Reborn As Noble

Javier slowly opened the door and stepped out.

”Prince Javier!” Captain Bargus moved forward. ”We need to get those spies out of there now!”

Javier looked at the captain, then glanced over the gathered Armand Elite Guards.

”Hmm? It’s already too late, isn’t it?”

”But...” The captain glanced toward the door. ”What will His Majesty say?”

”Don’t worry about it. I’ll explain to Father why I sent them to Bernard.” Javier smirked. ”But... if any of you want to ’rescue’ them... go ahead. Ehehee... I’m not responsible for anything that happens.”

The Armand guards swallowed hard, eyes flicking toward the sealed door.

From inside came a muffled sound, wet, abrupt. Followed by a hysterical scream from the other spies who’d just watched something horrible inside.

Javier dug his pinky into his ear casually, glancing back at the captain.

”You all know why Bernard was spared and given this job, right?”

The elite guards shifted uncomfortably. Javier continued, voice calm.

”Once Bernard activates his skill... not everyone can break free from his binding pressure.” He blew dust off his finger. ”So if anyone wants to go in... so be my guest. But remember...he won’t touch anyone outside his chambers. No guarantees inside, though.”

The captain looked away, then turned sharply to his men.

”Alright, Guards! Nothing to see here! We didn’t see anything, we didn’t hear anything!”

”Yes, Captain!”

”Now let’s resume our—” Before he could finish, the heavy door creaked slowly open.

Bernard leaned out, a sly smile on his lips.

”My my~ Prince Javier... are you going to add more kittens for me? But, they’re all Armands~”

He blew them a flying kiss with a dramatic wink.

The captain and every Elite Guard shivered in unison, turned and ran full-speed toward the main base.

”Aah~ Now you’ve scared them all, Bernard.”

”It’s Bernardita!” Bernard stomped one heavy foot.

”No, no... I’ll call you Bernard.” Javier’s voice lowered, turning serious. ”And remember...no touching or lusting after anyone from Armand or Arjam. I already gave you five new... toys. That’s your bonus.”

”Don’t worry, Prince Javier~ This is more than enough for me~ But I already warned you... no taking back my kittens~”

”Yeah, yeah, I know.” Javier’s eyes hardened. ”Now make sure you extract every piece of information.”

”Ahn~ Don’t worry, Prince... I’ll make sure they volunteer to tell me everything.” Bernard voice dropping to a sly whisper. ”But no cutie like them will be spared. And remember... I don’t write reports until I’m finished with all of them~”

”Yeah, yeah. Now go inside. Do your thing.” Javier turned to leave, then glanced over his shoulder, his gaze ice-cold. ”Don’t touch anyone in Armand. Not troops, not guards, not citizens. You know if I’m serious, you won’t be able to even lift a finger. Don’t make me regret this.”

Bernard placed a fist over his chest and bowed. ”As you command, Your Highness.”

”Good. Five should be more than enough. Any updates or requests after that, contact me through the base.” Javier turned and began walking away.

Bernard smiled and turned, slowly closing the door. ”Alright, my new kittens~ Time to resume our...”

The door clicked shut, cutting off his voice.

Javier walked toward the main base, hands in his pockets.

Ah... Father’s going to be pissed.

Well, I was planning to hand them over to the main barracks. But then I changed my mind when those bastards talked about killing the Armand patrol back in the forest.

Being a spy doesn’t mean you kill unless you have to. But these idiots? They were ready to slaughter just to feel strong.

And Bernard... he’s kept his urges in check. Been loyal. Done the dirty work without stepping out of line.

Call it a reward. Call it cleaning up trash. Either way... they won’t be sending more spies anytime soon.

After that, I’ll talk to Father about spreading the news, how we captured the spies and the... special punishment they received.

Let word get out that we don’t just throw spies in prison or execute them.

We hand them to Bernard.

That way, any agent thinking of infiltrating Armand or Arjam will hesitate.

Prison they can endure. The gallows they can face. But the idea of being Bernard’s new... interest? That’s a different kind of fear.

And since Bernard is... unique in this world, the fear will spread. They won’t just worry about getting caught. They’ll worry about who catches them.

Yeah... this is a good idea.

Sometimes you don’t fight fear with death. You fight it with something they can’t prepare for.

Man... A genius like me handled Kimar’s best spies in less than a day. Without even using my inventions.

Kekeke...

Javier glanced around as he walked.

Now where’s Buddy? I left him at the main barracks so the spies wouldn’t notice anything off.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Hmm... I should hand the real Kay over to Bernard too. I’ll talk to Alf about it. If he hasn’t broken yet... well, Bernard could always use a sixth kitten.

Javier stopped. His eyes shifted toward a patch of shadow along the path.

He exhaled, voice calm and clear.

”Show yourself.”

A masked figure emerged from the darkness.

Hmm? Alf’s Shadow Unit. But this isn’t the same leader I’ve met before.

The man stepped forward, placed a fist over his left chest, and bowed slightly.

”Your Highness.”

”Oh... Alf’s Shadow Unit.” Javier’s expression softened. ”I assume you’re next in line.”

”A good guess, Your Highness. As you surmised, I am being trained to succeed our leader, though I am still far from his skill. Forgive me, but I cannot reveal my name.”

Javier smiled faintly. ”Just like him, then. I understand.”

”I assume you have met our leader, Your Highness.”

”Yes. Once when I was eleven, and again at thirteen.” Javier studied the masked face before him. ”I believe you were already his assistant back then.”

”I am honored you remember, Your Highness.”

”No... I’m the one who is honored.” Javier’s voice held a note of quiet respect. ”I rarely meet any of the Shadow Unit. Seeing you here... it reminds me how deep Father’s trust runs, and how quietly you all protect this nation.”

”I am grateful you think of us that way, Your Highness. It is my honor to serve a ruler like His Majesty, King Garius... and a future sovereign such as yourself.”

The masked man bowed slightly.

Javier nodded and began to turn.

”But pardon me, Your Highness,” the masked man continued. ”As His Majesty commanded... I am to be tested, as the one who will one day lead this unit in your service, when you stand as Armand’s ruler.”

Javier smirked. ”Ah... the ’Trial of the Heir’?”

”Pardon my forwardness, Your Highness.”

Around them, shadows shifted, more masked figures emerged from the darkness, silent and poised.

”Very well.” Javier’s smirk widened

( End Of Chapter )