Reborn As Noble

Chapter 288 Flames of Heresy ( 288 )

Garius leaned back in his chair. ”Alf.”

Alf, who had been standing nearby, immediately stepped forward. ”Yes, my lord?”

Garius exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. ”I donʼt feel good.”

Francesca, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke up. ”Hmm? Whatʼs wrong, dear?”

Garius didnʼt answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Eridith, the White Flame, his dragon-wife, who was still finishing the last of her roast meat. ”Eridith.”

She blinked, chewing slowly. ”Yes?”

Garius met her gaze. ”Can you follow Javier and his two maids to the border town?”

Eridith raised an eyebrow. ”The one between the Beastkin Kingdom and Armand?”

”Yes.”

She frowned slightly. ”Why?”

Garius shook his head. ”I donʼt know… Perhaps just a precaution.”

Eridith tilted her head. ”But your youngest son is strong.”

Erinnete, standing to the side, nodded in agreement. ”Yes, my lord. I even saw how he easily handled Blakor and his assassin team before.”

Garius tapped his fingers on the table, his expression unreadable. ”No… Iʼm not really worried about Javierʼs safety. I know heʼs strong.” His eyes darkened slightly. ”But something doesnʼt feel right.”

A heavy silence settled in the room. Everyone knew—when Garius had a bad feeling, it was never wrong.

Francesca slowly placed her teacup down, her elegant smile fading slightly. Eridith stopped chewing. Even Erinnete, usually calm and composed, lowered her gaze, deep in thought.

Then—

Garius turned to Alf. ”Alf.”

Alf immediately straightened. ”Yes, my lord?”

Gariusʼs voice was firm, absolute. ”Tell Hesbeirn and Rasdingen to take over command for now.”

Alf bowed deeply. ”Understood, my lord.”

Francesca watched Garius closely. ”Youʼre going yourself, arenʼt you?”

Garius smirked slightly. ”I just want to make sure of something.”

He exhaled, already preparing his next steps when—

”Iʼm going with you.”

Francescaʼs calm, elegant voice echoed through the room.

Garius glanced up, only to see his wife smiling softly. His golden eyes narrowed slightly. ”Francesca—”

”No objections.” She lifted her teacup gracefully, taking a sip before continuing. ”Where my husband goes, I follow.”

Before Garius could respond—

”Let me join too.”

Eridith smirked, cracking her knuckles. ”Youʼre being cautious? Then youʼll need me. If something does happen, I can burn it all to the ground.”

Garius rubbed his forehead. ”…Letʼs wait for Alf first.”

Erinnete, who had been standing silently, remained poised, watching the exchange. She wasnʼt going to argue. She was going too. Because when Garius felt uneasy…

That meant something dangerous was truly ahead.

Javier rode ahead on Buddy, enjoying the ride as the warm wind brushed against his face. Liana and Gloria followed closely behind on their own Pekkos, the three of them making steady progress toward the border town.

Then—

Javierʼs sharp eyes caught something in the distance: a thin trail of smoke rising into the sky.

He narrowed his eyes, pointing ahead. ”Hmm? Whatʼs that?”

Liana and Gloria followed his gaze, and the moment they saw it, their expressions hardened.

”Young Master… we better investigate it. Now.” Lianaʼs voice was unusually firm.

Gloria adjusted her glasses, nodding in agreement. ”Smoke in a village is never a good sign.”

Javierʼs grin faded, replaced by a sharp focus. ”Buddy! Letʼs go!”

With a loud squawk, Buddy kicked off the ground, charging forward.

Liana and Gloria followed without hesitation, their Pekkos racing at full speed toward the unknown danger ahead.

As Javier rode on, the wind rushing past him, he heard something beyond the crackling of burning wood: the clash of swords and horrified screams.

His eyes narrowed. ”What the—? Buddy, faster!”

Buddy squawked loudly, his powerful legs kicking up dust as he sprinted ahead.

Behind him, Liana and Gloriaʼs expressions hardened. Without a word, they readied their weapons. Liana gripped her magic bow, the faint glow of enchanted arrows forming as she pulled the string taut. Gloria tightened her grip on her warhammer, her calm expression replaced by focused determination.

The three of them rushed toward the source of the sounds—toward the village.

Then—

Javier saw it.

A scene of horror unfolded before him. The village guards lay motionless on the ground, their weapons scattered around them.

Then a voice rang out from inside the village: ”Kill the heretic!”

Javierʼs fists clenched tightly, his eyes burning with fury. ”Liana. Gloria.” His voice was cold and steady. ”Get ready.”

Because whoever did this…

Would not leave alive.