Reborn As Noble - Chapter 429

Chapter 429: Plans and Prodigies ( 429 )
“Mr. Alf?”

Javier turned slightly, his tone composed but with a trace of tension building underneath.

“Yes, Young Master?”

“Do we have any information… about the Royal Wyvern Force?”

Alf gave a slow nod.

“Do you want the approximate count or confirmed numbers?”

“Hmm…”

Javier glanced back at the board.

“Give me the approximate number first.”

Alf’s voice was calm.

“Based on intercepted reports and confirmed sightings during drills… we estimate around three thousand or more active wyvern riders.”

“Three… thousand?”

Javier froze.

Then his voice sharpened.

“Three thousand!? Since when did they have that many!?”

His hand instinctively gripped the edge of the map table.

“During the Holy War against the Saint of Three Gods, they barely had 500 elite wyvern units!”

Alf nodded, his face serious.

“We believe King Edmund began mass training and recruitment shortly after that war ended. Most of the wyvern stock was bred in secrecy at the western mountain caverns—locations previously unknown to us.”

Mrs. Erinnette added quietly,

“And now, with all the noble families under his control, he had both the resources and the manpower to raise that number without drawing attention.”

Javier exhaled slowly, his eyes flicking toward his father.

“Three thousand flying mages… that’s not an army…

that’s an airborne disaster waiting to happen.”

Javier’s eyes scanned the map again, the pieces in place, yet the danger still unfolding in his mind.

“They might not be able to defeat us in a direct assault without taking severe losses,” he said slowly, his tone measured.

“But if they go all out…”

He glanced up at Alf.

“…we’ll lose significant troops, even if we win.”

He pointed toward the coast.

“If they deploy all three thousand wyverns to our seaside territories, they could cause heavy damage. Burn supply lines. Destroy mana towers. Maybe even take down several of my anti-air mana guns.”

He moved a few wyvern pieces toward the eastern coast of Armand’s territory.

“But since there’s no land route to deploy ground forces through the sea, that area doesn’t allow for a follow-up occupation. They can damage us—but they can’t conquer anything from there.”

Javier stepped back and traced the map with his fingers.

“They could pass along the coast…”

“…then loop around, fly directly toward our estate.”

He smirked faintly.

“But that’s fine.

I already installed anti-air mana units along the entire approach. If they fly through, they’ll lose more than half their riders before even seeing the city walls.”

Then his tone darkened.

“The real problem…”

He picked up three army markers—one labeled Human Kingdom, another Wyvern Force, and a third Halfling Army.

He placed them on the board.

“If they use their aerial corps to harass our coast…

…while sending their main ground forces straight for our border…

…and split another group from the Beastkin side…

…then we’re looking at a three-pronged assault.”

He looked up.

“An attack from the coast. A push from the Human-Armand border. And a surprise flanking move from the Beastkin-Armand junction.”

Javier’s expression remained calm, but his words were heavy.

“They’re not just trying to beat us.

They’re trying to stretch us. Bleed us. Burn us from all sides until we break somewhere.”

Garius finally spoke, breaking the heavy silence.

“So… what’s your plan?”

Javier didn’t hesitate.

“For now?”

He pointed again at the two critical borders—the one facing the Human Kingdom, and the one connecting to the Beastkin territory.

“We reinforce both of our borders. Fortify supply lines. Tighten patrol rotations. And install mana relay repeaters in both directions to ensure zero communication delay.”

He glanced toward the Beastkin region.

“The Beastkin Kingdom is key. If they fall, Edmund gains a path straight to our flank.”

But Javier’s eyes sharpened.

“…if we ensure their survival, his entire plan falls apart. He can’t split our defenses if we’re not overextended.”

Erinnette nodded slowly.

“And the Beastkin will never ask for help first. It would tarnish their pride.”

“Exactly,” Javier said.

“So we don’t wait for a formal request.”

He slid another figurine—this one marked with a demon crest—into place beside the Beastkin Kingdom.

“We reach out to the Demon King—Veldrac—and ask him to reinforce the Beastkin border. Not us.”

Alf’s eyes widened faintly.

“Using the demon army as a buffer zone?”

“Yes.” Javier nodded.

“If the Beastkin know that demon forces are stationed behind them as backup, they won’t feel insulted. And King Edmund won’t dare attack that front.”

He crossed his arms.

“With that, one of his three paths is sealed.”

“And without that third route,” Javier finished,

“his entire tactic unravels.”

“So, esteemed father,” Javier said, a cheeky grin forming on his lips,

“since you and King Veldrac are basically besties…”

He folded his arms behind his head, pretending innocence.

“Could you help me handle that part?”

Garius raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“Besties?”

Alf coughed lightly—either to hide a chuckle or to maintain his usual stone-faced decorum.

“Hmm…” Garius leaned slightly over the war table, his eyes tracing the markers.

“I’ll reach out to Veldrac. Later.”

“For now,” he said calmly, straightening up, “we focus on ensuring our people’s safety and comfort.War is coming—but panic serves no one.”

Javier nodded, his grin fading slightly.

“Understood, esteemed father.”

Erinnette spoke next, her voice cool and composed.

“I’ll have the maid battalion commanders adjust emergency shelter readiness in every key town.”

Alf added,

“I’ll coordinate with Hesbeirn to rotate supply lines. Make sure any border pressure doesn’t starve out the villages.”

Garius gave a satisfied nod.

“Good. Everyone, prepare as usual. No announcement yet. Let the people live in peace for as long as we can buy it.”

Then he glanced at his son.

“And Javier—good job. You’ve outpaced even some of my old generals.”

“By the way, Javier.”

Garius spoke casually while flipping through another page of his report.

“Yes, esteemed father?”

Garius smirked, not even looking up.

“I already know about that.”

“Huh?”

“The plan. The war. Everything you just laid out.”

“I read the full report hours ago—brought by our special intelligence unit.”

Javier blinked.

“…Eh?”

Garius finally looked up, a rare glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Good job. You really do have the talent to become the next Lord of Armand.”

“EHHHH!?”

Alf chuckled softly from the side. Erinnette didn’t even try to hide her smirk.

“Why are you so shocked?” Garius asked, leaning back into his chair, his voice calm.

“Everyone agrees. Marcellus doesn’t want it, Cedric doesn’t want it, and Aelius and Heres made it very clear—they all voted for you.”

Javier’s mouth opened slightly.

“…But…”

“Oh no,” Garius waved a hand casually, “don’t even think about it. It’s finalized. Once I step down, the seat is yours.”

“Ugh… fiiiine…”

Javier exhaled, his shoulders slumping—just a little.

But inside his mind…

“…Well, it’s still far off anyway. I’ll find a way to make sure Father rules longer. Ehehehe.”

He grinned inwardly, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

“After all, being the lord sounds like a lot of paperwork…”

( End of Chapter )