Reborn As Noble

Meanwhile.

At the huge tree.

The figure stood in full dark plate armor, his arms crossed casually, a dark cape billowing gently behind him in the evening breeze. His posture was regal, calm, and unhurried, his gaze fixed on Javier from afar, watching the display of power with quiet interest.

He glanced over his shoulder, noticing another figure standing on a nearby branch, having appeared without a sound.

”Ah... Garius’s right hand.” His voice was deep and resonant, carrying a weight of old familiarity. ”It’s been so long since we last met.”

Alf stood with one hand behind his back, his butler outfit immaculate, his other hand gently adjusting his monocle. A faint smirk played on his lips as he met the figure’s gaze.

”Indeed. It has been quite some time.”

The figure let out a low, knowing chuckle, his gaze shifting slightly as he noticed another presence. A woman in a maid outfit stood on a different branch, her glasses catching the fading light as she nudged them up with a practiced motion.

”Ah... Erinette. You’re here too?” The figure’s voice carried a hint of amusement. ”I’m surprised. The right and left hands of Garius, both here at the same time. I never thought I’d see the day.”

He tilted his head, his voice calm and measured.

”Since you’re both here... I assume Garius is also nearby, isn’t he?”

The figure stood with his arms still crossed, his dark cape shifting gently in the breeze. He noticed another presence appear beside him without a sound, a man with both hands clasped behind his head, relaxing as if he had not a care in the world.

He wore a royal coat of gold and deep black, tailored and regal, fitted for someone who carried themselves with absolute confidence. A confident smirk played on his lips.

”What are you doing here, Primarch? Or should I say... Pride?”

Primarch let out a low chuckle, still crossing his arms as he glanced at the newcomer.

”Ah... Garius. It’s been a long time.” He paused, his voice calm and measured. ”I’m just here to retrieve my ’siblings.’ Our master is quite... displeased that they slipped out before the right time. They were supposed to wait. But they never listen.”

”Is that so?” Garius pulled out a small snack bag from his coat, opening it with casual ease. He took a piece of dried fruit and munched on it thoughtfully, his posture relaxed. He squatted down, his eyes fixed on Javier in the distance, watching his youngest son handle the aftermath of the battle.

Garius’s eyes turned serious, his voice dropping into a low, measured tone.

”Let me ask you something, Primarch. Do you plan to get in the way? Or harm my family?”

Primarch let out a dark, knowing chuckle, his arms still crossed.

”Unlike my unruly siblings, I take pride in keeping my master’s commands. I have no intention of harming your children. Not today. Not unless my master orders it.”

He paused, his voice dropping into something smooth and self-assured.

”Unlike them, I know the value of restraint. Of patience. Of knowing when to act and when to simply... observe. So rest assured, Garius. Your precious children are safe from me. For now.”

Garius chewed another piece of dried fruit, his expression calm and unreadable. The evening wind stirred his coat as he watched Javier below.

”Good. Then we won’t have a problem.”

He flicked the remaining piece of dried fruit into the air, and it floated before him, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. He turned to face Primarch, his smile calm but carrying a quiet, unspoken threat.

”You should know how I am when it comes to my family, especially that boy. If anything were to happen to him... or to any of my children... I would tear apart the realms where you and your master are. And I wouldn’t stop until nothing remained.”

Primarch crossed his arms, turning to face Garius fully with a smirk.

”You can feel at ease, Garius. I’m not here to fight. That would only cause me a great deal of trouble, and I have no desire to face your wrath today.”

He slowly began to fade from where he stood, his form dissolving into wisps of shadow, his voice echoing softly through the air as he disappeared.

”When the time comes, Garius... we will meet again. Until then... enjoy your peace while it lasts.”

Alf adjusted his glove before placing a palm on his left chest, his voice calm but curious. ”Your Majesty?”

”Yes, Alf?”

Alf’s smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement as he spoke. ”Are you truly certain about letting an enemy such as Primarch leave this place so easily? A being of considerable power. Would it not have been better to eliminate him while we had the chance? It seems unlike you to allow someone like him to walk away.”

Erinette nodded softly, clasping both hands in front of her maid dress before bowing slightly. Her voice carried a note of gentle concern.

”Yes, Your Majesty. Forgive my forwardness, but allowing someone as dangerous as him to depart freely... it could pose a threat to the family in the future.”

Garius let out a low chuckle, his expression calm and unhurried. He reached into his coat, pulling out another piece of dried fruit and popping it into his mouth before speaking.

”Ah~ About that. Don’t worry too much about it.”

He chewed thoughtfully, his gaze drifting toward the horizon.

”If I wanted to, it would take less than a second for me to finish him. Primarch knows that. He wouldn’t be able to fight back, and he wouldn’t be able to run away if I truly wished to end him. He’s well aware of that fact.”

He paused, his voice dropping into something more measured.

”But killing him before the right time would be pointless. His master would simply summon him back, stronger, angrier, and more difficult to handle. Destroying him now wouldn’t be permanent. It would just be a temporary victory. We’d just be cutting off a branch while the root remains untouched. That would only make their master more cautious, more prepared.”

He smiled, his eyes carrying a knowing glint.

”So for now, we let them roam. We let them think they have freedom. When the time comes, we’ll make sure they never rise again.”

( End Of Chapter )