One misconception about Noah’s misfortune is the very nature of it.

With all sorts of rumors going around about it, people assumed he was intentionally spreading disasters like a lunatic. From this statement alone, one can conclude that he had full control of his powers.

In reality, the truth was quite the opposite.

To put it simply, he just had rotten luck.

Like a curse, this attribute followed him to the ends of Earth, attracting all sorts of trouble and misfortune to himself. It is so bad that any person that associates themselves with him are inevitably thrown into the mess.

So, no. He, in fact, did not have any control over his peculiar ability.

When he was still a little active in Court, right before he established his cursed reputation, plenty of newer Governors swarmed to create friendly relations with him.

This had been right after the Cataclysm, a moment in time where Noah was part of the Four Cardinal Generals. His reputation as one of the key figures that led to the end of the war overshadowed his ill-fated life, and while older Governors were still aware of it, they were all too busy dealing with post-war rebuilding instead of warning the newer bunch.

However, after a few years of dedicated devotion toward him, these young Governors quickly learned the true nature of his existence.

But it had already been too late at that point. If Noah had to describe the situation, it was like they were frogs being boiled in hot water. By the time they had realized their mistake, their careers as Governors quickly weakened.

In some extreme cases, a few were stripped of their title and became normal humans again.

Naturally, news of such misfortune plagued the Court for many decades after, and before long, Noah had no choice but to leave for an indefinite amount of time.

That was already four hundred years ago.

Now, he’s once again face to face with a fresh-faced Governor that is hell-bent on becoming his next victim.

He prays for someone to spare this child.

When the sword came down, Noah only had to twist his body and adjust the weight on his legs, swiftly dodging the blade as its sheer power cut down the space next to him, leaving a massive cavity in the ground.

He glances at the damages. “That was quite a swing. Are you trying to kill someone, Your Highness?”

There was a playful tone to his voice that would tick off most people, but the prince’s expression didn’t change at all.

Without saying a word, Theon lunges for him this time, his body properling forward in an attempt to subdue him. Noah lightly hops back, escaping his grasp by just a hair’s width.

As if predicting this move, Theon coats his weapon with a bright light of energy, sparks cackling in the air around it. On his next swing, a burst of light is launched from the blade and barrels toward Noah at an abnormal speed.

However, instead of making contact with him, it goes straight past his shoulders, down the street, and into the end of the isolation barrier.

The impact shatters the barrier effectively.

Noah tilts his head back and chuckles. “Nice shot, Your Highness!”

His slight comment was greeted with silence.

Of course, if that attack was aimed at anyone else,it would have undoubtedly landed on the intended opponent. At such a short distance between them, almost anyone would’ve made it.

But alas, the opponent was none other than Noah himself.

Anyone who involves themselves with him would involuntarily be affected by his abysmal luck.

This was one of these situations.

“Your Highness!”

Caelun exclaims from the sidelines, running to his Governor’s side the moment the barrier was dispersed. At the same time, the surroundings returned back to normal, the streets once again becoming animated.

“Isn’t this enough already?” Noah says as he crosses his arms. From the corner of his eye, he sees people staring at them, no doubt curious about what was happening.

In their eyes, the image the three of them portrayed would probably look like two nobles bullying a street rat.

“Can you tell me why?” Theon suddenly says, a frustrated expression plaguing his face.

“Why what?” Noah tilts his head.

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Instead of answering the question, Theon devolves into another explanation. “I have heard much about your martial prowess during the war, much like the other three Generals. Your technique, which focuses on quick but powerful movements, is a style that I have been practicing since childhood after thoroughly studying the books about you. Even after all of these years, there is no one else more suited to be my teacher other than you.”

Noah was a bit surprised. They had books about him that weren’t about his bad luck? And on top of that, this kid is saying some really wild stuff! It was as if he was confessing to his idol!

“Is-is that so?” Noah manages, scratching his cheek meekly. It has been a long time since he had someone praise him for something,and the last person he met that was abnormally interested in him was well-over a century ago. “I don’t really know how else to say it, but I’ve long since given up that way of life, your Highness. In fact, I don’t even remember where I put my sword, so I’ll really be of no help to you.”

This is why people always say to never meet your heroes. You’ll only be disappointed in the end.

“Verbal guidance is enough.”

But this person was a persistent fan.

Noah smiles. “Your form is perfect, your Highness. No need for any assistance.”

The prince’s eyebrow twitched in frustration, and Noah couldn’t help but feel it to be unfair. If anyone had the right to be annoyed, it should’ve been him! Not only did Theon interrupt his peaceful day of work, but the guy went and attacked him with a spiritual weapon! There had to be some consequences to this in Court!

Thankfully, before the situation could escalate any further, there was a loud noise that echoed in the three of their ears. It was the sound of a gavel hitting against a wooden surface.

Before long, a stern, female voice spoke in their heads.

“His Highness, Theon Evander de Lanoste, and his cabinet member, Caelun Ren are to report back to the Court immediately.”

Noah frowned upon recognizing the owner of the voice.

There was a slight pause before another message was given.

“Former Governor of the East, Noah. Report back to the Court immediately. This is a Court Order.”

Now, the situation has become tricky. The person who had just given them those instructions was the Secretary of Court Visha, and on top of that, there is only one person that has the authority to hand out Court Orders, and that’s none other than the Head Governor, Oberon Jaren, who was infamously known by his title [ Judge ]. Before Visha had said the last bit, Noah was just planning on ignoring it, but now that that guy got involved, he couldn’t just move around so freely like before.

Even if it was troublesome going back to the Capitol, he would still choose it over having the entire Court after his arrest.

Once the communication line was cut, Caelun immediately turned to the prince.

“Your Highness! This is why I told you specifically not to just storm off like that! Now we’re clearly under the Head Governor’s bad side!”

“No,” Theon responds quickly. “If it was about that issue, they would’ve called much earlier. This is something else.”

That was true. If Oberon was still the same person Noah knew from four hundred years ago, small instances like running out of Court would not be enough for him to force a Court Order. Even if that person had a few loose screws, he surprisingly ruled quite fairly in Court.

“Then what could he possibly need?” Caelun asked.

Theon couldn’t give him an answer.

Noah crossed his arms. “Well, one way to find out is to just go. There’s no use trying to figure out the reason now if they’ll just tell us once we’re there.”

“Are you trying to run away?” Theon narrows his eyes.

Even a situation like this, and this kid was still yapping about earlier!

Noah sighs, already mentally preparing himself for the upcoming adversary of facing the entire Court once again. “Believe it or not, I also dislike how this turned out. If I had any choice, I’d just hide away from the Court for another four hundred years. But alas, we can’t all have our ways now can we?”

Even with this, the prince still didn’t look so convinced. So instead, Noah turns his attention to his attendant.

“Caelun, correct? Since you’re his cabinet member, I assume you have a Waystone on you.”

Caelun startles a little upon being addressed by the Governor of Misfortune, but nonetheless, he stumbly takes out a hand sized stone with characters etched on the flat side of it. Caelun looks at the object. “What do you need it for?”

“Fast traveling, of course!” Noah says as he reaches for the stone.

“Huh? But only one person can use the stone at a time! Why are you trying to grab mine–!”

Noah shakes his head as he risked, swiftly snatching the rock. “Really, what has the newer generation come to? Do your elders not tell you anything?”

The red haired man looked like he wanted to retort, but at the last second, he willed his facial expression into something more neutral. Well, between the master and servant duo, at least one person needed some restraint.

“You’re half correct,” Noah continues his explanation. “The initial design for this could only accommodate one person. But if you tweak the symbols like this…”

With a few modifications to the rock, the writings radiated a small light for a few seconds, and Noah presented the object to them, with Theon hovering over moments prior.

“Just like this, it can take two people at a time!” Noah finishes as he hands the stone back to Caelun, who receives it gingerly.

Caelun looks at the stone suspiciously. “...It’s not cursed, is it?”

“Seeing as I have to use it too, I sure hope it isn’t cursed,” Noah said blankly. “Now, for it to work, we both have to hold on to each other at the same time.”

Caelun grimaced at the idea of even making any sort of physical contact with him. “Like holding hands?”

“As long as we’re in contact, anything is fine.”

There was a shameless sigh of relief.

Before long, Caelun had his hand resting on Noah’s shoulder–Noah had offered to touch him instead, but the younger man reasoned that it’s better if it was him just in case Noah tries anything funny–and Theon had also readied his own stone.

While doing all of this, the three of them had steered away from the busy streets and gone somehow more private. It wouldn’t do well for them if the passersby realized they were Governors. After all, they are existences revered for offering protection to the human realm.

To regular humans, they were closer to the idea of Gods.

“By the way,” Caelun suddenly says while the stone gathers their spiritual energy to work. “Why does the stone only work for two people? If all three of us held each other, wouldn’t that also work?”

At the question, a somber smile appears on Noah’s lips.

“Back when it was designed, that was enough.”

The stones flashed a bright light, and just like that, they were gone.