Reborn As Noble

Kayra watched as the huge iron flying thing began to slowly descend toward a marked platform on the ironclad below.

I wonder how something so big and made of iron can even fly...

And how can it land on this huge, wide, floating iron ship?

The soldier opened the side hatch and stepped out, then offered his hand to help Kayra step onto the deck.

She noticed several men in white uniforms rushing toward them.

”Ma’am, please follow our Armand healers,” the lieutenant said, gesturing for his soldiers to escort Kayra and the others toward the ship’s infirmary.

As they walked, Kayra glanced around.

The ship was brilliantly lit, not by by torches or oil lamps, but by bright, steady orbs of light set into the walls. The deck was steady, barely swaying even as wild waves crashed against the hull outside.

They’re so advanced... They can build ships out of iron... at this size... and they don’t even rock in the waves...

”Can I please confirm my men? Are they all here?” Kayra glanced up toward the lieutenant. ”Please?”

”Sure, ma’am.” The lieutenant smiled and gestured for his soldiers to pause. ”But don’t take too long. It’s cold out here, and we need to make sure everyone is treated and given food and hot drinks.”

”Mm... it won’t take long.” Kayra said while checking on them. Cliff was there, the ship owner was there, and all her escorts were present.

Thank god... everyone is safe.

”Thank you.” She turned and nodded politely, her shoulders trembling slightly.

”Ah, we’re just following orders, ma’am. If you want to thank someone, thank our prince.” He motioned toward the corridor. ”Now, please follow us to the infirmary. We have clean clothes for everyone. It’s not good to stay in wet clothes in this weather.”

”Thank you again.”

Meanwhile.

Javier exhaled slowly in the command center, the tension in his shoulders finally easing.

”Thanks to everyone, the mission is a success.” His voice carried through the mana comm, then he turned to the staff in the room. A tired but satisfied smile touched his lips.

He stood slowly and yawned. ”I’m going to rest now. If anything happens, you can find me in my room, if it’s truly urgent. If not... I trust your decision, Officer.”

”As you command, Prince Javier.” The officer placed his fist over his left chest and bowed.

Javier turned, one hand already in his pocket, the other raised in a casual wave. ”Good night, everyone.”

While walking, Javier’s thoughts drifted.

There’s a lot I need to discuss with Father.

If it were up to me, I wouldn’t mind sharing some of the older tech with other nations. But knowing it’s important for Armand to always stay ahead... we have to be careful. We can’t just hand over knowledge blindly.

I’d rather share things that help people live better, without taking away their livelihoods, their culture, or their traditions. Things that make life easier without making them dependent. Just make daily tasks simpler.

I don’t want machines replacing Pekkos, that’s for sure. Not that they could. Pekkos are faster, more agile, can make a U-turn in less than a second... and they’re alive. Fun to be with. No maintenance needed... except for Buddy. Glutton. Ehehe.

And not only that, this is a magic world... so I doubt everything could be replaced anyway.

We already have magic sugar processors, cocoa refiners, and other magic-tech that benefits us, things that help our people without stripping away skill or purpose.

Since Father already shares knowledge about irrigation, waterways, and other essentials that help our allies build their economies and improve living conditions...

Maybe there’s something I can add to that... something that helps but doesn’t control.

Well... I’ll talk to Father tomorrow morning.

Ah... better ask Mother first.

There’s no way I’m going to head on with Father.

Nope. Or he’ll find a way for another ”mock battle” again.

I hate early morning ”exercise,” and knowing his morning routine, he’ll be up at first light feeding Giddie, that golden Pekko, with some expensive fruits.

Not like Buddy. Buddy loves meat... just like me. Ehehe.

Javier yawned.

Better get some sleep. Something tells me tomorrow’s starting early whether I like it or not.

He pushed open his bedroom door and paused.

Liana was still awake, perched on the edge of the bed. The others were already curled up and lost to dreams.

A soft smile touched his lips. ”Didn’t I tell you not to wait up?”

”Mm.” Liana shook her head gently, returning his smile. ”I wasn’t tired.”

”You know it’s not good for your skin if you don’t get enough sleep.”

”Don’t worry about that, young master~” A playful glint touched her eyes. ”Since I already mentioned... elves don’t age in appearance before reaching a thousand years old.”

The next morning.

Arjam Naval Base.

After checking on her daughter and the rest of her escort, Kayra walked slowly through the base, her eyes wide.

The grounds were filled with Armand officers, staff, and soldiers moving with a quiet, purposeful efficiency she’d never seen. No one shouted; orders were given in low tones, and everyone moved as if they knew exactly where to go.

She glanced inside one of the open buildings.

The interior was all clean lines and smooth surfaces. Light glowed from flat panels set into the ceiling, illuminating worktables cluttered with intricate tools and glowing crystal displays. The walls were a polished, pale stone, seamless and unadorned except for the occasional emblem of a golden wing.

Their troops’ base looks like this?

She stopped a female officer who was passing by. ”Excuse me.”

The officer paused, offering a polite smile. ”Yes, ma’am?”

”I’m looking for Lieutenant Brokish. The man who... helped us last night.”

”Ah, Lieutenant Brokish.” The officer’s smile remained courteous. ”He’s already off duty.”

”Eh?” Kayra’s eyes widened. ”Already?”

The officer tilted her head. ”Is something wrong?”

”Ah, I... I thought he would still be working. Does everyone here work... all through the day and night?”

”Hmm? No.” The officer’s smile softened. ”We work in shifts. Four to six hours per duty period, depending on the assignment. There’s a schedule.”

”Ehh!?” Kayra stared, disbelief plain on her face.

A full watch in her own lands was twice that, with soldiers often pulling ten or twelve hours on the walls when tensions were high.

Four hours? A schedule?

”Pardon,” she began again, feeling slightly flustered. ”Can I ask... about an audience with... Lord...ah, forgive me...your King, Garius de Armand?”

”Ah, that’s already been relayed to the Arjam General.”

”Arjam has its own general?”

”Of course. Even under Armand, Arjam is still ruled by Princess Kliatana. And the general... I believe you know him, ma’am.”

Kayra tilted her head. ”General Hesbeirn?”

”No, ma’am. But if you wait in the infirmary, he should be here shortly.”

”Will it take long?”

”Well, if he isn’t drinking with General Hesbeirn...” The officer smiled faintly. ”I don’t think it’ll be long. Pekko are fast, and the ride from Armand to Arjam isn’t too far.” She offered another courteous nod. ”If you’ll excuse me, ma’am. The first rotation change is about to start.”

Kayra could only watch her go, her mind struggling to grasp a world where soldiers worked less than farmers and still defended a nation this powerful.

( End Of Chapter )