Reborn As Noble Chapter 1187: To the Portable Fortress ( 1187 )

With a sharp snap of his fingers, Javier summoned fifty additional combat drones, which shot across the sky toward the far reaches of the Mathrias estate.

Retrieving a pair of mana-infused spectacles from his dimensional storage, he tapped the frames to initiate their advanced tracking systems.

"Interesting... five summoners total. One stationed to the northeast, another out west, one in the east, and two deployed sporadically. All draped in cloaks. I have a strong urge to hunt them down—or perhaps seize them as prisoners..." Glancing toward Liana and his companions, Javier offered a wry smirk. "But Father explicitly ordered me to focus solely on this specific operation."

"But Young Master," Liana interjected, her brow furrowed with genuine worry, "if we fail to stop them, this situation could spiral. They might ramp up their aggression or begin targeting others who are even less prepared."

"Indeed, Young Master," Gloria agreed, stepping forward. "You ought to prioritize this threat. Both your family and our personnel are walking into a potential trap."

Javier exhaled a long breath and gave his cheek a dismissive scratch. "Actually... even if the prospect of pummeling those twisted summoners into the dirt appeals to me, it's far better to conserve my strength for now. The duration of this surgery remains an unknown variable."

Liana fixed him with a piercing gaze. "Just mark their positions for us. We will go and dispose of them ourselves."

Javier’s expression suddenly hardened. "No. First off, I refuse to put any of your lives on the line. Secondly, you are well aware that a single blast from the drones or the Sky Eyes could vaporize them instantly." He folded his hands behind his back. "This is meant to be a statement for the coming conflict. I intend to prove that when the Armand name is involved, dirty tactics aren't enough to halt our momentum."

With another snap of his fingers, he summoned more of his latest puppet knights to guard the surrounding area as he glanced at the women.

"Everyone, get inside the room immediately." He pointed toward the sprawling portable structure situated next to the surgical facility. "I must prepare to move Gracelle into that space to begin the procedure. Nobody is to exit until I say so." He threw a final glance over his shoulder. "Go inside, relax, and put together a meal. Mother, Father, and the rest of our party will be arriving shortly."

As Javier turned toward the manor, Liana moved to keep pace with him.

Javier halted abruptly and leveled a fierce stare at her. "LIANA!"

"B... but..." Liana froze, taken aback by the intensity in his eyes.

"No 'buts.' Go inside. Your safety is my absolute priority, and I am not joking around.” Javier spun around and strode toward the manor as his aura surged with power.

Liana let out a soft sigh and faced the others. "Let us head inside, or our husband might end up sulking if we disregard his orders."

Gloria shook her head, a sigh escaping her lips. "You truly do hang onto his every word, don't you?"

Liana gave Gloria a sideways glance and replied, "Not entirely. But you know his reasoning is sound, and you have seen him weep before. He clearly cannot bear the thought of harm coming to us, even if he knows we are more than capable fighters."

Felicia nodded, Delya dismissed her oversized scythe, and Mimi stowed her combat gauntlet, their expressions softening as the truth of the situation sank in.

Gloria adjusted her glasses with a nudge. "Whatever you say, First Wife."

A gentle smile touched Liana's lips. "Let us just get inside and prepare some refreshments for the King, the Queen, and the rest of the Armand staff. I suspect Lord Rolland and Lady Sylvia will be joining the group as well."

"Mmh... given the magnitude of this surprise assault, I imagine they are just as vulnerable."

Once Liana had confirmed every girl was safely inside, she kept an eye on the puppet knights patrolling the perimeter while other security forces battled the strange entities.

I only hope everything goes exactly as the Young Master planned.

She watched the sky, where the drones continued to rain down destruction upon the summoned monstrosities.

"Liana?" Gloria called out.

"Yes?"

"Head inside and secure the entrance."

"Of course." Liana stepped into the building and locked the door behind her.

Meanwhile, in the separate chamber,

Garius sat relaxed in his chair, leaning his weight onto one arm with his cheek resting on his knuckles. Alf stood nearby, adjusting his glove, while Erinette smoothed her apron, remaining close to Francesca.

"Alf?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Alf offered a subtle incline of his head.

"So, the games have begun, have they? Resorting to such cowardly tricks as summoning rift monsters. It seems they are desperate enough to invite chaos just to disrupt our business here."

"Exactly as you predicted, Sire. It appears they aim to sow discord while you are present, either to frame Armand for the violence or to weave a narrative that undermines our political standing."

"It seems they have no intention of backing down," Francesca said with a soft smile. As her feet touched the ground, a delicate, ethereal glow began to emanate from her.

"My dear," Garius said, offering a warm smile.

"What? I simply felt like relaxing." She rested her elbow on the chair to prop her cheek up, casting him a playful look.

Garius shook his head in amusement as the surrounding staff exchanged knowing grins.

"Now, Alf?"

"At your service, Your Majesty."

"What of Rolland and Sylvia?" Garius asked, catching Alf’s eye.

"Ah... rest assured, the situation is fully under control. Our Shadow Leader is escorting them personally with his elite unit, completely unseen by the enemy. Even that butler, despite his reputation as a master assassin, failed to detect them watching his every move."

"And the matter of that butler? Shall I leave him to you?"

"Actually, Your Majesty... while I would be honored to handle it myself, I suspect I will not be given the pleasure. Prince Javier has already explicitly marked that butler and his squad of assassins as his own targets."

Garius let out a faint chuckle. "And I assume Rolland and Sylvia are already being chaperoned to safety by Javier’s phantom knights?"

Alf chuckled in response. "They are likely being ushered away from the conflict before they could even realize the scale of the skirmish. Prince Javier’s invisible knights have blanketed the entire vicinity."

"I am well aware, Alf. He knows we have our own elite forces and battle maids standing ready, yet he worries regardless."

"That is simply how our youngest son is, my love," Francesca added with a tender smile.

Garius rose to his feet, stretching his limbs before extending a hand toward Francesca. "It seems his knights have secured the path to the courtyard suite. Shall we take our leave?"

Just as Francesca accepted his hand, the door parted, and two of Javier’s White Knights, accompanied by the samurai-armored Shironii, entered to stand guard. One of the puppets stepped forward, halting a few feet from Garius.

[Please proceed to the designated safe zone.]

Garius gave a weary sigh and glanced at Alf. "Damn it... that one beat us to the announcement."