Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

In the far distance from the Vurghen last town’s battlement.

Javier and Gracelle, now seated behind him and hugging him from behind, were on top of Buddy, leading the pekko rider unit. A thousand riders followed closely behind. Javier raised his palm, signaling them to stop.

He snapped his fingers, and a pair of mana glasses materialized in his hand. He slipped them on and pressed a rune on the side, activating a live feed from the Sky Eyes surveillance system.

A smirk spread across his face. ”Look at that~ They’ve already prepared in advance. Good coordination~ Love it. Full marks for effort.”

He tapped the side of the glasses, zooming in on the view and linking to one of the invisible drones hovering above the long battlement.

”Woohoo~ Magic artifacts. Every one of their mages is well-equipped.” Javier grinned, his tone dripping with subtle mockery. ”Some of them are even wearing multiple artifacts. Looks like my observations about their ’secret research’ project were spot on~ And damn~ those robes are enchanted with barrier stripes. Those bracelets are for boosting magical output. Yummy, yum, yum~”

He zoomed in further, focusing on the Grand Mage leader.

”And look at that long-bearded man, wielding that ’sacred staff,’ wearing the finest magical robe, and hooweee~ all ten of his fingers are covered in magic rings. I wonder if his toes are fully equipped too. And that necklace of power~”

Javier chuckled softly. ”I can tell exactly what each one does. The ring on his thumb is a mana capacitor, the one on his index finger is for elemental amplification, the bracelet is a channeling stabilizer, and that necklace is a high-grade mana reservoir.”

Javier shook his head, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips.

”Man~ that ’Grand Mage’ really prepared to face ’someone.’ But seriously~ if Marcellus saw this, he’d laugh out loud. They went all out researching those old artifacts because they think they’re overpowered. But the truth is, I’ve already studied and researched all of these artifacts back when I was a child. I even crafted better versions using my magic crafting skill.”

He tapped the side of his glasses, zooming in on the Grand Mage’s equipment.

”Those artifacts have weaknesses. The mana capacitor ring on his thumb? It can overload if too much mana is forced through it at once. The elemental amplification ring? It creates a slight delay in casting, leaving a tiny window of vulnerability. The channeling stabilizer bracelet? It can be disrupted by a sudden burst of chaotic mana. And that necklace of power? It’s a high-grade mana reservoir, but it takes time to recharge once depleted.”

He paused, his smirk widening.

”Their enchantments on weapons, armor, and other equipment are still focused on basic reinforcement and enhancement. They haven’t even begun to explore the concept of upgrading, layering enchantments, or creating adaptive magical equipment. They’re still stuck on the same magical development they’ve been using for... I don’t know... ages.”

He straightened, his voice calm.

”To think they have the nerve to say... what was it again?” Javier pretended to rub his chin while glancing up at the sky. ”’Show us our graveyard’?”

”Cuquawked?” (Master?)

”Hmm? What is it, Buddy?”

”Cuquawked!?” (Who are you talking to?)

”Huh? I was explaining all of that to you and Gracelle.”

”Cuquawked~” (How? That girl is already smitten and smiling like a creep while hugging you and sniffing your back~ You didn’t notice?)

”Eh?”

”Cuquawked~” (Master, master~ Enough talking to yourself already. You look like someone who’s crazy, talking to the air~)

”Ugh!” Javier exhaled, narrowing his eyes at Buddy, who tilted his head to the side while glancing at him. ”I thought you were listening to what I was saying.”

”Cuquawked? Cuquawked~” (You really are crazy. Do you think a pekko like me cares about those details? I’m a huge monster bird, not a researcher~ All I care about is that you feed me meat, sweet fruits, special fruits, and don’t forget, Master, once this is done, I want to eat those rainbow fruits you stashed inside your dimensional storage~)

”Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Javier glanced over his shoulder and noticed Gracelle was already smitten, burying her face against his back, tightening her hug as she pressed her cheek against him. She mumbled in a very soft, low voice.

”Ah... my handsome husband~ I finally get to talk to him, hug him... and soon~ Tehehe~”

”Cuquawked~” (Oho~ Master~)

”What?” Javier rolled his eyes while Buddy smirked with his beak.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~” (Looks like it won’t be hard for you to claim this girl soon. I know this girl isn’t that shy. More like she was just waiting for you to make the first move~) Buddy wiggled his eyebrows with a teasing glint.

Javier rolled his eyes, letting out a long, weary sigh before straightening his posture. ”Alright, alright. Let’s focus on this and get it done fast. The sooner we wrap things up, the sooner we can go home.”

”Cuquawked~” (I was waiting for that, but someone suddenly started talking to the air~)

Just as Javier was about to retort, a voice called out from his side.

”Your Highness?”

Javier glanced to his right, where one of his officers had guided his pekko alongside Buddy. The man placed his palm flat against his left chest in a crisp salute, his expression serious and composed.

”Your Highness, the enemy has formed their defensive line along the battlement. What are your orders? How shall we proceed with the attack formation?”

Javier rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he studied the distant battlements through his mana glasses. A slow smirk spread across his lips.

”Since the enemy is looking down on us, thinking we’re just a thousand riders... let’s not disappoint them just yet.” He lowered his glasses slightly, glancing at the officer. ”Tell everyone to use their Glocks only. No assault mana rifles, no mana guns. Just the old sidearms.”

The officer’s eyes widened, his composure cracking for a moment. ”Y... Your Highness? Are you sure? The Glocks are effective, but against a fortified position with tower shields and mage support...”

”Yes.” Javier’s smirk widened as he pointed toward the distant battlement. ”See those tower shields they’re lining up over there? The big, shiny ones they’re so proud of?” He let out a soft chuckle. ”If we start attacking them with our mana rifles, just two or three shots would shatter those shields into pieces. Their morale would crumble instantly, and where’s the fun in that?”

He leaned back slightly, his tone dripping with amusement.

”I want to see their arrogance first. I want them to think they’re winning. Let them believe their shields can hold, that their mages are superior, that their preparations mean something. Let them taste a sliver of confidence before we rip it away.”

He tapped the side of his glasses, zooming in on the enemy commander standing atop the battlement. ”That man up there thinks he’s about to teach us a lesson. I want to see his face when he realizes he’s the one who’s been attending class all along.”

The officer blinked, then a slow grin spread across his face. ”I understand, Your Highness. Shall I relay the orders?”

”Do it. Glocks only. Fire on my signal. Let them have their moment for now~ and I have something I want them to ’experience.’”

”Yes, Your Highness!” The officer saluted again before pulling his pekko around and riding down the line, tapping his mana talkie and relaying orders to the waiting riders with their eager pekkos.

Javier turned back toward the battlement, his smirk never fading.

”Let the show begin.”

”Cuquawked~” (Yes~ Let’s have some fun~)

( End Of Chapter )