Reborn As Noble

Javier let out a long, weary exhale before smiling, watching as all their pekkos mocked the magic.

”Buddy...”

”Cuquawked?”

”You’re really looking down on this Bottomless Swamp, aren’t you?”

”Cuquawked? Cuquawked~” (What? Have you seen the Poison Swamp in the middle of the thick forest west of Armand, before the sea? That place was a dead land for years, full of toxic sludge and cursed muck. Ah, wait... I forgot~ That’s already been turned into a pool for the pekkos~)

”You mean the area everyone calls death pools back when I was still a child?”

”Cuquawked~” (Yep~ that one. My father purified it with ease, saying it was a waste of a perfectly good place. Even your father agreed~)

Buddy squawked in excitement again, splashing around as the dark, murky swamp began to shimmer and ripple. The murky water gradually cleared, turning into a bright, beautiful, crystal-clear pool. The bubbling mire vanished, replaced by clean, sparkling water that reflected the sky above.

All the pekkos now floated and swam in the clear water, dipping their heads and splashing around in pure delight.

Javier smirked, shaking his head before glancing toward the battlement, especially at the face of the Grand Mage, who stood frozen, his jaw slightly agape, staring at the scene in disbelief.

”I was going to let them enjoy their moment, and now you and all the other pekkos have ruined everything. Sigh... I was about to surprise them with my illusion magic, but now everything’s out in the open.”

”Cuquawked? Cuquawked~” (What? You can still show them more surprises. I’m sure the only ones affected by this are the mages~ You still have more tricks up your sleeve, right? The riders are still here, the battle hasn’t started yet, and those arrogant bastards on the wall are still thinking they have a chance. So go ahead, Master~ Show them something they’ve never seen before~)

Javier smiled before snapping his fingers. A ripple of shockwave pulsed outward from him, spreading across the clearing like a gentle wave, causing the water to shimmer and the air to hum with latent power.

Meanwhile.

At the top of the battlement.

Guranjar gritted his jaw, his knuckles whitening as he gripped his staff. His eyes burned with fury as he watched the massive monster birds treat his Bottomless Swamp like a recreational swimming pool.

He raised his hand, deactivating the skill. The dark magic dispersed, but the clear pool remained, the pekkos still splashing and swimming as if nothing had happened.

Kurashan sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. ”Well, well, well~ Look at that, Guranjar. Your ’inescapable’ Bottomless Swamp has become a monster bird’s pool. Should I send them some towels? Maybe some fruit drinks?”

Guranjar shot him a furious glare. ”Shut your mouth, Kurashan.”

Kurashan’s grin widened, his tone mocking.

”And here I thought you and your mage unit were supposed to be the backbone of Lord Zurakan’s forces. What was it you said? ’I have a way to ensure none of the enemy can escape’?” He mimicked Guranjar’s earlier tone. ”Well, they’re certainly not escaping~ they’re having a bath!”

Guranjar crossed his arms, facing Kurashan with a cold, controlled fury.

”We still have more magic and power at our disposal. That was just a single spell. Our mage unit has far more devastating abilities prepared. Do not mistake one failure for our entire capability.”

Kurashan’s smirk widened, his voice dripping with condescension.

”Really? Hmm? Or is it just more empty boasting?” He let out a low, mocking chuckle. ”Honestly, I don’t know why Lord Zurakan insists on having a separate mage unit from the magic knights. You lot just stand around chanting and waving your staves, and in the end, the enemy’s pets are having a pool party in your spell. Maybe we should just disband the mage unit and redistribute your funding to the magic knights instead. At least they know how to fight.”

Guranjar was about to retort before Kurashan just smirked and turned toward his captains.

”Everyone, ready! Aim at the enemy while they’re still busy! Fire at my signal!”

”Yes, Commander!”

All the soldiers aimed their enchanted flintlock muskets toward the pekkos, who were still splashing around in the pool. The cannoneers adjusted their aim, ready to unleash explosive rounds.

Kurashan smirked, turning toward Jakon.

”Jakon!”

”Yes, Commander?”

Kurashan crossed his arms, his confidence radiating as he spoke.

”Prepare our heavy cavalry units. Five hundred on the west flank, five hundred on the east. After the soldiers fire, on my signal, we’ll pincer them and leave none alive. We’ll show those Armand weaklings what true war from the strongest Zurakan Army looks like. They may have fancy toys and oversized birds, but they’ve never faced a coordinated assault from Lord Zurakan’s finest. Today, they’ll learn what it means to face real soldiers, and their precious monster birds will be nothing but roasted meat by sundown!”

Kurashan stepped forward, planting one foot firmly on the battlement ledge. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on his raised knee as his eyes narrowed, locking onto a single figure seated atop the largest orange monster bird at the head of the enemy formation.

Heh~ Just by looking at his outfit, I’m sure he’s a noble...

Kurashan’s eyes traced the young man’s clothing.

Fine fabric, tailored perfectly, adorned with marks of quality.

No... he’s not a noble. Since Armand doesn’t have noble families running any of their territories.

Unlike the other kingdoms, Armand had no ducal houses, no marquesses, no barons governing lands in the name of the crown. Every territory, from the capital city of Gazetown to the farthest border outpost, was governed by officials appointed directly by Garius himself.

Which means...

Kurashan’s smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with predatory excitement.

That young man must be one of the princes.

His fingers tightened around his crossed arms as his mind raced with possibilities.

A prince of Armand. Here. On the battlefield. Within reach.

If we manage to kill him and bring his head to Lord Zurakan...

The rewards would be beyond imagination. Lord Zurakan was generous to those who proved their worth, and delivering the head of an Armand prince would be an achievement unmatched by anyone in the entire army.

Ah~

I can see it~

A promotion to the highest rank, right hand to Lord Zurakan himself. A personal estate, perhaps one of the conquered territories placed directly under his command. Chests of gold, artifacts from the research division, the finest enchanted armor ever forged.

I won’t let this chance slip away, not when it’s already within my grasp~

He glanced sideways at Guranjar.

”Guranjar~ You and your ’tiny’ mage unit can assist if you want. Just make sure you don’t ’accidentally’ kill our own soldiers with your clumsy spells. I’d hate for my men to die from friendly fire before they even get to taste real combat.”

He tilted his head, his smirk widening.

”Though, considering how your last spell turned out, maybe ’assist’ is too strong a word. How about ’watch from a safe distance and try not to embarrass yourselves again’? I’m sure Lord Zurakan will understand if you sit this one out. After all, someone needs to keep the towels ready for when the enemy’s pets finish their swim.”

( End Of Chapter )