Reborn As Noble-Chapter 437: Warlords and Fledglings ( )

"Seventy of our Giant Hawk Unit will stay in the capital," Gumarak declared, his eyes sharp with resolve.

"Keep them in constant rotation—flyby attacks only.

Harass the advancing enemy. Stall them. Make them think we're stronger than we are."

He looked toward his air command officer.

"I want movement every sunrise and sunset.

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Hit their outer camps, burn their supply lines, retreat before they can respond."

"Turn the skies into hell."

The air officer nodded sharply.

"Understood, Chieftain."

Gumarak turned next to the supply officer.

"Food.

I want reserves calculated for six months minimum."

The officer hesitated.

"Chieftain, that means halving rations for all troops—"

"Then halve it."

"Do it now."

"We don't know when our letters will reach Lioness or Garius. Might be weeks. Might be never.

Until then, we prepare to stand alone."

He clenched his fists behind his back, staring at the battle map—the dwarven capital marked at the heart of the defense web.

"Reinforce these points—here, and here."

He jabbed the map at the secondary outposts lining the capital's western flank.

"We need fresh troops stationed and ready. Don't wait for the fight to reach them."

A general stepped forward cautiously.

"Chieftain… you should consider relocating to the fallback town near the coast. If we lose the capital—"

Gumarak turned his gaze slowly, his voice firm.

"Not yet."

"I'll head there if the capital falls.

Until then, I stay."

"Just make sure the retreat route is clear and the emergency boats stay hidden near the fjords."

There was no room for debate.

"Now shift focus," Gumarak continued, tracing the map behind the capital.

"This region here—start crop acceleration. I want our farmers and alchemists working together. Force a harvest."

"Every empty field, every open hill—we make it feed us."

Another officer asked, "Even the lower terraces?"

"Yes. All of it.

If it can grow, we plant. If it can be eaten, we store it."

"This isn't just a war of swords."

"It's a war of time. And we're going to drag this out until our allies arrive… or we die standing."

Gumarak stood over the war table, jaw tight, his knuckles white.

He knew it.

He couldn't hold out much longer.

Even with all the walls, all the hawks, all the steel.

Sooner or later, the wave would break through.

And this time… it wasn't just an army.

It was monsters wearing human skin.

Celestial vessels.

He stared down at his own chest, where the faint glow of the celestial seal pulsed beneath his armor—like a curse, like a brand.

"I don't want it anymore," he muttered.

"Take it. Eat it. Devour it for all I care.

Just leave my people out of it."

But even as the words left his lips, he knew.

They wouldn't.

The moment they came, they'd tear through the walls—not just for him—

But for the land. The forges. The blood of every dwarf still breathing.

His hands trembled.

"Damn it… damn you."

He slammed his fist onto the stone table, hard enough to rattle the carved borders.

"Fuck you, celestial!" he roared.

Silence followed. The officers nearby said nothing. They had no words.

Because they knew.

This wasn't a war for survival.

It was a feeding ground.

And Gumarak… was next on the menu.

Meanwhile, in the Armand Estate...

Javier sat leisurely atop Buddy, who strutted around the estate with the pride of a king returning from conquest. His movements were exaggerated—each step dramatic, each tail-feather flick full of swagger.

"Cuquawked~ Cuquawked~"

Javier chuckled, whistling softly as he leaned back slightly on the saddle.

"Heh… my Buddy's gotten even bigger. You've been eating well, huh?"

Buddy threw his head back proudly.

"Cuquawked!!"

As if to say, 'Of course I have, I'm royalty.'

Not too far behind, Pikko and Peanut trotted in elegant sync—more graceful, more composed, but still showing signs of excitement.

Liana and Gloria rode side by side, watching their young master with quiet amusement.

"He's in a good mood again," Gloria said, smiling faintly as she adjusted her gloves.

"He always is when he's with Buddy," Liana replied, her tone gentle, though her eyes never left Javier.

"Still… even when the world feels like it's falling apart, he acts like this is all just another afternoon ride."

"That's what makes him dangerous," Gloria said with a smirk.

"Calm when others panic. He doesn't fake it either."

Liana's gaze softened.

"...That's why I'll follow him. Wherever he leads."

Gloria gave a small nod, but her voice carried its usual teasing edge.

"And here I thought you just liked hugging him in bed every night."

Liana's cheeks tinted slightly, but her tone remained composed.

"You're the one who always sneaks closer in the morning."

Gloria smirked. "Future second wife privilege."

"Unauthorized privilege," Liana corrected flatly.

Javier suddenly turned Buddy around and waved at them.

"Oi, you two lovebirds. If you're done flirting, get over here!"

"Huh?! Who's flirting!?"

Both maids responded in unison, only for Javier to chuckle, already steering Buddy toward the estate courtyard.

Buddy suddenly halted mid-strut, his neck jerking up in attention.

His usual playful tone was gone—this one was loud, sharp, and serious.

Javier blinked and followed his Pekko's gaze.

There, approaching across the courtyard, was Garius De Armand, the Lord of the region himself—riding Giddie, the Pekko King.

Giddie walked with majestic arrogance, his feathers barely fluttering as his heavy, commanding presence filled the path. His legs stomped like a war drum, and even his feathers seemed to shimmer with weight.

When Giddie saw Buddy, he let out a powerful squawk.

"Cuquawked!!" ("Hold your position, fledgling!")

Buddy—usually smug and mischievous—suddenly froze like a rookie soldier standing at attention. His head straight, his beak pointed forward. He didn't even blink.

Javier gulped.

"…You gotta be kidding me." He whispered, half amused.

Garius reined Giddie to a slow stop in front of them. His expression was calm, but his presence felt like an unspoken command.

"Javier."

"Yes, Esteemed Father!" Javier straightened up as if he were back in noble etiquette class.

Garius nodded.

"Once you're done exercising your... 'Muddy'..." —he side-eyed Buddy, who refused to move—

"…report to the main meeting room."

"Yes, Esteemed Father!!"

Garius then turned to Liana and Gloria with a sharp, quiet gaze that spoke volumes.

"And you two. Report to Erinnette. Now."

"As you command, my lord."

Both women bowed with practiced precision, their tones respectful and firm.

Without another word, Garius tapped Giddie's side lightly with his heel. The Pekko King let out a softer "Cuquawk," like a noble exhale, and resumed walking forward with all the elegance of a general in parade.

Javier let out a long sigh the moment his father was out of sight.

"…Buddy, you traitor. You folded faster than cheap parchment."

Buddy turned his head slowly and gave a single "Cuquawk," as if to say: "You try disobeying that bird."

( End Of Chapter )