Reborn As Noble Chapter 1185: Eyes in the Sky, Guards at the Door ( 1185 )

Garius settled back into his chair, a sly smirk tugging at his lips.

"Alf?"

Stepping forward from the shadows, Alf adjusted his glove with a practiced motion.

"As you wish, Your Majesty?"

"So..."

Alf offered a tender smile. "Indeed, Your Majesty. I took the liberty of ensuring our command center kept the Mathrias estate and its surrounding perimeter under constant surveillance well before our arrival. Thanks to the breakthroughs spearheaded by Prince Javier—specifically the Sky Eyes monitoring system and the mana satellite network—our covert shadow units and specialist divisions have reached an unprecedented level of lethality. We can observe every movement without risking our operatives or exposing their identities."

With a knowing nod, Alf continued. "It happened just as you predicted, Your Majesty. One of them visibly recoiled the second they caught sight of me." His tone turned stern. "Let us simply say... he lingers quite closely around Lord Rolland."

"Mm... I am already well aware of the culprit," Garius replied, giving a slight shake of his head.

"Understood, Your Majesty. Although, I suspect there is more than just a single infiltrator. I am convinced that no fewer than seven individuals residing within the Mathrias estate are involved."

"Order our units to maintain a strict watch on these suspects; document their whereabouts and their associates. Furthermore, ensure that every Armand operative remains vigilant while we are within these grounds. We must not jeopardize their well-being. Even if our personnel are equipped with the finest gear and reinforced by specialized magic barriers, I refuse to tolerate any degree of negligence or overconfidence."

"Your command is absolute, Your Majesty."

Elsewhere.

Outside the chambers of Gracelle.

Two senior maids of the Mathrias house were demanding access.

"It is our sworn duty to tend to our young lady!"

Standing as an immovable wall, the Armand guards, Garak and Marcor, blocked the entrance.

"Fall back, women. Or we shall be forced to respond in kind."

"But these are the direct commands of our lord! Surely you understand the necessity of this!" the maids argued, desperate to leverage their status and the authority of Lord Rolland.

Garak crossed his arms, pinning them with a sharp glare while maintaining his position. "Denied. Furthermore, we are operating under strict orders from Prince Javier: no one enters, regardless of status, unless they are Armand personnel or immediate family."

The maids shrieked in frustration. "But our lord demands it!"

Reaching for the mana gun resting at his hip, Marcor raised a hand, his face mask hardening into a cold, stern expression. "Your master’s authority does not transcend that of an Armand Prince. His status is far beneath that of an Imperial royalty."

"The kingdom of Armand is not our ruler! Mathrias is a province of the Human Kingdom, not a vassal to Armand! Your prince’s titles carry no weight here!"

Garak did not break his stance, his eyes narrowing. "And yet, your 'Human Kingdom' stood by uselessly when your neighbors plotted to pillage Mathrias, forcing your lord to beg our King of Armand for intervention. Shall I go on? Your native healers, your high priests, and the finest minds of the Human Kingdom failed to cure your lady for years!"

Marcor’s gaze turned predatory. "Listen well, you wretched curs. We do not care for your lord’s stature. Even if King Kimar himself arrived to issue orders, we would not waver. Our allegiance to our Prince and King is total. No one gains entry. If you continue to insist, I will not hesitate to end you both right here."

"Back away while we are still feeling merciful," Garak warned. "Besides, you have no business here. Your lady remains in critical condition, unconscious and under specialized medical care. A maid’s trivial duties are entirely irrelevant at this moment."

"Exactly." Marcor released his mana gun, shifting his hand to the magic blade sheathed at his back. "It is highly suspicious that you are so desperate to enter. Begone. When our prince issues a command to lockdown a room, I possess the full authorization to treat any encroacher as a lethal combatant."

Marcor’s killing intent flared, his aura surging as he slipped into a combat stance with blade drawn.

"Withdraw. Now."

Around them, the Mathrias guards unsheathed their blades, raised their shields, and braced for combat.

Garak let out a heavy sigh, watching as the Mathrias guards adopted their futile formation while Marcor readied his secondary blade.

Another set of fools, banking on archaic steel and iron plate.

Garak glanced at Marcor, whose aura was burning at full intensity.

And here is yet another hot-blooded warrior, treating every perceived slight as a death match.

"Marcor... signal the battle maids inside. If our perimeter is breached, they are to utilize their full output to safeguard the patient at all costs."

Garak sighed again, glancing at the eight guards posturing before them. "Do you honestly believe these eight could bypass this doorway?"

He gestured with a small rod held in his hand, looking at the battle-ready Marcor. He activated the device, instantly manifesting a translucent barrier that sealed the area from wall to door, leaving both guards safely behind the invisible shield.

Marcor’s eyes widened in mild shock before he fixed a scowl on Garak.

"What was that for?"

Garak simply whistled, his gaze fixed on the Mathrias guards as they swung their swords, only to strike the magical boundary with a shower of sparks.

"Tch! I was hoping to claim a few of them! You have spoiled my fun."

Garak chuckled, brushing it off. "Conserve your strength. Besides, we have not even finished our rations from Armand. And frankly..." he gestured toward the furious Mathrias guards, who were now frantically hammering the barrier, "...this is quite entertaining to watch."

Marcor shook his head with a long, weary exhalation.

Garak gave a light laugh, glancing at his partner. "Don't be so gloomy. I know you crave a brawl, but causing a massive stir is unwise. We are guests, after all, regardless of these people's idiocy."

Marcor stared at him. "The Prince’s order is absolute. We are tasked with neutralizing any threat that dares interfere."

Garak laughed again. "Did you forget the wording of Prince Javier’s directive? He said 'Do not let them in.' Not 'Slaughter every person who tries.' This barrier satisfies that command perfectly." He offered a smirk. "Even if I know you could easily dispose of these..." Garak flicked his eyes toward the enraged guards, "...pathetic wretches, discretion is often the superior tactic. Our mission is preservation, not starting an unnecessary war."

"Fine, fine. Whatever. Damn it. Why is it that I always draw you as a partner?"

"Heh. It is because I provide the intellect, and you provide the muscle."