Reborn As Noble

Before Garzin could speak, Javier leaned forward slightly, his face calm but his eyes steady.

”But we in Armand don’t care what Kimar thinks, even if he learns of this later. It will take his messengers days to reach the capital, and by then, the matter will be settled. Kimar may label us whatever he wishes. Aggressors, meddlers, traitors. We have never cared for his opinion, not in the slightest.”

He paused, letting the weight of that statement settle.

”As for you losing your noble rank and title... even if Kimar strips you of your privileges, Armand will still recognize you as a noble family, as the rightful rulers of this land. Your authority here will remain, backed by our support. Your family will retain its standing in our eyes, and your household will be treated with the respect due to a noble line.”

He leaned back again, his expression open but firm.

”Think of this as a new beginning. With this aid, consider it a fresh relationship. Forget the past, the distance, the silence, the missed opportunities. This is not about what Tybalt did or didn’t do before. This is about what you choose to do now, for your people, for your family, for your future.”

He met Garzin’s eyes directly.

”Even if every noble in the Human Kingdom under Kimar labels you a traitor, cuts ties with your region, and imposes harsher sanctions, that won’t be a problem for you or your people once our trading hub is complete, our port is open, and new merchant ships are sailing under your banner.”

Javier’s voice remained steady, each word deliberate.

”Because once Armand helps, we don’t stop at military aid or economic support. We build for the future. We invest in relationships that last. Your region will be connected to our network, our allies, our markets. You won’t need the Human Kingdom’s approval to thrive.”

He paused, his gaze sharpening slightly.

”But I already told your wife this once, and I will say it again clearly: The consequences of betraying our trust after accepting this aid will be severe. We do not offer help lightly, and we do not forgive those who bite the hand that feeds them. If you accept our terms, you commit to this partnership. If you break that commitment...”

He let the silence hang for a moment, his expression unreadable.

”Let’s just say you don’t want to find out.”

Javier clasped his hands together, elbows resting on the table, his fingers steepled before his lips, a posture eerily reminiscent of his father’s most intimidating moments.

”Now... Garzin. I believe it’s time for you to decide your region’s future. Will you refuse, and watch your people suffer, your land seized by your so-called ’allies,’ your family and subjects killed by Turka and Garka’s sons... or will you choose otherwise?”

Javier’s gaze remained fixed on Garzin, who shivered and swallowed hard.

”Let me tell you in advance. I don’t have much time to spare, and I will be busy for the next two days. I am only here now because your wife risked her life and the lives of her men to reach Armand and ask for help.”

He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering but losing none of its intensity.

”My time is valuable. And so is yours. But know this: none of my terms are designed to oppress you, pressure you unfairly, or strip you of dignity. They are meant to give you a fighting chance, a real one. The choice is yours. But choose wisely. The clock is already ticking.”

Garzin lifted his head, trying to meet Javier’s gaze, but quickly averted his eyes.

He’s as scary as Garius. Just like his father, he has that presence that makes most nobles unable to hold his stare.

”W... what’s the... guarantee... that... Armand will send... soldiers... to assist my troops?” Garzin asked, his voice trembling, each word a struggle.

Javier took out a small, smooth metal cube and set it on the table with a soft click. He clasped his hands again and looked at Garzin calmly.

”My soldiers are already here. All I need is your seal on the separate document, the formal request for aid, which I believe is right next to you?”

Javier glanced at the parchment beside Garzin’s hand.

”The moment that seal is stamped and my beautiful maid here takes a copy of it, my soldiers will begin driving Turka and Garka’s forces from your land and your borders. You won’t need to wait two or three days. You know how strong Armand’s army is, and our magic-tech, right~?”

Seeing Garzin still silent, his expression torn between fear and reluctant hope, Javier smirked and leaned back.

”You have the best offer you will ever get, backed by Armand’s word. You know that if Armand wanted your land, we could take it by force~ But we don’t operate that way. We help those who ask. The question is... will you ask?”

”I... I...” Garzin stammered, his mind racing, caught between fear of Kimar and desperation for his people.

Javier exhaled and glanced at Kayra, his expression cool. ”Well... it looks like there’s nothing more to discuss. If you cannot make a decision, then I wish you and your people the best of luck.”

He began to stand.

”W... wait, Your... Highness...” Garzin called out after Kayra nudged him desperately.

Javier, who had already risen and turned his back, hands clasped behind him, glanced over his shoulder. ”Garzin. I already told you, my time is valuable. If there is no decision on the formal aid request, then I will withdraw all my troops. And I’m sure you’ll be able to handle Turka and Garka’s ’new weapons’ on your own.”

He took a step toward the door before Garzin stood and rushed after him.

”I... I’m sorry, Your Highness... It’s just... it’s just...”

He swallowed, his voice dropping to a strained whisper. ”The terms... the repayment, the trade hub... it’s a lot to consider all at once. Could we... discuss adjustments?”

Javier exhaled, his patience thinning but his tone still controlled. ”That’s a separate discussion. The parchment for the formal military aid request is different from the economic and reconstruction terms. Seal it now, and we can negotiate the details of the rest afterward. But without that seal, there is no ’afterward.’”

Kayra bit her lower lip, her patience snapping. She rushed to the table, grabbed the formal military aid parchment, and pressed Tybalt’s official seal firmly onto both copies. Then she hurried to Javier, bowing deeply as she extended the documents toward him.

”Pardon my husband, Your Highness... please... help us.”

Javier exhaled slowly, then took his seat again. Gloria stepped forward and gracefully accepted the parchment from Kayra.

Meanwhile, Kayra shot a sharp glare at her husband and pulled him firmly back into his chair, her grip unyielding.

Garzin sank into the seat, his face pale, his resistance finally broken by his wife’s decisive action.

( End Of Chapter )