Reborn As Noble Chapter 1305: A Sly Grin Behind Pitiful Eyes ( 1305 )

Mikhail offered a friendly smile, clasping his hands together.

"Yes. While I wasn't aware of everyone's familiarity with that title, we do have some matters to attend to with him. A mutual connection recommended his unique services."

The captain folded his arms, his gaze sharpening on Mikhail.

"If you truly know of him, you should be able to describe this 'Jee' you seek."

Mikhail scratched the back of his head and chuckled sheepishly. "Well... I've heard he is invariably accompanied by a colossal, bright orange monster bird. That, at least, is how folks in my homeland refer to the sight."

A faint smirk played on the captain's lips as he nodded, then gestured to one of his guards. "Go find Beggar Jee. He ought to be in the town square by the fountain, as per usual, with his pekko."

"Right away, Captain!"

The guard turned and hurried off, his movements swift as he made his way toward the bustling town square.

The captain then addressed the remaining guards. "Kindly escort our guest to the designated waiting area."

"This way, sir." The guards indicated for Mikhail to follow them towards a shaded relaxation spot situated near the main gate.

"Ah... what about my personal escorts?" Mikhail inquired, glancing back towards Jaigar and Gorak.

"Hmm?" The captain's smirk widened. "My apologies, but your 'guards' will need to remain by the carriage. They will be quite secure there."

He then turned and departed, leaving Mikhail to follow the guard to the rest area.

Jaigar and Gorak tightened their jaws, letting out low grumbles.

"How dare these inferior beings refer to us... as guards?" Gorak growled, his voice thick with indignation.

"Just you wait," Jaigar hissed, his eyes blazing with chilling fury. "Once this affair concludes, that contemptible captain will be the very first on my list. I shall ensure his head adorns my collection of trophies."

Meanwhile.

Within the borders of the Elven Nation.

The town square, adjacent to the fountain.

Javier sat cross-legged upon the ground, his worn wooden bowl clutched in his hand. He adopted a pathetic demeanor, fully embodying the role of a beggar.

"Oh, kind sirs, please have pity on this poor wretch... I have not had food for days... Even a single coin would suffice to procure a humble piece of bread..."

The guard dispatched by the captain approached nonchalantly. He slowed his pace, ambling casually towards Javier, and subtly dropped a coin into the bowl. Leaning in conspiratorially, he whispered,

"Sir. The individuals you were expecting have arrived and are specifically requesting to meet 'Beggar Jee'."

A subtle smirk touched Javier's lips. "Ah... so the travelers from afar have finally made their appearance."

"Indeed, Sir Javier. However, they appear to bear hostile intentions. It would be prudent to exercise caution."

"Hmm... fret not about such matters. I am well-equipped to handle them. It is most advisable that we expedite their departure from the Elven Nation without delay."

"Understood, Sir Javier. We have meticulously ensured that all procedures, from the initial questioning to the verification protocols, proceed as seamlessly as possible."

"Excellent..." Javier smirked, casting his gaze upwards towards the sky before turning his attention to Buddy. "Refrain from causing any disturbance for the moment, Buddy. Adhere to the plan. Maintain the pretense of being merely a simple-minded monster bird, oblivious to all."

"Cuquawked~" Buddy emitted a soft squawk, slightly inclining his head and adopting a relaxed posture. His eyes lost their usual sharpness, appearing instead dull and docile.

"Whoa~ Just look at my Buddy here," Javier remarked, nudging the enormous pekko with his elbow, a playful grin gracing his features. "He's exceptionally well-behaved, isn't he? Simply a large, dim-witted, harmless avian companion~"

The elven guard could only shake his head with a smile.

"Sir, what might the outsiders perceive if they notice Buddy and the other pekko-driven carriages appearing dissimilar?"

"Precisely. That disparity will further solidify their belief that I, a mere beggar with a lethargic and unremarkable pekko, am precisely who I present myself to be. A destitute soul who struggles to sustain himself, let alone possess a creature of such refined training."

He surveyed his surroundings before leaning in and whispering discreetly, "Might you procure half a portion of bread for me?"

The elven guard tilted his head in slight bewilderment but complied, retrieving the coin from Javier's bowl before heading towards a nearby vendor. He returned promptly with a half portion of bread and presented it to Javier.

"May I inquire as to your intended use for this, sir?"

Javier accepted the bread with a grateful nod, a cunning grin spreading across his face. "Well... let us just say, it is to enhance the authenticity of my portrayal. A beggar who has gone without sustenance for days would exhibit extreme desperation for nourishment, would he not? And if a guard were to procure bread for him out of sheer compassion, it would undoubtedly lend greater credibility to my act."

He then looked towards the guard. "Now, proceed with the established plan. Ensure it appears utterly convincing."

The elven guard nodded, then reached out, firmly grasping Javier's arm and pulling him to his feet, gently propelling him forward.

"Now, Beggar Jee... there is someone who has expressed a desire to meet you."

"Eh!? But I haven't finished my bread yet!"

"Cease your talking. Move along."

"Fineį ugh!" Javier stumbled forward, his half-eaten bread clutched in his hand as he was led through the town square. Buddy trailed behind, his tongue lolling slightly to the side of his beak, his head bobs perfectly mirroring the persona of a simple-minded pekko.

After a period of time.

Mikhail kept his gaze locked upon the gate, his body taut with anticipation.

Soon, he observed the same guard from earlier escorting a human clad in tattered clothes. Behind them trotted a colossal, dopey-looking orange beast of a bird, its tongue protruding slightly from its massive beak, its head bobbing with an expression of pure bliss.

"Eeeeppp!! Watch it! My bread's gonna fall!" Javier whined, staggering as the guard gave him a nudge forward.

"Just move it. Someone wants to see you!"

"I don't know anyone! You're just trying to kick me out!" Javier abruptly halted, turning to face the guard with a sheepish grin. "I haven't done anything wrong! I just sleep by the fountain and ask for food! That's it!"

"Jeez! I'm not kicking you out! The captain ordered me to bring you here, so just meet these folks and try not to cause any trouble!"

"Really? REALLY?" Javier's eyes widened, his expression transforming immediately into one of feigned hope and profound relief. "You're truly not going to banish me?"

"Yeah, yeah! Now, just go meet these individuals who want to see you, and don't make a fuss!"

"Hooray! Ehehehe! Thank you, thank you!" Javier beamed, his eyes sparkling with a mix of roguish delight and genuine relief as he clutched his bread tighter.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the gate, Javier paused, casting a wary glance around. His eyes flickered between the imposing carriages and the vigilant guards, his body betraying an air of exaggerated suspicion.

"Uh... I'll stay right here."

"What?" The elven guard exhaled in exasperation. "Just step outside, please."

"No!" Javier seized the massive gate, his fingers digging into the iron bars with a desperate grip. "I know what's going to happen once I step out there - you'll all chase me away!"

"We are not!"

Javier intensified his grip on the gate, his knuckles turning stark white. "No! I saw those fancy carriages! They're here to send me back to the Human Nation, aren't they!? You're expelling me!"

The guard let out a deep sigh and turned to his companion. "Could you possibly fetch the captain? This beggar refuses to believe me when I told him he just needs to meet someone."

Javier shot them a sharp, sidelong glare, still clinging tenaciously to the gate as if his very existence depended on it.

Mikhail slowly rose from his resting spot and addressed a nearby guard. "Perhaps I could meet him there, by the gate itself? I really don't wish to cause any trouble. I just need a brief conversation."

( End Of Chapter )