Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1432: A Knowing Smirk and a Changed Plan ( 1432 )

Garius just smiled, shaking his head as he watched all his sons disappear into the distance on their Pekko in the blink of an eye. The conventional weapons, the dummy, and the barrier rods had all vanished the moment Javier left, snapped back into his dimensional storage with practiced ease.

Alf stepped forward, adjusting his glove and cuff with a calm, measured motion. ”It seems the princes are bonding quite well, Your Majesty. They move and act like true brothers, teasing, competing, and fleeing together. It is a rare sight among royal families.”

Garius let out a low chuckle, his hands clasped behind his back.

”That’s what I love about my family, Alf. They argue, they tease, they compete, but at the end of the day, they stand together. There is no scheming, no backstabbing, no plotting for power. They are not like other noble or royal families, where brothers see each other as rivals for the throne. My sons see each other as allies, as friends, as family. And that is something no amount of wealth or power can buy.”

Erinette smiled, covering her lips with her palm. ”Except for one, Your Majesty. It seems Heres was left behind.”

Garius chuckled softly, shaking his head before walking slowly toward Heres. He stopped just behind him, standing in silence for a moment before clearing his throat.

”Ahem~”

Heres waved a dismissive hand without turning around. ”Oh, hush. Can’t you see I’m still busy here? Go disturb someone else while I’m playing with this simulation.”

Garius raised an eyebrow, placing one hand behind his back while raising the other, knuckles ready, before clearing his throat again, louder this time.

”Ugh! What is it!?” Heres slid the goggles up, his expression annoyed, before his eyes met his father’s face.

His face went pale. He scrambled to press the automatic mode rune, yanked off the motion controller, tore off the helmet, and dropped them all in a rush. He stood rigidly at attention, his eyes darting around before finally landing on Garius.

”Ah...! Esteemed Father! I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was you! I thought it was Javier messing around again! Please forgive my rudeness!”

Heres’s eyes darted around, scanning the area. He noticed that only his pekko was still relaxing under the huge tree near the portable magic grill, while Javier’s puppet worker continued grilling the remaining raw slabs of meat.

Giihhh!!! They just left me alone without telling me Father was here!?

They all bolted and didn’t even think to warn me! I’m going to make them pay for this later!

”Heres?”

Heres stood straight and saluted. ”Yes, Esteemed Father!”

Garius walked toward the holographic screen, which still displayed a first-person view of the simulation. He rubbed his chin with a knowing smirk. ”What are you doing?”

”Ah... Little brother and the others wanted me to test out this new simulation. They said it was a diplomatic rescue scenario, so I went along with it. I didn’t expect it to be so immersive.”

”Oho~? Really?”

”Yes, Esteemed Father.”

Garius nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on the screen before glancing sideways at Alf, who stood at his right. ”So... this girl is just a ’simulation,’ huh?”

”Yes, Father. Little brother’s invention is incredible. He even included Fanjar and Lhagan in the simulation. It looks so real, the experience, the feeling... it’s like I was actually there, saving that girl and her brother.”

”Oh~” Garius tilted his head, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. ”So... what is this girl’s name? And her brother’s name?”

”Ah... she said her name is Emeline, and her brother’s name is Friedrich. But it’s strange, though...” Heres rubbed his chin before scratching the back of his head. ”Their names are the same as the last heir of Lurghen. But it’s impressive that Little Brother was able to program such realistic details into the simulation. This could be really useful for training our soldiers.”

Garius’s smirk deepened as he clasped both hands behind his back.

”Anyway, Heres.”

”Yes, Esteemed Father!”

”There has been a slight change of plan regarding Javier’s mission tomorrow. You will be accompanying him to the Armand Northern Border.” Garius’s tone was calm and authoritative.

”You will meet the last heir of Lurghen at the temporary forward base in the morning. Your mission is simple: accompany Javier, and assist in the discussions. Since you have experience governing Arjam and diplomatic matters, your presence will be valuable in establishing trust with the surviving heirs.”

Heres’s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly nodded, his expression turning serious.

”Understood, Father. I will not disappoint you.”

”Good.” Garius smirked before turning to walk away. He paused, glancing over his shoulder. ”Well~ I trust you to handle this well. And try not to be too surprised tomorrow.”

Heres tilted his head in confusion but saluted stiffly. ”Yes, Esteemed Father.”

Garius chuckled softly and began walking, leaving the area with Alf, Erinette, and Hesbeirn following behind.

”I wonder how his reaction will be when he finds out the truth~.”

Alf smirked, adjusting his cuff. ”He might be surprised, Your Majesty. And I suspect someone will be sleeping on the couch for a few days.”

Erinette smile softly, adjusting her apron while walking. ”Indeed, Your Majesty. Lady Kliatana will not be pleased.”

”Well~ I suppose Fransesca can calm her down,” Garius said with a knowing smile.

Meanwhile.

Forest outside the Armand estate.

All their pekko had stopped in a small clearing deep within the forest. The brothers let out a collective sigh of relief, the tension slowly draining from their shoulders.

”Damn! This is all your fault, Marcellus.”

”What? How is it my fault? You’re the one who started the whole demonstration thing, Honey Bun~” Marcellus smirked, pointing toward Javier.

”Yeah! If we had stayed any longer, we would have all been forced into a practice duel with Father,” Cedric said with a shudder. ”I still remember the last time. He disarmed me in three moves and spent the next hour lecturing me on my stance.”

Aelius let out a soft laugh before glancing around the clearing. His expression shifted as he noticed something.

”Ah...”

”Hmm? What is it, Brother Aelius?” Javier tilted his head, while Buddy strutted, enjoying the brisk evening air with a smug, relaxed gait.

”We all forgot someone important.” Aelius let out a long, weary exhale.

”Who?” Marcellus tilted his head, then began counting on his fingers. ”Me, Cedric, Javier, and you...” His eyes widened in realization. ”Ah... Heres.”

”Oh~ Poor Heres.” Cedric grinned, his tone dripping with teasing sympathy. ”He’s going to be forced into a practice duel with Father all by himself.”

Javier let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. ”May God have mercy on his soul.”

Marcellus clasped his hands together in mock prayer. ”Let us observe a moment of silence for our fallen brother.”

Aelius chuckled, shaking his head. ”He’s going to be furious when he finds out we left him behind.”

( End Of Chapter )