Reborn As Noble

Liana and Gloria now stepped into the bright courtyard, where the morning sun cast long shadows over the neatly trimmed stone tiles. The air felt fresh and crisp, filled with a sense of excitement.

Liana’s eyes immediately looked for her companion.

”Pikko. Come here,” she softly called.

Cuquawk!

The beautiful Pekko bird, with its shiny silver-orange feathers gleaming in the sunlight, let out a sharp cry and quickly flew toward her. Its head lowered slightly as it gently nuzzled against her. Liana smiled and lovingly stroked its beak.

Meanwhile, Gloria raised two fingers to her lips and gave a sharp whistle.

”Peanut!”

Cuquawk! Cuquawk!

From the other side of the stables, a lively Pekko with golden-orange feathers and striking markings ran toward her, pounding on the stone as its feet hit the ground. Peanut was moving faster than ever, rushing toward his owner with joy, his tail feathers fluffed out proudly like a parade banner.

”Ah~ there’s my boy,” Gloria cooed as Peanut nearly jumped into her arms.

She caught him easily with a practiced motion and patted his side affectionately.

Both Pikko and Peanut stood tall beside their riders, loyal and eager—showing a strong bond and readiness.

Liana took a slow deep breath, then turned to Gloria.

”Ready?”

Gloria smiled. ”Always~”

Liana gently mounted Pikko, moving with grace and smoothness as she adjusted the reins easily. She leaned forward slightly, softly patting Pikko’s neck.

”Pikko… you’re going to see Buddy again. Did you miss him?”

Cuquawk!!

Pikko responded energetically, making Liana smile.

”Good girl.”

Next to her, Peanut was already bouncing with excitement. The bright Pekko flapped his wings once and then spun around in circles, full of energy.

”Okay, okay, settle down,” Gloria said with a laugh as she climbed into Peanut’s saddle. As soon as she was seated, Peanut let out a loud proud cry and stomped his feet, like he was ready to race across the world.

”Show-off,” Gloria smirked, tightening the reins and adjusting her skirt.

”Pikko!! Dash!!” Liana shouted, her voice sharp and clear like an arrow through the morning air.

Cuquawk!!

Suddenly, Pikko burst forward with incredible speed—her sleek orange body a blur as her strong legs pounded the ground, moving faster than most Pekko could manage when fully grown.

”Peanut!! Follow!!” Gloria called out immediately after.

Cuquawk!

Peanut cheered happily and sprinted after Pikko, kicking up a cloud of dust behind him. His light, quick strides made his feathers shine in the morning sunlight.

Two shadows—one with silver hair and the other with black hair—raced across the open plains. Their capes fluttered behind them, weapons at their sides, eyes focused on one thing: their beloved Javier.

Their speed didn’t waver.

Their hearts burned with determination.

As the wind rushed past her ears and the landscape blurred beneath Pikko’s speed, Liana’s emerald eyes softened. The steady pounding of the ride echoed the fluttering of her heart.

Young master...

Did you eat properly? Did you cook for yourself again? Or maybe… did you skip meals while working on those strange machines?

She slightly frowned at the thought.

Did you sleep well? Or did you stay up all night tinkering with your inventions?

The wind tugged at her silver hair, but she didn’t mind. Her grip on the reins was steady, yet her mind had already raced far ahead—toward the boy she loved more than anything.

Do you miss us?

Her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Because I miss you. Every single day.

Her fingers tightened around the reins.

What should I do when I see you again? Hug you? Give you a gentle scolding for being reckless? Or maybe…

Her lips curved into a soft, gentle smile.

Just hold your hand and never let go.

She gazed ahead. Gloria was riding behind her, silent, probably thinking the same thing.

Liana whispered softly, almost lost to the wind—

”Wait for me… Young Master.”

Meanwhile, Javier sat atop a wooden crate near the command tent, looking out over the busy dwarven stronghold below. His puppet knights were patrolling the perimeter perfectly, their movements precise and tireless.

Suddenly, he sneezed loudly!

He blinked, rubbing his nose as he looked around suspiciously. ”What…?” he muttered. ”There’s no pollen. No dust. No wind.”

He looked up at the sky, then down at Buddy, who was lying nearby, lazily soaking up the sun.

”Hey, Buddy. Do you sense anything?”

Cuquawk?

Javier stared at him for a moment, then crossed his arms and muttered, ”Someone’s probably thinking about me… maybe with dangerous intent.”

He shivered a bit.

”Liana? Gloria?”

His back straightened slightly.

”…I haven’t done anything bad lately, right? No. Probably. Maybe.” He gulped nervously.

”Unless… wait. Did they hear about Felicia?”

Buddy turned his head and looked at Javier blankly.

”...I’m doomed,” Javier sighed, burying his face in his hands. ”I can already hear the scolding.”

Cuquawk!

”Yeah, yeah… laugh it up, traitor bird.”

”Lord Javier!!” a dwarf hurried up the stone steps, panting heavily and looking pale.

Javier, sitting cross-legged on a stack of crates and tinkering with a small, cylindrical device that hissed softly with mana steam, barely glanced up. ”Hmm? What’s going on?” he asked casually.

”Our scout!” the dwarf gasped, saluting quickly. ”They saw a huge force in the hills, just beyond the burned ridge!”

”Oh… how big?” Javier asked without stopping his work, carefully fitting a glowing mana crystal into the device’s core.

This time, the dwarf commander stepped forward, looking serious. ”Estimate… over a hundred thousand. Probably halfling reinforcements.”

Javier tilted his head. ”Really?”

The commander blinked. ”Yes, Lord Javier. At least a hundred thousand.”

Finally, Javier looked up. ”Oh.” He shrugged.

”L-Lord Javier?” the dwarf asked nervously.

”Hm?” Javier went back to adjusting the dial on his invention, humming softly.

”Aren’t you worried?” the commander asked cautiously, eyes flicking between the horizon and Javier’s calm face.

”Why?” Javier replied flatly.

”That’s a lot of enemies, even with your knights and everything.”

Javier finally fixated on him, smiling lazily. ”Commander… I didn’t wipe out 120,000 elite halfling troops just to panic over a bunch of replacements.”

The dwarf froze.

”Ah… s-sorry for doubting, Lord Javier.”

Javier waved him off. ”It’s fine. I’d be scared too if I didn’t have me.”

He stood, stretched, and gazed calmly at the distant ridge with a gaze that seemed unreadable.

”But I am,” he whispered quietly.

( End Of Chapter )