Reborn As Noble Chapter 1196: The Shadow Ghost ( 1196 )

Marcellus fixed a solemn gaze upon Aelius.

Cedric took the document he had been holding and set it aside.

Heres, having finished reviewing and stamping the paperwork, turned his attention to where Aelius was situated.

"What are you getting at?" Marcellus asked, leaning back into his seat with arms folded tight.

"Ah, Brother Marcellus, Brother Cedric. We all attended the Noble Academy, didn't we? And if my memory serves me..." Aelius smirked. "You two were students of special talent. That designation granted you unique clearance for everything imaginable..." Aelius paused to lean comfortably against his chair. "...including the extensive records locked within the royal library of the Human Kingdom during those years."

Marcellus exchanged a look with Cedric before providing a faint smile. "True, we did have access. Yet, do you truly believe a special student at that stage possessed the leisure to browse there? Hardly. Especially considering Father kept us occupied with classified missions to monitor those so-called summoned heroes. Not to mention the constant labor of assisting them."

Cedric voiced his agreement. "Mm. Marcellus speaks the truth. We were tasked with constant surveillance of those summoned heroes, supporting them through quests, grinding for levels, and gathering experience. We simply lacked the opportunity to peruse the vast knowledge kept within that library."

Marcellus reached for his wine glass and savored a sip. "Our objective was to ensure these so-called summoned heroes didn't endanger our people, nor threaten the stability of the kingdom we now call Armand. It was vital their actions didn't destabilize our nation."

Cedric nodded. "Indeed. Yet, in the end, they brought immense chaos upon everyone. They blindly aligned themselves with the Saints of the Three Gods and attempted to dispose of Liana and Gloria, which caused no small amount of trouble for our younger brother, Javier."

Heres smirked. "I'm just pleased little brother Javier put an end to all those agitators back then."

"Mm..." Marcellus nodded slowly. "Had I been present, I would have crushed those wretches without giving them a moment to react."

Cedric offered a smile. "Well... the past is the past. They no longer exist in this world, and Armand is now a sovereign, independent state, entirely disconnected from the Human Kingdom."

"Correct, but the issues persist. Fresh turmoil keeps emerging, and it almost always ties back to the Human Kingdom." Marcellus exhaled, gently swirling the wine in his glass.

"Agreed. Arjam, Tybalt, and now Mathrias. We are forced to intervene and resolve these dilemmas whether we desire to or not."

Cedric turned his eyes toward Aelius. "But that isn't the primary point, is it? You are clearly attempting to steer the conversation elsewhere."

Aelius chuckled while shaking his head. "I have no intention of diverting anything. You are the ones who digressed into unrelated topics out of nowhere."

Heres breathed out sharply. "So? What exactly do you intend to discuss? Do not make us wait or continue with these subtleties."

Marcellus stretched his limbs and relaxed back into his chair. "Speak plainly. Tell us. You have certainly piqued our interest."

Aelius smiled mysteriously. "It would be best to discuss this when we are alone. I prefer that no eavesdroppers get wind of this."

Marcellus looked at Cedric and Heres before giving a nod. "Very well. Let us discuss the matter during dinner this evening."

"Agreed," said Cedric with a nod.

Heres smiled. "It has been quite a while since we shared drinks. That sounds acceptable."

"Splendid. I shall reveal the details after dinner tonight."

"Mm... we will convene at my residence," Marcellus declared as he reached for more paperwork. "For now, let us finalize this documentation and be done with it."

Meanwhile.

Mathrias Region.

Mathrias Estate.

The guards of Mathrias, having previously fallen under the sway of the manipulation relic, now huddled together in the courtyard, encircled by Javier’s puppet knights. They sat in small clusters, their faces etched with exhaustion and confusion.

Garius stood tall, his hands clasped firmly behind his back. Francesca remained at his side, while Alf and Erinette took their positions nearby. The Armand Special Elite Units established a secure perimeter around the area.

Rolland and Sylvia stood positioned behind Garius, heads bowed in profound shame.

"Rolland..."

"Y... yes... Your Majesty..."

"Observe your own estate guards. They were reputed to be the finest, handpicked to defend their lord, yet they succumbed to a curse relic with pathetic ease." Garius’s voice was stern. "As the lord and sovereign of your region, it was your duty to thoroughly vet their backgrounds, verify their fealty, and guarantee their well-being."

Garius glanced back at Rolland, who remained hunched with his eyes fixed on the dirt. "Yet you remained blind to an infiltration and manipulation scheme occurring right under your nose."

Rolland and Sylvia stood mute, lacking any defense for their failure.

Garius shook his head and released a heavy sigh before turning his focus toward the Mathrias soldiers, who sat slumped and drained from the mental shackles they had endured.

He then cast his gaze toward Francesca.

"Honey?"

Leaning lightly against his shoulder, Francesca looked up with an serene smile. "Yes, dear?"

Garius offered a smile. "Could you assist in..." Before he could conclude, a soft, shimmering white radiance began to cascade across the courtyard. It sparkled like stardust, blanketing the entire estate. The light pulsed rhythmically, washing over everything in a warm, purifying wave.

Francesca smiled brightly. "Yes, dear? What did you wish for me to do?"

Garius chuckled, shaking his head. "It is nothing, my love... truly nothing at all."

"Aw~" Francesca pouted slightly, her eyes glinting as she searched his gaze. "Tell me anyway~"

Garius smiled. "You accomplished the task before I could even frame the request."

"Mm~" Francesca smiled and turned to look at the Mathrias guards, who now appeared calm and rejuvenated by the light. "I did nothing of the sort, you know~" She returned her attention to Garius. "I simply detest filth, and you are well aware of that~"

Just as Garius opened his mouth to reply, the distinct, rhythmic chopping sound of mana helicopters grew louder, approaching the estate.

The Armand Special Elite Guards surrounding the monarchs readied their mana rifles, while the battle maids moved into formation to shield them, their eyes scanning the heavens.

Garius smiled at his entourage. "Stand down. These are our forces."

Everyone nodded, visibly relaxing their stance though keeping their hands close to their mana rifles.

Rolland and Sylvia peered up at the sky in awe, watching as multiple iron aerial vessels descended from the clouds to land in a separate courtyard. Once they hit the ground, a new detachment of soldiers emerged. Clad in sleek tactical armor and wearing full-face masks, these soldiers carried advanced mana rifles, sidearms, and specialized blades, moving with lethal precision.

Alf offered a faint smile. "Your Majesty."

"Mm... I am aware, Alf. These are our newest special elite units, 'The Shadow Ghost'. They possess Javier’s most recent tactical upgrades, from their mana rifles and blades to their advanced gear. They are the apex of excellence, selected by us and further tempered by Javier himself."