Reborn As Noble

He glanced at Bhujar, his gaze piercing.

”If the lord you serve is cruel, oppressive, or unjust... if he taxes his people into starvation, if he sends soldiers to die for his greed, if he rules by fear and not by honor... then it might be understandable for his soldiers to turn their backs. For the people to seek change, even through rebellion. That is the natural consequence of a ruler who breaks his own covenant with those he governs.”

He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping lower, each word deliberate.

”But that is not the case here. Not with Rolland. He is not a cruel lord. He has not oppressed his people. He has not bled Mathrias dry for his own gain. He has governed with fairness, even with the limitations placed upon him. He has tried to protect his people, even when he lacked the means to do so fully.”

Garius’s eyes hardened.

”Betrayal against a just ruler is not survival. It is greed. It is ambition festering in the hearts of small men who see weakness not as a call to aid, but as an opportunity to steal. Rolland’s only crime was trusting the wrong people. And for that, his own soldiers turned on him, on the very people they swore a sacred oath to protect.”

He let the silence stretch, his gaze sweeping over every officer in the room.

”So understand this clearly: what your former comrades have done is not a rebellion born of righteous anger. It is a poison born of selfishness. And in my eyes, and by the laws of honor itself, that makes their crime unforgivable.”

Garius paused and leaned back in his chair.

A faint, distinct whirring sound began to echo from outside, the rhythmic pulse of mana-powered rotor blades cutting through the air.

He glanced at Alf, who stood at his side.

”Alf?”

Alf tapped his mana talkie, listened for a moment, then nodded and turned back to Garius with a respectful bow.

”Your Majesty. They have arrived.”

”Mm.” Garius nodded. ”Good.”

He leaned forward, reached for his wine glass, and took a slow, deliberate sip, the deep red liquid catching the low light of the room.

”Now... my officers and several Armand administrative staff will be assisting you in reorganizing the Mathrias household. I believe the former butler and his associates deliberately sabotaged your systems and records, leaving it in disarray to weaken you further. The Armand Staff and Officer will help you rebuild, properly this time.”

Rolland nodded silently. Bhujar and the other Mathrias officers remained quiet, their expressions a mix of relief and apprehension.

”Rolland?”

”Y... yes, Your Majesty?”

”My staff won’t be here for long. They are here to stabilize, not to govern for you. I need you to provide me with a list of names suitable for replacing the vacant positions, both administrative and military. The officers in this room have shown loyalty under fire. Consider promoting them to fill the higher empty spots.”

”Y... yes, Your Majesty.”

”Mm. And make Bhujar the official General of the Mathrias Army now.” Garius glanced at the captain, his expression firm. ”The final decision is yours, of course. But from my evaluation, he has shown the competence, loyalty, and resolve needed to lead what remains of your forces. He did not flee. He did not waver. That is what you need now.”

Garius glanced at Alf and Erinette before turning his attention back to Rolland.

”For now, focus on strengthening your current army. Recruit and rebuild. As for Mathrias’s current economic condition, I will provide the necessary gold and resources to help you recover and stabilize. Your treasury was likely drained or mismanaged by the former administration.”

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

”I will also discuss with my youngest son to see if he can agree to supply you with weapons that will help you defend your borders, specifically, the two border regions most vulnerable to attack. You need the means to safeguard yourselves without relying on external forces every time.”

He leaned back, picking up one of the reports Javier had provided earlier, his eyes scanning the text briefly.

”You don’t need to worry about retaking the land seized by the traitors. I will assign my youngest son to lead a force to assist your army in reclaiming those territories and securing your borders.”

Garius’s eyes turned serious, his expression hardening.

”But let me warn all of you here.” He narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to a stern, commanding tone. ”Just because I proposed promotions and suggested changes does not mean Rolland’s authority is diminished in any way. Do not think that because I have spoken, you can ignore your lord’s word or act as if his decisions are mere suggestions.”

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

”I have said it clearly: the final decision rests with your lord. My role is to advise and assist, not to rule in his place. Any officer who disrespects Rolland’s authority, or who thinks they can bypass his command because of my presence, will answer to me directly. And you have seen what happens to those who betray their oaths.”

He let the warning hang in the air, his gaze sweeping over every officer in the room.

”If I hear even a whisper of any officer disregarding his command or questioning his leadership because of my involvement...”

He let the silence hang, heavy and sharp.

”I will not be as forgiving as I have been today. Rolland is your lord. His word is law in Mathrias. My role is to support, not to replace. Remember that.”

Garius crossed his arms, his posture firm and unyielding.

”Now, Bhujar and the others may leave this room.”

Bhujar and the Mathrias officers stood quickly, bowing respectfully. ”We take our leave now, Your Majesty.”

”Mm.” Garius nodded, his gaze already shifting back to Rolland.

”Rolland?”

Rolland’s face tightened with worry, his eyes flickering nervously. ”Y... yes, Your Majesty?”

”You stay here. There is something I need to discuss with you.”

”As you command, Your Majesty.” Rolland said quietly, his gaze dropping to the table as the others filed out of the room, the door closing softly behind them.

( End Of Chapter )