Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1158: Hands in Pockets, Eyes on the Sky ( 1158 )

And with most nobles in the Human Kingdom not in good terms with Father, many of them jealous, resentful, and bitter because Armand, formerly just a region within the Human Kingdom, is now the richest and strongest compare to the whole human region.

Not only we producing the cheapest but highest-quality products, food, ore, frozen goods and other thing that other places unable to have, like affordable, high-grade sugar, cocoa, black pepper, spices, rice, soybeans, and much more, we also have monster birds like Pekko, which make deliveries across the continent incredibly fast.

And since Pekko are only available in Armand, no other place has them, which only fuels their envy toward Father.

The Tybalt region is fortunate because Father is someone who forgives past grudges when sincerity is shown, and since the true owner of the land is the wife of the Tybalt lord, who never harbored hatred toward Father, it made reconciliation possible.

Javier chuckled softly as he walked.

It’s funny though. Some nobles even tried to send Father letters, some attempting to reconcile, others demanding special border access, exclusive trade rights, or even requesting Pekko for their own use.

They thought Father was someone who could be easily tricked. Not knowing he has the Eyes of Truth. Well... even I, who don’t possess that ability, could see the deceit in the content of those noble letters.

What a bunch of idiots.

Javier headed out the door and walked slowly along the beautiful stone walkway leading toward his Pekko pen and personal workshop.

He paused, hands still tucked in his pockets, and looked around.

And saw Armand guards patrolling in disciplined squads, and household maids sweeping the pathways, tending to the gardens and flowers blooming around the estate.

Soon, everyone will be busy with another problem that isn’t even ours.

But because Father is someone who is too kind-hearted, even when it’s not his own people, he doesn’t want anyone to suffer or go hungry.

Javier chuckled softly, a fond smile touching his lips.

Not like I don’t know Father’s nature. Even after he closed the border, he allowed merchants from the Human Kingdom to trade with Armand and Arjam merchants at designated points just outside the closed border, ensuring affordable supplies of food could still flow.

That’s why the nearby regions, like the border towns between Arjam and the Human Kingdom, and the areas along Armand’s border, aren’t suffering too severely.

But that’s also good, because if Father does that, when the civil war breaks out, refugees are likely to settle in those border regions rather than flooding entirely into Armand or Arjam.

I believe Father will likely open the border again after Aelius and Athine’s wedding. I noticed he reviewed the outline I gave him on Conditional Entry and High-Efficiency Checkpoints.

Instead of one or two counters at the main border gate, we could set up four to six lines, each protected by temporary half-walls reinforced with magic barriers. Once merchants or travelers pass the security check, they’ll be able to proceed into the town smoothly.

We should also station our new medic-healer units at the checkpoint for health inspections and establish a quarantine zone nearby. This will ensure that anyone entering Armand is healthy and won’t pose a risk to our people.

Javier rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

I think there’s room for further improvement. We’ve already implemented a similar system on the borders with the Demon Nation and Beastkin Nation. Setting up four checkpoint counters to ensure smooth entry and prevent overcrowding, we can avoid the formation of shanty towns or tent cities outside the walls.

That way, the view from the upper battlements remains clear, and security isn’t compromised by chaotic settlements.

And when the civil war really breaks out, we won’t have a choice but to close it again.

I believe the Beastkin Nation will also close their border to prevent being drawn into the conflict, to control the influx of refugees, and to protect their own people from potential spies, infiltrators, or unrest.

The problem when that happens is that the flow of people will be trapped in the middle between two closed borders. Refugees will accumulate in the border regions, creating overcrowding, resource shortages, and potential unrest.

Without proper management, those areas could turn into hotspots of disease, starvation, and violence, which could spill over or attract opportunistic raids from rogue factions within the Human Kingdom.

Javier scratched his head hard and exhaled.

Damn it.

This problem isn’t even ours, and it’s already giving me a headache.

I wonder how Father is able to handle things like this, the planning, the diplomacy, the logistics, all while keeping the kingdom stable and his people safe.

This is why I hate paperwork. And of course, the heir thing...

While others might be wanting Father’s position as king, I don’t. But damn again, Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, and Heres don’t want it either.

They always have excuses:

”Ah... I can’t handle the headache, Javier.”

”You know I’m not good with paperwork.”

”You’re more suitable for this inheritance thing, little brother.”

”This position is perfect for someone as genius as you, little brother.”

”Ah... you know I can’t be apart from Athine for too long. And Athine doesn’t want to be queen. So it’s yours, little brother.”

Gihh!!! All of them cleverly gave me excuses I couldn’t counter. Even if I argued that Marcellus, the eldest, should be first prince, they always had another excuse ready.

”Don’t worry, little brother, we’ll support you.”

”Yeah, we’ll help you manage some things to reduce your burden.”

All that they said with those teasing smirks and playful glances, knowing full well they were pushing the responsibility onto me.

Support my ass!

Javier exhaled and glanced up at the sky, both hands tucked in his pockets.

I was planning to gather those special ingredients and materials to create elixirs that would ensure Father and everyone important could live longer and healthier.

But with this upcoming problem, all my plans are ruined. I can’t have Liana and the others training in the special underground training room now.

I can’t even focus on my inventions.

Sigh... what a life.

Back when I was still a child in this world, things were much more fun. Enjoying a second childhood without restrictions, flipping maids’ skirts, always causing mischief with Liana chasing after me...

Why did I have to grow up so fast in this world?

Damn.

He glanced into the distance, where his personal workshop building stood beside the Pekko pen, visible even from afar.

He exhaled, then smiled faintly.

Whatever...

I guess that’s how adult life is.

Trouble, trouble, and more problems.

Heh~

( End Of Chapter )