Noble Reincarnation: Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power

Inside the tent, I was getting dressed in armor with Alice’s help.

I was changing into my battle attire for the departure.

“...Hmph.”

“Is something the matter?”

Alice looked up at me curiously as she helped. Due to our height difference, at this close range, she naturally had to look up.

Meeting her inquisitive upward gaze, I said, “It’s just that I could never admit—even if my mouth were torn open—that I can get dressed on my own.”

“Your Majesty...?”

Alice tilted her head in puzzlement.

She had known me for a long time, ever since I was a prince and now as the emperor, so she knew that someone like me wouldn’t normally dress alone.

But she hesitated to deny or question me directly, hence her reaction.

I chuckled softly.

“I’m the sort to go incognito often, and Henry scolds me for it.”

“Oh, right!”

Alice seemed satisfied with that explanation.

She accepted the logic that during those covert outings I would dress myself.

Of course, that wasn’t truly the point.

What I actually thought was this:

No matter how many experiences I had in my previous life, I could never admit that I could dress alone.

It has been decades since I was reborn as Noah Alarate.

In terms of the length of my life, I’ve now spent more time as Noah than in my former life.

The memories of my previous existence are fading while my awareness as Noah grows stronger.

I felt a strange nostalgia realizing that dressing by myself had become difficult.

In truth, this was the second time I’d felt this way.

“...I once heard a story,” I began, speaking cautiously to Alice.

“That a young man born and raised in a poor village comes to the capital as he grows, and after some years, his life in the capital ends up longer than his time in his hometown. That realization is deeply moving.”

“I understand. I also—”

Alice started to say something but suddenly caught herself and fell silent.

“Hm?”

“Ah, it’s… nothing!”

She blushed vividly and hurriedly denied it.

Then, in a faint voice, she murmured, “That you’ve spent more time in life with Your Majesty…”

She tried to cover it up, but I clearly caught those words.

Well, if she wanted to hide it, the kind thing would be to pretend I hadn’t heard.

So I said nothing.

Alice panicked a bit but soon regained her composure and busied herself diligently dressing me, like a devoted wife.

After a while, I saw a figure outside the tent.

“Henry has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

I responded casually, and the tent flap opened. Henry, perfectly dressed and prepared, entered.

He approached me and formally bowed, as protocol dictated.

“We are ready, Your Majesty.”

“Good.”

“The location is straight southwest from here. A scattered unit has been left behind. Judging by their size, it should be an easy victory.”

“Understood.”

“But why such a matter?”

“Hm?”

I tilted my head, looking at Henry.

He looked even more puzzled than I was.

“Your Majesty’s plan is unclear… The situation is decided. All that remains is mop-up or pacification—a subtle difference in wording, but that’s the stage we’re at.”

“Indeed.”

“Why must Your Majesty appear here? And the order is…”

Henry glanced briefly at Alice.

Since I gave the command, I understood well. Henry was considerate of my dignity in front of a woman.

I laughed heartily and said,

“I want to find out where the weakest enemy is.”

“...Yes, sir.”

“I intend to prolong the concealment a bit longer.”

“What do you mean?”

“This time, I led a personal military campaign but did nothing special. It ended before I did anything.”

“...Understood.”

Henry nodded slightly.

He, being capable, understood immediately that I was speaking of the “official” story.

“I want it to look like the emperor who did nothing hurriedly went to build achievements afterward.”

“I see. Since the deception can still work, you’ll play the part of a figurehead to the fullest.”

“That’s right. So the best opponent would be someone weak enough to bully.”