Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

Amazarak Fallen Nation.

Vane sat in his office, his fingers steepled as he listened to the Amazarak chief, who spoke in low, carefully veiled words.

”The foundation is set, Sir Vane. The workers have been split as ordered. The mountain base is progressing, hidden from the main camp’s eyes. Your personal forces are being trained in secret.”

”Hmm... good.” Vane glanced up, his voice equally measured. ”Have you selected the best among your people? Those with talent in magic, strength, and other useful skills?”

The chief gave a slight bow, his tone respectful. ”It has been arranged. The chosen ones have been informed and are ready to serve.”

”Good.” Vane returned his gaze to the documents on his desk, his voice calm but firm. ”Your people will receive better treatment from now on. They will eat the same food as the soldiers and be given proper rest. You need not worry about them suffering the same treatment they endured under Jaigar and the others. As long as I am in charge, they will be treated fairly.”

He paused, his eyes sharpening.

”But I cannot guarantee how long this will last. That is why your people must be prepared. The farms we have started, the resources we gather, must be split between this base and the other location. Ensure it is done quietly.”

The chief bowed deeper, his voice filled with gratitude. ”I am thankful for your mercy, Sir Vane. My people have not known kindness in many seasons. I will ensure their loyalty remains yours. We will serve, listen, and obey only you.”

Vane leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, both hands steepled before him.

”We don’t have much time. Weeks have already passed, and soon that bastard Julius will arrive to take command. By that time, I need you and your people to be ready for what’s coming.”

”Understood, Sir Vane.”

Vane leaned forward, his eyes turning sharp and serious.

”When the time comes, I will order your people to the frontlines as part of a larger strategy. Your people must ’listen’ to Julius’s commands, pretend to follow his orders, but be ready to abandon them at my signal.”

The chief nodded slowly, his face grim but resolute.

”Soon, I will arrange for some of your people to receive a ’death sentence,’ a fake execution that will look convincing to everyone. Those who are chosen to ’die’ will be secretly sent to our mountain base, where they will become the core of my personal elite unit. Choose them wisely.”

The chief bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude. ”I... I cannot thank you enough for this mercy, Sir Vane. You have given my people hope when we had none. My life and the lives of my people are yours.”

He began to kneel, but Vane raised a hand, stopping him.

”Don’t kneel to me. Not yet. Save your loyalty for when it truly matters. For now, just do your duty.”

Vane returned his gaze to the documents on his desk, his voice calm and dismissive. ”Now go. I can feel someone will be coming here soon.”

”Yes, Sir Vane.” The Amazarak chief took three steps back, bowed, and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

After the door clicked shut, Vane leaned back in his chair, both hands clasped behind his head, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Few days before.

”Sir Vane! I will not accept this!”

Fayna stood before him, her eyes shimmering with tears of anger and sadness, her voice trembling with frustration.

”You have to understand, Fayna,” Vane said, his voice calm but firm. ”This is for the best. It’s the only way.”

”But Sir Vane!!” she sobbed softly, her voice dropping to a whisper. ”I should be by your side... for everything. I promised I would stay with you, no matter what.”

Vane fell silent, his gaze drifting away from her, unable to meet her eyes.

Fayna continued, her voice growing more desperate. ”The plan in your mind... it will risk your life! If everyone finds out what you’re planning, Julius will kill you! He won’t hesitate. Please... let me stay. Let me fight beside you.”

Vane finally looked up at her, his eyes calm but filled with resolve.

”That is exactly why I am sending you away. If I fail, if they discover my plans... I don’t want Julius to get his hands on you.”

He looked away again, his voice barely above a whisper.

”At least... I want you to be safe from him.”

She started to cry, her shoulders shaking as she stomped her foot and wrapped her arms around Vane, clinging to him tightly. Her voice cracked with emotion.

”You promised! You promised we would always be together! Please... let me stay with you... please... let me be part of your plan! I don’t care about the risk! I don’t care about dying! I just want to be by your side!”

”No.” Vane lifted her chin gently, wiping away her tears with his thumb. He forced a soft smile, his voice steady but filled with hidden pain. ”I don’t want you to be part of this. I don’t want to risk your life. If it fails... only I will be punished. You will be spared.”

Fayna cried even harder, her voice breaking as she buried her face in his chest. ”You can’t do this to me... You can’t just decide for me... You can’t just send me away and face this alone! We’ve been together for seven years! I have always been by your side! Please... don’t push me away now...”

Vane closed his eyes, his hands trembling slightly before he steadied himself.

”I’m not pushing you away. I’m protecting you. If something happens to me... at least I’ll know you’re safe. That’s all that matters to me.”

He let out a slow, shaky breath.

”There hasn’t been a day since I met you that I ever thought you were a burden or that you were holding me back. You’re the only person I trust and I love you for it. That is exactly why I have to do this... I can’t let Julius get his hands on you.”

”But...”

”No more.” His voice grew firm, silencing her protests. ”This is the path I’ve chosen. Fayna, you have to go. I need to know you’re safe, Please... I need at least that.”

Fayna buried her face deeper into his chest, sobbing harder as she refused to let go.

”I refuse to go! I won’t leave you! I don’t care about being safe! I want to be with you!”

Vane’s voice was low but firm. ”I’m sorry, Fayna. But you have to go. This is an order from your leader.”

She shook her head violently, her tears soaking into his clothes. ”I refuse to obey that order! If you want to punish me, do it now! I won’t leave! I won’t!”

Vane exhaled, glancing down at her, her face buried against him, her body trembling.

How am I going to persuade this stubborn girl?

He placed his hand on her head, gently patting her hair before speaking in a low, soft voice.

”Fayna... if you truly care for me, please... listen to me. I’m not sending you away just to keep you safe. I’m sending you because I need your help. If you want me to succeed, if you truly want to be by my side in the end... then help me find information about the seven fragments.”

She slowly lifted her head, her eyes red and puffy, still glistening with tears.

”The seven fragments... are the key to my success. If you truly want to protect me, if you truly want us to be together... then find them for me. That is the greatest help you can give me.”

( End Of Chapter )