Reborn As Noble-Chapter 423: Mapping Fate ( )

Marcellus spoke up again, eyes on the map.

"Knowing that Amazarak lacks dedicated mages, while the halflings have plenty, and judging from the number of troops they sent… it's almost guaranteed Amazarak will fall."

He tapped the section of the report near the town's name.

"The ex-summoned hero, Kenjirou, will lose his entire army. Even if Amazarak sends reinforcements, it won't be enough to hold that town or the halfling border he captured."

Cedric added without hesitation, "Based on what we've gathered, Amazarak only has around 130,000 troops total. Their armor and weapon development is outdated, their economy is unstable, and their supply lines are thin."

He looked toward Javier. "They can't sustain a prolonged war."

Javier, still flipping through the report handed to him by Liana, finally spoke.

"Yes, esteemed Father. If Amazarak relies solely on Kenjirou, they'll lose. It's just a matter of time."

Garius nodded slowly, arms folded. He already knew the outcome. He wasn't testing the outcome—he was testing his children.

"Heres."

The quiet brother looked up. "Yes, esteemed Father?"

Garius gave him a rare smirk. "If you're not busy taking care of your sister, help with the town center's current documents. Trade and distribution reports."

Heres gave a lazy grin. "As you wish, esteemed Father."

Garius turned the conversation back to the main issue.

"Now… what will happen to Kenjirou?"

Everyone quieted, eyes turning to Javier, who was still reading.

He looked up. "If he loses, King Gurdan will likely absorb his celestial."

He paused.

"But…"

Everyone looked at him again.

"But?"

Javier placed the paper down. "Kenjirou still has his divine blessing, his divine sword, and that artificial arm."

The room tensed slightly.

Garius then turned toward Liana and Gloria.

"Ari. Aria."

Both girls straightened, their celestial presence surfacing.

"Explain," Garius said plainly.

Ari spoke first. "When two vessels clash, the stronger celestial can devour the weaker—both the celestial and the vessel holding it."

Aria followed, "But Kenjirou is different. He's not a native of this world. Even if his celestial is consumed, his body won't collapse like that of normal vessels."

Javier leaned back in his chair. "In short… he'll survive."

Marcellus frowned. "Even after losing his celestial?"

Cedric answered before the celestials could. "He's still a hero. A summoned one. He still has his divine blessing… and that sword."

Javier added calmly, "Not to mention his artificial arm—a forbidden creation from Queen Zephyra."

Athine narrowed her eyes. "So even if Gurdan wins, Kenjirou might escape."

Aelius finished the thought. "And if he does, he'll be more dangerous… because he'll have nothing left to lose."

Garius's fingers tapped the edge of the war map.

"A cornered beast is the most dangerous."

Javier flipped to the last page of the report, then looked up.

"…And according to this report, if Kenjirou loses—and Amazarak falls—I believe he'll try to save only one person."

Garius smirked knowingly.

"Queen Zephyra. Right, Zania?"

The room shifted slightly. All eyes flicked toward the corner—where Zania, dressed neatly in her Armand maid uniform, stood behind Cedric like a shadow. Her expression didn't change.

She was focused entirely on Cedric.

Even with her name mentioned and Queen Zephyra brought up, she didn't react.

Didn't flinch. Didn't blink.

Just slowly nodded.

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"Hmm? Yeah… maybe."

In truth, Zania was struggling.

She really wanted to hug Cedric right now. Right here. In front of everyone.

But she could feel it—the air was serious, and Garius was watching.

So she held back. For now.

Her fingers lightly touch the edge of Cedric's chair, as close to him as she could get without making a scene.

Cedric said nothing, but his hand rested on the table where she could see it.

Zania smiled quietly.

Meira, sitting calmly beside Liana and Gloria on the other side of the room, kept her expression composed.

But inside her mind—

"Damn this bitch!!"

She glared at Zania, who was clearly trying to act composed behind Cedric.

Zania, doing her best not to draw Garius's attention, slowly and carefully placed her hand on Cedric's back—a subtle touch, soft and barely noticeable.

But Meira noticed.

And if she could, she'd yank that hand off right now.

Zania's expression didn't change, but her eyes shifted briefly toward Garius—just to make sure he wasn't looking her way.

She was scared of him. Everyone was.

But Cedric?

He didn't move. Didn't react. Either he didn't notice…

…or he was pretending not to.

Meira gritted her teeth quietly and drank her tea.

Very slowly.

Garius stood slowly from his seat, his eyes scanning the room.

"Everyone. Please be careful."

"Yes, esteemed Father," the children replied in unison.

Then Garius turned his gaze toward one particular person.

"…And Zania."

Zania froze.

Garius sighed. "You could've waited until the meeting was over before getting handsy. You're already assigned to Cedric. Even sleep in the same room as him and Meira."

Zania looked away quickly, pretending she hadn't heard anything.

Meira's expression twitched.

Garius gave Cedric a side glance—and a rare grin.

"Cedric. Marcellus."

Both brothers straightened up.

"Y-Yes, esteemed Father?"

Garius crossed his arms, his smirk widening slightly.

"Like your mother said… no grandchildren yet. Not until after the war ends."

Marcellus looked away quickly. Cedric coughed lightly.

Lithia and Meira turned red, while Zania… was already imagining things.

Zania's eyes sparkled as she suddenly leaned forward—hands clasped behind Cedric's chair, eyes dreamy.

"How many babies do you want, Cedric? Five? Six? Ten!?"

The room fell into silence.

Cedric froze.

Marcellus choked on his drink. Meira dropped her fork. Lithia covered her mouth, red-faced.

Garius's eyes widened slightly.

This girl…

This girl had once led a group of Amazarak warriors to attack the Armand household. Defeated, captured by Javier—she was supposed to be a prisoner of war.

And now she was talking about children as if she were already married into the family.

Garius slowly shook his head, then looked straight at Cedric—with a smirk.

"Good luck."

Cedric's face didn't move—but his soul visibly left his body.

Garius cleared his throat, his expression returning to serious—mostly.

"And Zania?"

Zania straightened up like a soldier caught daydreaming.

"Y-Yes, F–Father-in-law!?"

Everyone stared.

Cedric rubbed his temples, while Meira visibly growled under her breath.

Garius coughed once. "I haven't approved that title, girl."

"A-Ah… sorry!"

Garius sighed and waved it off. "About your people—the Amazarak warriors we captured during the last conflict. What do you want to do about them?"

Zania blinked, tapping her chin as she thought seriously.

"…I don't know… maybe… make them work?"

The room fell silent for a moment.

Marcellus raised an eyebrow, and Aelius muttered, "Efficient answer."

Garius chuckled lightly, shaking his head again.

"…You really have no shame."

( End of Chapter )