Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1471: A Folded Paper and a Focused Gaze ( 1471 )

Vurghen Region.

Last Town.

Javier walked out from the portable building, stretching his body with a satisfied groan. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the town, the air fresh and crisp. The soldiers guarding the entrance snapped to attention, saluting crisply.

Javier raised his hand with a lazy smile. ”At ease~”

He glanced around, both hands on his hips, puffing his chest out as he took in the morning air. His eyes landed on Buddy, who was lazily sprawled on the ground nearby.

”Cuquawked~?” (Finally woke up, huh, Master~?)

Javier smirked before walking up toward Buddy, putting both hands inside his pockets and stopping in front of him. Buddy slowly stood up, stretching one leg forward, bobbing his head while his sharp eyes looked at Javier with a smug smirk on his beak.

Cuquawked~ (Looking at your face, Master~ I’m sure last night was good~)

Javier smirked again, patting Buddy’s wing. ”Yeah, Buddy~ Last night was good~”

He started walking casually through the town, with Buddy strutting alongside him, his head held high. The townfolk were still weary, their movements cautious as they went about their morning.

Armand soldiers patrolled the area in small groups, their presence calm but watchful. Some of the townsfolk were already working to fix their damaged shops and houses, while others stood in long, orderly lines where Armand workers were distributing supplies.

Javier nodded toward a group of townsfolk who bowed to him respectfully as he passed. He glanced up, taking in the morning sky before looking back at Buddy.

”Yeah, we’ve got more work to do after this. Until Friedrich is ready to govern his people again and everything settles down, we’re stuck here.”

”Cuquawked?” (Work?)

Buddy stopped, flapping his wing once before glancing down at Javier with a smug smirk on his beak.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (I’m a pekko, Master~ Pekko don’t work~ The only things I know are eating, relaxing, enjoying myself, and fighting when I feel like it~)

Javier raised an eyebrow, a wry smile on his lips. ”Oh really? And who was it that helped crush the enemy gate yesterday?”

”Cuquawked~” (That wasn’t work~ That was fun~ There’s a big difference, Master~)

Javier shook his head, patting Buddy’s wing again. ”Yeah yeah~ Whatever~”

They continued walking, Javier checking on the town’s recovery progress. Armand soldiers moved through the streets, maintaining order and offering assistance where needed.

A footstep approached from behind, and Javier glanced over his shoulder. One of the Armand female officers was approaching, followed by several Armand soldiers. She stopped at a respectful distance, placed her palm on her left chest, and bowed slightly.

”Good morning, Your Highness. I trust you rested well.”

Javier nodded, a small smile on his lips. ”Hmm? Masya? What is it?”

Masya straightened, reaching into her coat and pulling out a folded paper. She extended it toward him with both hands, her voice calm and professional.

”A message from the estate, Your Highness. It arrived early this morning.”

Javier extended one hand, the other still in his pocket, and took the folded paper. He raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. ”From Father?”

”Yes, Your Highness.” Masya bowed again, a respectful smile on her lips.

Javier nodded, unfolding the paper and scanning its contents. His eyes moved quickly across the lines, his expression shifting from casual interest to focused attention. After a moment, he folded the paper again and tucked it into his pocket.

”Mm... You may resume your duties.”

”If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness.” Masya bowed once more, took a step back, then turned and walked away, her soldiers falling into step behind her.

Javier stood in place for a moment, Buddy tilting his head curiously beside him.

Sigh...

Just as I suspected...

Friedrich really can’t let go of the past. He’s still clinging to the idea of reclaiming everything, even when the political reality has shifted completely.

He’s treating this like a simple matter of honor, not understanding that honor doesn’t rebuild a region, doesn’t feed people, and doesn’t protect them from future threats.

Javier glanced up at the sky, his thoughts continuing.

And I’m sure within these two or three days, depending on how fast their horses are, we’ll see messengers from Zurakan’s side arriving. They’ll come with formal complaints, legal documents, and demands for explanation about our presence here.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a slow, tired breath.

No... I’m sure this time Zurakan would come personally. He’s not the type to send subordinates for something this important. He’ll want to see the situation with his own eyes, assess the political landscape, and make his move directly.

And I’ll start hearing those endless legal arguments, citations of ancient treaties, historical claims, and border agreements that predate everything. The worst part? The way Zurakan talks, the way he presents his arguments, the way he calmly lays out his case with such precision and patience... it’s just like Father. He’s going to be a nightmare to negotiate with.

I’m sure he will present us with two dead heads, or perhaps the living ones. The commander and the grand mage of his own soldier. He will say, and which I already know he will, that those two idiots exceeded their orders. That he never authorized an attack on the last town where Armand was present. That he never authorized engagement with Armand forces at all.

And he’ll be right. Our command center and surveillance teams at Armand Headquarters and the Estate have been monitoring everything. Our spies and scouts in the area confirmed it. Those two commanders acted on their own, driven by ambition or stupidity. They saw an opportunity and took it, thinking they could claim glory without authorization.

Zurakan will use that to his advantage. He’ll distance himself from their actions, present himself as a reasonable ruler who respects the law, and put the blame squarely on his subordinates. He’ll offer compensation, perhaps even hand over the commanders themselves as a gesture of goodwill. And then he’ll use that as leverage to push his own claims on the region.

Javier let out a soft, frustrated exhale.

Great... just great...

( End Of Chapter )