Reborn As Noble

Javier raised his hand, palm upward, as a small chunk of andamantite ore materialized above his palm. He watched it dissolve into liquid, forming into a shape before melting again, shifting and reforming in a slow, idle cycle as he spoke.

”Besides, the material used to build all of our personnel’s gear, from our guards, military, shadow units, special ops, and even our maid uniforms, are all made from the same high-quality materials. Klimar may have bought up all the mithril ore he could find, but the best he could do is mix two materials or craft it from raw ore.”

He paused, the liquid metal swirling into a perfect sphere before flattening into a thin, gleaming disk.

”I, on the other hand, have perfected the mixing of a precise portion of high-quality materials, from mithril to adamantite, to even the rarest white ore. Despite the gear looking like ordinary clothing, especially the maid uniforms, they are designed to withstand any magic attack, even if the barrier rune fails or faces an even greater power. And that’s not all. Every single one of our personnel is trained to fight effectively even without their gear, ensuring they are never completely reliant on their equipment.”

Javier let the material dissolve back into raw form, setting it down on the table before glancing at his father.

”Pardon me, Father, but as you all already know, the reason I crafted those special material gear, the mana rifles, and all the other advanced weaponry is not primarily to fight enemies from outside.”

He paused, his expression turning serious.

”It’s to counter my own puppet knights. I know I can control all of them, which now more than two hundred thousand, equipped with modern magic weapons and technology. But I must always consider the possibility that my control could be disrupted, or that someone could find a way to turn them against us. I need our forces to be prepared to face a threat that mirrors our own strength. That’s why every piece of gear, every weapon, and every training protocol is designed with that contingency in mind.”

Javier let out a long, weary exhale before continuing. ”That’s also why every single anti-air mana missile launcher has a safe manual override protocol, not just guarded by my puppet knights but also by higher-ranking officers across all installations. The battle drones have the same feature. In the event that my control is somehow compromised, every automated system can be manually overridden.”

He paused, rubbing the back of his neck.

”It’s not the puppet knights themselves that are the problem, nor any of the automated defense systems, radar, scanners, mana cannons, or anti-air mana guns installed throughout Armand. The problem is me. The puppet knights operate on a highly complex magic system that no one else could permanently take control of. The magic rune network, the command encryption, the soul-bound linking, it’s all tied to me in a way that makes external control nearly impossible. But if I were to be corrupted, controlled, or replaced... that complexity becomes a danger. The very thing that makes them secure could be used against us if I am no longer myself.”

He offered a sheepish smile, his voice lightening slightly. ”That’s what the gear for our personnel is for. In the event that my puppet knights go rogue, they have the means to defend themselves on equal footing, to survive long enough to reach and activate the safe manual overrides.”

His gaze dropped to the table, his voice growing quieter.

”That’s why the overrides exist. That’s why our personnel are trained to fight without their gear. Not because I don’t trust my creations, but because I don’t trust the possibility of myself becoming a threat to everyone I love.”

Garius glanced at Fransesca, and they exchanged a knowing look. Fransesca covered her lips with her palm, letting out a soft, melodic laugh, while Garius’s shoulders began to shake before he let out one of his rare, genuine laughs. He covered his eyes with his palm, shaking his head.

”You? Lost control? Being controlled by someone else?”

Javier rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. ”What? It’s a valid concern.”

Garius smiled, shaking his head before lifting a document without looking at Javier. ”You don’t need to worry about that. If something like that were to happen, there will be ’someone’ who would handle it.”

He paused, his smile softening into something more thoughtful.

”But... it’s good that you think that way. The greatest danger to any kingdom is not from without, but from within. A ruler who believes he is infallible is a ruler who has already failed. The fact that you consider your own weaknesses, your own vulnerabilities, and plan for them... that is the mark of true wisdom, and the sign of a true strategist.”

Garius glanced at Javier with a knowing smirk before speaking.

”And you have shown that you respect the weight of your own power. That alone tells me you will never become the threat you fear, because those who truly become a danger are the ones who never consider the possibility in the first place.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across all his sons, his voice carrying the weight of a father’s wisdom.

”All of you must remember this. Power, whether it is authority, strength, knowledge, or influence, is not something to be wielded lightly. It is a burden as much as it is a gift. Those who seek power for its own sake will eventually be consumed by it. But those who understand its weight, who respect its consequences, and who prepare for the worst while hoping for the best, are the ones who will endure. Never let your confidence blind you to your own vulnerabilities. Never let your strength make you forget your humanity.”

”Yes, Esteemed Father.” They all said in unison, with Javier slumping back in his chair, mumbling a quiet, ”Yes, Father.”

Garius gave a firm nod, his expression shifting back to business. ”Good. Now, let us return to the matter at hand. We have a response to prepare and a decision to make regarding Vurghen.”

He gestured toward the map of Vurghen and the surrounding regions.

”Whether we assist the second son or not, the fact remains that the northern border will be reopened. The question is not if, but when, and what our next move should be.”

He paused, his eyes sweeping over each of his sons.

”We have few options. First, we do nothing and let Vurghen fall, then secure our border to prevent the conflict from spilling into Armand. But if Vurghen falls, the northern coalition will control the entire region, making our border reopening meaningless. That would mean our traders would have to deal with corrupt nobles who tax their people heavily and are hostile toward Armand. The purpose of reopening the border would be undermined. We would gain nothing but a hostile neighbor.”

( End Of Chapter )