Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1108: Background Infiltration and Banter ( 1108 )

Javier exhaled, looking at the paperwork that was now significantly thinner, only a few documents remained. He glanced toward where the shadow leader’s assistant sat invisibly on a nearby chair.

”So... tell me...” Javier said while scanning one of the remaining reports.

”Yes, Your Highness?”

”Armand security is tight. Like with the guy from vampire clan before, we were able to detect him and handled the problem long before he could even reach the estate.”

”Yes, Your Highness. It is as you mentioned. Our security is top-tier, layered with magical, technological, and physical defenses.”

”So... how did that beastkin manage to get so close to the main gate?”

”According to our investigation unit, this beastkin was a new worker for one of our regular suppliers, Mister Sargon, who provides raw food supplies such as meat. He has been a contracted supplier for Armand even before you were born, Your Highness.”

”Oh. Mister Sargon. Yeah, he’s a trusted man. So he didn’t bring his usual workers?”

”He did, Your Highness. Today was the scheduled delivery day. Since His Majesty and King Lioness are close allies, beastkin nationals have relaxed travel and work permits within Armand territories. This beastkin had come and gone several times before, helping unload supply crates without issue. Today, however, while Mister Sargon and his team were occupied with the latest shipment, he slipped away from the unloading zone and moved toward the main gate.”

”Hmm...” Javier pulled out his mana device and checked the logs. ”No wonder there was no warning from my Sky Eyes, mana satellites, or scout drones. He was already inside the perimeter with legitimate clearance.”

”Yes, Your Highness. He never triggered any perimeter alarms because he entered through the standard supply chain protocols. By the time our automated systems flagged his deviation from the expected route, he had already covered significant ground toward the restricted zone.”

Javier set down the report. ”And Sargon?”

”He has been temporarily detained for questioning, along with his other workers, Your Highness. However, it is only for standard procedure. Sargon and his long-term crew are considered trusted and have never shown signs of disloyalty.”

Javier continued scanning the paperwork, his expression thoughtful. ”I agree. Sargon has been a loyal supplier for decades. This wasn’t a failure of trust, but a classic case of ’Background Infiltration’, using a legitimate entry point and trusted personnel to bypass initial scrutiny.”

He paused and smirked, glancing toward the empty chair again. ”You’re familiar with the concept, I assume?”

The shadow leader’s assistant nodded, a faint smile in his voice. ”Yes, Your Highness. That’s basic tradecraft in infiltration, espionage, and assassination.” The shadow leader’s assistant’s voice carried a hint of professional appreciation. ”Standard practice for any competent shadow unit or intelligence operative.”

Javier nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back to the report. ”Then you also know the most dangerous part isn’t the infiltration itself, it’s what comes after. The fact that he was caught before reaching the inner walls doesn’t guarantee he was working alone.”

The shadow leader’s assistant nodded. ”It is as you say, Your Highness. By the time the beastmen arrived at the Armand Estate main gate, we had already deployed our best Shadow units, counter-intelligence operatives, and aerial spy drones.”

Javier chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. ”Right. I keep forgetting I’m talking to a professional.” He picked up the next report, but his eyes lingered on the empty seat a moment longer. ”Must be boring for you, explaining the obvious to a ’little prince who’s still ’learning’.”

”Not at all, Your Highness.” There was a soft chuckle from the side. ”It’s reassuring to know our future king understands the fundamentals.”

Javier’s smirk widened, but he said nothing, returning his attention to the paperwork.

Meanwhile, behind Javier’s chair, on the long couch, a soft chuckle escaped Gloria’s lips.

”Ara~ First wife... did someone just call himself a ’little prince’ who’s still ’learning’?” she cooed, her voice laced with playful mockery.

”Indeed, second wife.” Liana raised her palm, giving Gloria a playful side-glare. ”He is still ’learning’... but he learns quickly, especially when it comes to certain... practical lessons~”

Gloria adjusted her glasses, her smirk deepening. ”Oh? Practical lessons? Like the ones you gave him on the warship? Or the ones he gave you all night long~?”

Liana’s cheeks flushed slightly, but her expression remained composed. ”I believe you’re the one who received the first ’practical lesson’ in the crew quarters, second wife~”

”Ah, but mine was a single, satisfying round~” Gloria leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ”While someone else got a whole night of ’advanced training’~”

Liana exhaled softly, a faint smile touching her lips. ”Advanced training requires a more... dedicated instructor.”

”Really, first wife?” Gloria gave Liana a playfully narrowed gaze.

Liana returned the look with a subtle, knowing smile. ”Yes. Do you doubt the authority of the first wife among us, second wife?”

”Ah~ You wound me, dear first wife~” Gloria placed a hand over her heart, feigning hurt. ”To think you’d remind me of my place so mercilessly~ After all the ’teamwork’ we’ve shared, both in and out of uniform~”

Javier exhaled, turning his head to peek over his chair. ”Liana... Gloria.”

”Yes, Young Master?” Both glanced at him and bowed politely as usual, but this time there was a subtle, almost mischievous glint in their eyes that made Javier narrow his own.

”Ugh! I can feel the ’silent war’ going on behind my back...” Javier muttered, rubbing his temples. ”It’s giving me a headache.”

”Ara, first wife~” Gloria smiled sweetly. ”He says we’re giving him a headache. But he seems to have forgotten about the headaches he’s given us~”

”Yes, second wife~ He’s forgotten about ’our’ headaches. Ah~ I still remember having to chase a certain ’boy’ around when he was still mischievous. The other maids all surrendered trying to keep up with him~ But there was only one ’elf’ maid with emerald eyes and silver hair who never gave up~” Liana said, a hint of nostalgia in her tone.

”Yes, first wife~” Gloria chimed in, her voice dripping with playful accusation. ”He’s also the one who slowly, deliberately, and quite charmingly, gathered us all together, promising each of us a place in his heart, and then conveniently ’forgot’ to make it official~”

( End Of Chapter )