There was a heavy stutter in the air upon the confirmation.

Even amongst newcomers, the notoriety of No-Name was not a well-hidden topic, unlike Noah’s blended reputation. Known as the pinnacle of all Evil, the sole being that murdered the first generation of Governors, as well as an existence that almost annihilated a single realm, it was already very clear that there would be no mistaking this being’s intentions.

According to the records written about the first era of Governors, it was said that No-Name was a Governor who defied the Court and wished upon the destruction of the world. To stop this, the Progenitor Goddess revoked his name and imprisoned him under a giant obelisk imbued with spiritual energy for a hundred years.

However, unprecedented by anyone, No-Name had managed to curse his own self and gained even higher levels of power no one had ever reached before–turning into a Corrupted Governor! After escaping his own prison through sheer force, he stormed the Capitol and almost wiped out the entire Court, save for a few who had gone into hiding out of fear. Following this, No-Name retreated after exhausting a majority of his power, disappearing for a period of six hundred years before returning once again, this time during the Cataclysm.

Having recalled these vital pieces of history, many Governors suddenly had a myriad of things to say:

“But that’s impossible!”

“Resurrection?! No-Name died in the War!”

“This has to be some coincidence!”

There seemed to be no end to the stream of reactions thrown out. Seeing this, another Governor sitting in one of the higher seats takes it upon himself to add some more fire to the situation.

“I have thoroughly investigated the village in the South,” Governor Emrys says, his voice piercing through the chatters instantly. “The attack was recent, and there were no trails left to track the perpetrator. However, one thing I can confirm is that the identity is really No-Name, without a doubt. That method of killing–it’s exactly the same as it was four hundred years ago!”

The method in question was the act of corrupting one’s entire body and mind, devouring their entire life force in the process of doing so. It was a similar method to how Abyssal beings fed off the souls of humans, and while the latter did it for survival, the former did it out of pure malice.

It could be said it was an act of revenge for how his own life was cursed, but how could he possibly turn to others when he had no one else to blame but himself?

“Is it contained in your territory?”

It was a new voice this time–General of the West, [ Black Inferno ] Kyrell looks pointedly at his fellow comrade.

Kyrell, decorated in his full black military regalia, was a tall, handsome man with long black hair that contrasted his ivory skin and pale gray eyes that captured the deep emotions of the Governor.

“Are your ears for decoration?” Emrys sends him a blank look. “If I knew that sort of information, I would’ve already tracked him down in a heartbeat.”

“For a network as large as yours, it’d say it’s quite a letdown!” Kyrell huffs out as he crosses his arms. “Not only did you fail to locate him, you’re also risking letting him out to other territories–!”

“Let’s see you track it down then,” Emrys interrupts sharply, and while there was annoyance to his voice, it was still rather tame compared to the other Governor. “If you're so unsatisfied by my work, how about getting off your century-long vacation and actually contributing something for once.”

At such a comment, Kyrell erupted from his seat, unsheathing his saber to point at the other man.

“Bastard, you wanna fight?!”

“Resorting to violence already? Like a barbarian, indeed.”

“What did you call me?!”

“Well, well. Your ears really are for decoration!”

“Clench your teeth–!”

The moment the angered man brought his foot down onto the elevated platform in front of him, many nearby Governors hurried to contain him, grabbing at whatever body part they could to keep him down from murdering the other Governor. Restrained, the man could only swing his weapon haphazardly in the air while trying to break free.

“Ah! [Black Infernor]’s gone mad!”

“Hold him down!”

“My General!”

Even his fellow cabinet members had come to placate the furious Governor, pleading with their master to calm down at the presence of the entire Court.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

From the side, the Head only looks on with accustomed resignation, as if this interaction was an everyday occurrence. Then, he turns to a woman on one of the higher seats.“Irina, any news on your end?”

The woman in question belonged to only that of absolute beauty. With pale blonde hair that flowed down her back, two carnations decorating the sides of her head, and lilac eyes that glittered from the rays that beamed through the hall, it really seemed as if she was a goddess incarnated. Having such a gentle expression on her face, it was very hard not to stop and admire the pleasing sight.

The woman known as the Northern General, [Iron Maiden] Irina only dipped her head slightly in response to the question sent her way. “I’m afraid not, Your Excellency. As of today, there have been no unusual events happening.”

The Head hummed, a troubled expression on his face.

“This is a problem. There was no residual energy left behind indicating a Gate being opened, so the possibility of also running away to the Abyss is quite slim. With no leads, the situation has turned into a waiting game for us,” he turns to another woman, seated much closer to him this time, her seat slightly more isolated from the rest of the higher Governors. “Visha, perhaps the East has more luck?”

Visha, the woman whose voice they’d heard earlier upon receiving the Court Order, sits up straighter. Unlike Irina, she was someone that emitted an air of discipline and restraint–and despite her fame amongst the Court, no Governor dared to stand within her circle of influence. Known as the [Unwavering Pillar], the Secretary of Court Visha was a woman renowned for her strength in both the office and in battle.

Though, with her duty being actively in the Court, Noah wondered why she was being asked about the state of the East. Was there currently no Governor assigned to that territory?

“The cabinet members deployed there have not reported anything back that’s noteworthy,” Visha responds with an even, powerful voice. By now, the chaos from earlier has died down significantly, and more people were back to paying attention to the situation at hand. “Though, if you may Your Excellency, I have a proposition to suggest regarding this situation.”

Throughout all of this, many noted that the only ones reciprocating were those of the Higher Court, and with their years of experience and familiarity, the atmosphere became quite easy-going.

However, in the lower level, it became glaringly more apparent that the younger Governors were not as lax as their seniors, and instead of carefully built expressions from centuries worth of experience, they could only muster up a mixture of fear and confusion within their eyes, as if not quite sure what to make of this situation.

Of course, this didn’t apply for the entirety of the Lower Court.

From Noah’s side, he sees Lisa turning to them with a frown on her face.

“Hey, hey,” she whispers, her actions willing the other guys to come closer. “If they can’t find No-Name in the human realm and the Abyss, then wouldn’t the most logical explanation be the Capitol?”

Of course, her statement was more than plausible, and with no leads, it wouldn’t hurt to at least do a search, but–

Caleun’s eyes threaten to bulge out of their sockets. “What–”

Bonk!

“Ow!”

Lisa clutches her head after being hit by an unimpressed Lucian, whining softly as she nurses her poor skull.

The young man only looks at his Governor with barely concealed disbelief. “My Lady, please refrain from saying stuff that may cause a panic.”

“It was a suggestion!”

“A scary one!” Caelun huffs out at her. “If you’re gonna say something like that, please be more mindful of your surroundings!”

“I did whisper…”

As pitiful as she looked right now, all around them were a sea of anxiety driven Governors. Despite many being Generals themselves, that title alone didn’t mean they got to experience the brutalities of war and battles. Save for a select few, most probably earned their title through more simple means of fighting. With such a terrifying figure threatening the peace of the lands, it was only natural that they’d feel some form of fear.

“It is possible,” Theon says, leveling all of them with a steady glance. “If this information is enough to scare them, then they shouldn’t even be calling themselves Governors in the first place–”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Noah says as he quickly interrupts the prince. “Very interesting theory, but this discussion can be put off to a later time. For now, let’s wait for what the rest of the Court has to say, hm?”

With no filter to the kids’ nonsense, Noah couldn’t help but step in before more of their conversation was leaked to the others around them. It was bad enough the ones nearby were already giving them skeptical looks, only deterred from inquiring further upon seeing his presence mixed in with them.

With their main source of conversation extinguished, the four could only wilt back as they turned their attention back to the live discussion at hand. Satisfied, Noah also looks forward once more.

“In any case, it’s clear we can’t do anything drastic right now,” the Head concludes after hearing the reports from the Higher Court. “It’s difficult, but for the safety of everyone, we’ll be ensuring travel restrictions between the Capitol and the human realm. On top of that, only groups of three or more are allowed just in case there’s an encounter with No-Name. Is there anyone in disagreement with this?”

No one raised their hands.

Content with the results, he smiles and continues, “With that settled, let’s move on to more pressing matters.”

Huh?

More pressing matters? What could be more pressing than this!

Startled, Noah unknowingly lets his incredulity peak through his calm facade, and when he makes eye contact with the person sitting on the throne, the man all but sends him a cheerful grin!

Amongst the sea of confusion, the Head leans back and crosses his arms, a joyful expression playing at his face–nothing like the seriousness he had displayed earlier.

“The reason I’ve summoned you all here today is for this very reason,” he confirms, his eyes not leaving Noah’s during this entire time. “It’s of utmost importance, so it’s crucial for the entire court to be present.”

All the Governors instinctively leaned in, curious as to what sort of reason it was. Everyone had thought the threat earlier would pose a viable cause, but if the Head himself is suggesting another thing, then what kind of problem could it be to thwart the previous one just like that?

Once again, the Court was thrown into another wave of apprehension.

Including Noah this time–but for not the same reason.

Because as those twinkling blue eyes gleefully squint at him, he knew that the next words that came out of that man’s mouth would be nothing but troublesome.

“We’ll now be commencing the re-election ceremony for the former General of the East, [Law of Contracts] Governor Noah.”