Reborn As Noble Chapter 1228: Strengthening the Foundation ( 1228 )

His sharp gaze fixed upon Bhujar.

"Should the lord you follow be ruthless, tyrannical, or unfair... should he burden his subjects with taxes that drive them to famine, dispatch troops to perish for his avarice, govern through terror rather than virtue... then soldiers turning away might make sense. The masses pursuing transformation, even via uprising, becomes logical. Such is the inevitable result when a leader shatters his sacred pact with those under his rule."

Slightly inclining forward, he lowered his voice, each syllable weighted with purpose.

"Yet that does not apply here. Not to Rolland. He is no harsh overlord. His people have not suffered under oppression. Mathrias has not been exploited for personal profit. Fairness has marked his rule, despite the constraints imposed on him. Protection for his subjects has been his goal, even without full resources to achieve it."

Garius’s eyes grew steely.

"Treachery against a righteous leader isn’t mere survival. It’s avarice. It’s unchecked desire rotting in the souls of petty individuals who view frailty not as a summons to support, but as a chance to plunder. Rolland’s sole fault lay in placing faith in the unworthy. For this, his troops betrayed him and the very folk they vowed solemnly to defend."

Silence lingered as he let it hang, his eyes passing over each officer present.

"Grasp this well: the actions of your ex-comrades stem not from justified fury. It’s a venom spawned by self-interest. In my judgment, and by honor’s code, their offense stands beyond pardon."

Garius halted, settling back into his seat.

A subtle, clear whirring noise started resounding from beyond the room, the steady thrum of mana-driven rotor blades slicing the sky.

His eyes shifted to Alf beside him.

"Alf?"

Alf activated his mana talkie, paused to listen, then inclined his head and faced Garius with a courteous bow.

"Your Majesty. They’ve come."

"Mm." Garius nodded. "Good."

Leaning ahead, he grasped his wine goblet and savored a measured sip, the rich crimson beverage gleaming in the dim room light.

"Now... my officers along with key Armand administrative personnel will aid in restructuring the Mathrias household. I suspect the old butler and his cronies intentionally wrecked your systems and documents, plunging everything into chaos to undermine you more. Armand’s staff and officers will guide the restoration, done right this time."

Rolland dipped his head without a word. Bhujar and the rest of the Mathrias officers stayed mute, faces blending relief with unease.

"Rolland?"

"Y... yes, Your Majesty?"

"My team won’t linger. Their role is to steady things, not rule in your stead. Furnish me a roster of candidates to fill the open posts, administrative and martial alike. These room’s officers proved steadfast in crisis. Weigh elevating them to the top vacancies."

"Y... yes, Your Majesty."

"Mm. And appoint Bhujar as the formal General of the Mathrias Army immediately." Garius eyed the captain steadily. "The choice rests with you ultimately. Yet by my assessment, he displays the skill, fidelity, and determination required to command your surviving troops. He stood firm. He never faltered. That’s your requirement at present."

Garius looked toward Alf and Erinette prior to refocusing on Rolland.

"For the moment, prioritize bolstering your existing forces. Enlist and reconstruct. Regarding Mathrias’s present finances, I’ll supply the essential gold and materials for recovery and balance. Your coffers were probably looted or botched by the prior regime."

Thoughtfully, he stroked his chin.

"I’ll confer with my youngest son about furnishing arms to shield your frontiers, particularly the two most exposed border areas. Self-reliance in defense is vital, without constant outside aid."

Reclining, he lifted a report from Javier’s earlier batch, skimming its contents swiftly.

"Reclaiming traitor-held lands needn’t concern you. My youngest son will head a contingent to back your troops in retaking those domains and fortifying your boundaries."

Garius’s gaze intensified, face stern.

"Hear this warning, all of you." Eyes narrowing, his tone turned grave and authoritative. "My recommendations for advancements and adjustments in no way erode Rolland’s command. Don’t presume my words override your lord’s directives or treat his rulings as optional."

Slightly advancing, his stare remained keen and resolute.

"I have said it clearly: the final decision rests with your lord. My role is to advise and assist, not to rule in his place. Any officer who disrespects Rolland’s authority, or who thinks they can bypass his command because of my presence, will answer to me directly. And you have seen what happens to those who betray their oaths."

The warning lingered heavily in the air, his eyes scanning across every officer gathered there.

"If I hear even a whisper of any officer disregarding his command or questioning his leadership because of my involvement..."

He allowed the silence to stretch, thick and cutting.

"I will not be as forgiving as I have been today. Rolland is your lord. His word is law in Mathrias. My role is to support, not to replace. Remember that."

Garius folded his arms across his chest, his stance solid and unwavering.

"Now, Bhujar and the others may leave this room."

Bhujar along with the Mathrias officers rose swiftly, offering respectful bows. "We take our leave now, Your Majesty."

"Mm." Garius nodded once, his attention swiftly returning to Rolland.

"Rolland?"

Tension gripped Rolland’s features with concern, his gaze shifting uneasily. "Y... yes, Your Majesty?"

"You stay here. There is something I need to discuss with you."

"As you command, Your Majesty." Rolland replied softly, his eyes falling to the table as the others departed the chamber, the door shutting gently in their wake.

( End Of Chapter )