Reborn As Noble

Chapter 231 The Encounter ( 231 )

”Hold!”

Erinetteʼs command rang out, sharp and decisive, slicing through the tension in the air.

Immediately, all three Pekkos skidded to a halt, dust swirling around them like a curtain of uncertainty.

Javierʼs eyes flickered with curiosity. ”Hah? Why stop—”

”Liana! Gloria! Prepare for battle!” Erinetteʼs tone brooked no argument.

Liana and Gloria instantly responded, gripping their weapons as their expressions turned serious, ready for whatever threat lay ahead.

Then—

A shadow flickered at the edge of the trees.

From the darkness, two figures emerged.

The first was a tall, cloaked figure draped in black robes, their face shrouded beneath a deep hood. An unnatural aura surrounded them, warping the very air as if reality itself recoiled.

Beside them loomed a massive man, his towering frame encased in thick, rune-inscribed armor. Resting against his shoulder was a colossal sword, its jagged black metal pulsing with a dark, eerie energy. At its center, a single crimson-red eye opened, locking onto them with a predatory gaze.

The moment Javierʼs gaze met the eye, a low, guttural whisper echoed in his mind.

(…Devour… Destruction… Blood… Give in…)

Yet, instead of fear, Javierʼs smirk remained, excitement igniting in his chest.

The cloaked figure stepped forward, voice smooth and mocking. ”My, my… What do we have here?”

They tilted their head slightly, amusement dancing in their tone. ”Fancy meeting you here, Erinette.”

Erinetteʼs expression didnʼt waver. With a fluid motion, she reached for her dual swords, drawing them with a sharp shing! as the blades glinted ominously in the dimming light.

The massive man with the cursed sword chuckled deeply, a sound that resonated with menace. ”Oho~ Looks like youʼre getting serious.”

Erinette raised one sword slightly, the other hanging low in a familiar battle stance. Her smile remained cold, a stark contrast to the chaos around them. ”What do you want, Blakor?”

The cloaked figure—Blakor—chuckled, their voice dripping with malice. ”What do I want? Hmm… Isnʼt it obvious?”

Javier, still leaning casually against Buddy, raised an eyebrow. This guy talks too much.

Then—

Erinetteʼs eyes widened slightly, as if realization struck her like a lightning bolt. No… It canʼt be…

Her grip on her swords tightened, the tension palpable.

Blakorʼs smirk deepened, sensing her unease. ”Oh? I see you figured it out. Took you long enough.”

Javier tilted his head, confusion mingling with curiosity. ”Hah? Whatʼs she realizing?”

Blakor spread his arms wide, a theatrical gesture that belied the threat he posed. ”Erinette, itʼs been a long time… Since we, the Seven Chaos, had business with the Armand family.”

Liana and Gloria tensed instantly, understanding the weight of his words.

Erinetteʼs eyes sharpened as she stepped forward, her voice low and dangerous. ”All of you…” she muttered under her breath.

Her expression darkened. ”Tch! All the stupid assholes are here.”

Blakor laughed mockingly, the sound echoing in the clearing. ”Oho~ You think you can handle us, Erinette?”

The bulky man with the cursed sword let out a deep, rumbling chuckle. ”Last time, you only won because it was five against seven.”

Blakorʼs hood shifted slightly as he sneered. ”Now? Youʼre all alone.”

Experience tales with

Erinetteʼs smile didnʼt fade, but the tension in her stance spoke volumes.

Javier, observing the exchange, suddenly grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Liana and Gloria stood beside him, weapons drawn and ready. Lianaʼs magic-infused bow glowed softly, an arrow of crackling energy forming at the ready. Gloriaʼs warhammer radiated heat, the edges burning with magical power.

Javier rested his chin on his hand, a playful smile curling his lips. ”Well… this just got interesting.”

Blakorʼs chuckle deepened, morphing into a full, dark laugh. ”This time, we came prepared with more!”

With a dramatic flourish, he spread his arms wide, shadows beginning to shift ominously around them.

Then—

Figures emerged.

Draped in dark robes, their faces obscured, they slipped out from the trees, the rocks, the very shadows themselves.

Ten.

Twenty.

Thirty.

No—

At least sixty or more.

Javierʼs sharp eyes flicked between them, quickly counting. Tch. Too many to kill one-by-one.

His mind raced through options—escape, ambush, or a surprise counter.

But then, instead of grinning like usual, he suddenly froze.

His eyes widened dramatically, and his face paled.

And then—

”M-Mama… Mamaaa~!”

He grabbed onto Lianaʼs arm, trembling as if struck by fear.

His voice turned high-pitched and whiny. ”Liana, Iʼm scared~! Waaaahhh!”

Blakor and his men burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the clearing.

”AHAHAHAHA!!”

One of the bulky assassins clutched his stomach, gasping between laughs. ”PFFT—LOOK AT HIM! Erinette, youʼre babysitting a crybaby!”

Blakor wiped a fake tear from his hood, grinning maliciously. ”This—this is too rich! And here I thought Count Garius had a talented son!”

Javier continued clinging to Liana, shaking exaggeratedly. His lips quivered, voice breaking. ”T-Thereʼs so many of them! Weʼre gonna d-die!”

Another assassin laughed loudly, his voice dripping with derision. ”Pfft! How pathetic!”

Even the one holding the cursed sword sneered, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Gloria hid her mouth behind her hand, shaking slightly—not from fear—but from the effort of stifling her laughter.

Liana sighed, rubbing her temple in exasperation. ”Young Master… really?”

Javier, still clinging to her, whispered under his breath, ”Play along.”

Lianaʼs eyes flickered with understanding, and a knowing smirk

Javierʼs fearful act continued.

But behind that exaggerated trembling—

His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

Blakor threw his head back, laughter erupting from him like a dark storm.

”AHAHAHAHAHA!!”

The other six members of the Seven Chaos joined in, their voices rising in a cacophony of mockery that filled the air like a chilling melody.

Blakor sneered, his red eyes glinting beneath the shadow of his hood. ”And Erinette! Seriously?! Youʼre still playing around with that oversized chicken?!”

He gestured mockingly toward Buddy and the other Pekkos, their imposing figures dwarfed by the looming threat of the wyverns.

”Look at us!”

Javierʼs ears twitched, a mix of irritation and amusement flickering across his face.

Then—

WHOOSH!

A powerful gust of wind swept through the clearing as twenty dark wyverns suddenly descended from the grim clouds above.

Their colossal, clawed feet struck the ground with a force that sent tremors through the earth, wings folding tightly behind them as they emitted deep, guttural growls that curdled the air.

The obsidian scales of the beasts shimmered ominously in the dim light, their glowing red eyes fixating on the group with predatory intent.

Blakor spread his arms wide, a grand gesture filled with arrogance. ”See?! The difference in strength is obvious!”

The Seven Chaos stood proudly, monstrous mounts behind them, exuding an aura of raw intimidation that thickened the atmosphere.

For a heartbeat, silence blanketed the scene.

Then—

Cuquawk!

Buddy let out a low, aggressive squawk, his feathers puffing up in defiance.

Pikko, standing beside him, lowered her head slightly, sharp eyes locked onto the wyverns, talons tense and ready.

Meanwhile—

Silverwind…

...casually continued preening his feathers, completely unfazed. Her beak moved gracefully, plucking away an unnecessary feather from her wing, as if oblivious to the impending threat.

Javier bit his lip, fighting back a laugh at the absurdity of it all.

But before he could comment—

THUD.

Two small bodies crumpled onto the ground.

Iria and Iziya had fainted, eyes rolling back, their tiny forms trembling from pure shock. They had barely adjusted to riding a speeding Pekko. Now, confronted with twenty monstrous dark wyverns, their minds simply shut down.

Gloria watched as the girls fell lifelessly onto the dirt, a soft, amused chuckle escaping her lips. ”My my~ That was faster than expected.”

Liana sighed, running a hand through her hair in exasperation. ”At least theyʼll be easier to carry now.”

Buddy squawked loudly, stomping the ground aggressively, eyes flashing with sharp, dangerous intent.

Pikko responded with a low, warning cry, feathers bristling, ready to spring into action at any moment.

Silverwind?

...Still grooming, blissfully unfazed by the escalating tension around him.

Javierʼs grin widened, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. ”Oh-ho~ This just got fun.”

( End of Chapter )