Reborn As Noble-Chapter 360: Border Protocols ( )

Inside the Armand Estate.

A messenger bowed deeply before Garius, holding a sealed report.

"My lord?"

"Hmm?" Garius barely looked up from his desk, still focused on a different set of documents.

"A message from the Gaze City main base. An Amazarak woman is requesting passage through the border."

Garius raised an eyebrow but continued reading. "For what purpose?"

"The report says she claims to be Princess Zania's maid. She wishes to see her one last time before… well, before her execution."

Garius paused, drumming his fingers against the desk.

"Execution?" he repeated, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Then, realization hit him.

"Oho~" He smirked. "So Javier left the gallows standing in Gaze City?"

The messenger hesitated. "It seems so, my lord."

"And everyone thinks this girl will be executed today?"

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"Yes, my lord."

Garius leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"That brat..." he muttered, chuckling. "He's playing mind games, huh?"

He glanced at Alf and Erinnette, who stood silently by his side.

"Let the woman pass," Garius ordered. "But we need to process the halfling's documents as well."

Alf nodded. "In case something goes wrong, we'll have leverage over the halfling kingdom."

"Exactly." Garius smirked. "If trouble arises, we can shift the blame onto them. After all, they vouched for her, didn't they?"

The messenger bowed again. "Understood, my lord. I'll relay the message right away."

As the messenger left, Garius tapped his fingers on the desk, still smiling.

"Now then… let's see how my son handles this situation."

[Border Gate – Between Armand and Beastkin Kingdom]

A static pulse hummed through the mana communication device as the border gate outpost received an incoming message.

"Border Gate Outpost, this is Gaze City Main Base. Stand by for orders."

The captain of the border patrol responded immediately.

"Copy, Main Base. Awaiting your transmission."

"Authorization has been received from the Armand Estate. Proceed with processing the Amazarak woman and her halfling escort. Conduct a full inspection of their belongings—ensure there are no weapons or contraband. Once cleared, assign two guards to escort them to Gaze City."

The border captain pressed a rune on the mana device to confirm receipt.

"Roger, Main Base. Executing orders now. Out."

The transmission ended, and the captain turned to his men.

"You heard them. Move."

The guards immediately got to work, securing the area, checking documents, and preparing for a thorough search of the travelers.

The halfling frowned, her ears twitching in frustration.

"Errr... but I didn't go with her. I only escorted her to the border."

The border captain crossed his arms, his expression stern.

"No can do. Our lord's command is clear—if you vouch for this woman, you must be processed as well."

The halfling shifted uncomfortably.

"But... I'm a temporary representative of the Halfling Kingdom!"

The captain remained firm.

"So? Rules are rules. If you refuse, we can turn the Amazarak woman away."

The halfling sighed in defeat, throwing up her hands.

"Okay, okay... fine!"

The captain smirked slightly.

"Good girl."

"Now, you'll have to leave your wyvern here. Don't worry about its food."

She frowned. "But isn't a wyvern faster?"

The captain smirked. "You want your wyvern to get shot down?"

The halfling scoffed. "Huh? Arrows can't take down a wyvern."

The guards chuckled, shaking their heads. The captain leaned in slightly, his tone casual but serious.

"Let me tell you something, girl. You heard about the recent holy war, right? The one between the Saint of Three Gods and Armand?"

She nodded hesitantly.

"Well, they used wyverns in the war, and guess what? Every single one was shot down."

The halfling frowned. "By what?"

"Something we're not going to tell you," the captain said with a smirk. "Under our lord's orders. Let's just say... you'd be surprised."

Her mouth opened, then closed as she processed his words.

Another guard chimed in. "We're not boasting, but after that war, no wyverns are allowed to fly over Armand territory. Only royal wyverns, official messengers, and registered traders are exceptions."

"But we're not enemies!" the halfling protested.

"Doesn't matter. If you want to use that wyvern, we'll need to process its mana signature and register it. Otherwise, it could get shot down… 'accidentally.'"

"How long would that take?"

"One full day."

The halfling gritted her teeth. "Then how are we supposed to get to Gaze City quickly?"

The captain pointed toward a waiting carriage.

"That one."

It was an official Pekko Transport Carriage—a sturdy, well-built vehicle hitched to two massive, well-fed Pekko birds. The halfling's expression twisted as she realized something.

"Wait… You're saying a bird-drawn carriage is faster than a wyvern?"

The guards just smirked.

The captain crossed his arms. "Get in. You'll find out soon enough."

"Yo, Birdy Birdy... are you both full?" The captain casually scratched the thick feathers on the Pekkos' necks.

"Cuquawked!!!"

"Oho~ good boys. Now, show these two your real speed, okay?"

"Cuquawked!!"

The halfling and the Amazarak woman hesitated as they climbed into the sturdy carriage. The two Armand guards assigned to escort them took their seats but didn't reach for the reins.

The halfling frowned. "Wait... who's driving this thing?"

The guards exchanged smirks.

"Alright, Pekkos!" One guard leaned forward. "Show them!"

As soon as the command was given, the Pekkos sprang into action.

"Wha—!?" The halfling barely had time to grab onto the seat as the carriage lurched forward with such force that it nearly sent her flying backward.

The Amazarak woman gasped as wind whipped through her hair, and the scenery outside blurred by at lightning speed.

The Pekkos' powerful legs drummed against the road, their clawed feet barely touching the ground before launching forward again. Each stride covered a massive distance, the carriage gliding smoothly behind them.

The guards chuckled knowingly, leaning back comfortably as if this were just a casual ride.

The captain, still at the border gate, smirked as he watched the carriage disappear into the distance.

"Slow down! Slow down!!!" The halfling clung to the seat, her voice nearly breaking.

The Amazarak woman, gripping the side of the carriage with white-knuckled hands, was speechless—only feeling regret for every decision that had brought her to this moment.

One of the guards chuckled. "Alright, alright… Birdy Birdy, normal pace, okay?"

"Cuquawked??" The Pekkos tilted their heads slightly, as if questioning why their passengers couldn't handle a little speed.

"Yeah, yeah, normal pace."

"Cuquawked~"

Just like that, the Pekkos slowed to a leisurely trot. Not a single bump in the road was felt, yet their movements carried an unmistakable smugness—heads held high, chests puffed out, legs stepping in an exaggerated strut.

The guard beside her smirked. "Heh, this is their normal pace."

The other one chuckled. "You should see them when they really run."

The halfling paled, while the Amazarak woman simply closed her eyes.

( End of Chapter )