Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

Inside the Meeting Room.

Garius, Fransesca, and the other queens watched as Javier spoke in hushed tones into his mana talkie, his expression shifting between tension and relief.

”So... it’s all settled then?”

Mimi’s voice crackled through the device. ”Nya? Yes~ Big Sis Liana stopped Big Sis Gloria from going all out. She’s calmed down now.”

Javier let out a relieved exhale. ”Thank God nothing serious happened. If anything comes up, contact me, okay?”

A soft crackle, then Mimi’s cheerful voice responded. ”Nya~ Okay, Husband... eh? Eeeeppp!! I was talking to...”

Before she could finish, Liana’s voice came through, her tone sweet and melodic. ”Ara~? Young Master~?”

Javier’s eyes widened slightly. ”Ah... Liana...”

”My, my~ Why not contact me directly, hmm?” Her voice carried a playful, feigned hurt. ”Could it be that you don’t love me anymore? Or perhaps... you’ve forgotten about me?”

”What? No way! I did try to contact you earlier, and the others, but there was no response. So I contacted Mimi instead.”

”Oh my~ Is that so~?” Liana’s voice dripped with mock innocence. ”I thought you had already forgotten about me, Young Master~”

Javier exhaled, shaking his head. ”No. Next time, make sure your mana talkie is always with you.”

Liana let out a soft laugh. ”I always have it with me, Young Master. I just don’t keep it on my ear all the time. It’s not comfortable thing to wear for long periods, you know.”

Javier paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ”I’ll craft something more suitable for you and the others. Perhaps a handheld mana talkie, like the one Lyzia has?”

Liana’s voice softened, carrying a hint of warmth. ”You don’t have to go through the trouble, Young Master. But if you insist... well, perhaps it would be nice for all of your wives to have one. Even though we already have our mana phones.”

Javier nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. ”Alright. I’ll craft something for all of you later. But for now, I need to end the call. The meeting is still ongoing.”

Garius cleared his throat the moment the call ended, his eyes shifting to Javier with his usual stern and serious expression. ”Are you done?”

Javier rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin. ”Yes, Father. Sorry.”

Fransesca shook her head with an affectionate smile, while her co-wives exchanged amused glances, their expressions softening with quiet laughter. Marcellus nudged Javier’s side, chuckling quietly, while Cedric, Aelius, and Heres smirked in amusement.

Garius gave a slow nod. ”Good. Now we will continue with the next important matter.”

”Yes, Father.”

Garius gestured to Alf, who stepped forward gracefully, carrying a set of detailed maps and documents. He placed them carefully on the long table, spreading them out with practiced precision.

Garius’s voice was calm and measured as he began.

”I have been considering reopening the Armand Northern border again. Even though the border relief program is still in effect, providing monthly funds to the towns and villages affected by its closure, I believe it is time to restore full access.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the documents before him.

”The funds have ensured stability and prevented economic collapse in the province. The Armand merchant guild has been actively buying local goods and reselling them across our nation and to allied territories, maintaining a steady flow of commerce. The local economies are functioning, but they are operating at a fraction of their potential.”

He lifted a paper, scanning its contents before continuing.

”Thanks to the relief program Javier proposed, even with the border closed for this long, our people have not suffered. However, they are growing restless. They miss the movement of travelers, the exchange of goods, the rhythm of daily life that comes with an open border. They want to see progress and the return of normalcy. Reopening the border will restore direct trade routes, increase revenue, and allow the northern provinces to thrive once more.”

He set the paper down, a faint smile crossing his lips.

”Even if the relief program hasn’t put a dent in our treasury... it is still time to let our people breathe freely again.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across his sons.

”However, reopening the border is not a decision to be made lightly. We need to assess the current situation, the potential risks, and the readiness of our forces before we proceed. Especially with the civil war raging in the Human Nation.”

Garius leaned back, crossing his arms as he continued.

”As you all know, from the reports gathered by our mana satellites, Sky Eyes, ground scouts, and intelligence networks, the Human Nation is now in the worst civil war it has ever seen. Garka and Turka are locked in conflict with each other, especially after Tybalt chose to align with us and became our vassal, receiving our protection, trade routes by sea, and economic support. Mathrias, where Gracelle’s family, Rolland and Sylvia, reside, is now under our protection as well.”

He paused, his expression growing more serious.

”With the war escalating, refugees are beginning to flee the conflict zones. Some are heading toward our borders, seeking safety.”

Garius’s gaze shifted directly to Javier. ”How is the ’adventurer party’ escort mission progressing?”

Javier straightened, his expression focused. ”My ’knights’ have successfully escorted them out of the active warzone. They’re currently using forest routes to bypass noble soldiers and patrols, as well as avoiding border checkpoints. It will take more time, though, since the refugees are traveling with horse-drawn carriages, which move slowly.”

He paused, his voice steady. ”I will do my best to protect them. My puppet knights, disguised as adventurers, are traveling with them and will ensure their safety until they reach safer territory.”

Garius nodded slowly, a flicker of approval in his eyes. ”Good.”

He paused, letting the silence settle before continuing. ”Now... there is a specific reason why I am considering reopening the border, despite the ongoing civil war.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his fingers interlaced.

”We have already handled a massive wave of refugees before. The people of Arjam, who now live under our protection and rule under Princess Kliatana, have integrated into our nation and are thriving. We have the experience, the resources, and the infrastructure to manage another influx if necessary.”

His gaze swept across his sons, his voice steady and deliberate.

”We have also received a desperate, confidential request from the noble region bordering us to the north. The pressure of the war is creeping closer to their lands, and they seek... a way out, a path to stability that their current allegiance can no longer provide.”

( End Of Chapter )