Reborn As Noble Chapter 1303: Horizon and Anticipation ( 1303 )

"Thank you, sir!"

The coachmen offered a grateful smile and bowed deeply. They waved as the elven patrol team, led by their horned horses, continued their journey along the forest path until they vanished from sight.

Once the elves were gone, Jaigar stepped forward, placing a hand on the coachman’s shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well done, Mikhail. You managed that flawlessly."

Gorak chuckled, folding his arms and leaning against the carriage. "I must admit, you aren't entirely useless, are you? For someone considered among the weaker soldiers, you put on a rather convincing performance."

Mikhail stood straight and offered a salute, a proud grin gracing his face. "I am merely doing my best, sir. My duties are of utmost importance to me."

"Excellent, excellent. That is precisely the spirit we require." Gorak nodded, pushing himself away from the carriage. "Let us proceed with our travels now and make for the Elven border gate."

"Yes, sir!" Mikhail responded, returning to the driver’s seat and flicking the reins. The carriages jolted and began their steady progress toward the border.

After they had moved on, one of the elven patrol riders guided his horned steed closer to the leader, their words flowing in the melodic cadence of the Elven tongue.

"Warden, are you quite sure it was prudent to permit them passage? They seemed… uneasy. Their story was riddled with inconsistencies."

The elven leader’s lips curved into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with subtle amusement as he replied in the same ancient language.

"Have you already forgotten the directive? We received explicit instructions from the palace itself. Two carriages carrying designated 'outsiders' were to be granted passage toward the border upon sighting. The King and the Elder Queen have issued their decree, and Armand is observing from afar. Their commands are absolute."

The subordinate inclined his head, his expression contemplative. "Your words hold undeniable truth."

The elven leader offered a faint smile. "However, the individual I conversed with… had he not chosen this particular path, had he forsaken this duty and pursued a career as a genuine merchant, he could have achieved remarkable success. It is a true pity. He possesses a silver tongue, yet his destiny is shadowed."

Meanwhile.

Elven Northern Border Town.

Javier sat cross-legged upon the town square’s cobblestones, his mana-enhancing glasses resting on his nose. Beside him sat Buddy, his enormous orange physique casting a lengthy shadow across the ground.

"Heh~ It appears they will be arriving shortly, Buddy~"

"Cuquawked~" Buddy’s eyes narrowed, a spark of excitement visible as he glanced toward Javier.

"Hey, hey. I recognize that look. You’re contemplating using your talons to subdue them or perhaps your magic to dispatch them, aren’t you?"

"Cuquawked~" Buddy emitted a low, sly squawk, the corner of his beak turning up in a mischievous grin.

"No, no." Javier wagged a finger in Buddy’s direction. "We do not eliminate them immediately upon their arrival. Our primary objective is to confirm the mission parameters first. Should we kill them now, our fathers would surely execute us!"

Buddy’s eyes widened, and he jerked his head up, swallowing hard at the mention of their fathers.

Javier gave Buddy a knowing look. "Even if you are feeling restless, refrain from acting rashly. Prioritize the mission. We are only permitted to engage them if they initiate hostilities first."

"Cuquawked~" Buddy let out a sigh of resignation, lowering his head in reluctant acceptance.

An elven guard, seated by the fountain, took a slow, deliberate sip from his drink, then murmured softly, just loud enough for Javier to overhear.

"Sir… Warden Faelar has confirmed the target has reached the border and will soon be passing through the gate."

"Mm… excellent." Javier continued his pretense of sketching on the paper before him, his voice low and nonchalant. "I have also been keeping them under observation. Just ensure everyone is prepared and proceeds according to the plan. Once those outsiders reach the border gate, be sure to create a diversion. Engage them in conversation, inspect their cargo, act as naturally as possible. Only seek me out when they begin to inquire about 'Beggar Jee.'"

"As you command, sir."

Javier offered a nod and a smile, his gaze still fixed on his drawing. "Furthermore, you may relay to the palace that the mission is progressing as intended. Just ensure Liana and Gloria remain unaware of this operation. Maintain absolute secrecy until I have departed with those outsiders."

"Yes, Sir Javier. Correspondence has already been dispatched to the palace. We shall ensure that Star Daughter Liana and Miss Gloria are kept uninformed of your departure until you have already left with the outsiders."

"Mm… thank you." Javier’s tone softened slightly. "The sole reason I agreed to have Liana and Gloria accompany us was to allow them quality time with their families, not to involve them in a mission such as this. This undertaking is mine alone. I wish to shield them from any potential danger."

"Understood, Sir Javier. I shall take my leave now."

"Hmm... Ensure they don't cross the gate until they start calling for 'Beggar Jee.' A new directive has arrived from my father, and I'm certain your Elder Queen has conveyed similar instructions for this operation. You must coordinate with your superiors to guarantee a seamless execution."

Once the elven guard departed, Javier produced a worn wooden bowl with a snap of his fingers. Discreetly, he dropped a few of the most common copper coins into it, the subtle clinking becoming one with the town square's general murmur.

Buddy peered down, a low, amused squawk escaping him as he smirked.

"Cuquawked!"

"What?" Javier's gaze sharpened slightly before he returned Buddy's smirk. "This is how we maintain appearances. A genuine beggar would have a bowl with some change. My attire is already disheveled, my hair unkempt, and my face is clean enough not to arouse suspicion, yet not so clean as to suggest pretense. Every single detail is crucial."

"Cuquawked~" Buddy nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Now, all that remains is to await their arrival. Then, we escort them directly to Father."

A confident smirk played on his lips as his eyes narrowed in expectation.

"Father's instructions are to bring them to a designated spot just before the Armand border. The Beastkin Nation is providing full cooperation; their patrols are under orders to permit our passage without hindrance. Everything is in place."

Javier's gaze drifted skyward, his expression one of calm but intense focus.

"We simply need to follow the established plan. Should it falter, rest assured, we have contingency plans and alternative strategies already in motion to secure the necessary information. Father never leaves things to chance, and neither do I."

A soft chuckle escaped him, curling into a smirk.

"Well... should they prove troublesome, we both know the appropriate course of action."

Buddy's eyes narrowed, his beak forming a sharp, predatory grin as he emitted a low, eager squawk.

"Patience, Buddy. I understand your eagerness for conflict." Javier’s chuckle deepened as he reached out to pat Buddy’s feathered flank. "But that must wait. I know you're feeling restless and bored, being away from Armand. However, that must be postponed. We have a mission to accomplish first. Once it’s concluded... then you may indulge yourself."

"Cuquawked~" Buddy responded with an understanding squawk, settling back beside Javier, his gaze remaining fixed on the horizon, brimming with anticipation.

( End Of Chapter )