Reborn As Noble Chapter 1262: No Mercy for Betrayal ( 1262 )

"I think that’s enough chit-chat... since this is getting kinda boring, you know."

Mulcas fell silent, his mind racing, desperately searching for a way to escape.

If... if only I could reach the room...

I set up a barrel of gunpowder inside, enough to blow this entire building to pieces. If I could just get close enough, I could ignite it and take this golden knight down with me.

But... how?

Just as he was about to say something, he noticed both his hands suddenly bound by glowing magic handcuffs the moment the golden knight snapped his fingers.

"Alright, let’s get you out of here and send you directly to the Punisher."

"W... wait!" Mulkas stammered, panic rising in his voice.

"Oh? What is it?"

"At... at least let me get something from my room. It’s my right as a prisoner to gather my personal belongings!"

Javier chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Oh... you mean you’re going to get this thing? Hmm?" Javier raised his palm, and a barrel filled with gunpowder materialized in his hand, the old-style bomb that required a flame to ignite before exploding.

Mulkas’s eyes widened in shock.

Javier chuckled darkly. "Do you think I’m dumb? You forgot I’m a genius, didn’t you? I already swept the entire building before I even kicked the door down. Did you really think I’d leave a bomb waiting for me?"

Mulkas gritted his jaw, his mind racing.

Shit, shit, shit. Who is this guy?

How does he know what I’m planning? How does he know what I’m thinking? Is he reading my mind? Or is he just that good at predicting moves?

No... I can’t let this end here.

He raised both hands, attempting to activate his magic, but his eyes widened in shock when he realized his mana wasn’t responding. No matter how hard he tried, the magic wouldn’t channel.

Javier exhaled, shaking his head. "You know a little bit of magic, huh? But you were stupid enough not to notice that the magic handcuffs are designed to bind any magic activation. Man... it’s rare for me to see someone outside Armand who knows magic. But well... it’s not like it’s going to work anyway."

Mulkas stared at his bound hands in disbelief, too shocked to form words.

"You’re also wondering how, huh? Well... that’s why Armand is different from the rest of the world. We don’t just rely on brute strength or outdated tactics. We adapt. We innovate. And we’re always ten steps ahead of people like you."

Mulkas turned when he heard the synchronized footsteps of an approaching army. From a distance, he saw a large contingent of Mathrias soldiers marching toward them, led by a familiar face.

His face twisted in hatred when he recognized Captain Bhujar, his former subordinate who had remained loyal to Lord Rolland.

Bhujar stopped and gave a proper salute to Javier.

"Your Highness."

"Mm. This traitor is already captured. Make sure he’s escorted to the transport drone. I don’t want him causing any more trouble."

"As you command, Your Highness."

Mulkas struggled against his restraints, shouting in protest. "No! I refuse to be captured by someone of lower rank! I am a General! I demand to be treated with respect!"

Javier tilted his head and chuckled. "Huh? What are you talking about? This is the new General of the Mathrias Army. General Bhujar."

"W... what?" Mulkas’s face went pale.

Javier shook his head and exhaled before glancing at Bhujar.

"Bring the prisoner to the transport drone. We’re sending him directly to Armand for proper judgment."

"As you command, Your Highness." Bhujar saluted, signaling his soldiers to move forward.

"No! I refuse to be escorted by this guy! I don’t care if he’s the new general or whatever, he’s still beneath me! I demand to be treated with the respect due to my rank!" Mulkas shouted, struggling against his restraints.

"Ugh... what a headache." Javier rubbed his helmeted head in annoyance. "Man... I really have the urge to kill you right here and now, but because my father commanded me not to, I have to obey. Damn."

He glanced to his side, and a figure in full tactical gear, wearing a full mask with the Armand emblem of the Shadow House, materialized silently.

"Your Highness." The masked man placed his fist over his left chest and bowed slightly.

"Bring this annoying shithead and make sure he arrives at Armand without any trouble. Deliver him directly to Alf."

"As you command, Your Highness."

The masked man stepped forward, approaching Mulkas without a word. He raised his fist and delivered a single, precise punch straight to Mulkas’s face, knocking him unconscious instantly.

He grabbed Mulkas by the collar and dragged him away, while several other masked figures materialized behind him, following in perfect silence to escort the captured general.

Bhujar and his soldiers fell silent as the Shadow House operatives passed by.

Javier turned, hands clasped behind his back, his golden armor catching the last rays of the dying sun on the battlefield. He regarded Bhujar with eyes that held both calm and undeniable authority.

"Bhujar."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Gather every piece of gold, coin, and treasure within this structure. Take anything else of value that can be liquidated and deliver it all to the Mathrias Treasury. These resources will be crucial for the reconstruction effort, to reclaim what the traitors have pilfered from our people."

He paused, his tone hardening into ice. "Furthermore, execute every last traitor. Leave not a single one alive. You recall my father's decree: no traitor shall find clemency, be captured, or reintegrated into the Mathrias Army. Utter annihilation is their only fate."

His gaze drifted skyward, where several attack helicopters still patrolled the airspace, their sensors sweeping the terrain for remaining fugitives. Soldiers of Armand were visible on the sides of the mana helicopters, their mana rifles aimed downward, diligently scanning for any hidden traitors.

"You know my father's word is immutable. There shall be no mercy shown to those who embraced betrayal."

"As you command, Your Highness."

"Mm... Good. Proceed. Conclude this task and secure the entire region."

Meanwhile.

Beastkin Nation.

A humble village, situated some distance from the Royal Capital.

The Royal Beastkin Assassin units stood as silent arbiters over the vanquished human assassins hailing from the Hanarak Houses, their forms strewn across the earth. Two scout units and an officer from the traitorous ranks had been captured, bound, and now knelt in subdued silence, their faces etched with grim resignation.

The leader of the Beastkin contingent raised a compact mana radio, its size comparable to a walkie-talkie, and depressed the transmission button.

"Mission accomplished. All enemy combatants neutralized. The Hanarak assassination team has been eliminated. Awaiting further directives."

A faint static crackled before a clear, composed voice responded.

"Excellent work. Return to base once the area is fully secured."

"Understood." The leader lowered the radio and reattached it to his belt.

He surveyed the scene, his keen eyes moving over the fallen adversaries and the subdued captives.

"It appears the intelligence provided by Armand was exceptionally accurate. They even managed to pinpoint their hidden location and their movement schedule. Without that vital intel, this operation would have presented considerably greater challenges."

Turning to address his assembled units, his voice carried a firm resolve.

"Escort the prisoners to the royal dungeons. Their ultimate judgment rests with His Majesty, the King."

"As you command, Leader."

The leader then directed his attention to two subordinates standing nearby.

"Set this place ablaze. Erase all traces. I shall personally inform the property owner that full compensation for the loss of their building will be issued through the royal treasury. The crown accepts responsibility for the reimbursement."

( End Of Chapter )