Reborn As Noble-Chapter 415: Different Paths, Shared Bonds ( )

"After this, we're heading back to the estate," he said quietly, watching the lights ahead.

Liana gave a gentle smile from his right.

"As you wish, Young Master."

Gloria mirrored the expression from the other side.

"It'll be nice to sleep in our own rooms again."

Javier gave a low whistle.

"Buddy!"

"Cuquawked!!"

Buddy responded with his usual proud squawk, lifting his beak and puffing up his chest as if he'd just led a whole army. He strutted forward with exaggerated confidence, picking up pace toward the town gates.

Pikko and Peanut followed obediently, tails flicking and feathers rustling softly under the moonlight.

As Buddy strutted down the road, Javier let the quiet lull of conversation wash over him. The wind was calm. The stars were clear.

But his thoughts weren't.

"Maybe it's time I ask Father."

"How did he do it?"

"How did he raise not one—but three of the kingdom's strongest by his side?"

He glanced to his left and right—Liana and Gloria still riding beside him, chatting softly. But his mind drifted elsewhere.

"Mrs. Erinette. Mr. Alf. Hesbeirn."

"Three of the strongest people on the entire continent… and all serve under Father."

"Then there's Marcellus… the strongest mage in the entire Human Kingdom."

"And Cedric… the youngest and strongest Paladin alive."

Javier's fingers tapped lightly on Buddy's reins. He remembered sparring with them—testing himself. His magic. His casting speed. His combat spells.

They dodged all of it. Effortlessly.

Even when he used advanced tactics, layered his cast timings, even when he tried things that would stun an average opponent—they moved as if they were used to fighting monsters.

"That kind of strength doesn't come from just having a 'good class' or 'natural talent'." There had to be something else. A system. A method. Or a test.

"Father must've trained them in a way that prepared them not just for war… but for survival against anything."

And that bothered him. Not because he felt inferior—

But because it meant he was still behind.

Even though he knew his power now surpassed Kenjirou, the last remaining summoned hero…

Even though the Holy War's 'heroes'—those traitors—were trained by his brothers before they turned on Armand…

"I killed them. Easily."

"But if even Kenjirou gets stronger from the Celestial inside him…"

Javier exhaled slowly.

"Then it's time to stop guessing. I need to know what Father did to raise them like that."

Because protecting others wasn't just about power.

It was about staying ahead of what no one else could see coming.

"Young Master?" Liana's voice cut softly through the breeze as their Pekkos trotted side by side beneath the starlit sky.

Javier blinked, pulled from his thoughts, and glanced her way.

"Yes?"

Liana studied him for a moment, her expression calm but her eyes quietly searching.

"You looked deep in thought… Are you worrying about something?"

Javier gave a small smile, waving a hand lightly as if brushing the thought away.

"Hmm? Ah, no. Don't worry about it."

But Liana didn't look convinced.

"Are you sure?" she asked gently, her voice softer now. She knew him too well.

Javier looked up at the sky for a moment, then back at the road ahead.

"Yeah… I'm sure. It's nothing bad. Just... something I've been thinking about."

Liana didn't push further. She simply nodded, her gaze lingering on him for another second before returning to the path. Gloria, riding on the other side, raised a brow but kept quiet.

Meanwhile, in the Armand Estate, the manor was quiet. Outside, only the soft rustle of wind against the trees and the distant hoot of a night owl filled the silence.

Inside the master bedroom, Garius lay beside Fransesca. The room was dim, lit only by a faint mana lamp on the far table, casting gentle shadows along the walls.

He was on his back, one arm beneath his head, staring at the ceiling in silence. Fransesca, wrapped under the covers beside him, stirred softly. Her long hair spilled across the pillows like silk.

"Dear?" she whispered, her voice warm and gentle.

"Hmm?"

She shifted slightly, turning toward him with her hand resting lightly against his chest.

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" she asked quietly.

"Are you… worrying about our youngest son again?"

Garius let out a slow breath through his nose.

"Hmm... kinda."

His eyes didn't leave the ceiling, but his hand reached over and lightly brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

"Even knowing how strong he is… it's normal, right? A father worrying about his children."

Fransesca smiled faintly, her fingers gently tracing his palm.

"Not just Javier, right?"

Garius nodded.

"All of them. Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, Heres… Athine…"

His voice was low and steady but filled with something deeper—the weight of a man who had carried both his people and his family through countless storms.

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"They're all strong. But that doesn't mean I ever stop worrying. Not even for a second."

Fransesca leaned closer, resting her forehead gently against his shoulder.

"That's why they turned out the way they did. Because they had you watching over them."

Garius didn't answer right away.

Garius remained quiet for a moment, then slowly turned his head to look at Fransesca, a small, knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

"They all have their own strengths. Their own paths."

He exhaled softly, his tone a quiet murmur.

"Athine and Aelius… they're not fully warriors, but they're the sharpest minds when it comes to trade and management."

He stared at the ceiling again, his voice steady.

"The entire Armand bank and trade network is handled by them now. They've practically overtaken the kingdom merchant guilds without even needing a sword."

Fransesca nodded with a gentle smile, her hand still resting on his chest.

"Heres…" Garius continued, his eyes distant.

"He might be busy looking after his youngest sister now, but that boy's no weakling. His talent is unlike anything the others have."

He didn't elaborate. Even with Fransesca, Garius had his secrets. But there was pride in his voice.

Then he chuckled softly.

"Marcellus… strongest mage in the kingdom, and he still can't land a clean hit on me."

He turned to glance at her again.

"He tried, didn't he? That mock duel. Gave it everything he had."

Fransesca smiled knowingly.

"He's still sulking about it."

Garius smirked.

"He'll grow past it."

Then, a quiet pause.

"And Cedric…" he said softly.

"One of the rarest classes. A true Paladin. That light he holds—it's not just divine. It's personal. His conviction is different from most."

"And he hasn't even reached his next class yet…" His voice dropped slightly.

"None of them have. Not yet."

But his gaze held confidence.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"And Javier…"

The smile returned, faint yet unshakable.

"He's... different."

"A master of magic crafting—something this world doesn't even have a system for. His ability to create, to think, to invent…" He opened his eyes again, their glow faint in the dim light.

"His mana guns, his cannons, the anti-air arrays… even the puppet knights—those things shouldn't exist here. And yet, they do. Because of him."

Fransesca watched him, her hand moving to rest gently over his.

"You're proud," she whispered.

Garius didn't reply.

He didn't need to.

The quiet strength in his eyes said everything.

( End of Chapter )