Reborn As Noble Chapter 1197: A Father’s Silent Concern ( 1197 )

Garius wore a gentle smile.

"It is a unit he insisted we assemble, just in case his knight battalion ever turns rogue or gets compromised by a foe. Although I am fully aware that those knights of his respond solely to his command," he noted.

Alf responded with a grin. "A prudent precaution, Your Majesty. It is always better to be prepared for any eventuality, and it certainly bolsters our security."

Francesca chuckled. "And yet, you still permitted him to have his way, didn't you?"

Garius chuckled. "Primarily, it is because I recognize the wisdom in his decision. With my Eyes of Truth, I could perceive the genuine motive behind his request. Furthermore, he makes so few demands. So, why refuse him? He is our youngest, and he has never once asked for gold... although he keeps a vast fortune in his dimensional storage anyway. Not to mention what he categorizes as 'royalty' fees... tell me, Alf, what is the exact amount?" Garius cast a playful glance at Alf.

"Prince Javier only collects one percent, Your Majesty," Alf replied with a respectful nod.

Garius shook his head in disbelief. "He could have demanded five or even ten percent of the earnings from the cocoa, white sugar, chocolate, rice, and ore mining ventures, yet he settles for a meager one percent."

Francesca let out a soft laugh. "You know as well as I do that our youngest simply has no interest in hoarding wealth. He desires nothing but his liberty~ And look at him, he even shares his prosperity with his brothers."

Garius smirked. "Indeed, though our eldest and second sons are constantly inventing excuses to 'borrow' funds or label their acquisitions as 'rewards,' despite possessing their own fortunes."

"Well, that is just who they are," Francesca said, her voice filled with maternal warmth and pride. "You are well aware that every coin Marcellus and Cedric have 'borrowed' from our youngest remains untouched. They merely treat them as trophies to display."

Garius shifted his gaze toward the smaller building adjacent to the primary auxiliary structure, where Javier was currently occupied with a surgical procedure.

Observing his fixation on the operation room’s entrance, Francesca tilted her head.

"Why such a worried look? Are you fretful about your youngest?"

Garius offered a faint smile. "I suppose you could put it that way."

"If you truly value your bond as a father, you really ought to spend more time with him, you know," she urged.

Garius let out a low chuckle. "And make him feel stiff and cautious, constantly averting his gaze and sighing? He would likely assume I am merely there to burden him with further duties or curtail his freedom."

He looked at Francesca. "You understand our youngest's temperament. It is far better to allow him the bit of independence he cherishes, especially with his deep focus on his inventions, his time spent with his companions, and of course, his Pekko, Muddy. If I were to suddenly approach him and suggest we 'hang out,' he would only conclude one thing: trouble or new, tedious responsibilities are on the horizon."

Francesca laughed lightly. "It is Buddy, not Muddy."

"I am aware. I simply enjoy calling his Pekko by that nickname," he replied, checking the door once more. "I trust he is deep into the surgery now, and I am confident he will succeed, provided he utilizes the guidance I provided."

Francesca snuggled closer, resting against his chest. "I have no doubt he will."

Garius stroked her hair before placing a tender kiss upon her head. "Speaking of Pekkos... where have Giddie and our youngest's companion wandered off to?"

"Hm? Giddie is stationed beside that structure," Francesca said, gesturing toward the building near the surgery room.

Garius narrowed his gaze, finding his Pekko watching them as the creature lazily poked its large head from behind the wall.

"Cuquawked?"

Garius gave a slight shake of his head and smiled. "Not a thing, Giddie. I was merely losing track of you."

"Cuquawked!" Giddie ruffled his chest feathers before settling back down.

"I wonder where Buddy has managed to get himself?" Garius scanned the area, searching for Javier’s oversized, orange Pekko.

Elsewhere.

Buddy was strutting smugly across the grounds, his talons making a rhythmic tapping against the earth as he whistled a cheerful, squawking melody.

"Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~"

He suddenly paused, tilting his head toward the horizon. He spotted two sinister, massive dire wolves vaulted the estate wall, their hulking frames wreathed in a swirling, dark miasma.

"Cuquawked?" Buddy narrowed his eyes.

As soon as the dire wolves caught sight of the bird, they shrieked and charged with predatory intent, their forms blurring with unnatural speed as dark, crackling energy intensified around them.

Buddy smirked, standing his ground confidently with chest puffed out and talons firmly anchored in the dirt.

The instant the beasts surged into the air, jaws snapping and claws flared, a flurry of invisible wind blades erupted from the Pekko’s body, shredding the intruders into countless fragments. The creatures vanished into nothingness, their remains dissipating like dust in the wind.

Buddy simply puffed out his plumage and continued his smug stroll, resuming his tuneful squawking as if the encounter had never transpired.

"Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~"

As he wandered, he cast a glance upward at Javier’s battle drones, which were raining mana bullets into the surrounding forest, and gave a dismissive shrug.

"Cuquawked."

Pressing on, he walked past a group of Javier’s automaton knights as they patrolled with mechanical precision. Ignoring them entirely, he continued his parade until he stumbled upon the grand wine cellar.

"Cuquawked~"

Stopping before the massive entrance, he nudged it casually, his strength easily pushing the heavy door aside, and peered inside.

"Cuquawked?" Upon looking in, he discovered several maids in uniform lying unconscious on the floor.

He sighed. "Cuquawked."

Retreating slightly, he channeled a gust of wind, lifting the maids into the air so they floated peacefully behind him. He then turned and began trekking back toward Javier's building, the unconscious women trailing behind him as he maintained his smug, leisurely pace.

Moments later.

Francesca spotted him approaching from the distance.

"Ara~ look, our boy's mischievous Pekko has returned~ It seems he has brought some unconscious girls with him."

Garius watched the massive orange bird as it sauntered forward. "Indeed. It appears he got bored and decided to stir up some excitement around the estate, didn't he?"

Alf smoothed his gloves, a smile lingering on his face, while Erinette breathed a quiet sigh.

"That Pekko is certainly too carefree. If anything were to happen to him, I am certain Prince Javier would be devastated with worry."

Garius shook his head. "He is truly just like his master—always restless, never lingering in one place, constantly hunting for new diversions. Giddie?"

"Cuquawked?" Giddie peeked out before standing and sauntering toward Garius.

The moment Buddy saw Giddie approaching, he grew rigid, averting his gaze and lowering his head; he was clearly intimidated by the elder's stern stare and the unmistakable golden sheen of his plumage.

Garius looked toward Giddie. "It is time you had a long talk with your offspring."

"Cuquawked!!"