Reborn As Noble

Garius set his wine glass down. ”Alf.”

”Yes, my lord?”

”About Javier’s blessing ceremony soon…” Garius leaned back, rubbing his temple. ”I don’t think Francesca or I will be able to attend. And both of his brothers are occupied with their missions.”

Alf gave a small nod, already anticipating the issue.

”And as for my other wives,” Garius continued, ”I doubt they’ll want to go either. Both of them are busy, and Phenelopie is expecting.”

Alf remained silent, but his sharp eyes observed his lord carefully.

Garius exhaled, shaking his head slightly. ”And don’t even think about sending Eridith.”

At the mention of the name, Hesbeirn stopped mid-sip, and Rasdingen let out a low chuckle.

Garius smirked slightly. ”If we send her, I bet more trouble will come knocking.”

Alf allowed himself a small sigh. ”That… is likely, my lord.”

Hesbeirn, leaning back lazily in his chair, smirked. ”Hmm… Then how about sending Rasdingen here, my lord?”

Before anyone could react, Rasdingen froze mid-gulp, his sharp dwarven ears twitching. He lowered the bottle, blinking twice.

Then, in his usual gruff, he grumbled, ”Eh?! Why me?! I ain’t got no interest in babysittin’ that lil’ stormspawn! He’s more damn mischievous than this lad right here!” He jabbed a thick finger in Garius’s direction.

Hesbeirn laughed heartily, slapping the table. ”Oh? So you’re sayin’ he’s worse than our dear Count Armand?”

Rasdingen snorted. ”Worse?! Lad, I been ’round long enough ta see Garius in his prime—but his youngest? Bah! That lil’ devil’s got chaos flowin’ through ’is veins!” He took another swig of his drink and muttered, ”Ain’t no way I’m dealin’ with that.”

Garius smirked, crossing his arms. ”You do know you just confirmed Hesbeirn’s point, right?”

Rasdingen grumbled incoherently in dwarven before downing the rest of his bottle in frustration.

Meanwhile, Alf simply shook his head.

Garius leaned forward, tapping his fingers against the desk. ”So, Alf… anyone we can send?”

Alf adjusted his cuffs, his expression calm as always. ”Do you want me to go there, my lord?”

”No!!” Garius replied instantly, frowning as he gestured toward the mountain of documents stacked on his desk. ”Who’s going to accompany me here if you leave? And with this pile of paperwork? You know I can’t do this without you.” He groaned, rubbing his temple. ”Ugh, Alf…”

Hesbeirn chuckled, swirling his wine. ”Can’t do anything without him, My Lord.?”

Garius ignored him.

Then, Hesbeirn smirked. ”How about we send my sister?”

Alf’s reaction was instant. His usually composed expression broke, and his sharp eyes narrowed. ”No! Not her.”

The entire room went silent for a moment.

Rasdingen, in the middle of opening another bottle, paused. He glanced at Hesbeirn, then at Garius, then at Alf.

Hesbeirn simply smirked, swirling his wine glass with amusement.

Garius leaned back, arms crossed, and let a slow smirk spread across his face. ”Heh… Alf.”

Alf tensed slightly but quickly masked it, his expression returning to calm professionalism. ”…My lord?”

Garius’s smirk deepened. ”You’re awfully quick to refuse. Could it be that—”

Alf, with impeccable timing, smoothly interjected, ”The tribute report still requires your signature, my lord.”

Garius blinked. ”What?”

Alf handed him a fresh document without hesitation. ”Additionally, the latest merchant guild report has arrived. I believe it requires immediate attention.”

Garius stared at him.

Hesbeirn grinned, clearly enjoying the show.

Even Rasdingen let out a low chuckle. ”Heh! Ye sneaky bastard, changin’ the topic like that.”

Alf adjusted his gloves. ”About the person we send, my lord… we can discuss it later. Perhaps Hesbeirn is suitable for this job?”

”Eh?!” Hesbeirn nearly choked on his wine. ”But I’m busy checking our new recruits for the army!”

Garius smirked. ”Alright, alright. We’ll discuss it later.” Then, shifting his gaze back to Alf, he continued, ”Ensure Erinette gives me a list of capable candidates for this job.”

Alf gave a slight nod. ”As you wish, my lord.”

Garius leaned back, exhaling. ”After all, the journey to the capital from here takes seven days by horseback. We can’t afford to send just anyone.”

Alf remained professional, but something flickered in his eyes as he replied, ”Understood, my lord. I will see to it.”

Then, Alf smirked. ”And you, Hesbeirn… I’ll be sure to report this conversation to your sister.”

”Eeeehhhh!!” Hesbeirn nearly toppled out of his chair. ”No need for that, brother!”

Rasdingen let out a thunderous laugh, slamming his bottle onto the table. ”Hah! Yer screwed now, lad! Ain’t no escapin’ big sis!”

Hesbeirn groaned, dragging a hand down his face. ”Tch… Why do I feel like I walked straight into a trap?”

Garius set his wine glass aside and turned his sharp gaze toward Hesbeirn.

”Hesbeirn.”

”Yes, my lord?”

”The report on our new recruits?”

Hesbeirn reached into his coat and pulled out a neatly compiled stack of parchment, placing it on the desk. ”Here, my lord.”

Garius flipped through the pages, scanning the details carefully. After a moment, he nodded in approval. ”Hmm… This is good.”

Hesbeirn smirked. ”Of course, my lord. I personally oversaw their training and recruitment.”

Garius set the report down and leaned forward. ”And one more thing, Hesbeirn.”

”Yes, my lord?”

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”Change the patrol schedule at the borders. Increase the number of soldiers—double the patrol squads.”

Hesbeirn’s smirk faded into a serious expression. ”Understood.”

”They will cover not just the border, but also villages, towns, and all key locations within our region. Safety must be ensured across the entire territory. With the number of soldiers we have—this should be more than enough.”

Hesbeirn nodded. ”Understood, my lord. I will personally see to it.”

”Also,” Garius continued, ”have the overseers handle new deals with our suppliers to keep all our forts well-stocked, especially those at the border with demon territory.”

Hesbeirn’s brows furrowed slightly. ”Hmm?”

Garius tapped his fingers on the desk. ”We have a peace treaty with them, and they value peace as much as we do… but it’s always better to be prepared than caught off guard.”

Hesbeirn crossed his arms and nodded. ”I’ll make sure everything is handled properly, my lord.”

Garius then shifted his gaze to Alf. ”And Alf.”

”Yes, my lord?”

”With the income we have, allocate extra resources to your House of Assassins.”

Alf’s expression remained unreadable, but a flicker of approval crossed his gaze.

Garius continued, ”Also, ensure an additional budget for Erinette’s special battle maids unit. Their strength is on par with the House of Assassins, and I want them fully equipped and ready for any situation.”

Alf gave a slight nod. ”As you command, my lord.”

Garius wasn’t finished. ”And don’t forget—allocate extra funding for Rasdingen and Hesbeirn as well.”

Hesbeirn blinked. ”Oh? I won’t say no to that.” He grinned. ”I’ll make sure the funds are used wisely.”

Rasdingen let out a deep chuckle. ”Hah! Now that’s what I like ta hear! More coin means better gear—ye can’t put a price on quality steel!”

Garius smirked. ”Exactly.”

Alf placed a fresh document on the desk. ”I will have the allocation reports ready by tomorrow, my lord.”

Garius nodded. ”Good.”

Garius picked up his quill, dipped it in ink, and with a firm stroke, signed one of the documents before handing it to Alf.

”Ensure this budget is also allocated for our people,” he instructed, his tone steady and decisive. ”And make sure the overseers handle it properly.”

Alf accepted the document with a respectful nod. ”Understood, my lord.”

Garius leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering. ”We don’t want anyone in Armand territory starving. If our land prospers, our people must prosper alongside it.”

Alf’s expression remained composed, but there was an unmistakable approval in his eyes. ”Of course, my lord.”

Garius exhaled, crossing his arms. ”We don’t just give them fish—we give them the tools to fish. Opportunity, not dependency. That’s how we rule.”

Hesbeirn smirked. ”Hah. That’s the difference between us and the rest of the noble houses. Others hoard their wealth. We make sure our people thrive.”

Rasdingen let out a gruff chuckle, crossing his arms. ”Bah! Let the other nobles fatten themselves up while their people scrape for crumbs. Armand’s built different—strong land, strong folk. That’s why we’re standin’ at the top!”

Alf placed the signed document, preparing it for execution. ”The necessary arrangements will be made immediately, my lord.”

Garius nodded in satisfaction. ”Good. Let’s make sure our people continue to prosper.”

( End of Chapter )