Reborn As Noble

”My lord... may I ask something?” Erinnette’s tone was gentle, but curious.

”Yes, Erinnette?” Garius glanced over, brows raised.

”My question might sound odd, but... why must the next heir be Javier? Not your eldest, or your second son?”

Garius’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

”Because he has something I never did. A knowledge that goes beyond me, beyond you, beyond anyone’s understanding. Outwardly, he might seem like nothing special, lazy, mischievous, always dodging work when he can get away with it...”

He paused, the smile growing softer.

”But under all that, he sees things none of us can. He invents, creates, and adapts in ways I’ve never seen. Javier’s mind isn’t trapped by the limits of this world, he always finds another way. And most important, he has the heart to use that power for the people, not just for himself.”

Garius folded his hands, gaze steady and proud.

”That’s why. In times like these, we need more than just strength or tradition. We need vision. And Javier... he’s the future Armand needs.”

Garius tapped the armrest, a thoughtful smile playing at his lips.

”He might inherit some of my power, but the abilities he has now... they’re far beyond anything I can do.” He raised his palm, letting an ore hover over it, the metal shimmering as it melted into liquid. ”With this skill, I can craft weapons, tools, maybe even improve on what already exists.”

He let the ore reform, his gaze distant.

”But Javier... he can make anything from whatever he has. Things no one else would even dream of. It’s something I simply can’t do. You both know I have the Eyes of Truth, I can look, see, even predict what’s inside someone’s mind. But that boy?”

Garius’s lips curled into a knowing smirk.

”His mind is protected by something. I can’t see through it. Sometimes I wonder if he built that defense himself, or if he’s been trained for it somehow. But look at what he’s created, his inventions, his puppet knights. You both know what I can and can’t make. But Javier? He doesn’t just build a few puppet knights, he controls hundreds of thousands, all at once. That’s something even I could never manage.”

He let his words settle, pride and a hint of wonder glimmering in his eyes.

”Even if, let’s say, I somehow got the knowledge he has, it wouldn’t matter. Understanding something isn’t just about opening a book and reading the answers. Controlling creations the way that boy does... it’s simply beyond me. With my magic, I can command a thousand golems. They’ll fight, defend, follow my orders in battle, but that’s it. Simple, direct, limited by my own mana.”

He shook his head, the respect clear in his tone.

”But my youngest? He makes different types of puppet knights, each one unique, armed with weapons no one’s ever seen, built from strange materials, powered by what he calls a ’core.’ You both know: making a core is no small feat. It takes vast amounts of mana and skill just to create one. And yet, look at what he’s achieved, those mana missiles, mana cannons, anti-air guns... Just watch the projectiles they fire.”

He gestured, eyes narrowing with emphasis.

”With magic, a decent mage might release two to five shots in a single chant. Marcellus, with his talent, can launch twenty fireballs at once, no chant needed—instant cast, as Javier calls it.”

Garius let out a low chuckle.

”But that boy... he understands how things work in ways we can’t. He weaves magic into mechanisms, converts the surrounding mana into power. Every puppet knight he builds has its own converter, every relay tower extends their reach. He’s taken what we thought impossible and turned it on its head.”

Garius’s gaze turned distant.

”And remember how he went berserk, all those years ago, when those so-called ex-heroes tried to kill his girl?”

Garius smirked, the memory still vivid.

”He pushed past what we’d call the body’s limit, even when he was just a brat. He fused his own mana with the flow of nature’s mana around him, then wielded that raw power to control the elements directly.”

Garius’s voice dropped a notch, a mix of pride and awe in every word.

”That kind of thing, blending self and world, moving beyond what anyone thought possible... It isn’t something you can teach. It’s instinct. It’s resolve. It’s... something that belongs to him alone.”

He let the thought settle, quiet for a long moment, before a soft chuckle escaped his lips.

”That’s why, out of all my children, only Javier could be the next true Ruler of Armand.”

”It’s something I envy... even with the Soul of Command and the Eyes of Truth.” Garius paused, lifting his cup and taking a slow sip. ”That boy...he never cared much for power. He’s not greedy, not hungry for status. All he wants is to share what he creates. Look at the sugar, the chocolate, the rice, everything else he’s invented...he made sure Armand produces it, sells it, and all he takes is what he calls a ’royalty’ on the side.”

He glanced at Alf and Erinnette, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

”You both know how much gold, jewels, and everything else he’s got stashed in that storage of his, right? Far more than I’ve ever kept for myself. Though it’s still nothing compared to Armand’s true treasury. But because of my youngest, this territory has progressed faster than I ever dreamed.”

Garius leaned back, pride and gratitude softening his voice.

”He cares for the people, just like I always have. And I know how much he despises paperwork.”

Erinnette let out a soft chuckle, while Alf just shook his head with a quiet, knowing smile.

”But trust me, no matter how much he hates it, he still does it. All for the happiness of his people.”

”But my lord, it seems Young Master Javier never protests when you command him?” Erinnette asked.

”Never?” Garius let out a low, rare laugh. ”Oh, he complains plenty,just never to my face. I know that boy grumbles the moment he’s leaves the room. Things like ’why always me,’ or ’why me,’ or ’why not Marcellus or Cedric?’ He thinks he’s subtle about it, but after all these years... I’ve seen it all.”

He leaned forward, eyes glinting with amusement.

”I can’t read his mind or predict his every move with the Eyes of Truth alone. But with all the experience I’ve gathered, after meeting so many people over a lifetime, you learn how to read the little things, the sighs, the muttering, the way he scratches his head and slouches off.”

Garius smiled, fond and proud.

”Javier will always do what’s needed in the end. Even if he curses my name a hundred times under his breath, he never shirks what must be done. That’s why I trust him with everything.”

( End Of Chapter )