Reborn As Noble Chapter 1277: A Wicked Grin and a Raised Bow ( 1277 )

The next day dawned, and the road leading through Halfling Forest towards Amazarak became the scene for a somber procession. Gorak and his companions rode their horses, the silence between them thick with annoyance. The events of the previous night remained a burning ember in their minds: the unexpected loss of their silver-armored adversary, the profound humiliation inflicted in the tavern, and the fruitless endeavor to track him down had left them all in a decidedly foul mood.

Gorak clenched his jaw, a low hiss escaping his teeth. "Damn it! I swear, I just want to kill that guy. No one gets away with humiliating me like that. The moment I find him, his skull will be crushed by my own hands."

Valcrea guided her horse closer to Gorak’s, her face a mask of pure rage. "My desire is to sever his head and display it upon a pike, serving as a stark warning to any who would dare to shame us so."

Beside them, Zume rode, her hand emitting a faint glow as she suppressed the urge to summon her scythe. "I want to carve his body open, rip off that helmet, and feast my eyes upon his hideous face before I finally end him. I will ensure his final moments are filled with suffering."

Noji, positioned behind the others, let out a chilling laugh. "Do not fret, Leader. We will locate him again. And when we do, he will come to deeply regret ever crossing our path."

Falce remained quiet, her gaze intensely fixed on the path stretching out before them.

I can't help but wonder what the armored fellow looks like beneath that helm...

And how, precisely, did he manage to vanish into thin air? We attempted to trace his mana signature, but it was as if he had never existed. This is simply impossible; we have never failed to track someone before. Gorak is renowned as a master tracker, able to follow mana trails and pursue any quarry. Yet, this individual... it was as if he anticipated our pursuit. Had he prepared for it?

It's truly perplexing...

It feels as though the armored man possessed foreknowledge of our intentions all along. Our killing intent, our carefully laid ambush plan. He knew we would attempt to follow. And despite this, he chose to humiliate us so publicly in front of those dwarves.

Could this be why the Leader remarked that he possessed insight? Is it his ability to so easily read people? Is this how he has managed to travel alone for so long without meeting his demise?

"Falce!"

"Hmm?" Falce's train of thought derailed as her name was called. She looked up to find Noji regarding her with a look of mild curiosity.

"Yes, Noji?"

"What is with the silence? You’ve been rather quiet since we departed the tavern."

"Ah..." Falce shook her head, managing a faint smile. "It's nothing, Noji... truly. Perhaps I am simply weary from lack of sleep."

Noji offered a dismissive shrug and returned her attention to Gorak.

"So, what is our next course of action, Leader? Shall we continue our pursuit of this armored individual? I have a feeling he must be somewhere close by."

Gorak shook his head, his eyes scanning the road ahead. "No... We have a mission of greater importance. We must relay this vital information to the team that is due to arrive shortly. Do you recall our Supreme Goddess's words? We must prioritize what is more critical. Once this information is delivered, we can resume our hunt for the armored man. Otherwise, he will inevitably perish when our main force arrives, and when our primary mission to annihilate these lesser races commences."

"Y... yes, Leader."

Falce met his gaze and spoke softly.

"Leader?"

"Yes?" Gorak turned to face her, his expression placid.

"Do you truly believe his information can be trusted? Considering..." She paused, carefully selecting her words. "...the dealings did not conclude on the most agreeable terms."

Gorak let out a smirk. "I am confident the information is accurate. Furthermore, he provided me with the details prior to our unpleasantness. He had no knowledge of who we were or what our ultimate goal entailed. He had no reason to deceive us regarding the route or the guide."

"Leader?"

"Hmm?" Gorak looked at Valcrea. "What is it now?"

"Should we not verify the accuracy of this information? Perhaps travel to the Elven border and inquire with the guards regarding this 'Beggar Jee'?"

Gorak smirked again. "I would very much like to, but I doubt we have the luxury of time. We do not know precisely when the reinforcements will arrive." He paused, his demeanor shifting to one of solemnity. "If we were to depart now, I fear the team might arrive in our absence, which could jeopardize the entire plan."

"If you deem it so, Leader." Valcrea offered a smile, though a faint shadow of disappointment flickered within her eyes.

Noji tapped her chin in contemplation. "I do wonder which team will be arriving?"

Zume gnawed on her lower lip. "I sincerely hope it's not Karue or Angrar's team being sent. I find them all to be utterly useless."

Gorak smirked. "Indeed... much like their pathetic, weak hero before them. Jaigar. All brawn and no brains."

The women chuckled, but Falce’s eyes remained fixed on the onward road, her mind lost in a labyrinth of thought.

Hmm... Let us operate under the assumption that the armored man’s intelligence is indeed sound.

But what if the armored individual encountered this very Beggar Jee and, in their conversation, relayed details about our fractured agreement?

What if he provided a description of us and issued a warning about our intentions?

If this beggar, influenced by such information, refuses assistance to our incoming team, our meticulously crafted plan could crumble before it even has a chance to begin.

"Falce?"

"Falce!!!"

"Huh? What?" Falce directed a bewildered gaze at Noji, Valcrea, and Zume. "Y... yes?"

"What’s the matter with you? We’re all immersed in discussing the plan, and yet you continue to drift off," Noji remarked, her tone quite sharp.

"Ah... umm..." Falce was on the verge of replying when Gorak, with a low and authoritative tone, raised his palm.

"Everyone... silence."

All attention turned to Gorak as he lifted a hand, indicating for them to cease their chatter. He gently pulled on his horse’s reins, bringing it to a halt, and the others mirrored his action. His senses sharpened, tuning into the faint sounds from afar – the soft tread of footsteps, the subtle rustling of leaves, and the ragged breaths of fear.

"We have visitors," Gorak stated with a smirk.

"Are they enemies?" Valcrea tightened her grip on her weapon, her eyes actively scanning the surrounding area.

Zume’s palm began to glow, a clear sign she was preparing to summon her weapon.

Noji surveyed their surroundings, her posture becoming rigid and highly alert.

"I am prepared with the buffs," Falce whispered softly, raising her palm to ready her support spells.

However, Gorak simply chuckled, his expression one of darkly amused anticipation. "No... just stay calm."

"Why is that?" Valcrea inquired, her voice kept low.

Every pair of eyes shifted towards the source of the commotion as a group of halfling refugees abruptly emerged from the dense forest. Their faces were ghastly pale, etched with sheer terror as they desperately fled from several grotesque creatures in hot pursuit.

"H... help us!!!" one of the terrified halflings shrieked, practically stumbling as they moved forward.

Gorak’s smirk widened, and he cast a glance at his companions. "Ah~ It appears we can finally release some of our pent-up stress." With a fluid motion, he unsheathed his divine magic bow, his team members mirroring his readiness, their respective weapons catching the dim light with a gleam.

In a swift, decisive movement, Gorak took aim and released his arrow. It flew with deadly accuracy, striking the pursuing monsters and dispatching them instantly. The remaining beasts met their end under the coordinated assault of Valcrea, Zume, and Noji, their forms dissolving into wisps of dark mist.

The halfling refugees cautiously approached, their eyes wide, filled with profound gratitude. They dropped to their knees before Gorak and his team, bowing their heads in a gesture of deep thanks.

"We thank you for your salvation, oh noble heroes," the halfling leader stammered, his voice laced with relief. "If only we possessed something worthy to offer in return..."

"Ah~ Since you are so insistent, there is indeed something you could do for us~" Gorak responded, his voice saturated with a playful, dark amusement. He casually aimed his bow towards them, a most wicked grin stretching across his face.

( End Of Chapter )