Reborn As Noble

”Thank you, sir!”

The coachmen smiled and bowed deeply, waving as the elven leader and his patrol team turned their horned horses and continued their patrol, disappearing into the forest path.

Once they were out of sight, Jaigar stepped forward and placed a hand on the coachmen’s shoulder, a smirk spreading across his face.

”Good job, Mikhail. You handled that well.”

Gorak chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the carriage. ”You’re not totally useless, huh? Despite being one of the weaker soldiers, you managed to pull off a convincing act.”

Mikhail stood at attention and saluted, a proud grin on his face. ”I’m just doing my best, sir. I take my job seriously.”

”Good, good. That’s the spirit we need.” Gorak nodded, pushing himself off the carriage. ”Now, let’s continue our journey and head toward the Elven border gate.”

”Yes, sir!” Mikhail replied, climbing back onto the driver’s seat and snapping the reins. The carriages lurched forward, continuing their slow journey toward the border.

After they departed, one of the elven patrol riders guided his horned horse closer to the leader, speaking in the flowing, melodic tones of the Elven tongue.

”Warden, art thou certain ’twas wise to let them pass? They seemed... unsettled. Their tale held many cracks.”

The elven leader smirked, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement as he replied in the same ancient tongue.

”Hast thou forgotten the command already? We received word from the palace itself. Two carriages bearing ’outsiders’ were to be allowed passage toward the border once spotted. The King and the Elder Queen have given their decree, and Armand watches from afar. Their orders are absolute.”

The subordinate nodded, his expression thoughtful. ”Thy words ring true.”

The elven leader smiled faintly. ”But that one I spoke with... if he had not chosen this path, if he had set aside this duty and become a true merchant, he might have found great success. A pity. He has a silver tongue, but a darkened fate.”

Meanwhile.

Elven Northern Border Town.

Javier sat cross-legged on the town square floor, his mana glasses perched on his nose, while Buddy sat beside him, his massive orange form casting a long shadow over the cobblestones.

”Heh~ Looks like they’ll be arriving soon, Buddy~”

”Cuquawked~” Buddy narrowed his eyes, a glint of excitement flashing in them as he glanced down at Javier.

”Oi, oi. I know that look. You’re planning to pin them down with your talons or use your magic to kill them, aren’t you?”

”Cuquawked~” Buddy let out a low, mischievous squawk, his beak curving into a smirk.

”No, no.” Javier wiggled his finger upward toward Buddy. ”We don’t kill them once they arrive. We need to be certain and proceed with the mission first. If we kill them now, we’ll be killed by our fathers!”

Buddy’s eyes widened, and he lifted his head sharply, swallowing hard at the mention of their fathers.

Javier gave Buddy a knowing look. ”Even if you’re bored, don’t. Focus on the mission first. We’re only allowed to attack them if they start it first.”

”Cuquawked~” Buddy let out a resigned sigh, lowering his head in reluctant agreement.

One of the elven guards sat on the bench near the fountain, taking a slow, deliberate sip of his drink before mumbling softly, just loud enough for Javier to hear.

”Sir... Warden Faelar has confirmed that the target has already reached the border and will soon be passing through the gate.”

”Mm... good.” Javier continued pretending to draw on the paper spread across the ground, his voice low and casual. ”I’ve been monitoring them as well. Just be ready and proceed as planned. Once those outsiders arrive at the border gate, make sure to buy some time. Ask questions, inspect their goods, act naturally. Only find me when they start mentioning ’Beggar Jee.’”

”As you wish, sir.”

Javier smiled and nodded, still keeping his eyes fixed on his drawing. ”And you can inform the palace that the mission is proceeding as planned. Just make sure Liana and Gloria don’t find out. Keep it secret until I leave with those outsiders.”

”Yes, Sir Javier. We’ve already received word from the palace. We will make sure that Star Daughter Liana and Miss Gloria remain unaware of your departure until you have already left with the outsiders.”

”Mm... thank you.” Javier’s voice softened slightly. ”The reason I agreed to bring Liana and Gloria along was so they could spend time with their families, not for a mission like this. This mission is for me alone. I don’t want them involved in the danger.”

”Understood, Sir Javier. I will take my leave now.”

”Mm... just make sure they don’t pass through the gate until they start asking for ’Beggar Jee.’ I’ve received another command from my father, and I’m sure your Elder Queen has also sent word regarding this mission. Coordinate with your superiors and ensure everything goes smoothly.”

After the elven guard left, Javier snapped his fingers, and a cracked wooden bowl materialized in front of him. Without anyone noticing, he casually dropped a few of the lowest copper coins into the bowl, the faint clinks blending into the ambient noise of the town square.

Buddy glanced down and smirked, letting out a low, amused squawk.

”Cuquawked!”

”What?” Javier narrowed his eyes before smirking back at Buddy. ”This is how you make it look real. A real beggar has a bowl with a few coins in it. My clothes are already ragged, my hair is messy, and my face is clean enough to not look suspicious, but not too clean to look like I’m faking it. Every detail matters.”

”Cuquawked~” Buddy bobbed his head in agreement.

”Yeah, yeah. Now we just have to wait for them to arrive. And then we’re going to bring them straight to Father.”

He smirked, his eyes narrowing with anticipation.

”Father already said to just bring them to one of the locations before the Armand border. And the Beastkin Nation is giving us full cooperation. Their patrols have been instructed to let us pass without interference. Everything is set.”

Javier glanced up at the sky, his expression calm but focused.

”All we need to do is proceed with the plan. And if the current plan doesn’t work, we already have backup plans and another strategy set in motion to ensure we gather the information we need. Father doesn’t leave things to chance, and neither do I.”

He let out a soft chuckle, a smirk curling on his lips.

”Well... if they cause trouble, we both know what to do.”

Buddy narrowed his eyes, a sharp, predatory smirk forming on his beak as he let out a low, eager squawk.

”Patient, Buddy. I know you’re itching for a fight.” Javier chuckled, reaching up to pat Buddy’s feathered side. ”But that has to wait. I know you’re stressed and bored since we’re not in Armand. But that has to wait. We have a mission to complete first. Once it’s done... then you can have your fun.”

”Cuquawked~” Buddy let out an understanding squawk, settling back down beside Javier, his eyes still scanning the horizon with anticipation.

( End Of Chapter )