The man known as the [ Executioner ] was just as much of a feared name as Noah’s own reputation.
While he instilled a sense of apprehension, this person’s fame gave out a feeling of oppressive fear. Just as his title suggests, his inauguration event involved slaughtering an entire battlefield all by himself, his martial prowess standing leagues above all else.
With such an advantage, it was through his own power alone that allowed him to decide who lived and who died. This strong display of strength gained him the nickname that became widespread throughout the three realms:
Michael the [ Executioner ].
When he was elected and became part of the High Court within his first decade, no one could say they were surprised.
Though, while many feared him, that was not the main reason for Noah’s dislike towards the person. In any case, this person looked and acted the same as four hundred years ago, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that his blackened personality is just as consistent.
Upon hearing the invite, many Governors quickly entered into the giant temple, shuffling amongst each other as they hurried up the long expanse of stairs.
The Court House was the main building where official matters were discussed, while also being the main residence for the Head Governor and his cabinet members.
“Let’s go,” Lisa says as she also takes a step forward. The group quickly follows after her, with Noah taking to the back, his steps languid and unhurried as he takes in the familiar surroundings before him.
The design resembles that of a Greek temple, with white pillars that tower over the entire Capitol, and large statues–belonging to that of the previous Head Governors–decorating the side of the entrance. There were three sets of stairs leading up to the Main Hall, each set having more than one hundred steps in between.
While it was not a problem to Governors, the stairs just posed a slight inconvenience without the use of spiritual power to just fly straight up. Besides the Head Governor and other permitted individuals, spiritual use was forbidden within the Court.
At the top of the stairs sits the Main Hall, which is a grand expanse of beautifully carved pillars along the sides, with translucent curtains draping over the empty spaces between them. While there were rows of chairs lining along the pillars, only high-ranking Governors were seated there, and most had no choice but to gather in the empty space in the middle. At the head of the room was an elevated platform with a large throne decorated with gold, making even most royals speechless at the grandness of the thing. Not only that, but the sheer size of the entire Court House thwarted that of even the largest human castles.
On the throne sat a man wearing a regal military suite decorated in white and red with gold details decorating the front and sides. With straight blonde hair that went down to his shoulders, calculating ocean blue eyes that scanned the approaching crowd of Governors, and a small smile resting on his lips as he leaned against the armrest, this person gave out an air of superiority.
Upon seeing the Head Governor’s face like this, Noah couldn’t help but glance at Theon’s similar features. While one had a serene face and the other a harsh wall, it was quite easy to see the familiarities between them. Could they be related?
He quickly dropped the thought as he and the rest of the group made their way toward the crowd of Governors congregating in front of the throne.
“Governor Noah, please refer to your assigned seating.”
Upon hearing Michael’s statement, any conversation going on at the time were hushed, their attention focusing on the speaker before turning to the man in question. After confirming his identity, hushed whispers suddenly filled the hall once again.
“Did he just say Noah?”
“That Governor of Misfortune?”
“The one that’s been missing for four hundred years?!”
Still, Noah’s indifferent facade remained immovable.
“I wasn’t aware I still retained my seat after I forfeited all rights to my position,” Noah answers calmly when he turns to Michael.
“Your place was decided based on your contributions to the Court,” Michael says passively while walking up to Noah, stopping only when they were practically side by side. “Even without your position, how could we just ignore all your accomplishments?”
“It’s been ignored for four hundred years,” Noah tilts his head to get a better look at the man. “I’m sure it can be overlooked for at least one more event.”
While they were speaking normally to each other, their voices were powerful enough to be heard by everyone present within the Court Hall. The older Governors sitting on the high seats looked down with mild interest, while the newer and younger ones held confusing gazes.
This could be said as a normal reaction, as stories of the Cataclysm were passed down like an urban legend in the human realm, some of which were so vague to the point of becoming bedtime stories for parents to warn their children at times. For many Governors younger than four hundred years old, they had also grown up with such tales, and even upon being elected, they still have not learned the whole story.
As such, while the elders saw Noah as a retired officer, the rest could only doubt his qualifications to sit amongst their seniors.
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Even with such misfortune, Noah was a General of War, first and foremost; one that stood at the pinnacle of the war at one point. Only those present at that time could account for his strength.
Seeing that he wasn’t inclined to move, Michael can only nod his head before excusing himself to the higher seats. “As you wish.”
Witnessing such a scene, whispers rang out amongst the crowd–this time from the elder Governors.
“Hmph! Disappearing for some time and acting like this? Who does he think he is?!”
“Doing whatever he pleases like always! No respect for the Court, whatsoever!”
“If the Head didn’t favor him so much, he would’ve already been impeached!”
Upon hearing such gossip, many Governors on the lower floor could only look at their seniors with confusing faces. Afterall, the person in question was the very same man they had thought was the mockery of the Court, someone that was just an inconvenience toward the rest of them.
However, even with such silly rumors going around in their little circle, it was becoming apparent that this troublesome Governor held more than just bad luck within his reputation.
“Your reputation is terrible.”
The comment had come from a frowning Theon to his side, the prince eyeing him from the corner of his eye, looking almost annoyed at the incessant chattering around them.
Noah blinked at the remark. Even amidst all the crude statements being thrown at his name, he had kept up a passive face, with calm eyes and a peaceful smile that let nothing out. That’s why–when such a normal observation was said–he couldn’t help but let out a small, genuine laugh.
“It really is, isn’t it?” Noah smiles at the younger male, who’s eyes widened a fraction–so slight that it was left unnoticed.
The clear sound of wood knocking against wood echoed throughout the large room, effectively silencing any sort of remaining whispers and chatters.
“That’s enough.”
The Head Governor’s voice, although spoken normally, echoed throughout the entire room, his words reverberating within many of the Governors’ bodies. While it was similar to the conversation before between Noah and Michael, this one was on an even higher level of power. At such a display, no one dared to even breathe for the next few minutes!
The Head Governor calmly scanned the room with languid eyes, as if seemingly enjoying the silence before him. Upon making eye contact, many Governors immediately wilted away, like a student avoiding a teacher’s gaze.
When those clear blue eyes landed on him, it took all of Noah’s sheer power to suppress the shudder that threatened to engulf his body.
The man smiled. “Noah, it’s been so long.”
It’s been so long? What’s with that familiarity! It’s already bad enough the entire Court thinks Noah was being favored, but now the person who actually had a say in the matter was outright admitting to it! Were his ears just for decoration earlier?!
“Your Excellency,” Noah bowed his head calmly despite the cries in his heart. Using such a respectful address, he hoped the man would get the hint.
“No need for formalities between friends,” the Head only chuckled, continuing to pick up the shovel and digging Noah’s grave.
At the word ‘friends,’ Noah felt one of his eyebrows twitch in disbelief. Similar to his reaction, many Governors in turn turned to him, anger and annoyance evident in their features.
“If the Head didn’t favor him so much, he would’ve already been impeached!”
The previous comment popped up in his head, and with how the Head was treating him right now, he really didn’t have any sort of rebuttal! It was as if the man in front of him was actively fanning the flames to a burning building.
Really, all Noah wanted to do right now was go back down to the human realm and enjoy his peaceful life of begging and doing mundane things! It really wasn’t his fault that such a weird person took a liking to him, okay?! If he really enjoyed such treatment, he wouldn’t have left many years ago!
Despite his thoughts, Noah remained silent in front of the many eyes in front of him. He responds, “I would dare not, Your Excellency.”
There was a resolute conclusion to this sentence, and the Head could only pout at the rejection. Nevertheless, there was still business that needed to be done.
“Alright, alright,” the Head finally says, leaning his head on his propped hand. Then, he settles for a more serious expression as he returns his attention toward the rest of the crowd. Seeing the change in his demeanor, many Governors also straightened up out of reflex. “I must first give thanks to everyone present, seeing how abrupt this meeting was. However, with such an emergency, I’m afraid there isn’t any luxury to give out my deepest gratitudes.”
The Head turned and nodded to Michael, who stood up from his seat and waved a hand in the air toward the middle of the room. Instantly, a projection of some sorts appeared in front of them.
Many gasps were heard amongst the crowd of Governors. Noah only narrowed his eyes.
The projection depicted an image of a desolate village, with small houses made from old wood, and a gravel path that seemed to be overgrown with weeds. Blurry shadows were scattered throughout the road, acting like a stain within such a peaceful image. Other than that, there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary in the peaceful village.
However, upon closer inspection, those dark figures were not shadows, but human bodies!
As if stained with something ominous, the blackened bodies lay motionless on the ground, blank expressions shown on their faces. If it wasn’t for the dark energy radiating from their bodies, one would’ve passed it on as a burning accident.
“Your Excellency, this…”
The Head only nodded solemnly. “It’s as you can see. Recently, a prophecy was made regarding this problem, but we could not act on it without any evidence. Then, a few days ago, in the Southern part of the continent, a village was attacked by an unknown figure. This is the aftermath of that attack.”
Michael made another hand gesture, and the image zoomed in on one of the victims. The person being depicted could no longer be distinguished, with all of their features being overshadowed by a dark film that enveloped their body. Their eyes–the only thing that could be seen clearly–were wide open, a somewhat blank look painting their features.
Hushed whispers once again permeated the room, now mixed with a sense of urgency and fear.
Noah studied the image in front of him once more. The body was tainted a pitch black that held no sort of light, as if turning that person into a mere shadow itself. Looking at the eyes, it was as if this person was sucked of all their energy, leaving only a shell of their former being.
There was only one being capable of such a thing, and that was–
“The prophecy foretold the reappearance of this person,” the Head of the Court cut through his thoughts, as well as all the whispers. “It was hard to believe at first, but with this, there is no mistaking it.”
The Head of the Court once again looks at Noah with an unknown emotion dancing in his eyes.
“No-Name has returned.”