Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1317: Judgment Through Terrain ( 1317 )

After a while, the surrounding landscape began to shift, the dense green foliage giving way to jagged rocks and an eerie crimson glow.

The air shimmered with waves of heat, revealing vast pools of molten lava that glowed with intense reds, oranges, and deep golds, flowing like slow-moving rivers beneath towering obsidian cliffs. Steam rose from cracks in the earth, and the sky above was tinged with hues of crimson and amber.

Javier let out a contented sigh, his eyes sweeping across the molten landscape. ”Buddy~ Look at those beautiful rivers of molten fire. The way the light dances on the surface... it’s like watching the earth breathe. You don’t see scenery like this every day.”

Buddy let out a low, appreciative squawk, his orange feathers reflecting the warm glow.

One of the coachmen smiled, his voice carrying a note of nostalgia. ”Ah... it’s been so long since I last passed through this route. I’d almost forgotten how stunning it is.”

The other coachmen nodded in agreement. ”True. The view is something else. Dangerous, but beautiful.”

Meanwhile, inside the carriages, Gorak and his party, along with Jaigar and his party, were already sweating profusely, their faces flushed red from the intense heat.

”Oi! Beggar!” Gorak shouted, his voice hoarse. ”What kind of route is this?! It’s unbearable! Are you trying to cook us alive?!”

Javier ignored him, still gazing at the molten rivers with a serene smile.

”Oi! Did you hear me?! This heat is killing us!”

Javier finally glanced back, his expression one of innocent confusion. ”Hmm? Oh, this? This is the shortcut you asked for. Beautiful, isn’t it?”

”Beautiful your ass! You better not be fucking with us right now!” Jaigar finally snapped, his patience gone as he shouted in anger.

Javier dug his pinky into his ear, giving him a bored, dismissive look. ”Ugh! What kind of shithead are you? You demanded I find the shortest route, and I gave you the shortest. Besides, this place isn’t even that long, just bear with it for a while.”

”You better take us out of this hot place right now, or I swear I’ll snap your neck!”

”Ugh, man. This isn’t even that hot.” Javier rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with mockery.

He gestured lazily at Buddy and the two pekko pulling the carriages, who were striding along casually, completely unbothered by the heat, their feathers sleek and relaxed.

”Look at these pekko, they’re just walking along casually, not even bothered. And you all are complaining like you’re being roasted alive? Seriously?”

”We don’t need your sarcasm!” Gorak shouted, his voice cracking with fury. ”Just take us out of here right now!”

”Ugh... fine.” Javier exhaled dramatically, glancing around the molten scenery one last time. ”What a waste of a beautiful view. Not everyone gets to see something like this.”

He glanced at the coachmen, who both gave a subtle nod. The pekko pulling the carriages picked up their pace, their powerful legs carrying them forward at a brisk run, forcing Gorak and the others to grip the carriage walls to steady themselves.

After a fast, jarring run through the rocky terrain, the landscape shifted once more. The crimson glow faded, replaced by a murky, oppressive swamp. Thick, greenish-gray mist hung low over stagnant water, and twisted, leafless trees rose from the murk like skeletal hands. Bubbles rose from the dark water, releasing pockets of foul-smelling gas.

The stench hit the carriages like a physical wall.

Gorak’s face turned green as he gagged, his hand flying to cover his nose. ”What the?! What is that smell?!”

Jaigar’s eyes watered as he coughed violently, his voice hoarse. ”It smells like rotting corpses! Are you trying to kill us?!”

One of Jaigar’s girls leaned out the window and vomited, followed by another. Inside Gorak’s carriage, Valcrea and Noji were gagging, their eyes streaming tears from the overwhelming stench.

”Oi, beggar!” Gorak shouted, his voice strained. ”What kind of hellish route is this?! First the heat, now this?! Are you leading us to our deaths?!”

Javier, sitting comfortably on Buddy, glanced back with an innocent expression. ”Hmm? Oh, this is just the poison swamp. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to the smell~”

A series of complaints, shouts, gags, and the sound of vomiting echoed from both carriages as the pekko picked up their pace, their powerful legs carrying them swiftly through the murky swamp.

Javier kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, Buddy casually bounding forward with ease, his tongue lolling out slightly as he enjoyed the run.

Heh~

This confirms it.

These bastards aren’t that strong.

If they can’t handle a little heat and a bit of stench, then they’re weaker than I thought. Any real warrior or seasoned fighter would have endured far worse without complaint. Heat, foul smells, harsh terrain, these are all normal for anyone who has truly faced battle.

He glanced back at the carriages, a cold smirk forming on his lips.

If they’re already this broken by a simple environmental hazard, then they won’t stand a chance against what’s waiting for them ahead.

Javier chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement.

Ah~ I wonder how they’ll endure the last place.

Even though it’s shorter than the magma field and this poison swamp, the heavy gravity zone will be the true test.

If these bastards can’t handle that, then they’ve never been able to face me alone, let alone any Armand personnel. And they certainly wouldn’t stand a chance against Father’s power.

He glanced down at his own hand, flexing his fingers.

That gravity zone is only two or three times the normal gravity. Meanwhile, my minimum gravity skill when activated is three times gravity. And I can push it far beyond that.

He smirked, his expression turning cold and predatory.

If they collapse under something this basic, then these bastards are all talk.

He glanced over his shoulder, noticing how pale they all looked, their bodies weak and trembling after the stench of the poison swamp. Some were still gagging, others leaning against the carriage walls, their faces drained of color.

This is a small punishment compared to what you’ve all done.

His gaze darkened, his eyes burning with cold fury.

You bastards slaughtered people who couldn’t fight back. People who ran toward you for help, thinking you were their salvation. You cut them down like animals, laughing while you listened to their screams. You treated their lives like your own personal entertainment, your sport. You didn’t even see them as people, just targets for your amusement.

His gaze darkened further, his eyes narrowing into slits of pure rage.

Let’s see how long you can hold on, you arrogant pieces of shit.

You will all face true judgment.

Either from me... or my father.

( End Of Chapter )