Reborn As Noble

Garius checked the report and the images, rubbing his chin as he read.

”Hmm... looks like they also have ships, but from this image, it seems like a wooden ship, though far better and bigger than what the Human Kingdom has.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.” Alf added. ”This was captured by Sky Eyes and the mana satellite, confirming that their ships are more advanced. However, we still need to investigate further.”

Garius narrowed his eyes at the images and the report. ”If only we could capture a full image of their ships. But...” He paused. ”This might not be their main fleet. It’s probably just for transporting something...” Garius paused. ”Or perhaps... they’re sending their agents and personnel.”

”Should we send out an intelligence unit to the known location?” Alf suggested.

Garius shook his head. ”No. I don’t think they’ll let the ship stay. By the time our units get there, they’ll probably be gone already.” He exhaled and continued. ”Besides, we still don’t know who the agents they’re sending are. They’re all wearing robes, moving cleverly at night, and are likely guided by those three. I believe they’ve been planning this all along.”

”If only there were a way we could see their faces from this image or from the mana satellite or Sky Eyes view.” Garius turned the report to the next pages. ”But it’s impossible, right? We can only check the whole continent and zoom in to a certain limit.” He reached for his wine glass and took a sip. ”If we could zoom in closer or see those agents’ faces, we might be able to identify them and prepare accordingly.”

Alf adjusted his glove and nudged his glasses. ”Pardon me, Your Majesty, but we could send a few of our Shadow units to track these personnel. I’ve already informed our command center to monitor their movements.”

Garius shook his head, put down his wine glass, and kept reading the report. ”We can’t. I’m not going to risk our units’ lives just to get close to their agents. Besides, we don’t know who they’re sending. And even if we can track where they go or stop, once they go inside a building without removing their robes, they could easily change their appearance and blend in as normal people. Without knowing their faces, it’s futile.”

Alf nodded. ”That’s true, Your Majesty. But we could still send our personnel there while our command center tracks them. With mana talkies, communication isn’t a problem.”

Garius nodded. ”I know. But the only way we could get there quickly is with our Pekko, mana helicopters, or my youngest son’s invention, the transport drone. However, since the Human Kingdom and we are not on good terms, and since only we have those advanced means of transport, sending them would likely draw too much attention and risk exposing our unit.”

Garius glanced at Alf while rubbing his chin, his right eye glowing faintly.

”For now, we have to make sure they won’t be able to enter our nation. Since we’ve closed the northern border of Armand and the entire Arjam border, they’d likely go...” Garius paused and looked at the holographic map.

”Through the Beastkin Nation, so they could enter through our eastern border. But as a precaution, alert every Border Guard and Forest Patrol to ensure they can’t sneak in. Luckily, we have the new magical detection systems to detect unauthorized magic signatures or concealed presences. Besides, everyone passing through our border will have to undergo full inspection and registration, especially those not from the Beastkin, Demon, or Elven nations.”

Alf nodded. ”I will alert all our Border Guards, Pekko Forest Patrols, and Pekko Patrol Units immediately.”

”Mm... Make sure to inform Hesbeirn and Gilmon as well, so our Arjam troops, guards, and personnel will be on full alert and ready for any situation.”

Garius smirked. ”Even though we all know my youngest son’s knights, mana cannons, anti-air mana guns, and detection systems are installed along the entire border wall, from end to end, and in every town, village, and... well... certain strategic places. Even with his mana satellite and Sky Eyes early warning system...” Garius chuckled. ”We shouldn’t be careless when it comes to our enemy.”

He glanced at Francesca, who lifted her palm gracefully to her lips, hiding a sly smile. ”I know my son’s inventions are far too advanced for our enemies to match, but we shouldn’t become overconfident or rely solely on them. Complacency is a weakness, no matter how strong our defenses are.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.” Alf agreed. ”The enemy this time isn’t just the regular Human Kingdom or some disorganized faction. They’re cunning, resourceful, and likely backed by powers we don’t fully understand yet.”

Garius nodded and glanced back at the holographic map. ”Mm... If they use horses to travel through this passage, head northeast to the Beastkin border, and move through this route once they clear it, they would likely arrive at Armand’s eastern border in...” Garius rubbed his chin. ”Around ten to twelve days. That means we still have time. Even if they try to fake their identity, they’ll be easily detected since their mana signature is different, likely due to the unique mana composition from their continent.”

He turned to another page and looked at the satellite image, chuckling. ”Well... if they use wyverns to bypass all that and head straight to our border... let’s just say they’re going to explode mid-flight.”

Alf let out a soft laugh. ”Indeed, Your Majesty. The first to alert would be the air defense system. Those mana missiles will likely lock onto them and fire once they enter detection range. Battle drones will also deploy to intercept and shoot them down before they even breach Armand’s airspace or border lines.”

”Mm... And if they realize they can’t get close or enter, they’d likely try to scout from afar, to see what defenses are visible to the naked eye.” Garius shook his head. ”And they’ll fail.”

”You know, Alf?” Garius smirked.

”Yes, Your Majesty?” Alf leaned forward, his expression amused, as if he already knew what Garius was about to say.

”I was puzzled when Javier set all his mana cannons and anti-air mana guns to be invisible to the naked eye and insisted that his ’knights’ be the main patrols guarding the battlements, alongside our Armand soldiers.” Garius paused, his smirk widening. ”Maybe it’s because he was taking extra precautions, not wanting to reveal our full defensive capabilities to the enemy. He’s always thinking ahead, ensuring we don’t give away our advantages too easily.”

( End Of Chapter )