Reborn As Noble Chapter 1278: Holographic Screen of Brutality ( 1278 )

Gorak’s team surged forward in a blur of speed before the halflings could even react. The forest echoed with the sounds of screams, cries, and desperate pleas for mercy, followed by the chilling thud of blades meeting flesh.

Amidst the carnage, Gorak stood, his bow still emitting smoke, a cold, satisfied smile gracing his lips.

"Ooohh~ I feel refreshed now~"

"Same here. Finally able to release some stress," Valcrea smirked, wiping the blood from her blade with a contented sigh.

Zume licked the blood from her battle scythe, her eyes gleaming with dark delight. "Ah~ I love the screams. I really wish I could hear that armor guy scream. It must be beautiful to hear his voice crack as he begs for mercy."

Noji kicked one of the bodies, rolling it over with her foot before planting her boot onto the fallen halfling’s head.

"But this is boring. They’re too weak! I was hoping they’d at least raise their weapons and try to fight back. I wanted to see their desperate faces as they tried to block our attacks, that look of fear mixed with the faint hope that they might survive. But no... they just fell like flies."

"True~ I wish I could hear them cry for longer. But it’s disappointing how quickly the screams go silent after just a short cry."

Falce remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the ground.

Noji glanced her way. "You don’t look too excited, hmm?"

Falce shook her head and exhaled. "I’m not like you all, and you know that."

"Huh?" Valcrea rested her weapon on her shoulder, fixing Falce with a cold, challenging stare. "What do you mean, 'not like us'? Do you want to die here, Falce?"

Falce let out a long, weary exhale. "Unlike you all, I don’t have a weapon to fight, and you know that, bitch. You all possess weapons capable of killing, while I can only cast buffs and support spells. I’m not built for slaughter like you. So don’t expect me to enjoy this the same way you do."

"What did you just call me?"

Falce crossed her arms, glancing at Valcrea, Noji, and Zume, who had already readied their weapons, their auras flaring with murderous intent.

"What? I called you a bitch. So?"

"I’m going to kill you right here, right now!" Valcrea’s aura erupted violently, and Zume and Noji shifted into offensive stances, poised to charge at Falce.

"Sure. Go ahead and kill me now. I’m sure you all could explain to our Supreme Goddess why her most talented healer and buffer died during an information-gathering mission?" Falce offered them a cold, mocking smile before channeling her strongest barrier skill, a shimmering dome of light enveloping her body. "Go ahead. What are you waiting for?"

They all gritted their teeth, their weapons trembling with rage, but before they could make a move, Gorak stepped between them.

"Enough!" Gorak’s voice was sharp, his expression stern. "Falce is right. Killing her would be a waste of our resources and would only anger the Supreme Goddess. We need her skills for the mission ahead. Fighting amongst ourselves is pointless."

Falce glanced at Gorak, her voice calm yet sharp. "No, Leader. I don’t mind. Just let them kill me. Then we’ll see if their power remains when the Supreme Goddess learns they killed her most valuable support." She paused, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "That includes you, Leader~"

Gorak fell silent, utterly unable to form words. He could only clench his fists and grit his teeth, his jaw tight with frustration.

Falce raised one palm upward, her eyes glowing with a radiant light.

"I’m not playing around here, bitches. Come at me. All of you. And you will discover why the Supreme Goddess values me above all of you."

The ground trembled, and they all suddenly felt their legs weaken, their strength sapped by Falce’s potent debuff skill.

Falce glanced at them, a cold, mocking smile on her face. "Oh? Didn’t you say you were going to kill me?" She pointed at her own chest, her voice dripping with challenge. "Come on. Stand up, raise your weapon, and kill me. Stab here, slash here, do whatever you want." She gave them a smug, challenging smirk. "Oh? Can’t move?"

Gorak slowly stepped forward, his voice low and soft. "Falce..."

"What do you want, Group Leader? Hmm? Backing them up now? Or are you going to try to silence me too?" She tilted her head, her smirk sharp and challenging. "Go ahead. Take their side. I dare you."

Seeing Gorak unable to utter a word, Falce glanced at the girls before turning her sharp glare toward Gorak.

"I don’t understand why I was assigned to your group when my talents are far more suited to assist the real Supreme Leader, Sir Julius. But because I was assigned by our Supreme Goddess, I had no choice but to agree."

Her palm descended, extinguishing the brilliant light as her debilitating skill vanished. Gradually, the others regained their vitality, their trembling legs steadying.

"Once the opposing team arrives, I shall report back to the Supreme Goddess and request a transfer," she declared.

She turned towards her horse, swung into the saddle, and cast a cold, resolute gaze upon them. "I never once commented on your actions, questioned your methods, or interfered with your schemes. However, my silence was not an invitation for you to mock or threaten me."

Falce began to urge her horse forward, her voice sharp and final. "I wish you all good luck. You can handle this mess yourselves. I'm departing."

Bringing her horse to a halt, she looked back over her shoulder, her tone laced with disdain.

"You are a feeble leader, Gorak. You cannot even manage your own subordinates, allowing yourself to be disgraced by a mere wanderer, and now you permit your team members to threaten your most valuable asset. Had Julius been present, he would have settled this already. But you? You are merely a puppet masquerading as a hero."

Meanwhile.

At the Armand Estate.

Within Garius's Private Chamber.

The expansive holographic display projected the savage brutality of Gorak and his team as they massacred the halfling refugees, their callous laughter and cruel remarks reverberating within the room. The images of the defenseless halflings being cut down unfolded in graphic detail.

Javier's fist impacted the table, the exceptionally resilient mithril surface buckling and fracturing under the immense force of his blow.

"I will annihilate every last one of them!" he roared.

Garius leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms, his expression perpetually stern and solemn.

"Javier."

Javier fell silent, his chest heaving with rage that was barely contained as he observed the adversaries he had been pursuing on the holographic screen continue their carnage.

"I... I apologize, Esteemed Father."

Garius observed his son, perceiving the inferno of fury in his eyes, but also the self-imposed restraint he was exerting. He spoke with a measured calm, his voice imbued with the gravity of experience.

"Rage is a double-edged fire; it can temper resilience or incinerate all in its vicinity. You are currently allowing it to consume you. I comprehend your wrath. I share it. However, if you permit it to dictate your actions now, you will commit irreparable errors. Concentrate on the objective you have established. These villains will face retribution, but it will be on our terms, not theirs."

"Yes, Esteemed Father," Javier replied, nodding, his gaze fixed upon the floor, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.

( End Of Chapter )