Reborn As Noble

As Buddy trotted along the road, carrying Javier toward the estate, his mind buzzed with complaints.

Ugh…

Father always said,

”Don’t ride Pekko.”

”Pekko are monster birds.”

”They aren’t proper mounts for nobles.”

Yet—

LOOK AT HIM NOW!!

Javier’s eyes twitched as he stared ahead. His father sat casually atop a massive, golden-feathered Pekko, riding like it was second nature.

Not only that—Alf had a Pekko. Hesbeirn had a Pekko. Erinette had Silverwind. Since when did they all have their own Pekkos?! And why had he never seen any of them before?!

Javier narrowed his eyes suspiciously. These aren’t just any Pekkos. Looking at how calm and obedient they were, it was clear—they had been raised and trained alongside their riders for years.

And yet—why haven’t I ever seen them?

He tilted his head slightly, staring at his father’s golden Pekko. It didn’t even look bothered by anything—completely at ease, confident, and experienced.

Javier squinted. Just how long has Father been secretly riding Pekko…?

His grip tightened slightly around Liana’s waist as he leaned forward. Something about this felt off. There was definitely something he wasn’t being told.

”Don’t you dare detour with your ’muddy’ there,” Garius’s voice was sharp, unwavering.

Javier jerked upright. ”Y-Yes! Esteemed Father!”

But inside his mind… Ugh… calling my Buddy ’muddy’…

He gritted his teeth, grumbling internally.

But before he could curse his father further—

Garius leaned slightly forward, resting a hand on the golden feathers of his Pekko, Giddie. His lips curled into a knowing smirk as he whispered something into Giddie’s ear.

Javier squinted.

Then—

Cuquawwwkkk!!!

Giddie let out a loud, commanding squawk, his golden feathers ruffling as his sharp eyes locked onto Buddy and Pikko.

Buddy and Pikko immediately stiffened. Their heads snapped forward, bodies rigid.

Javier could almost hear their thoughts. ”We heard the boss. No detours. No funny business.”

Javier’s jaw dropped. ”Oi… did… did my father’s Pekko just warn mine?!”

Liana hid a small laugh, pretending to adjust her grip on the reins. Gloria, riding Pikko behind them, covered her mouth with her sleeve, giggling softly.

Meanwhile, Garius smirked in satisfaction.

Javier, feeling completely outmaneuvered, slumped slightly. ”Really?”

Buddy squawked but didn’t dare look back.

Javier leaned forward, pressing close to Buddy’s ear. His eyes gleamed mischievously as he whispered—

”Buddy! Let’s dash toward the estate!”

His grin widened. ”We’ll show them you’re better! Faster! The best Pekko in the Armand Region!”

Then—

Cuquawk…

A tiny, reluctant squawk escaped Buddy’s beak.

But—

He didn’t move.

Javier blinked. Buddy’s head remained perfectly straight, his posture stiff. His wings twitched, but he didn’t even attempt to speed up.

”H-Hey… Buddy?”

Javier tugged lightly. Buddy refused to react, his feathers smooth and his pace steady, as if…

As if he knew better than to disobey.

Javier’s smile twitched. ”Y-You really won’t?”

Buddy’s small squawk sounded almost guilty. Almost like—

”Sorry, boss… but I don’t want to die.”

Javier’s eye twitched. He glanced sideways. Giddie, Garius’s golden Pekko, was still watching. Those sharp, knowing eyes glowed under the sunlight.

A silent warning. ”Don’t even think about it, kid.”

Javier grumbled under his breath. ”Tch...”

Liana, riding behind him on Buddy, stifled a giggle. ”Looks like even your Pekko knows better than to cross your father, Young Master.”

Gloria, riding Pikko behind them, chimed in with a smirk, ”My my~ You really thought you could outsmart him?”

Javier slumped slightly, feeling the weight of their amusement. ”Can’t believe I got outsmarted by birds.”

Buddy squawked softly, as if apologizing.

Javier pouted. ”I won’t forget this, Buddy… I won’t forget this…”

Liana chuckled, her laughter lightening the mood. ”At least we’re all in this together, right?”

As they rode through the roads of the Armand Region, Javier began to notice something.

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Every time they passed villagers, merchants, or guards, the people bowed respectfully toward his father. It wasn’t just out of obligation or fear; it was with genuine smiles, warmth, and admiration.

Everyone in the Armand Region didn’t just respect him… they truly loved him.

Javier’s eyes softened. His father wasn’t merely a ruler; he was a protector. A leader who genuinely cared.

No one in the Armand Region went hungry. Every village had a chief, and every small town had an overseer. If any of their people struggled, his father would never allow them to suffer alone.

And seeing it now—the genuine trust in their eyes, the relief in their smiles—Javier felt something rare. Something he didn’t often acknowledge out loud.

Pride.

In his father. In his family. In his home.

Not just because Garius was strong or feared, but because he cared.For his family. For his people. For his entire region. For the soldiers who served him. For everything under his rule.

Watching his father ride ahead, Javier let out a small chuckle. His usual grin returned.

”Well, I guess having a father like that isn’t too bad.”

As they passed through the bustling streets, voices of admiration filled the air. Men, women, and even children waved enthusiastically, calling out to Garius with genuine joy.

Riding atop his massive golden Pekko, Garius returned their greetings with a small nod, his expression calm yet respectful. Francesca, seated behind him, smiled warmly at the people, offering a graceful wave.

Javier silently observed it all, taking in the sheer admiration and love his parents received. There was no forced flattery, no empty praise—this was real. The people truly cherished them.

Hesbeirn chuckled from atop his Pekko. ”As popular as ever, my lord.”

Garius exhaled lightly, a faint smile touching his lips. ”It’s their home as much as it is ours. Their prosperity is ours, their struggles are ours.”

Merchants bowed with sincere smiles, farmers waved from their fields, and children ran to the roadside just to catch a glimpse of their lord.

Javier continued to observe in silence. Everywhere they went, it was the same—respect, admiration, loyalty.

And unlike in places where nobles ruled through fear and wealth, here in the Armand Region—

It was love.

Once they passed the border town, Garius gave a subtle signal.

The moment they cleared the settlement—

They picked up speed.

”Javier!” Garius called out, glancing back with a smirk. ”Make sure your ’muddy’ catches up!”

Before Javier could react—

Cuquawk!!!

Giddie, Garius’s golden Pekko, let out a thunderous cry and dashed forward. The wind whipped violently as the other Pekkos followed suit.

Hesbeirn’s Pekko shot ahead, dust kicking up behind it. Alf’s Pekko moved with silent precision, keeping pace with Silverwind. Pikko followed smoothly, carrying Gloria.

Javier gritted his teeth. ”Oh, it’s like that, huh?!”

He leaned forward, gripping Buddy’s reins. ”Alright, Buddy! Let’s show them what we’ve got!”

”Buff up! Speed enhancement!”

A surge of magical energy pulsed through Buddy’s body. Javier grinned wildly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ”Ehehehe! Liana! Hold on tight!”

Liana barely had time to respond before—

”Cuquawk!!!”

Buddy exploded forward like a lightning bolt, his powerful legs kicking up dust as he surged ahead. Javier leaned in, gripping tightly. ”Buddy!!! Let’s show them who’s the King of Speed!!!”

The other Pekkos were fast, but Buddy was faster. Fueled by magic, excitement, and Javier’s reckless enthusiasm, they rushed past Alf, past Hesbeirn, and past Erinette.

”Cuquawk!!!”

Javier laughed maniacally as they closed in on the golden blur ahead—Giddie, Lord Garius’s legendary Pekko. Their eyes locked.

Javier pointed ahead. ”Buddy! DASH!!!”

Buddy roared forward, feathers ruffling against the wind—

Garius smirked, glancing down at his golden Pekko. ”Giddie~ let’s show those two kids who the real king is.”

Giddie didn’t need to be told twice. The massive golden Pekko tilted his head slightly, his beak curving into what could only be described as a grin.

Then—without buffs, without enhancements, without hesitation—

BOOM!

Giddie shot forward like a comet, his speed so incredible that the air shook in his wake. Javier barely had time to blink before—

Giddie was gone.

”EHHHHH!?”

Before Javier could even complain—

”Cuquawk!!”

Alf’s Pekko and Erinette’s Silverwind suddenly blasted forward, easily overtaking Buddy.

”Oi—!” Javier started, but then—

A shadow loomed beside them.

Hesbeirn’s Pekko.

The massive bird casually ran past them, overtaking Buddy with effortless ease. As it passed, the giant Pekko turned its head slightly and gave Javier a mocking glance.

A look that clearly said—

”Heh. Kid.”

Javier’s eye twitched. His grip on the reins tightened, and his pride shattered into a million pieces.

Liana, barely holding in her laughter. ”Young Master, sometimes you need to accept reality.”

Javier grumbled. ”Stupid overpowered Pekkos…”

”Damn! Buddy! Move faster!” he shouted, frustration boiling over.

He turned to Pikko. ”Pikko! We catch them!!”

”Cuquawk!!!”

Buddy and Pikko pushed harder, their legs pounding against the dirt road. Wind whipped past them as they gave it their all. But no matter how hard they tried—

They still couldn’t see them. The gap was too big.

Javier’s eye twitched. ”Damn! How come their Pekkos are faster?!”

His pride was in shambles. Liana, holding tight in front of him, bit back a giggle. Gloria, seated behind Pikko, covered her mouth, enjoying every second of his suffering.

Javier gritted his teeth, determination burning in his eyes. ”Once we reach the estate…”

He pointed ahead dramatically. ”We will start LEVELING UP BUDDY!!”

Buddy squawked fiercely, flapping his stubby wings— as if saying, ”Yes, Master!!”

But for now—

They were still dead last.

( End of Chapter )