Reborn As Noble - Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Defiance at the Gates ( 249 )

“Now listen, you pieces of shit. I don’t care who you are. You didn’t come here for peace—you came to spread your filth, trying to corrupt our people with your so-called ‘faith.'”

Javier let out a mocking chuckle, shaking his head. “And now, you think you can force your way in? Are you stupid?”

The priests flinched but quickly tried to regain their composure. One of them stepped forward, glaring. “You dare insult the will of the Three Gods?! Do you know how many noble families already support our cause?!”

Javier grinned, but there was no warmth in it—just cold amusement. “Oh? And? Do you think that matters to me?”

He gestured toward the border guards. “You’re nothing to me. You’re nothing to them.” Then, his hand swept toward the angry citizens behind him. “And you’re nothing to all of us!”

The Armand citizens roared in agreement.

“That’s our Young Master!”

“Get lost, you bastards!”

Javier crossed his arms, his smirk growing. “And don’t even try that ‘divine faith’ crap on us. We know exactly what you are. You demand tithes from the poor, forcing them to give up what little they have so your ‘faith’ can grow bigger?”

He snorted, his voice dripping with mockery. “What? Is your sponsor too broke to fund your cult properly?”

The priests stiffened, their faces twitching with barely concealed rage. Javier leaned in slightly, his voice lowering to a deadly whisper. “Let me tell you something, you worthless parasites. In this region, faith isn’t a business. Every place of worship is maintained by our overseers. Their buildings, their land—everything is handled by my father, using our own resources.”

He straightened, his smirk turning into a full-blown grin. “We don’t need the people’s money to run faith-based scams. Unlike your shitty faith.”

The citizens of Armand erupted into cheers once more.

“Young Master Javier!”

“Send them back where they came from!”

The priests, now trembling, realized that their usual arrogance had no place here. Javier raised his hand, his voice cold and sharp. “Now, soldiers!”

“FORMATION!”

The guards immediately snapped into position, raising their swords and shields in perfect synchronization. The crossbowmen stepped forward, their weapons aimed with deadly precision. From above, the watchtower archers notched their arrows, waiting for the order.

The priests paled as the metallic clank of soldiers readying for battle echoed through the air. Javier narrowed his eyes, his smirk never fading. “I’ll give you ten seconds.”

The air grew heavy with tension.

“Ten…” The guards tightened their grips on their weapons.

“Nine…” The citizens, armed with whatever weapons they had, raised them high, ready to fight alongside their Young Master.

“Eight…” The priests looked at one another, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

“Seven…” One of the priests clenched his fists, his lips trembling in anger.

“Six…” Javier’s gaze locked onto their so-called ‘saint,’ who stood frozen in place.

“Five…” The crossbowmen took aim.

“Four…” The archers drew their bows tighter.

“Three…” Some priests took uneasy steps backward.

“Two…” The citizens tensed, their weapons raised, waiting for the final number.

Before Javier could finish, one of the priests suddenly shouted, “W-We’re leaving!” The group scrambled, hastily retreating and dragging their so-called saint with them.

The Armand citizens exploded into laughter and cheers.

“That’s right! Run, you cowards!”

“Our Young Master doesn’t take shit from anyone!”

Javier grinned, watching the priests disappear into the distance. He turned to the border guards. “Secure the gates. If they ever return, don’t even let them speak—just shoot them on sight.”

The chief guard saluted. “Yes, Young Master!”

The people of Armand cheered once more, celebrating their victory.

Javier turned to the head guard, his expression serious. “Write an official report about this and send it to my father immediately.”

The head guard saluted without hesitation. “Yes, Young Master!”

Javier crossed his arms, his mind already racing ahead. “Tell the patrol squads to increase their patrols. Make sure their work is efficient—don’t overwork them. Adjust the schedules as needed.”

The head guard nodded. “Understood, Young Master. Lord Garius already gave similar instructions earlier. We’ve begun reinforcing the patrols across the border towns and villages.”

Javier smirked slightly. “Good. And don’t ever let those lunatics inside again.”

The guard’s voice was firm. “Yes, Young Master. Our lord has ordered all border stations and city overseers to report immediately if they’re spotted. We can’t control who tries to come in or who slips past unnoticed, but we will take action based on Lord Garius’ commands.”

Javier gave an approving nod. “That’s how it should be. We don’t negotiate with parasites.”

The other guards saluted, their determination unwavering as they carried out their Young Master’s orders.

Liana and Gloria stood beside him, their presence commanding respect. The Armand household emblem embroidered on their maid uniforms symbolized their status—not just as maids, but as trusted attendants of the Armand family.

The citizens and guards looked at Javier with admiration, their cheers still lingering in the air. He had personally stepped in and driven the lunatics away.

Javier grinned, feeling the weight of their trust. But before he could relish the moment, he turned toward where Buddy, Pikko, and Peanuts were supposed to be waiting.

Instead, he saw—

“WHAT THE HELL?!”

All three—Buddy, Pikko, and Peanuts—were happily munching away on fruits stolen from various stalls.

Buddy had an entire basket of apples tipped over in front of him, munching loudly with his tail feathers fluffed up in satisfaction. Pikko was pecking delicately at some exotic berries, chewing in a way that almost looked smug. And Peanuts? That little menace had climbed onto a vegetable cart, kicking over melons and stuffing his beak with whatever he could grab.

The vendors stood frozen in shock, uncertain whether to be furious or resigned to their fate.

Javier’s eye twitched. “Eeeeeekkkk!! Liana! Gloria! STOP THEM!”

The two maids sprang into action. “Pikko! No!” Liana rushed forward, grabbing Pikko’s reins and pulling her back. “Peanuts, get down from there this instant!” Gloria scolded, hands on her hips.

Peanuts responded with a happy squawk, clearly ignoring her.

Javier held his head in frustration. “Eeeeeekkk!! Buddyyyyy!!! You gluttonous idiot!!”

The marketplace erupted into laughter, the tense atmosphere from earlier completely erased by the ridiculous antics of Javier’s beloved Pekkos.

Javier sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as he pulled out his pouch. “Ugh… these three…”

He walked to each vendor, dropping silver coins into their hands. “Here, take this. For all the food these idiots ate.”

The vendors blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter. “Young Master, you don’t have to—”

“Just take it before my father finds out and grounds me again!” Javier grumbled.

The moment he mentioned Lord Garius, the vendors quickly accepted the money without another word.

Liana sighed, holding Buddy’s reins firmly. “Young Master, you spoil them too much.”

Gloria chuckled, patting Peanuts on the head. “Ara~ but they’re just like their master. Gluttonous and mischievous.”

Javier pouted. “Oi, oi! I’m not that bad!”

The vendors and citizens laughed, the joyful atmosphere returning as the commotion settled. Javier stretched his arms, feeling completely satisfied after spending the day sightseeing, eating, and enjoying the lively atmosphere of the town with Liana and Gloria.

The sky began to shift into warm hues of orange and purple, signaling the approach of evening. Javier paused mid-step. “Err… I think it’s better if we go home now.”

Liana raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What’s the rush, Young Master? Weren’t you just saying earlier that you wanted to take your time?”

Javier grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, yeah, but I don’t want to miss dinner.”

Gloria giggled behind her hand. “Ara~ How responsible. But let me guess… It’s not just about dinner, right?”

Javier shivered slightly, remembering his father’s strict discipline. “You both know how strict Father is!”

Liana sighed but nodded. “That’s true. We should hurry before he sends someone after us.”

Gloria smirked playfully. “Oh~? Are you scared, Young Master?”

Javier huffed. “Oi! I’m not scared! I just prefer my meals without a side of Father’s lectures!”

Liana and Gloria chuckled, already climbing onto their Pekkos. Javier hopped onto Buddy and grinned. “Alright! Let’s go home before Father decides to personally ‘escort’ us back!”

“Cuquawk!!” Buddy, Pikko, and Peanuts squawked in unison before dashing off toward the estate.