Noble Reincarnation: Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power (貴族転生 ～恵まれた生まれから最強の力を得る～)

Noah Ararat The Wise Prince, Age 12

Is something bothering you, um...

Her name is Gigi.

Gigi?

Oh, u-um...

The line of people bringing you birthday gifts

still hasn't ended. It's been three days...

That's about right.

It lasted a full week last year.

A-A week?!

I can't just receive them and be done with it.

The item received and its sender need to be recorded in detail.

It's quite time-consuming.

But I'm sure Evelyn will take care of everything just fine.

Gigi, you're on the job.

Oh! Right!

Prince Noah, now twelve years old,

has been recognized for fully mastering the magic sword Leviathan.

By direct imperial order, he is stationed at the Ministry of Military Affairs,

Ministry of Military Affairs

which presides over the imperial army.

And serving as its minister is...

It's Noah.

Good. Enter.

Henry Ararat Minister-Prince of Military Affairs, Fourth Prince

There you are, Noah. I've been waiting.

Good morning, Wise Prince.

Yes.

I was told that you wished to see me, Brother.

Yes.

I wanted to ask your opinion.

We've received an imperial command

to have Reiss here lead a force

to suppress a rebellion at the southern border.

If those barbarians are shown any compassion, they get cocky.

So we're to dispatch a regular army

to show them how much greater our strength is.

I see.

Reiss Keiki, eh?

Reiss Keiki Direct Subordinate of the Fourth Prince

Aside from his many acts of valor,

he's more than talented enough to lead an army.

Even among all of my brother's knights, he is exceptional.

Tell me just one thing.

Of course. Please, ask me anything.

How many soldiers are there, truly?

Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power

m 0 0 l 235 0 l 225 8 l 235 15 l 18 15 l 30 8 l 18 0

Something wrong?

I asked you how many soldiers you'll be leading.

Th-That is, um...

What do you mean by "truly," Noah?

Reiss!

What are you hiding?!

P-Please forgive me.

Brother, it's not a serious matter.

But imperial forces receive funding from the Ministry of Military Affairs

based on how many soldiers are registered, correct?

Yes.

And it's common for generals to register non-soldiers,

such as merchants and collaborators,

and keep the excess funding for themselves.

I sincerely apologize.

Why, you...

Please wait a moment, Brother.

And Reiss, stop cowering.

It's within a general's authority to add new soldiers.

I'm not trying to place blame.

Normally, that would be fine.

Registering soldiers in name only can serve as a deterrent.

That's true.

Sometimes it's better to say

you have an army of 100,000, even if that isn't the actual number.

Precisely.

You understand these matters well.

Brilliant as always, Noah.

But this occasion is different.

The emperor's order was for a sweeping victory.

That's why I asked about the extent of your embellishment.

Answer me honestly.

A-Around two thousand, I believe.

Then make sure you can actually supply that many.

Y-Yes, Your Highness. At once.

May I borrow a pen and paper?

Sure.

Take this to the Ministry of Military Affairs.

They'll supply enough to cover two thousand more as miscellaneous expenses.

The excess is yours.

B-But...

Take it. And in return...

I will not tolerate defeat. Understand?

Y-Yes, Your Highness!

Well, well.

What masterful usage of the carrot and stick.

By the way, Noah...

you haven't experienced war yet, have you?

Correct.

Even at age twelve,

I'm still at Level 1.

Name: Thirteenth Imperial Prince Noah Ararat Sex: Male Title: Wise Prince Level: 1 / ∞ F+F Fire: F F Water: E+S Strength: F+E Wind: F Stamina: F+F Earth: F Intelligence: F+F Light: F Spirit: F+F Dark: F Speed: F+F

m 0 0 l 265 0 265 73 0 73

That's the rule of the imperial family.

Many royal babies die prematurely,

meaning they don't survive long after birth.

Officially, it's attributed to an epidemic,

but most of them are identified as murder by poison

by those competing for more power.

Either way, a prince is a valuable living heir.

They aren't permitted to go to battle

until they've grown to adulthood, except by imperial order.

You're twelve now.

Wouldn't it look better if you got some experience now,

before you start ruling your fief?

If the emperor orders me to go, I'll go at any time.

You have a magic sword. I doubt you would have much difficulty.

When was your first campaign, Brother?

Oh, me? I—

What's going on?!

Please help me!

Hold up, damn it!

You stupid brats!

You're nothing but trouble!

It's no use trying to run!

Someone, please help!

All right, come with me!

No!

Stop it.

What?

Little brat! Keep your nose in your own business!

Where's your registration?

Huh?

Where's your registration? Your documents?

What is the name of your business?

Answer me.

You know that unregistered slave trading is a serious crime

under imperial law, right?

Sh-Shut up, you stupid brat!

Get him!

Well done.

Wow...

Incredible!

He handled himself like a real sword master!

What household does he belong to?

Are you all right?

Y-Yes...

These are underground slave traders, yes?

They said... we'd be worth good money...

That's enough.

What a pleasure it is to meet you, Wise Prince.

I make my living off of kids like the ones you see here.

My name is...

On second thought, perhaps I shouldn't tell you.

Why not?

Because I work for First Prince Gilbert.

Gilbert Ararat First Prince

The first prince?

Yes.

Not only does he know who I am,

but he's threatening me not to meddle because he has Gilbert's backing.

I don't want to make waves here.

Please, just pretend you never saw any of this.

Brother, do you know this man?

Huh?

No, I don't.

My brother Henry says he doesn't know you,

nor do I.

But of course not.

A man such as I would not—

I swear...

The nerve of this scoundrel to falsely claim he serves the first prince.

He may have fooled others, but my brother and I will not be fooled.

What? So he was a fake?

And... who are those two, anyway?

I know them.

That's the songstress Alichey's patron, the Wise Prince!

So he's real?

And the others are the fakes?

Apprehend these men and take them to the first prince's estate.

Explain that they are scoundrels who falsely claimed to work for Gilbert.

At once.

Bring the children to my mansion for now.

I'll hear their stories later.