Reborn As Noble

Garreth leaned forward, his expression turning serious.

”Furthermore, Celine is heading there. If she succeeds in delivering our message and establishing a line of communication, we may be able to secure Armand’s neutrality, or perhaps even their alliance. In the chaos that is to come, that could be our greatest advantage.”

Everyone nodded in agreement when a soft, deliberate knock echoed from the door. Garreth raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence.

They waited calmly. A few moments passed before the door slowly creaked open, and a royal guard peeked inside. The guard gave a quick hand signal, fingers gesturing in a subtle pattern, indicating that the hallway was clear from the hero party who had been passing by.

Garreth returned a silent hand signal, ordering the guard to remain watchful. The guard bowed and closed the door quietly.

Kaelen leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ”Father?”

”Hmm?”

”Our personal report... Julius has been searching for Celine all morning. He’s been asking her whereabouts in the royal wing and among the training grounds.”

Garreth’s eyes narrowed slightly. ”And what did our personnel tell him?”

Kaelen leaned in further, his voice barely audible. ”Every guard, every staff member, and every servant has been instructed to respond with the same answer. If anyone asks for Princess Celine, they are to say that she is undergoing an intensive, secluded training retreat under the supervision of royal tutors, and that her location is kept confidential for her safety.”

Garreth nodded slowly, rubbing his chin. ”And how did he respond to that?”

Kaelen’s expression hardened. ”He looked unsatisfied. He tried to press further, demanding to know the exact location and when she would return. I had to step in personally and inform him that even he, as the Supreme Leader of the summoned heroes, does not have the authority to override a direct royal decree regarding a princess’s safety.”

Garreth let out a low chuckle.

”Just as I suspected. Julius has set his eyes on Celine.”

He leaned back, his voice dropping into a cold, measured tone.

”It was the best move to send Celine far away from that sex-crazed degenerate. The fact that a man like him, a lecherous beast with no restraint, became the Supreme Leader among the summoned heroes is a disgrace to the very title. He doesn’t lead with wisdom or strength of character. He leads through intimidation, manipulation, and the sheer power he was gifted. And now he thinks he can claim my daughter as one of his trophies.”

He shook his head slowly, a flicker of disgust in his eyes.

”Julius wears the face of a kind, charismatic man. A handsome smile, a gentle voice, an aura of righteousness. But beneath that mask is a parasite. He is rotten to the core, driven by greed, lust, and an insatiable hunger for control. He sees women as conquests, nations as stepping stones, and anyone who defies him as an obstacle to be eliminated. And the worst part? Thaddeus and the other nations treat him as a savior is a testament to how blind they are. Sending Celine away was the only way to keep her safe from that monster.”

Meanwhile...

Summoned Heroes Headquarters, Capital City of Divinity.

Julius slammed his fist down on the heavy oak table, the wood cracking loudly under the force of his blow. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at the informant, a young woman dressed in simple, dark clothing, stood calmly before him.

”How did none of you realize that Celine had already left this nation by ship days ago?!”

The girl remained composed, her voice steady and measured. ”There was a deliberate and coordinated effort by the Royal family to cover her departure, Supreme Leader. False reports, misdirection, and royal decrees were used to conceal her movements. It appears her father, King Garreth, orchestrated the entire operation.”

Julius gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the broken table.

” That cunning old fox... he planned this behind my back. He knew I had my eyes on Celine, and he deliberately sent her away to keep her out of my reach.”

Julius turned sharply, pacing back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, his footsteps heavy against the marble floor.

”If she left days ago by ship, then she should have already landed on the Amazarak base by now! That means Vane must have known about her arrival! So why in the hell didn’t he send any report about it?!”

The girl remained composed, her voice calm and logical. ”Supreme Leader, the return voyage from Amazarak takes several days. If Princess Celine’s ship only arrived recently, the report from Sir Vane may not have reached us yet. It is possible that the ship carrying the report is still en route and will arrive here by tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.”

Julius’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering in his gaze.

”Or perhaps Vane is hiding something from me. He’s always been jealous of me, ever since our old world. He knows I became the strongest among all the summoned heroes, and he’s never been able to accept it. I’ve seen the way he looks at me. The envy in his eyes.”

He stopped pacing, his voice dropping into a low, venomous hiss.

”I’m sure Vane deliberately delayed sending the report. He wants to keep me in the dark, to buy Celine more time to slip further away. He’s always resented my authority, and this is his petty way of undermining me.”

A sudden rush of hurried footsteps echoed from outside, followed by a sharp knock on the door. Julius’s eyes narrowed, his voice cutting through the tense air.

”What!?”

A voice came from the other side, slightly breathless. ”Supreme Leader! A report has arrived from the Amazarak Base on the other continent!”

Julius’s expression shifted. He gestured sharply to the girl, signaling her to take a seat before raising his voice to the door.

”Come in.”

The door swung open, and a soldier stepped inside, carrying a thick bundle of documents tied securely with rope. He marched three steps forward, saluted crisply, and extended the report toward Julius.

”Supreme Leader! The latest report from Amazarak Base.”

Julius snatched the bundle from his hands, dropping into his chair and crossing one leg over the other as he began untying the rope.

”You may go.”

The soldier saluted again, turned sharply, and exited, closing the door behind him.

Julius reached for the top report, his eyes scanning the contents. A slow, satisfied smirk spread across his face.

”Oho~ This is what I like to see. Vane actually did his job properly for once.”

He flipped through the remaining pages, then tossed the rest of the bundle carelessly onto the floor, his eyes still fixed on the report in his hand.

”So... Celine is heading toward the Dwarven Nation, huh? Gathering intel...” He let out a low, amused chuckle. ”That’s my girl~ Always thinking ahead.”

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he turned his gaze toward the girl.

”Gather our best unit. Prepare them for deployment.”

The girl stood calmly, bowing her head slightly. ”What is the mission, Supreme Leader?”

Julius’s grin turned cold, his eyes gleaming with predatory intent.

”Capture Celine and bring her back. But not to the royal palace.” He paused, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. ”Bring her to my secret base. I want her somewhere no one will find her.”

The girl nodded without hesitation. ”As you wish, Supreme Leader.”

She turned to leave, but Julius’s voice stopped her at the door.

”And kill her escort. I don’t care who they are. Soldiers, guards, companions... eliminate them all. The only one I want alive is Celine.”

( End Of Chapter )