Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1005: Shaping the Future ( 1005 )

Once they arrived at Javier’s personal workshop, Aelius watched as Buddy came rushing toward them, feathers fluffed.

”Cuquawked!!!”

The huge Pekko nuzzled his head insistently against Javier’s shoulder.

”Oi! We just got back last night! Don’t tell me you miss me already!”

”Cuquawked!!”

”Oh... right. I promised you meat, didn’t I?”

”Cuquawked!!”

”I’ll give it to you later. Jeez! You know Father’s wedding hasn’t even started yet!”

Buddy turned his head and narrowed his eyes, a look that clearly said, You liar.

Javier just shook his head, a fond smile tugging at his lips. ”I will give it to you later. For now, go hang out with Pikko and the others.”

”Cuquawked!”

”You still spoil that Pekko of yours, huh, little brother?”

”Hmm? Of course. You know how much he cost me when I first got him? Twenty gold coins!” Javier smirked. ”My own money. You and Athine should look after your Pekko too, Aelius. They’re your protectors when you need them.”

”Yeah... I know. Pekko are special.”

”Yep. That’s why I love them. Fastest, strongest, and adorable.”

”Adorable? That big thing?”

”Heh... Their attitude is the best. The way they squawk, hop around, strut like they own the place...” Javier’s eyes lit up. ”And when they scratch at the ground like a chicken, but big? Priceless.”

Javier touched the magic-tech lock on the door, smirked as it clicked open, and glanced back at Aelius.

”And you know what’s best? They can dance, bobbing their heads, narrowing their eyes with that suspicious look, running away from Giddie in that panicked scramble... all of it.” Javier’s grin widened. ”I still remember back at the noble school. While the other noble kids were showing off their carriages and fancy horses, calling me ’poor’...”

He chuckled. ”I made Buddy dance with me while I sang one of my rap songs. Their faces? Priceless. Since only Armand has Pekko, while no other nation or region has these special big birds.”

”Their dung makes the highest quality fertilizer, you know. It’s one of Armand’s main exports.”

Aelius smiled softly. ”Yeah. But only your Pekko is different.”

”Yeah! That’s what makes him special. Ahahaha!”

Javier and Aelius arrived at the main worktable. Javier carefully placed the special crystal on its smooth surface.

”But I’m not the only one who loves Pekko. Father is the craziest one. He even hid Giddie in the barracks before I got Buddy. After I caused all that trouble riding around on Buddy, Father finally showed off his real treasure. A Golden Pekko. The king of all Pekko. Damn!”

Aelius chuckled. ”Yeah... Father really does love them. He owns every Pekko farm in Armand.”

”Yep. And Pekko are the only monster birds protected by law. No harming, no killing, no eating. Not that any wild Pekko would dare defy their king anyway.” Javier shook his head, a fond smile on his lips. ”Have you seen him? No matter how busy he is, every single morning he’s with Giddie. Feeding him expensive fruit, brushing his feathers, riding him. Not one day missed.”

Javier pulled out a sketchbook filled with ring designs, patterns, and detailed notes.

”Here, take a look. Choose whichever you like. If you want a drink, there are cups over there. Just press the glass against that machine.”

Aelius looked to where Javier pointed. A sleek, unfamiliar machine sat against the wall.

”Hmm? What is that?”

”Ah, that? It’s a coffee, tea, and chocolate maker. Depends on which glass you use and which button you press. Honey and sugar are next to it.”

Aelius studied the machine, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ”Why haven’t I seen this in the main kitchen?”

”Ah... I didn’t want to install it there. You know how strict Erinnette is about the maids’ etiquette. Serving tea and hot drinks to the family is a point of pride for them. So, this is just for here.” Javier grinned.

”Even with it around, Liana and Gloria still make my coffee by hand. And honestly? Theirs tastes better than anything this machine can brew.”

”So why did you build it?” Aelius asked, still looking puzzled.

”Hmm? Ah...” Javier chuckled softly. ”Just to... remember something. But I don’t plan to mass-produce it. I don’t want it to affect the people here too much.”

”Affect?”

”Ah... it’s nothing.” Javier smiled, turning the focus back. ”So, choose your design. Once you’ve decided, I’ll start crafting.”

Aelius smiled and settled onto the couch, flipping through the design sketches.

”You know... you’ve been building so much for Armand. The mana relay towers, the puppet knights, the new armor and mana rifles for our knights... magic blades, cannon lances for the Pekko riders, mana bombs, mana cannons, the mana talkies... and your latest, the mana satellite.”

Javier just smiled, hands clasped behind his back.

”Yeah. More like... I just love to craft. I’ve made more than that, but I don’t think anyone’s ready for it yet. And I don’t plan on releasing anything that could disrupt Armand and Arjam.”

Aelius chuckled. ”You’re weird. You sound just like Father now. No wonder you’re next in line.”

”Heh... If you want, I’ll gladly pass it to you.”

”Hah! No way!” Aelius laughed, shaking his head. ”I’m busy enough with the economy, trade, accounts, the merchant guilds, and everything in between. There’s no way I’m taking on Father’s throne. Nope... I’ve got enough paperwork as it is.”

”Guh... You, Marcellus, Cedric, and Heres keep pushing that ’heir’ thing onto me,” Javier exhaled in mock frustration.

”Of course! You’re the best among the best for it. Good luck.” Aelius let out a soft, amused laugh.

”Damn it,” Javier grumbled, then sighed quietly. ”I wonder... if there’s any way... to make Father, all of us, Alf, Erinnette, Hesbeirn... everyone important to Father... live at least half as long as elves. Stay young longer.”

Aelius just chuckled, still studying the designs, one leg crossed casually. ”Mm... yeah. That’s a good idea.”

”Oh! This one looks good, little brother.”

”Oh, that one? You sure?”

”Yes... I’m sure.”

”Alright, if you say so.” Javier smiled, channeling mana into his palm. The crystal lifted into the air, glowing with soft, inner light.

”But, Brother Aelius...”

”Hmm?”

”I’m sure you know about that, right?”

Aelius coughed hard, nearly choking on his drink. He wiped his mouth with a dry handkerchief and glanced away.

”I... don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Javier just smirked.

( End Of Chapter )