Reborn As Noble

Outside the estate grounds, chaos reigned.

"Liana!! Don't let them run!!" Javier shouted, excitement brimming as he dashed after a group of fleeing attackers.

Liana, keeping pace effortlessly, sighed, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Young Master, you're far too excited about this. It's not a game."

Javier grinned ear to ear, glancing back at her. "Not a game? Ha! Look at them running like scared rabbits! Oi, mates! Don't run away! We're your friends!" His sarcasm dripped as he loaded a glowing mana crystal into his modified mana gun.

Buddy, his loyal Pekko bird, squawked enthusiastically and charged forward, crushing the head of one fleeing attacker with a bone-shattering stomp.

"Good job, Buddy! Stomp them all! Leave no one alive!" Javier cheered, pointing dramatically at another group.

Liana caught up, shaking her head. "Young Master, you're making too much noise. This isn't a parade." Despite her scolding, her bow was already in hand, a glowing arrow nocked and ready. She loosed it, striking two attackers trying to slip into the shadows.

"Whoops! Nice shot, Liana!" Javier called, reloading his gun. He spun dramatically and fired at another assassin, hitting his mark.

"Hey! Where are you going? Don't run! We're niceeeeee peopleeeeee!" Javier shouted mockingly, laughter ringing through the night.

Buddy squawked again, stomping on another unfortunate soul.

One attacker, a heavily armored mercenary who seemed to be the leader, turned to his scattered men. "Hold the line! They're just a brat and a bird!"

Javier's ears perked up at the insult. He stopped mid-step, his playful grin turning predatory. "A brat and a bird, huh?" He pulled a second mana gun from his belt and aimed both at the leader. "Say that again, pal."

Before the leader could respond, Javier fired both guns in quick succession. The mana bolts struck true, and the leader staggered, disbelief on his face before he collapsed. Experience more on empire

The remaining attackers, now in full panic, scattered in all directions.

Liana sighed again. "Young Master, we're supposed to contain the situation, not let them run wild."

Javier shrugged, twirling one of his mana guns. "Eh, it's more fun this way. Buddy and I can chase them down later."

As if on cue, Buddy flapped its wings and let out another victorious squawk, stepping over a pile of defeated attackers.

Liana adjusted her silver hair, her calm demeanor unwavering. "I'll handle the stragglers. Young Master, try not to get carried away."

Javier smirked. "Carried away? Me? Never."

Liana didn't respond as she disappeared into the trees, her glowing arrows lighting the way. Javier, now with Buddy by his side, stretched his arms and grinned.

"Alright, Buddy. Time for round two!"

The Pekko squawked in agreement, and the chase resumed.

Javier's laughter echoed across the clearing as the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and orange.

"Run, you pieces of shit! Buddy, over there! Crush them! Bwahahaha!"

Buddy squawked enthusiastically, his strong legs pounding the ground as he chased down another unfortunate attacker. With a powerful stomp, the Pekko ended the man's desperate escape, leaving only silence behind.

Liana, ever composed, followed closely, her emerald eyes scanning for remaining threats. She sighed, a mix of exasperation and amusement in her tone. "Haaa... Young Master, please... at least pretend you're not enjoying this so much."

Javier whirled around with an exaggerated grin, his jet-black hair slightly disheveled. "Not enjoying it? Liana, look at them! They thought they could invade our estate, and now they're running like scared mice!"

With dramatic flair, he reloaded his mana gun, the glowing crystal slotting into place with a satisfying click. One attacker, limping and clutching his side, attempted to slip away through the underbrush. Javier's sharp gaze locked onto him.

"Oh, no, you don't!" He aimed, fired, and sent a mana bolt sizzling through the air, dropping the fleeing man.

"You can run, but you can't hide!!"

Buddy let out a triumphant squawk and stomped forward, his claws raking through the dirt as he pursued the last visible attacker. The man tripped over a root, scrambling backward, only to find himself cornered by the massive Pekko.

With a final, earth-shaking stomp, Buddy ended the fight decisively.

Javier stood tall amidst the carnage, a confident smirk on his lips. His amber eyes sparkled with adrenaline and pride as he surveyed the aftermath.

"Well, that's that. No one left alive. All the bad guys? Gone!"

Liana approached, her graceful stride undisturbed by the destruction. She slung her bow across her back and sighed deeply. "Young Master, you didn't have to make such a spectacle. We could've handled this quietly."

Javier shrugged with mock innocence. "Quietly? Where's the fun in that, Liana? Besides, they started it. We just... finished it."

Buddy squawked in agreement, puffing up his chest proudly.

Liana brushed a stray strand of silver hair from her face, glancing at the setting sun. "Enough excitement for one evening, Young Master. Let's head back. I'm sure Lord Garius will want a report on this."

Javier sighed dramatically, slinging his mana gun over his shoulder. "Fine, fine. But next time, let me have more fun!"

"How many of those rats did we squash?" Javier asked casually, as if discussing the weather.

Liana glanced at the remnants of the attackers scattered around. "Around 200 or more, Young Master."

Javier whistled in mock admiration. "Oh! Looks like they really wanted to end my family's bloodline. Such dedication, tsk tsk."

Liana nodded, her expression serious. "It appears so. But we still haven't accounted for those who slipped inside the manor."

Javier tilted his head, pretending to ponder. "Hmm... I don't think anyone would survive that. Blergh... can't imagine what's happening to them. Marita, Gloria, and the others are probably mopping the floors with them. Literally." He chuckled, a mix of amusement and horror flickering across his face. "After all, the maids are well-trained, right?"

Liana adjusted her bowstring. "That's correct. The household and personal maids are all combat-trained. However, Mrs. Errinette is the strongest. None of us can match her skill."

Javier raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Mrs. Errinette, huh? She doesn't look it, but I guess I shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I wonder how terrifying she can get when she's serious."

Liana allowed a rare smile. "You wouldn't believe it, Young Master. When Mrs. Errinette steps into battle, she's like a storm—swift, precise, and utterly unstoppable."

Javier smirked. "Good. Makes me feel more confident about our household. No wonder these idiots didn't stand a chance. Let's just hope Father doesn't scold me for 'getting involved.'"

Liana sighed softly. "Lord Garius may scold you, but he'll appreciate your efforts, especially since none of the attackers succeeded."

Javier chuckled and swung himself onto Buddy's back. "Well, let's head back. I want to see if anyone's still mopping up inside. Besides, I kind of want to see Marita in action—she's probably more terrifying than Buddy when she's mad!"

Buddy squawked as if offended, while Liana shook her head in exasperation. "Young Master, please don't provoke her. Marita's strength isn't something you should test for fun."

"Noted!" Javier replied, though the mischievous gleam in his eyes suggested otherwise.

"Liana, do me a favor," Javier said, leaning against Buddy's saddle with a cheeky grin. "Tell Father about what happened, but… don't mention I was involved. Ehehehe."

Liana raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed in a way that radiated authority. "It's hard to leave that detail out, Young Master."

Javier blinked. "Why?"

Liana sighed, her patience tested. "Do you truly believe a single maid like me could handle all 200 attackers on my own?"

Javier tilted his head, considering. "Tell him Buddy and Pikko joined in too. That should make it sound believable, right?"

Liana gave him a flat look, her emerald eyes narrowing. "And if Lord Garius asks where you were during the attack?"

Javier froze, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Er… uh… just tell him I was, um, supervising from a safe distance?"

Liana sighed again, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Young Master, your father knows you too well. He'll never believe that."

Javier grinned sheepishly. "Okay, okay. Just say I was… giving strategic support! That's believable, right?"

Liana's expression softened slightly, though a trace of exasperation remained. "I'll see what I can do, but don't expect me to shield you entirely. Lord Garius will have questions, and you'll likely need to answer some of them yourself."

Javier sighed dramatically, slumping against Buddy. "Fine."

"I'll make sure the word 'reckless' doesn't slip in."

"That's the spirit!" Javier called after her, chuckling.

( End of Chapter )