Reborn As Noble - Chapter 309

Chapter 309: Unseen Threats ( 309 )
After the intense warm-up duel, everyone returned to the grand room for the official meeting.

The large banquet table was filled with fine dishes—roasted meats, fresh bread, exotic fruits, and aged wine.

Despite their earlier loss, Gilmon and Hesbeirn were engaged in a fierce battle.

Not with swords—but with food.

Both men glared at each other, gripping opposite ends of a massive piece of roasted meat.

Meanwhile—Garius leaned back in his chair, calmly drinking his wine as he read through the royal decree.

After a moment, he spoke.

“Gilmon?”

Gilmon—still struggling against Hesbeirn for the meat—grunted.

“Yeah?”

Garius set down the decree, his expression unreadable.

“How does King Edmund plan to guarantee that the trade routes remain safe?”

Gilmon finally yanked the meat away, victorious.

“Safe? What do you mean?”

Garius narrowed his eyes.

“The other nobles may have been forced to stand down, but what’s stopping them from sabotaging the roads?”

He tapped his fingers against the table.

“How can we be sure that the first trade convoy won’t be ambushed before reaching the next town?”

The room fell silent.

Everyone understood the unspoken meaning behind his words.

Even if the war was over on paper, there were still too many ways for underhanded tactics to disrupt trade.

Gilmon exhaled, finally taking a bite of the meat before speaking.

“King Edmund already expected that.”

He leaned forward, his voice serious now.

“That’s why he issued a strict royal decree—no noble is allowed to move their army without direct permission.”

Gilmon gestured toward the document.

“To enforce it, the king has stationed royal army units in every noble’s territory.”

He smirked slightly.

“If anyone tries anything—King Edmund will know immediately. And they’ll pay the price.”

Garius listened, his expression unreadable.

After a moment, he swirled his wine in his glass.

“…So the king is using his own army to ensure compliance.”

He chuckled softly.

“Heh. Clever.”

This wasn’t just about protecting trade.

King Edmund was sending a message—

That the royal family still held ultimate control.

Any noble who tried to defy him now…

Would be crushed before they could even act.

Garius raised an eyebrow, setting his wine glass down.

“And… why exactly did you bring 1,000 royal soldiers here?”

Gilmon paused, chewing his food, before scratching the back of his head.

“Ah… well…”

He cleared his throat.

“It’s mainly to serve as a warning to the nearby nobles—reminding them not to make any sudden moves.”

Then, he smirked.

“And, of course, to send a message to the other kingdoms—

That despite this internal conflict, we still stand united under the royal banner.”

“A little show of strength never hurts, after all.”

Garius studied him for a moment.

Then—he let out a low chuckle.

” So it’s intimidation and diplomacy in one move?”

Gilmon grinned.

“Exactly. You know how these things work.”

Garius leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the armrest.

It was a smart move.

The 1,000 soldiers weren’t just for protection.

Their presence alone sent a clear message—

To the nobles.

To the merchants.

To any foreign spies watching.

That the kingdom was still stable.

That the war was over.

And that anyone who thought of interfering…

Would have to think twice.

Garius exhaled, tapping the royal decree once before leaning back in his chair.

“Well then, tell King Edmund—I won’t be attending any royal court meetings for a while.”

Gilmon raised an eyebrow.

“You’re refusing?”

Garius smirked slightly.

“It’s not like there’s any real damage to my territory.”

He picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip.

Then—his expression darkened slightly.

“Except for one village.”

The room fell into silence.

Everyone knew which one he was talking about.

The village that the summoned heroes slaughtered.

The place where Javier had lost control.

The only true wound left by this so-called ‘holy war.’

Gilmon crossed his arms.

“…And that’s your reason?”

Garius set his glass down and smirked.

“Not just that.”

His eyes sharpened.

“If I leave my borders, there will be an assassination attempt on me or my family.”

Garius leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.

“Tell King Edmund that unless he can personally guarantee my safety—

I won’t be setting foot outside Armand territory.”

Gilmon let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples.

“Haaah… You’re as difficult as ever.”

Garius smirked.

“And yet the kingdom is still standing, isn’t it?”

The ministers fell silent.

Because like it or not—

Garius was right.

Gilmon exhaled, shaking his head.

“Well, I’ll deliver your message… but you do know King Edmund will gladly provide you with a wyvern for safe transport, right?”

He leaned back, smirking slightly.

“Not to mention, he’s already prepared a place for you inside the royal castle.”

Garius chuckled.

“Heh. I know.”

He swirled his wine in his glass, eyes distant for a moment.

“Edmund and I have been friends for a long time.

I know he means well.”

Then—his smirk returned.

“But honestly? I have no interest in seeing those noble faces right now.”

His tone turned slightly mocking.

“All of them, pretending they had nothing to do with this war… acting like they weren’t plotting behind the scenes.”

Garius let out a sigh, stretching slightly.

“Maybe I’ll visit some other time… when things have truly settled.”

Gilmon chuckled.

He downed the rest of his drink, setting the cup down with a satisfied sigh.

“Fine. I’ll let him know.”

But deep down—he already knew.

Garius wouldn’t come.

Not until he was certain there were no more threats to his family.

Garius leaned back, stretching his arms slightly before smirking.

“Besides, I’ll be busy with paperwork here.”

His eyes flicked toward Alf, who stood not too far away—ever composed, ever efficient.

Alf didn’t react.

Garius set his drink down and continued.

“We need to rebuild that village—turn it into a memorial site.”

Garius exhaled and continued.

“And more than that, we need to increase and tighten border security.”

His expression turned serious.

“Even if the nobles are forced to stay still for now—

It doesn’t mean they won’t try something in the future.”

He leaned forward slightly.

“There are still too many variables. Too many loose ends.”

Garius smirked slightly, glancing back at Gilmon.

“So, tell King Edmund I’m sorry.”

Gilmon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Haaah… Fine, fine. I’ll tell him.”

But he already knew the truth.

Garius wasn’t just avoiding court politics.

He was fortifying Armand—preparing for the next move.

And if history had proven anything…

When Garius prepared for something—

It meant he already saw what was coming.”

( End of Chapter )