Reborn As Noble

The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy with tension as all present awaited the report. Lord Garius sat at the head of the table, his piercing gaze locked on Hesbeirn, who stood at attention in the center of the room. Lady Francesca sat beside her husband, her calm face masking deep concern. Alf, the reliable butler, and Errinette, the head maid, stood to the side, flanked by elite personal guards and maids.

Hesbeirn took a deep breath and stepped forward. "My lord, there is something urgent that requires your attention."

Garius's voice was sharp but composed. "Speak."

Hesbeirn straightened, his tone steady but grim. "We've uncovered troubling news. This morning, I ordered the personal army to investigate the absence of guards who failed to report. What we found…" He hesitated, fists clenching briefly. "...were nine bodies in the forest."

A hush fell over the room, broken only by a faint gasp from one of the maids. Francesca's expression darkened, her hand tightening on the armrest of her chair.

Garius's eyes narrowed, his tone cold and precise. "The missing guards?"

"Yes, my lord. They were killed."

"Killed? How?" Francesca's calm voice had a note of steel.

Hesbeirn's jaw tightened as he delivered the grim details. "The wounds suggest a coordinated ambush by highly skilled attackers. Deep slashes and punctures indicate the use of enchanted bladed weapons. This wasn't random—it was planned."

Garius's expression remained unreadable, but his sharp gaze shifted to Alf and Errinette before returning to Hesbeirn. "This means the attackers either had inside knowledge of our patrol routes or observed us long enough to exploit our vulnerabilities. What actions have been taken?"

Hesbeirn nodded. "I've reinforced security. Our personal army now patrols in groups of no fewer than seven, including mages, healers, and archers. We've deployed the newly trained paladins to ensure all routes are heavily guarded, and the manor's interior is secured by elite units. No one enters or exits without thorough inspection."

Garius leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "Good. And the other family members? Where are they?"

"Lord Marcellus, Lord Cedric, Lady Phenelopie, Lady Garcinia, and all other children are safely within the manor, my lord," Hesbeirn replied swiftly.

Francesca's lips tightened. "And Javier? He wasn't with the others when I last checked."

Hesbeirn's expression softened slightly. "Miss Liana is with him, my lady. She's ensuring his safety, along with the two Pekkos he keeps close. They can handle most threats."

Francesca relaxed slightly but glanced at her husband. "We can't underestimate this. Those who attack our estate might target Javier, knowing his potential."

Garius nodded. "Liana is capable, but I'll send additional guards to watch over him. This attack is a declaration. Whoever is behind it will regret stepping onto Armand land."
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Errinette stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "We'll increase vigilance within the manor as well, my lord. The staff will be briefed, and every suspicious movement reported immediately."

Alf added, "I'll personally oversee the roster adjustments to ensure no complacency. This kind of failure will not happen again."

Garius's gaze swept the room, voice carrying authority. "This family has faced betrayal and bloodshed before, and we've survived. Triple the security, lockdown all entry points, and ensure every member of this household understands the gravity of the situation. Hesbeirn, make sure no stone is left unturned in finding those responsible."

Hesbeirn bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord."

Meanwhile, inside the manor...

Far from the meeting room where Lord Garius and the others discussed the dire situation, Gloria, the head of the household maids, tended to her duties. The quiet corridor seemed empty as she carried a tray of linens with calm precision.

Suddenly, three masked attackers emerged from the shadows, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.

"Ara..." Gloria's serene voice broke the silence, her composed expression unshaken. "It seems we have a rat infestation in the manor."

One of the attackers snarled, "Kill her!"

The sound of blades slicing through the air filled the corridor.

Clang!

Gloria's polished silver tray deflected the first strike effortlessly, her calm demeanor unbroken. She set the tray down gently, her movements deliberate.

"Ara, ara... Is that all you have? I expected more from uninvited guests."

"Miss Gloria!" a young household maid called from the end of the corridor, panic in her voice.

Gloria turned slightly, her calm gaze meeting the young maid's worried eyes. "Hmm? Oh, don't worry about me... Tehe." She giggled playfully, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

The attackers rushed her, but before their blades could land, Gloria vanished.

"Wha—? Where did she—?" one of them stammered.

In the blink of an eye, Gloria reappeared behind them, moving as if on a casual stroll.

She paused, adjusting her apron. "You moved too slowly. That was your mistake."

The attackers froze as a faint sound echoed through the corridor.

Thud.

One by one, their heads rolled from their bodies, blood pooling at their feet. The three assassins collapsed in unison, lifeless.

Gloria turned her head slightly, offering a small smile to the wide-eyed young maid. "It seems these rats were rather weak. Tehe."

She dusted off her tray of linens and resumed her tasks as if nothing had happened, leaving the lifeless attackers behind.

Inside the meeting room, tension hung thick in the air. Lady Francesca sat gracefully beside her husband, her gaze sharp and unwavering. Lord Garius listened intently as Hesbeirn detailed the security upgrades, while Alf and Errinette stood nearby, their expressions grave.

A soft, composed knock broke the silence.

"Come in," Lord Garius commanded, his voice calm yet authoritative.

The door opened to reveal Gloria, her pristine uniform spotless despite her recent encounter. She stepped inside with her usual poise and curtsied respectfully.

"Lord Garius," she began, her serene tone betraying nothing of the skirmish she had just resolved. "The rats have already been handled."

Everyone paused, their gazes fixed on her.

"Handled?" Garius raised an eyebrow.

Gloria clasped her hands neatly in front of her. "Three attackers were bold enough to ambush me in the east wing. I dealt with them personally."

Lady Francesca tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Personally, you say? I trust they won't be causing any further disturbances, Gloria?"

"Of course not, my lady," Gloria replied with a slight bow. "Their heads now rest far from their bodies. They will trouble us no more."

Hesbeirn's brows furrowed. "Three attackers inside the manor... This confirms they've infiltrated deeper than we expected."

Lord Garius leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. "It seems our enemies are getting bolder. Gloria, did you recognize any insignias or clues about their origin?"

Gloria shook her head. "Unfortunately not, my lord. They bore no identifying marks, but their skills were lacking. If these were assassins, they were poorly trained."

Alf adjusted his glasses, thoughtful. "Or perhaps a distraction meant to test our defenses."

Garius nodded. "Hesbeirn, double the patrols inside the manor. Gloria, inform the household maids to remain vigilant. No one is to wander the halls alone."

"Understood, my lord." Gloria curtsied again, her calm demeanor unshaken. "If I may add, I will personally oversee the safety of the east wing for the remainder of the evening."

Garius gave her an approving nod. "Good. You've done well, Gloria. Return to your duties."

In the lively maid dining area, the clattering of utensils and casual chatter filled the air. At the center was Marita, hunched over a mountain of food, devouring her meal with unbridled enthusiasm.

"Marita, you'll choke if you don't slow down," one of the younger maids teased, accustomed to her insatiable appetite.

"Hmph! Food is life! I ain't wasting a thing!" Marita retorted, her voice muffled by food.

Just as she reached for a juicy piece of roast, a sudden "poof!" echoed through the room. Smoke erupted from her plate, enveloping her in a thick, acrid cloud.

The room erupted into chaos as the maids screamed and scrambled. Emerging from the smoke were masked assassins, their blades glinting ominously.

"Oh! Look at this fat, ugly maid!" one sneered, pointing his blade at Marita. "She's got no chance of running. Let's put her out of her misery."

Another assassin laughed. "She's so big, it's like we're hunting a boar. Too bad we can't roast her."

But Marita wasn't paying attention to their taunts. Her eyes were fixed on her plate, fury twisting her face.

"YOU—" she bellowed, shaking the room, "RUINED MY FOOD!!"

Before the assassins could react, Marita launched herself at them with surprising speed. The first assassin was met with her meaty fist, which slammed into his face with the force of a falling boulder. He collapsed, lifeless.

The others hesitated, horror replacing their mockery. "What the—?!"

One assassin swung his blade, its edge shimmering with enchantment, but Marita caught his arm mid-swing, her grip shattering his wrist with a sickening crunch.

"You dare ruin my meal?!" she growled, voice dripping with anger.

The assassin screamed as Marita flung him aside like a ragdoll, his body hitting the wall before slumping unconscious.

Another assassin, clearly panicking, tried to strike from behind. Marita spun, grabbed him by the face, and slammed his head into the floor with such force that it burst like an overripe melon.

The remaining assassins attempted to flee, but Marita charged at them, barreling through tables and chairs like a runaway bull.

"Nobody interrupts my meal and lives to tell about it!" she bellowed, her voice shaking the walls.

Moments later, the dining area was littered with the bodies of assassins, blood staining the floor, the air heavy with destruction.

Marita stood amid the chaos, panting heavily, fists clenched. She glanced at the remnants of her meal and let out a loud, frustrated wail.

"They didn't just ruin my food... they ruined my appetite!"

( End Of Chapter )