼs provoking us.”

Lianaʼs hands tightened on Pikkoʼs reins. ”Pikko! Full speed!!”

Pikko responded, launching forward like a comet.

”Peanut~ you know what to do,” Gloria said gently. Peanut let out a soft chirp and followed at full sprint.

Javier glanced back with a grin.

”Ehehe~ Liana! Gloria! Catch up if you can!!”

”Young master!!” Liana shouted again, now close behind. ”Donʼt make me throw my shoe!!”

”No way!!” Javier laughed. ”Letʼs see whoʼs the fastest!! Buddy, give it your all!!”

”CUQUAWKED!!” Buddy flared his feathers dramatically and dashed even faster, his pride as Javierʼs Pekko on full display.

As the wind roared and the trees blurred by, a high-speed chase between the mischievous young noble and his two determined protectors painted a scene of wild joy, stubborn rivalry.

Inside Javierʼs mind, the wind rushing past him couldnʼt drown out the quiet vow in his heart.

Donʼt worry, Liana… Gloria.

I wonʼt leave you both behind again.

Doing missions alone… without your voices… without your warmth…

It was lonely.

His gaze stayed forward, but a softness settled in his chest.

No morning kiss.

No warm hugs.

No teasing smile before bed.

No falling asleep with your breath beside me.

I donʼt want to feel that emptiness again.

Buddy dashed faster, but Javierʼs thoughts lingered on memories—of Gloriaʼs gentle hand fixing his collar, of Lianaʼs soft laugh whenever he got flustered, of the way both of them looked at him like he was their entire world.

The reason I learned everything.

From when I was just a baby.

Reason why I trained my mana, refined my control, mastered crafting…

It wasnʼt just to be powerful.

It was for you two.

And for the family that gave me love.

He grinned, eyes narrowing in resolve.

So this time… Iʼll protect it all. Not just with power. But with love.

And believe me, Liana… Gloria…

If this world dares to hurt you again…

Iʼll crush it.

Piece by piece.

The wind whipped at his coat, but his heart stayed steady.

Yeah, maybe I always dreamed of a harem. My old self… the lonely salaryman who fantasized about being surrounded by girls from every race. Cute elf girls. Beastkin. Dragon girls. Demon girls.

But all of it… all of them…

Mean absolutely nothing without you two.

Liana, Gloria… youʼre not just lovers. Youʼre my anchors.

His eyes softened.

Especially you, Liana.

You were there first. Holding my tiny hand when I couldnʼt even talk. Kissing my forehead. Sleeping beside me when I had nightmares. You were my first light.

He let out a breath, slow and firm.

Without you… this world I built… this second life I cherish…

Means nothing.

A rare seriousness lingered in Javierʼs expression.

Iʼm bringing you with me this time. Not because youʼre strong.

But because… I canʼt bear to walk forward without you.

Javier sat quietly atop Buddy, the warm wind brushing against his cheek. His gaze drifted over the rolling hills and distant villages below—a painting of peace and life. Farmers guiding their plows. Children chasing each other barefoot near riverbanks. Merchants laughing at their stalls. Smoke rising from chimneys, not of war, but of cooking meals.

This world is beautiful.

He murmured it in his heart, not for anyone else to hear.

Really beautiful.

Yes, it was old-fashioned. Stone roads. Wooden homes. Horse-drawn carts. Mana lamps only in the cities. A place that might look outdated to a man from modern Japan.

But here… people lived.

Truly lived.

Smiled.

Loved.

He could still remember, clear as day—when he was just five years old.

Cradled on Lianaʼs lap.

Her fingers gently stroking his hair. Her voice, soft and melodic, whispering the tale of her homeland—the Elven Kingdom. Of the forests. The eternal trees. The starlit lakes.

But also… the pain she left behind.

She smiled, even back then.

”Young master,” she said, brushing his baby cheek, ”I love Armand. Because here… no one is hungry. No child cries themselves to sleep. The maids are treated with respect. The people… smile.”

Her eyes had shimmered then, not with sadness, but with longing.

”I wish… I really wish… the whole world was like Armand.”

Javier closed his eyes briefly as the memory washed over him.

He was still so small back then. Yet those words—those gentle words—stuck with him.

And now?

Now he understood.

That wasnʼt just a wish.

It was a dream.

A dream worth protecting.

A dream worth fighting for.

”Iʼll make it real, Liana,” he whispered. ”One step at a time.”

”Got you!” Liana shouted, swiftly grabbing Javier by the collar.

But Javier turned to her slowly, and instead of his usual mischievous smirk, he gave her a genuine, heartfelt smile.

Liana froze, speechless.

Gloriaʼs eyes widened slightly.

He looked… handsome.

Charming.

More mature than theyʼd ever seen him before.

His smile was calm, gentle, the kind that made their hearts flutter without warning.

”Hm? Whatʼs wrong, you two?” Javier tilted his head slightly, genuinely confused by their stunned expressions.

”N-Nothing, young master,” Liana stammered, looking quickly away as her cheeks flushed softly.

Gloria adjusted her glasses gracefully, trying to regain her composure. ”Yes… nothing at all.”

Javier chuckled softly, then lifted a hand and pointed toward the village ahead. ”Look at that, Liana, Gloria.”

Both girls followed his gaze.

Beastkin children—tails wagging happily, ears perked—ran and played through the streets, laughing brightly under the warm afternoon sun.

”Looks like father shared his knowledge with the Beastkin Kingdom as well,” Javier said softly, a quiet pride filling his voice.

Gloria smiled gently, nodding. ”Yes. Even the Elven Kingdom has started adopting Armandʼs economic strategies. Master Aelius and Lady Athine have been helping them directly.”

Javierʼs smile deepened, eyes full of genuine satisfaction.

It was a smile of pure contentment.

He knew this was what he wanted to protect.

A peaceful, thriving world—one he was determined to maintain at all costs.

( End Of Chapter )