Reborn As Noble

Chapter 416 416: Tactical Preparations ( 416 )

Next Morning – Armand Estate

The soft morning sun filtered through the curtains of Javierʼs bedroom, casting warm golden hues around the room. The air was still, quiet, and peaceful.

Javier lay nestled beneath the covers, his arm loosely draped over Liana and Gloria, who were both asleep at his sides.

Liana breathed softly, with her arms gently wrapped around him, her silver hair spilling over the pillow. Gloria, still clinging firmly to his other side, had a faint pout on her lips, one leg tangled over his.

Javier stirred slightly, blinking as he yawned and stretched—only to pause when he felt the weight of both women snugly against him. He blinked again and smiled.

”Huh…Looks like these two woke up a bit late today.”

”Then again, we got back late last night…”

He tilted his head slightly, taking in the peaceful expression on Lianaʼs face and the unusually cute way Gloriaʼs lips puffed out as she mumbled something incoherent in her sleep.

”Oh well. Letʼs let them rest a little longer.”

With a quiet chuckle, he slowly lowered himself back down, sliding an arm around both of them—carefully and gently, but wearing a warm, content grin. He closed his eyes again, pulling them a little closer.

”Canʼt wait to grow up and marry both of them.”

Suddenly, a soft knock echoed through the peaceful bedroom.

”Ugh… Who is it now?”

The door gently opened without waiting for a full response.

Stepping in with graceful precision were two familiar figures—Iria and Iziya. Both moved silently and stood formally, dressed in their pristine Armand maid uniforms. They stood just past the doorway.

”Young Master,” Iria said softly.

”...Hmm?” Javier blinked, still held in the warm embrace of Liana and Gloria. His tone was casual. ”Oh, Iria. Iziya. What do you need?”

”Lord Garius is calling for you,” Iziya said, her voice calm and delicate as a breeze.

Javier stared at them for a moment, then sighed lightly.

”Oh... itʼs already that time, huh?”

He slowly sat up, careful not to wake the two women still clinging to him. Liana shifted a little but didnʼt wake. Gloria mumbled something about sugar and turned her face into his pillow.

He waved lightly at Iria and Iziya.

”Alright, Iʼll head there. Thanks.”

They bowed silently and stepped out, gently closing the door behind them.

With a stretch and a big yawn, Javier made his way to the washroom. After a quick rinse and refresh, he returned looking sharp in a fitted dark shirt and a high-collared coat. He adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, checked his pocket for his mana talkie, and walked calmly toward his fatherʼs private study.

As Javier approached the heavy double doors of his fatherʼs private study, he saw the familiar sight of two elite guards in full armor standing at attention on either side. Both men straightened even further at his approach, fists over their chests in salute.

”Father inside?” Javier asked casually, hands in his coat pockets.

One of the guards nodded.

”Yes, Young Master. Lord Garius is inside, along with Mr. Alf and Mrs. Erinette.”

Javier raised an eyebrow slightly.

”Both of them, huh… Must be important.”

He knocked twice—sharp, but not too loud.

A calm, deep voice came from within.

”Come in.”

Javier opened the door and stepped inside, greeted by the familiar atmosphere of his fatherʼs study. Bookshelves lined the walls, a long map lay across the center table, and the light scent of parchment and tea lingered in the air.

At the far side, seated behind his desk, was Lord Garius himself—composed as always, his hands steepled beneath his chin. Standing to his right was Mr. Alf in his signature black uniform, silent and unreadable. To the left stood Mrs. Erinette, poised with her arms crossed, her expression calm but focused.

Javier stepped forward with his usual smirk, though his tone was respectful.

”Esteemed Father. You called for me?”

Garius gave a single nod.

”Yes.”

”Take a look at the map.”

Gariusʼs voice was firm but not unkind.

Javier moved toward the massive war table, where a full map of the Armand region showed terrain overlays, troop placements, relay points, and fortified zones. He scanned the display carefully.

”If you were the enemy…” Garius continued, his eyes fixed on him,

”…which way would you attack?”

Javier leaned in slightly, studying the lines, walls, and regions.

”Hmm…” he murmured thoughtfully.

”The border wall is heavily fortified. Attacking it head-on would be costly. The anti-air mana guns stationed along the top would make a direct approach a death sentence.”

He tilted his head, looking at Garius.

”Esteemed Father… may I know the details of the ʼenemyʼ forces?”

Garius nodded.

”A wyvern unit. Rider mages. High-speed aerial assault capability.”

Javierʼs eyes sharpened.

”So… air superiority. Not unexpected.”

He tapped the border wall zone gently.

”But a frontal air assault is foolish. Our anti-air mana guns, with radar-linked detection systems, are already set up across the walls. Anything flying directly in range will get blown out of the sky.”

He stepped to the side of the table and pointed toward the eastern coastal zone, where the terrain was more open.

”If I were them and I had over 100 wyvern riders…”

He drew a circle with his finger over the coastline.

”...Iʼd avoid the front entirely. Iʼd fly out over the ocean, loop around the coastline, and hit this side—less fortified, less expected.”

Gariusʼs lips curled into a faint, approving smirk.

”Good observation.”

He leaned slightly forward over the map, his eyes sharp.

”Then… how would you counter it?”

Javier crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the terrain.

”Iʼd install another array of anti-air mana guns along this side—here.” He pointed at the eastern coastal stretch, a mix of cliffs and sparse forest.

”Hidden within the tree line, covered by illusions, with high-angle positioning to cover the ocean approach.”

”At least three radar units spread apart to cover blind zones. And two puppet knight teams stationed as mobile backups—armed and ready to intercept anything that slips through.”

He glanced at his father.

”That way, if they try to bypass the border wall by air, theyʼll be caught in a kill zone before they even touch land.”

Garius nodded slowly, clearly pleased.

”Good.”

Then his tone shifted slightly—calm, but direct.

”Then Iʼll leave it to you. Take your anti-air mana guns and deploy them yourself. Choose the locations. Set the traps.”

Javier gave a relaxed smile.

”I was planning to.”

Garius sat back, his voice quiet but firm.

”Make sure no one sees you doing it. If the enemy gets suspicious, theyʼll change their route.”

Javier turned toward the door, already plotting the map in his head.

”Understood, Esteemed Father.”

( End Of Chapter )