Reborn As Noble

He tapped the edge of the report. ”Besides, Tybalt was never on good terms with Father. Why would we step in now?”

Alf remained silent, waiting as Javier flipped to the next page.

Javier stopped. His eyes narrowed. He lifted one of the printed images, holding it closer. His fingers traced the borders of the Tybalt region, then paused. His expression shifted, detached assessment hardening into sharp, cold focus.

”I’m sorry, Alf,” Javier said, putting the report down and leaning back in his chair. ”This matter should be handled by Father after all. He’s the ruler of this nation. Even if I am the next heir, I don’t have absolute authority here.”

He exhaled slowly. ”Even if I want to help, even after seeing what Turka and Garka are doing to civilians in that report, we still have no legal grounds to interfere in another region’s affairs unless they formally request aid.”

Javier’s jaw tightened. ”If it were just me, I’d send my own knights and crush them myself. But acting on emotion alone... that’s not strength. That’s letting anger make decisions for me. Father didn’t raise me to rule by impulse.”

Alf smirk.

It seemed what Garius had expected was true. Prince Javier was growing into a true leader.

Alf nodded, a faint smile gracing his features. ”If that is your decision, Prince Javier, we will follow the command you issue.” He gathered the reports and began tidying them into a neat stack.

Javier, still leaning back in his chair, grew serious again. He glanced toward the officer on duty. ”I noticed something off the coast of Tybalt earlier,” he said. ”Show me the Sky Eye recording from this evening.”

”As you command, Prince Javier.”

The officer gestured, and his staff quickly pulled up the feed on the large central display.

Javier rubbed his chin as he watched the images play out. He leaned forward, studying the coast.

”Who is that, Alf?”

”Which one, Prince Javier?” Alf replied calmly, though his eyes already knew where Javier’s attention lay.

”That woman.” Javier paused the playback and zoomed in using his personal panel, on a figure standing on a weathered dock. ”There, with the old fishing vessel.”

”Ah... that is Lady Kayra. The first wife of Lord Tybalt.”

”What are they doing with that old fishing vessel?” Javier’s brow furrowed.

”We believe she intends to travel somewhere by sea.”

Javier studied the grainy image, eyes narrowing.

”That hull looks worn. Planking’s uneven, and the mast is rigged for coastal runs, not open water. She won’t get far in that... not against the evening swell.” He pointed toward the screen. ”Look at those waves, whitecaps already forming. That ship wasn’t built for deep water, and it’s clearly not been refitted for a voyage.”

He gestured again, voice low and analytical. ”The rudder alignment’s off, and there’s visible barnacle buildup near the waterline. That thing won’t handle anything beyond calm coastal waters. If a storm rolls in, or even if the swell picks up, she’ll be taking on water within the hour.”

Javier rubbed his chin again. ”Hmm... Where is she going with that ship, especially with her own region under attack from two neighbors?”

Alf remained calm, waiting.

”Where do you think she’s going, Alf?”

”From my observation and experience, Prince Javier... it appears she intends to request aid from another nation.”

”Hmm? But the neighboring regions of Tybalt are both Turka and Garka. Where would she...” Javier trailed off, eyes widening. ”Don’t tell me...”

”It is as you surmise, Prince Javier. She is most likely heading to request aid from our nation, and will likely attempt to dock at Arjam’s new port.”

”Huh? But why risk the sea? Couldn’t she send a messenger to Arjam by land?”

”Ah, Prince Javier... Pardon, but the land route they previously used for trade and travel...” Alf began, but Javier raised a palm.

”This is about Garka forcing Tybalt to give up that stretch of land, the main road to Arjam, right?”

”Yes, Prince Javier. You are well-informed. Beyond that, their borders are now overrun. There would be no way to send a fast rider without being intercepted.”

Javier’s face turned serious. ”Alf?”

”Yes, Prince Javier?” Alf glanced over.

”This feed is from several hours ago. What time is it now?”

”Nearing midnight, Prince Javier.”

”That ship she’s using, it wasn’t built for night sailing. No real navigation system, no lights apart from torches, maybe a mana lantern if they ever bought one from our merchants. How will they navigate in the dark?”

”That is the danger, Prince Javier,” Alf replied evenly. ”And that is why we need your evaluation and your decision.”

”How so?”

”They may become potential allies, or at least a new trading partner. Their agricultural yield is poor now, but with our help, Pekko fertilizer, irrigation guidance, proper crop rotation, they could thrive. And given their geographic position...” Alf paused, meeting Javier’s gaze. ”Thanks to your Sky Eye system, we’ve surveyed the land. There is strategic and economic value in stabilizing Tybalt.”

”But Tybalt isn’t on good terms with Father,” Javier countered. ”Even if we offered aid, he would likely refuse.”

”Pardon the interruption, Prince Javier,” Alf said, a faint smirk touching his lips. ”But the region originally belonged to Lady Kayra’s late father. By inheritance and regional law... the land is, in truth, hers.”

Javier leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly.

”Even so, we cannot send military aid or intervene directly unless they reach us first and formally request it through Father. I may want to crush Turka and Garka myself, but I can’t decide this alone.” He glanced at Alf.

”But nevertheless... Father would never leave people to suffer.” Javier exhaled again. ”Alf.”

”Yes, Prince Javier?”

”Contact the Arjam Naval Base. Dispatch two of the new ironclad destroyers. Use the Sky Eye feed to locate Lady Kayra’s ship.” Javier lifted his cup of coffee and took a slow drink. ”That’s all I can authorize. She’ll still need to formally request an audience with Father.”

”Very well, Prince Javier.” Alf gave a faint, approving smirk and signaled to the duty officer.

”And, Alf?”

”Yes, Prince Javier?”

”Contact our new air unit. Send two mana helicopters to escort the destroyers and locate that vessel. I doubt that fishing boat will last the night. Do it quickly.”

”As you command, Prince Javier.”

Javier exhaled, sinking further into his chair. ”This is why I hate formalities and paperwork.”

( End Of Chapter )