Reborn As Noble

Ferine turned her head, confusion on her face.

"Um… what did Javier mean by that?"

Liana, still watching the golden dust trail left by Giddie, smiled softly.

"Hm? That golden Pekko… belongs to Lord Garius. The king of all Pekko in Armand." She paused. "I don't know if Chieftain Gumarak is just unlucky or—"

Before she could finish, Javier's tone shifted. Calm, serious, and sharp.

"No," he said, eyes narrowed slightly. "This was my father's plan all along."

Ferine blinked. "Eh?"

Javier nodded toward the direction Gumarak had vanished.

"He predicted Gumarak would try to run… so he gave him just enough hope. Our shadow units were instructed not to restrain him, only to herd him in the direction they chose. All of this was deliberate."

Liana's gaze drifted toward the Pekkos still resting nearby.

"Those three remaining Pekkos…" she muttered. "That one belongs to Mrs. Erinnette. And the one next to it—Sir Alf's."

Gloria smiled gently, adjusting her glasses. "Ara~ and that one over there… is General Hesbeirn's battle Pekko."

Liana folded her arms. "Then this entire thing… was planned."

Gloria chuckled quietly.

"Fufufu~ how terrifying… Lord Garius is several steps ahead. Even the runaway route was already prepared."

Ferine looked stunned. "W-Wait, you mean… my father was allowed to run… just so he'd land right in the punishment circle?!"

Javier sighed, pulling his cloak tighter.

"And knowing Giddie… he's probably sprinting straight toward the capital with pride. It's like he's excited to deliver the old man personally."

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Then Gloria added serenely,

"Poor Chieftain… may the heavens grant him safety.

Ferine looked at Javier with worry in her eyes.

"D-Don't worry, Ferine," Javier said calmly, hands in his pocket as they walked. "Your father won't die."

She blinked. "Really?"

Javier tilted his head slightly, smirking.

"Well… he'll wish he died instead, but no, he'll survive."

Ferine's eyes widened. "W-What kind of punishment is it…?"

Javier paused, watching the horizon where the dust trail from Giddie's sprint had already vanished.

Then with a mischievous grin, he replied,

"Let's just say… it's special."

Ferine's shoulders tensed.

"…Special?"

"Ara~" Gloria's voice floated softly beside them. "You'll see soon enough. It's quite the… group effort."

Liana simply smiled, but her eyes glinted with amusement.

"He might scream."

Ferine gulped.

She suddenly felt a little bad for laughing at her father earlier.

Gumarak leaned forward, gripping the golden Pekko's feathered neck as the wind howled past his ears.

"Hehehe! I'm free!! I'm finally free!!" he shouted into the wind, beard fluttering wildly like a victory banner.

"Cuquawked!!" the Pekko cried out, its powerful legs hammering the ground like thunder.

"Oho~ You also excited, huh Birdy? That's right! Dash, my noble steed! Dash!!" Gumarak shouted with triumph.

"Cuquawked!!" the bird responded again—with even more enthusiasm.

The scenery blurred as they stormed through open fields and winding paths.

Gumarak was too giddy to notice that the direction wasn't changing.

Not even slightly.

He didn't realize…

The Pekko wasn't dashing away from his punishment.

It was dashing straight toward it.

The gates of the Beastkin capital city stood wide open.

Every guard along the path was already in formation—silent, disciplined, and focused. Shops were closed, streets were cleared, and the citizens had been instructed to stay inside, all under direct order from King Lioness himself.

Gumarak finally began to notice something was wrong.

"H-Huh…? This path… wait a minute… this…"

He squinted at the familiar architecture around him—the rounded stone buildings, the warm earth-toned decor, and the scent of grilled meat in the distance.

"This… This is Beastkin town, isn't it?"

But then, his eyes locked onto the towering structure ahead.

The golden roofs. The massive staircase. The proud banners waving in the wind.

The royal palace.

"Ahhhhh!!! Noooooo!!!" Gumarak screamed in despair, eyes wide in horror.

"Cuquawked!!~" the Pekko responded cheerfully, as if announcing his grand arrival.

Gumarak twisted his body, trying to throw himself off.

"I'll jump! I swear I'll jump!! I'd rather die than go there!!"

But his hands wouldn't budge from the reins. His legs were stuck firm around the Pekko's sides, locked in place no matter how much he strained.

"N-No! Let me off!! I'm a dwarf King! I have rights!!"

Once Giddie neared the end of the path, he abruptly came to a complete stop.

"Wha—?!!"

Gumarak flew straight off the saddle, arms flailing, beard fluttering in the wind.

"Waaaaaai—!!"

THUD.

Face-first into the royal palace courtyard.

"Ugh… That damn birdy…" Gumarak groaned, his limbs sprawled across the polished stone.

Footsteps echoed around him, light, graceful, but heavy with pressure.

"Well, well, well~" came a smooth, feminine voice. "Look who decided to drop in."

Gumarak stiffened.

He slowly looked up…

Queen Mylezra was standing there, arms crossed, elegant smile on her face, one eyebrow raised in amusement.

Behind her stood King Lioness, cracking his knuckles… and Veldrac, who was already stretching his legs like he was warming up for a dance.

"Gulp…"

Gumarak froze. His eyes darted left and right, no exits, no shadows to hide in, and no friendly face in sight.

"Ehehe… G-Guys? Come on now… We're all friends here, right?" he chuckled nervously, taking a slow, hesitant step back.

A soft hand grabbed his thick beard.

"Long time no see~ Gumarak," Mylezra said sweetly.

Gumarak gulped again, sweat trickling down the side of his face. "N-Now, now, Mylezra… Let's not be hasty, okay? I brought myself here! Isn't that worth some leniency?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, still smiling as she gave his beard a playful tug.

"Oh, I'm not being hasty, dear," she said softly. "This is me being patient."

"Eeeehh…?" Gumarak squeaked, feet trembling.

Behind her, Veldrac was already hopping in place like a kid in line for candy.

Everyone's smile darkened.

Footsteps echoed across the marble courtyard.

Gumarak slowly turned his head.

His heart dropped.

A towering figure in a sharp noble coat, arms behind his back, calmly stepped into view.

"Hello, old friend~" Garius said, his voice as smooth as silk.

"Ah… Ga-Ga-Garius…" Gumarak stuttered, backing up in slow, tiny steps.

Garius gave a gentle smile. "Well then, everyone… Shall we bring our dear friend to the place?"

"Gladly~" Mylezra chimed, voice like honey as she gracefully dragged Gumarak forward by his beard.

"Come now," she giggled, "don't make it harder on yourself."

Behind them, Veldrac and Lioness cracked their knuckles in sync, their eyes shining with pure dangerous excitement.

Gumarak's screams echoed down the palace halls.

"Wait! Wait! Can we just talk this out like kings!? GUYS!? EEEEKKK!!"

( End Of Chapter )