Reborn As Noble

Chapter 78 Plans in Motion ( 78 )

”Oh, Liana?” Javier called out, his tone laced with his usual playful mischief.

”Yes, young master?” she replied, her expression calm but watchful as always.

”I donʼt want my mother to worry about assassins,” Javier said, his face unusually serious for a moment. ”Can we use a monster attack as an excuse instead?”

Liana tilted her head slightly, raising an elegant brow. ”And how are we going to do that, young master?”

A wide grin spread across Javierʼs face as he reached into his magic storage, the air shimmering faintly as he rummaged through its invisible depths. With a dramatic flourish, he pulled out the massive, hulking bodies of five trolls, their grotesque forms sprawled across the forest floor.

Liana blinked at the sight, her composure only briefly slipping. ”Youʼve been carrying those... this whole time?”

”Of course!” Javier said proudly, dusting off his hands. ”I knew theyʼd come in handy someday. A little trolling to cover up the truth. Ehehe!”

Liana sighed softly, her lips twitching as if suppressing a smile. ”If thatʼs your wish, young master, then so be it. But...” she paused, glancing at the gruesome troll corpses. ”We should make it convincing. Their injuries will need to match the supposed ʼattack.ʼ”

Javier nodded enthusiastically. ”Right! Iʼll handle it. Buddy!” he called to his Pekko, who let out an eager squawk. ”Help me make it look messy!”

As Javier began strategically staging the trolls, adding slashes, burns, and crushed limbs to simulate a chaotic battle, Liana stood to the side, watching with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

”Young master, you truly have a... unique way of solving problems,” she said, shaking her head lightly.

”And thatʼs why you love me, right?” Javier quipped, tossing her a cheeky grin.

Liana rolled her eyes but smiled softly. ”Haaa... Letʼs just hope your mother buys it.”

”Oh, she will,” Javier said confidently, stepping back to admire his work. ”Now, letʼs head back before anyone gets suspicious. Ehehe!”

”Oh, by the way, Liana...” Javier began casually, pulling something from his pocket. ”I found this on the assassin leaderʼs body.”

He held up a polished emblem bearing the crest of the Count Armbost Household.

Lianaʼs relaxed demeanor shifted instantly, her eyes narrowing as she took the emblem from his hand to inspect it closely. Her expression turned deadly serious. ”Young master, this changes everything.”

Javier blinked at her reaction, scratching his head. ”What? Isnʼt it fine if we just stick with the troll attack story?”

Liana shook her head, her tone firm. ”The troll excuse wonʼt be enough to cover this up. This emblem is proof that a noble house is involved in the attack on our estate. I need to report this to Lord Garius immediately.”

Javier groaned, running a hand through his messy black hair. ”Ehhh... but thatʼs going to make things so complicated.”

”Iʼm sorry, young master,” Liana said firmly, clutching the emblem. ”But if we fail to report this now, it could lead to a much bigger problem later. If Lord Garius has this information, he can prepare a countermeasure or plan for the future. This isnʼt something we can ignore.”

Javier sighed dramatically, slumping his shoulders. ”Ahhh, what a waste of perfectly good troll bodies. Do you know how much gold we couldʼve made selling those?”

Liana blinked at him, exasperated.

”Buddy! Weʼre ruined!” Javier exclaimed, throwing his arms up as he turned to his Pekko.

The large bird squawked in response, as if echoing its masterʼs despair.

Liana let out a soft sigh but couldnʼt suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. ”Haaa... Young master, your priorities are truly... unique.”

Javier gave her a cheeky grin. ”What can I say? I have a talent for seeing the bigger picture—like how many gold can add to our future.”

Liana simply shook her head, tucking the emblem into her pocket. ”Letʼs return to the estate quickly. Iʼll ensure this reaches Lord Garius without delay.”

”Fine, fine. But if Father starts another lecture, Iʼm blaming you.”

”Blame me all you want, young master,” Liana replied with a smirk. ”Iʼm used to cleaning up after your messes.”

With a resigned huff, Javier climbed back onto Buddy. ”Come on, Buddy. Letʼs head home before anyone else decides to ruin our day.”

The Pekko squawked again, as if wholeheartedly agreeing, and they headed back toward the estate, the staged troll attack now a distant memory.

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Once arrive at the manor, Liana quickly gathered her thoughts and sought out the butler, Alf. She found him in the hall, and without hesitation, she reported the incident. ”Sir Alf, we encountered a group of assassins in the forest. I managed to fend them off with young master Javier and his Pekko. Hereʼs the evidence.” She handed him the emblem of Count Armbost.

Alf took the emblem, his brow furrowing as he examined the insignia. ”This is troubling,” he said, nodding in acknowledgment. ”Iʼll inform Lord Garius immediately.” He turned on his heel and headed straight toward Lord Gariusʼs study room.

Lord Garius sat at his desk in the grand study, his piercing eyes scanning the emblem of Count Armbost. His personal maid stood quietly behind him, while his butler, Alf, recounted the report he had received.

”So, Liana found this on the assassin leaderʼs body?” Lord Garius asked, his voice calm but heavy with authority.

”Yes, my lord,” Alf replied with a respectful bow. ”According to her, she was accompanying young master Javier on a stroll in the forest... with their Pekko.”

The mention of the Pekko earned a sharp raise of Lord Gariusʼs eyebrow. ”A stroll... in the forest... with a Pekko.” He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. ”So, youʼre telling me Liana managed to handle all the assassins by herself?”

”Not entirely, my lord,” Alf said cautiously. ”Liana reported that young master Javier was protected by his Pekko, while she fought the assassin group alongside her own Pekko.”

Lord Garius blinked, staring at Alf. ”Liana has a Pekko?”

”Yes, my lord. It seems to have been a... recent addition.”

Lord Garius let out a deep sigh, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the gravity of the situation. ”That girl. Sheʼs full of surprises. It seems sheʼs far more capable than I initially thought. Perhaps we should assign her as Lady Francescaʼs personal maid. A talent like hers would be better suited for protecting someone of her status.”

Alf hesitated, his expression tightening. ”With respect, my lord, Lady Francescaʼs current maids are already highly skilled. However, according to the lady herself, only Liana seems capable of handling young master Javierʼs... mischievous and cheeky antics.”

Lord Garius let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. ”Ah, yes. My youngest son is a... unique challenge. Itʼs true that Liana seems to have an uncanny ability to keep him in line.”

The personal maid standing silently behind Lord Garius finally spoke up, her voice calm and measured. ”Lianaʼs loyalty and composure are unmatched, my lord. If she can manage young master Javier while protecting the estate from assassins, sheʼs exactly where she needs to be.”

Lord Garius nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. ”Fair enough. Iʼll have to speak with her personally later to commend her efforts. Sheʼs proven herself invaluable once again.”

He turned his attention back to the emblem in his hand, his expression darkening. ”But this... the Armbost household. Theyʼve crossed a line.”

Alf stepped forward. ”What is your command, my lord?”

Lord Gariusʼs gaze sharpened, the weight of his authority filling the room. ”Increase security around the estate. Double the guards on Lady Francesca and the other wives. And make sure Javier doesnʼt wander off into the forest again, especially not with his Pekko as his only protection.”

Alf smirked faintly. ”Understood, my lord. Though keeping young master Javier contained... may be the most difficult task of all.”

Lord Garius allowed himself a rare, amused smile. ”That boy is trouble. But heʼs my son. And as long as Iʼm here, no one will harm this family.”

Lord Garius tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the polished oak desk, his gaze sharp and calculating. His decision had been made. ”And Alf...”

The butler stepped forward, his posture unwavering. ”Yes, Lord Garius?”

Garius leaned forward, his tone firm. ”Meet with our personal army leader. Inform him to increase patrols across the town, estate, and all the villages within our territory. I want the roads secured, and our borders reinforced. Any unusual activity must be reported immediately.”

”Understood, my lord.” Alf inclined his head, ready to carry out the orders.

Gariusʼs voice deepened, signaling the seriousness of his next directive. ”Double the guards at the mines as well. Those mines are a key asset, especially after Javierʼs discovery. Use our personal military for this task and ensure their loyalty is rewarded—give them a bonus. Let them know their efforts are appreciated.”

”It will be done, my lord.”

Garius leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. ”And one more thing. Inform the maids to remain armed. Ensure they wear their battle maid uniforms at all times while on duty. Our household income has seen significant growth thanks to the mines, and we canʼt afford to be complacent.”

Alf allowed himself a small nod of approval. ”A wise precaution, my lord. I will see to it personally.”

”Good. Additionally, begin a recruitment campaign. Seek out talented individuals—be they warriors, mages, or specialists—for our household. I want the Armand family prepared for any eventuality.”

Alfʼs lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile. ”It seems youʼre anticipating more trouble on the horizon, Lord Garius.”

Garius gave a faint smirk, his eyes filled with determination. ”Anticipating trouble is whatʼs kept this family alive and rising. Weʼll not just endure; weʼll thrive.”

”As you wish, my lord.” Alf bowed deeply before leaving the study to execute the Viscountʼs orders, his mind already racing with plans to implement the new strategies.

The room grew quiet again, the heavy air of preparation lingering. Lord Garius knew that the threats to his family wouldnʼt end here, but as always, he would face them head-on—just as the head of the Armand family always had.

( End of Chapter )