Reborn As Noble

Chapter 852: What the World Calls Bitter ( 852 )

Javier arrived at the cocoa farm atop Buddy, who walked with smug pride and excitement, his large frame moving in a slow, joyful trot, chest puffed out like a parade horse.

”Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~”

The oversized Pekko squawked non-stop, clearly enjoying the day.

From a distance, the guards stationed at the farm’s gate spotted the bright orange bird first.

One nudged the other. ”It’s the young master.”

Both straightened up the moment Javier and his maid arrive, fists over their chests, and bowed respectfully.

”Young Master Javier!”

Javier raised a hand casually, a relaxed smile on his face.

”At ease.”

”Yes, Young Master.”

Just ahead, the cocoa farm’s chief supervisor waited near the entrance path. The estate had already informed him of the visit through the mana talkie.

”Welcome, Young Master,” the man greeted with a warm bow.

”Oh! Mister Fringal!” Javier called out cheerfully as he slid down from Buddy’s back.

The moment his feet hit the ground, Buddy wandered off with a pleased squawk, found a nice patch of dry soil, and began scratching the ground with his claws, just like a giant, overgrown chicken. After circling twice and plopping down comfortably, he let out a satisfied huff and laid there like he owned the land.

Javier sighed with amusement. ”Every time...”

Gloria dismounted gracefully while Liana followed, both hiding small smiles behind their palms as they looked at Buddy’s dramatic dirt-claiming behavior.

Javier turned back to the farm chief.

”We ready to test the machine?” he asked, hands already rubbing together in excitement.

”Yes, Young Master. Everything is set,” Fringal replied with calm voice. ”We’ve prepared a fresh batch of cocoa for processing.”

”Excellent.” Javier’s eyes gleamed. ”Can’t wait for it.”

Liana and Gloria exchanged a look behind him.

”And here we go again~” Gloria whispered playfully.

”Another ’experiment’ day,” Liana replied with a soft laugh.

Javier strolled leisurely through the wide rows of cocoa trees, his gaze sweeping across the lush greenery that spread across the large farm. The afternoon sun cast soft shadows between the trees, and the faint scent of ripe pods lingered in the breeze.

He paused for a moment, smiling to himself.

”Looks like the trees are doing well... even though they’re not making any money yet,” he muttered, hands behind his back as he made his way toward the warehouse.

Fringal, walking beside him, nodded respectfully.

”Yes, Young Master. As instructed by Mister Alf, we’ve continued tending to the cocoa farm just like any other plantation. All harvests are stored in the warehouse within the grounds.”

Javier smirked.

”Good. I appreciate it. I know right now the cocoa fruits seem... pointless.” He glanced up at a tree as they passed beneath it. ”They don’t sell. No one eats them. People still think they’re useless. Just some weird, bitter fruit from a remote jungle only small, forgotten tribes know about.”

Fringal chuckled awkwardly. ”Yes, it’s not something we ever imagined cultivating here in the Armand region.”

Javier stopped walking and exhaled dramatically, and look at Fringal.

”I’m sorry, Mister Fringal.”

Fringal blinked, puzzled. ”Eh? Young Master?”

Javier slowly turned to him, then looked past him at the other farmers nearby who were just finishing up their work. Some were wiping sweat, some chatting casually near the edge of the warehouse.

With mock sorrow in his eyes, Javier raised a hand and shook his head.

”Truly, I’m sorry...”

Everyone froze.

A few workers straightened up, confused by his tone. Fringal looked around, unsure if something had gone wrong.

”Young Master, what do you mean?”

Javier let out another deep, theatrical sigh. Then, with narrowed eyes and a devilish grin, he pointed toward the warehouse.

”Because soon...” he said, voice rising with playful intensity, ”every single one of you will be... busy.”

Fringal looked confused, still unsure what Javier meant by ”busy.”

Meanwhile, behind him, Liana and Gloria exchanged a knowing glance.

”Here we go again,” Liana murmured softly, resting her hand on her hip. ”Young Master playing puzzles with everyone.”

”Indeed,” Gloria said with a graceful smile, her voice calm as ever. ”Truly, our Young Master.”

Javier ignored the sarcasm entirely. His smirk only grew wider.

”Well then,” he clapped his hands once, turning his attention back to Fringal. ”I believe the area for my machine testing is inside the warehouse?”

”Yes, Young Master,” Fringal nodded quickly, straightening his posture.

”Very good!” Javier’s voice lilted with excitement as he rubbed his palms together, eyes gleaming. ”Ehehehe...”

Then he glanced sidelong at Fringal. ”So, our white gold is also ready?”

”Yes,” Fringal confirmed. ”All prepared as Mister Alf instructed. Though we don’t have much in stock, only one crate, Young Master.”

”Wow... that’s a lot for testing purposes, but whatever~” Javier said, waving one hand dismissively as he stepped forward. ”Now, let’s go to the warehouse.”

The massive warehouse door groaned open, pulled by a group of farmers using reinforced winches enchanted for heavy loads.

Sunlight spilled into the vast interior, illuminating rows upon rows of towering crates stacked along the sides. Each crate was filled to the brim with harvested cocoa fruits, still whole, their rugged, reddish-brown shells giving off a faint earthy scent.

The space was enormous, with plenty of room to spare. Nearly half the warehouse was already occupied by the crates, and more were expected to come in over the coming weeks.

Javier stepped inside first, his eyes gleaming with childlike energy. Liana and Gloria followed calmly behind, hands folded neatly in front of them.

Along the left side of the warehouse, a specially partitioned area had been reinforced with cooling and preservation enchantments, magic crystals lining the walls kept the room at a controlled temperature and humidity, ensuring the cocoa fruits remained fresh, whether for pulp extraction or future processing.

Javier paused in the middle of the open floor and turned dramatically.

”All right, everyone! Make space!” he shouted, spreading his arms. ”And watch... the history of our Armand Region rise again!! Kikiki!”

The workers shuffled back. Many glanced at each other, unsure what to expect, but all were curious. Some wiped their foreheads. Others leaned on crates. A few kids from the farm had even snuck in from the side door to peek.

( End Of Chapter )