Reborn As Noble

The moment Kenjirou's palm flared, the black fire shot forward like a swarm of cursed meteors.

They spiraled and screamed through the air, chasing the Halfling General with unnatural precision.

"Shit—!"

The General jumped, rolled, and spun—doing everything he could to evade the barrage. But the orbs followed him like hungry predators, curving midair and refusing to miss.

With no other choice, he turned in midair and swung one of his axes at the closest orb.

BOOM!!

The impact shattered the air. His axe struck the black fire dead-on—and melted instantly, exploding in a burst of mana and metal shards. The shockwave sent him tumbling through the air.

He hit the ground hard, shoulder-first, sliding across the dirt with a harsh grunt.

His grip tightened on the remaining axe as he panted, his body already scorched in several places.

"Damn it…"

He leaped again—but stumbled.

His footing slipped on blood-slicked soil, and his knees buckled.

The remaining orbs of black fire closed in—ruthless and unstoppable.

"...!"

Then, a burst of water exploded in front of him.

A barrier of liquid mana surged upward like a crashing wave, intercepting the fireballs with a boiling hiss. One by one, the cursed orbs slammed into the shield and dispersed, steam rising in columns.

The General blinked, stunned.

He turned—and saw her.

"Fansia…!"

A Halfling girl in armor stood tall, a glowing staff in hand, water magic pulsing around her like a living tide. Her eyes were fierce.

"Father!!"

He gritted his teeth—half in relief, half in panic. "What are you doing here?!"

Before she could answer, Kenjirou's voice slithered across the battlefield like venom.

"Ooh~ a father-daughter reunion!" he mocked, licking blood off the side of his sword.

"Nice girl you've got there, shorty. Real brave. Real cute."

He raised his blade again, his dark aura flaring to life around him.

"Well… not for long. She'll be mine—once I finish you."

He laughed, a full and vicious sound.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

Kenjirou's grin widened, his eyes burning with twisted glee as he took a step forward.

"Ohhh… I can't wait to hear her scream and beg for mercy…"

He didn't even try to hide the malice in his voice, his gaze locked on Fansia like a predator savoring the moment before the kill.

But the girl didn't flinch.

She stepped in front of her injured father, planting her feet firmly in the dirt. Mana swirled around her staff—blue and silver rippling in sharp, aggressive arcs.

"You wicked human!!" she shouted, her voice trembling not with fear, but rage.

"I'll kill you!!"

She raised her staff skyward, focusing her magic around her.

"O sacred tide—gather and crash!

O blade of the sea, drown my enemy in wrath!

Form! Strike! Fall!"

"Aqua Lance Burst!!"

A massive sphere of water compressed above her, then launched forward—its surface swirling like a spinning spear, jagged and sharp, glowing with condensed mana.

It screamed through the air toward Kenjirou, like the fury of the ocean made solid.

Kenjirou didn't move.

He watched the incoming water spear with a delighted grin.

"You still use chants?!" he laughed lazily, raising his sword.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

The glowing Aqua Lance Burst slammed into his blade with explosive force—water and mana erupting in all directions.

But it didn't push him back.

Didn't make him stagger.

Didn't even scratch him.

Kenjirou stood firm, holding his divine sword in one hand as if it weighed nothing.

"That all you've got?" he smirked, stepping through the steam.

Then his grin twisted into something darker, more grotesque.

"I really want to see your scream... in my bed."

Fansia's eyes widened with fury.

"WICKED HUMAN!!!"

Suddenly, more Halfling warriors arrived on the scene.

Clad in reinforced armor and wielding twin blades, hammers, and enchanted staves—high-level Halfling adventurers, veterans of the frontline.

"Lord General!! We're here to assist!"

They didn't hesitate, immediately launching coordinated spells, sword techniques, and ranged attacks toward Kenjirou in perfect sync.

Explosions, ice shards, fire blades—dozens of high-level abilities converged on him at once.

Kenjirou clicked his tongue, his eyes narrowing.

"Tch… annoying."

Then—he vanished.

Dodging, twisting, moving like smoke between every attack.

Every spell missed him by inches. Every blade sliced through an afterimage. He wove between them like the battlefield bent around his will.

One of the Halfling warriors shouted, "He's too fast!"

Another screamed, "Don't let him reach Lady Fansia!!"

Kenjirou's voice echoed again—closer, more vicious.

"Let's keep the fun going, shall we?"

Kenjirou's eyes gleamed as he stepped forward slowly, licking his lips with a wicked grin.

"Mmm... I can't wait to taste you, beautiful..."

His voice was low, filled with cruel delight.

"I'm sure you were untouched..."

"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

The shout cut through the air like a war horn.

The Halfling General, wounded but resolute, charged forward with everything he had, his remaining axe glowing as blessing-enhanced mana surged into the weapon.

Behind him, his allies responded.

"Reinforce him!!"

Buff spells and enchantments flashed—boosting speed, strength, and barriers—all rapidly cast by the supporting Halfling warriors and battle mages.

Fury burned in the General's eyes as he closed in on Kenjirou, grief pushing him forward.

CLANG!!

Their blades met once more—but this time, the General pushed harder, driving Kenjirou back a step.

At that moment, a wave of Halfling archers and mages on the ridge raised their weapons.

"FIRE!!"

A rain of mana-infused arrows—glowing like starlight—soared through the sky in a massive barrage.

The arrows weren't aimed at just one man; they were aimed at all remaining Amazarak warriors and Kenjirou himself.

"FOR THE HALFLING KINGDOM!!!"

The air trembled.

The sky lit up as the Halfling barrage rained down—dozens of magic arrows piercing through the battlefield like divine punishment.

The Amazarak warriors—already wounded, maddened, and disorganized—stood no chance.

One by one, they fell.

Some were blown apart by explosive-tipped arrows. Others were pierced through their enchanted armor as the mana-tipped shots sliced cleanly through.

Screams echoed. Then silence.

What had once been a proud battalion of 5,000 was reduced to bloodstained ash and scattered corpses in mere moments.

But in the center of the wreckage—

Kenjirou stood.

Still grinning.

Arrows had struck him—three, five, maybe more—but none had penetrated deeply. The moment they hit, his wounds closed immediately, the flesh knitting as if nothing had happened.

Steam hissed from his shoulders as the divine blessing purged the residual magic.

He looked up, eyes glowing crimson, his sword pulsing with power.

"Oho~... That weak arrow barrage?" he chuckled, stretching his neck with a loud crack.

"Means nothing to me, shortie!!"

He burst into laughter.

Then he charged.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Dark mana exploded under his feet, kicking up dust as he bolted toward the ridge where the Halfling archers stood—his speed inhuman, like a missile of blood and shadow streaking across the battlefield.

Panic spread among the defenders.

"H-He's coming!!"

"Protect the line!!"

Fansia's eyes widened.

Her father roared, stepping in front of her once more.

But Kenjirou was already too close.

( End of Chapter )