Reborn As Noble

At the same time.

Amazarak Fallen Nation.

The Summoned Hero Base.

Vane stood atop one of the tallest buildings, the cool night breeze ruffling his hair as he gazed up at the star-scattered sky. A glass of wine swirled gently in one hand, while the other rested casually in his pocket. A faint, knowing smirk played on his lips.

I don’t know what you’re planning, Princess Celine.

But I’ve already done what I must.

He took a slow sip of his wine, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

Let’s hope the report I provided will keep Julius chasing shadows long enough for you to slip through his fingers. The more time he wastes hunting for you in the wrong direction, the better it is for both of us.

A low, calm chuckle escaped Vane’s lips as he swirled the wine in his glass, watching the deep crimson liquid catch the moonlight.

Don’t get me wrong, Princess. I didn’t do this to help you or out of some sense of chivalry.

It’s simply because your escape benefits my own plans. The longer Julius is distracted chasing you, the more time I have to move my pieces into place without his notice. And I can’t afford to have him sniffing around my operations before I’m ready.

His smirk darkened, his eyes glinting with cold resolve.

And also... because Julius nearly laid his filthy hands on my girl. That alone is reason enough to make sure he fails.

He tilted his head back, staring up at the night sky once more.

I’ve been patient.

Patient with how Julius ignores my role as the main strategist for the whole team. Patient with how he dismisses me, the one who was his real friend back in the old world. The one who always looked after him, who did everything for him.

His grip on the glass tightened slightly.

And that day... when he nearly raped Fayna... that was the day my patience ran out.

Soon, Julius... Soon...

Once I have my hands on all the divine weapon fragments of the summoned heroes on this continent... that will be the day I crush you. Your arrogance, your power, your very existence. I’ll make sure you fall, not by some grand enemy, but by the very friend you chose to betray.

I don’t care about the Supreme Goddess anymore.

I don’t give a fuck about the plan to invade this continent, or whatever grand destiny she promised us. Let it all burn for all I care.

Because my main plan now is simple.

Find a way to crush you, Angrar and Karue. And every single one of the summoned heroes who looked down on me.

His jaw tightened, his eyes burning with cold fury.

I am the Vice Leader of all summoned heroes. The one chosen by Zeyrinda herself to be the main strategist. And yet, none of you ever listened. You all followed Julius like mindless sheep, laughing at my suggestions, ignoring my strategies, treating me like a burden rather than an asset.

Especially Angrar. That arrogant bastard always mocked me openly, calling me ”Julius’s shadow,” saying I only got my position because I was Julius’s friend from the old world.

His grip on the wine glass tightened, and with a sharp crack, the glass shattered in his hand. Crimson liquid mixed with blood dripped onto the rooftop.

Because you thought I was just the quiet one, the planner, the one without flashy powers? Fine.

He let the broken shards fall from his hand, watching them clatter on the stone below.

Soon, you’ll all learn just how wrong you were. Every one of you will pay for the disrespect, the mockery, the years of being pushed aside. I’ll make sure of it. Julius, Angrar, Karue... none of you will be spared. I’ll tear down your little hierarchy and watch you all burn.

Vane let out a long, slow exhale, the tension in his shoulders easing as he turned and began walking down the stairs. His hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm and unreadable.

By now, Jaigar and Gorak are probably captured... or killed by Armand.

Not that I care. They were arrogant fools who thought their brute strength made them untouchable. If they’re dead, they saved me the trouble of dealing with them later.

He continued descending, his footsteps steady and measured.

The Amazarak chief warned me about Armand. He said they shouldn’t be underestimated. A small nation, compared to the entire Human Kingdom, yet they won two wars against them. A small army, compared to the combined forces of the Human Kingdom and a coalition of nobles, yet they couldn’t even breach Armand’s borders.

He paused at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes narrowing.

That means Armand is not a nation to be made an enemy of. For years, we’ve gathered intelligence on them, and the only information we have is what any merchant or traveler could tell us. A former noble region of the Human Kingdom that declared independence, a place with full autonomy even before it became a nation.

And the information Julius and the others are using? It’s outdated. It’s from when Armand was still a region, not the nation it is now. They’re planning an invasion based on old maps and old rumors. They have no idea what they’re walking into.

And I have no intention of warning them.

Ever.

Thanks to this new information I gathered from the Amazarak chief, I now have a clearer picture of what I’m dealing with. This intelligence will become key to my plan.

The first step is already complete. I made sure all the intelligence delivered to Julius and the others consisted of outdated public information, the reports about Amand that they saw from their own spies were exactly what I wanted them to believe. Let them continue to think they are facing a weak region.

Let them underestimate Amand. And by the time they finally discover the truth, it will be too late.

He reached his office, the two guards stationed outside snapping to attention and saluting sharply. Vane nodded in acknowledgment before pushing the door open and stepping inside. He closed it behind him, his movements calm and deliberate.

He walked toward the safe in the corner of the room, crouching down and spinning the dial with practiced precision. The lock clicked open, and he pulled the heavy door ajar, revealing two gleaming falcatas resting inside. His divine weapons, granted by the Supreme Goddess Zeyrinda herself.

He stared at them for a long moment, his expression cold and detached.

I have no more use for these. Once Zeyrinda learns of my betrayal, she’ll strip these weapons of their power, leaving me with nothing but ordinary blades. I can’t rely on her gifts any longer.

He closed the safe, locking it securely before binding it with his own magic seal. He rose, walked to his desk, and sank into his chair, leaning back as he stared up at the ceiling.

Soon... when I have those weapon fragments, I will possess a power different from Julius, different from all of them. A power they cannot control, cannot counter, and cannot take away from me.

He exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing.

Let’s hope the Amazarak people I secretly sent manage to deliver the letter...

To the Sovereign of Armand.

( End Of Chapter )