Noah had plenty of reasons for leaving the Capitol.

In fact, he could even say he could write a multi-novel series describing in full detail as to why he shouldn’t be here, with every book having their own theme of insanity.

However, among those reasons, this person sitting pleasantly in front of him was clearly the top problem!

“Come, come,” the Head motions for him to come forward, and while that smile was full of sunshine, it actually meant: Hm? Running away, again? You think I’ll let you?

Having drawn all the attention to himself, Noah conjures up his most appreciative–not–expression as the crowd clears around him, every Governor within range scuttling out of his way.

“How could I possibly accept this, Your Excellency?” he says, which actually translates to: Bastard, you think I won’t? I did it once before!

The said-bastard had the audacity to laugh! “It’s only natural to reward hard work, is it not?” I’ve actually been stalking you for the past four centuries, so don’t let all my efforts go to waste, now.

“Haha, what could Your Excellency mean?” Noah opts to play the Fool instead and lightly chuckles. If this old man wanted to play this game, then he’d gladly reciprocate!

Unaware of their inner thoughts, most of the Court have divulged into a flurry of shock and annoyance. The former from the Lower Courts, while the later from the Higher Courts.

The younger generation were really quite clueless on why this unfortunate Governor was being given such an opportunity when even the Head Governor, although fair and kind, was not a man known for second-chances.

Similar to this line of thought, the older generations were looking on with eyes of envy and resentment, especially ones who have personally experienced the wrath of the Head. Because as prideful beings as they were, who wouldn’t want to get on the good side of His Excellency, Oberon Jaren? If that ungrateful Governor didn’t want such treatment, then pass it on to those who want it!

That invaluable favoritism!

“Visha, are the preparations complete?” the Head asks his Secretary–with such a sickeningly sweet smile that almost made her falter–and Visha only nodded before she cleared the previous hologram in front of them. With another flick of her wrist, the decorations of the Court Hall changed, with red and gold details now hanging from the walls, and a large red carpet going down the middle of the room that led to the podium.

“Good, good,” Oberon delightedly hums as he gives Visha his approval.

Noah almost chokes on air.

Good? What good?! Stop wasting the Capitol’s resources on something pointless!

By now, the Governors have all evacuated to the slides of the lower level, leaving Noah standing alone in the middle of the room awkwardly. From the corner of his eye, he sees Lisa whispering excitedly to her fellow companions, and because of the distance, he only managed to capture her last sentence, which was something along the lines of: ‘Those two seem really close!’

Noah feels the last of his restraint slowly slip away.

As if he’d be close with that person!

“What are you doing? Hurry, hurry so we can start.”

Noah sends him a sharp look, causing Oberon to quickly shut his mouth. But of course, this guy wouldn’t be the bane of all of Noah’s worries if he still didn’t keep that annoying grin on his face, finding joy in anything that absolutely inconveniences Noah in any way.

Well.

Noah really tried.

Accepting whatever fate had in store for him at the end of the red carpet, he starts making his way down, his boots clicking against the floor in a somewhat deafening way in this now deathly quiet Court Hall.

All eyes were on him now, following him all the way to the dais. It was a funny feeling to have the entire Court’s attention, with the last being his resignation.

From the throne, Oberon moves to stand up, and as much as Noah wants to throw a few colorful words at his face, the man standing in front of him right now truly looks like the absolute authority figure of the Capitol.

And because he was displaying such an irritating face, Noah decides to stop right in front of him, their bodies merely a few inches apart.

“Have you had your fun?” Noah offers him a sardonic grin, his voice quiet enough to prevent others from hearing.

“Of course not,” Oberon says through his Cheshire smile. “It’s been four hundred years. Indulge me a bit.”

“You think you’re off the hook after this?”

“Haha…”

After stepping back, Noah was at a complete loss on what else to expect because first, there’s never really been such a thing as a re-election ceremony, and second, even an election didn’t go about this process! When a new Governor gets inaugurated, the news just somehow spreads around to the point where the entirety of the Court ends up knowing about it, and it’s up to that person if they want to throw a celebration, but there has never been an instance where someone is appointed in front of everyone!

With all the grand decorations, it’s as if a new king was being crowned!

Finally, Oberon waves a hand in front of him, manifesting something that suddenly emitted a bright light, thoroughly illuminating the entire hall.

When it finally dimmed, in place of the light was a floating sword made purely of black material, the smooth metal glistening from the light. Distinctively, Noah hears faint gasps from the crowd—one he even recognizes as his own.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Because the sword in front of him was the very same one used by [No-Name]—used to mercilessly slaughter hundreds of Governors and humans in the war as if they were merely livestock. To wield it is to carry the burden of all the fallen warriors and innocents, with implications running as deep as the ocean.

He forces himself to swallow the lump in his throat as Oberon’s voice enveloped the hall once again.

“To reward your efforts, the Higher Court and I have decided to grant you ownership of the Godslayer.”

Despite his words, many of the elder Governors wore looks of confusion.

Oberon lifts the weapon higher into the air, showcasing its full glory to the entire audience. After a few more long and heavy seconds, the sword moves to Noah’s figure, stopping only at arms length away.

As if to say, Wield me.

And so he did.

The cold metal almost feels hot against the palm of his hands, his fingers twisting against the worn hilt.

There was no reaction. No bright light that signified the memorable interaction.

There was only the dead weight of the weapon in his hands, and the thunderclap sound of his heartbeat.

“From today onwards,” Oberon’s booming voice announces, to which he only faintly hears. “Governor Noah is re-elected as the General of the East, reclaiming his title as the [Law of Contracts]. If there is anyone in opposition, it will be handled during a private audience.”

To anyone that’s known the Head for some time, that last part meant: Don’t bother complaining. I won’t change my mind.

Willing his erratic heart to calm, Noah envelopes the sword with his own spiritual energy to store in his private storage, as if being exposed any longer would cause the weapon to go berserk.

It really wouldn’t hurt to be extra cautious.

With that, the re-election ceremony continued to a close, with Oberon spouting more bullshit from his mouth, and Noah having to stand there and hear said bullshit. By the end of it, everything that needed to be said was said, and things that weren’t were also said. Because of this, all the tension within Noah’s body eventually released.

When he finally makes his way down the long steps of the platform, a clear voice rings inside his head.

Come meet me after this, Oberon says.

Obviously, Noah quickly counters. Did you think I was just gonna let you off with what you just pulled? Bastard, prepare yourself.

There was a nervous chuckle. Now, now…

With a huff, Noah quickly cuts off the communication and stalks to his original place in the crowd. Or at least tried to, with everyone practically keeping their distance from him.

The kids from earlier, although hesitant, shifted through the sea of Governors and made their way to his side. By now, his face was once again returned to its usual calmness.

Seeing them hurry over to him like little ducklings, Noah couldn’t help but release a small laugh.

Just a few hours ago, they’d accused him of spreading his bad luck like a plague. Now, it seemed as if they were actively trying to catch said disease themselves.

“Was that really the Godslayer?” Lisa was the first one to burst through. As if disregarding her previous apprehension toward him, she quickly leans in with twinkling eyes of curiosity. “I’ve heard about it, but never had the chance to see.”

Noah regards her with a smile.

Child, if you had any sort of opportunity to see it, it would definitely be your final moments!

Thankfully, her cabinet member pulls in the reins by placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I apologize,” Lucian tells him while pulling her back. “My Governor has an odd hobby for researching war stories.”

“It can’t be called a hobby if I’m actually a General of War!”

Soon enough, they’re approached by Theon and Caelun, their eyes holding equally as much curiosity as Lisa.

Theon was specifically eyeing him down rather pointedly, as if to say: Well, you have a sword now. Draw it so we can continue what we started.

Not a chance! If that sword was to see sunlight again, someone was really bound to die!

“Aren’t you kids so excited now,” Noah crosses his arms while shaking his head. “First, you were scared of me. Now, you approach like we’re long time friends. My poor heart really can’t handle these mixed signals.”

Caelun quickly bristles. “Who’s friends with you!”

“Who else am I talking to?” Noah raised an eyebrow. “You guys came to me first. It touched my heart a bit.”

To fully commit to his act, he continues on while wiping a fake tear from his eyes.

The expression the red-headed male was actually amusing by now that Noah couldn’t help but continue his incessant teasing even more.

After a few more unserious exchanges, Theon finally decides to pipe in and stop the flow of conversation.

Of course, he looks to Noah first. “The sword?”

It was sword this, weapon that–if a man really didn’t want to talk about it, he wouldn’t!

Still, Noah wills his face into a goofy grin.

“What’s so interesting about that old rusty thing?” he tilts his head comically. “What legendary blade? It’s full of chips and scratches! It’s really nothing worth fretting over.”

Get the hint already! Now that he has ownership, Noah’s making sure that thing doesn’t see the hint of daylight for another few lifetimes.

Unsatisfied by the answer, the prince opened his mouth once more to keep prying, only to be interrupted once again.

“And that concludes today’s meeting!”

The Head Governor’s voice cheerfully announces from his seat after the sound of wood hitting wood rang throughout the hall.

Visha sits up from her seat and looks at the gathered Governors. “The meeting has ended. You are all excused.”

“Hurry along now,” Oberon quickly pipes up, his hand making a shooing away gesture. The action, while not fit for the ruler of Governors, was already something everyone had gotten used to. And so, nobody questioned anything and promptly made their way out the hall. “Noah, stay here.”

Noah grimaced, freezing mid-step. Sure, he wanted to give that guy a few berating words, but not now. Quite frankly, he wanted to bury the thought of the sword and No-Name for at least the rest of the day, and then settle the issue with a bright and fresh mind.

When he turned around, the expression on Oberon’s face was so humorous that Noah didn’t know whether he wanted to laugh or cry.

And so, he waits while the rest of the Governors leave, all shuffling out the Court House. As if to put him down even more, his four ducklings linger on for a few more seconds before sending him pitiful looks, sensing his clear dejection.

He sees Michael approach him from the higher platform with an air of regality. He expected the fellow man to say something, but only got a head nod that bid farewell along with a look that spoke multiple volumes of emotion that Noah couldn’t decipher.

Before long, everyone had vacated the room, leaving only two people left.

For once, Noah was the one to break the palpable silence.

“I didn’t know you kept the sword.”

Noah didn’t turn around, still staring past the entrance and into the clear skies.

There was a long sigh.

“No-Name wasn’t all the prophecy mentioned–”

He finally turns just in time to see the look of apprehension on the man’s face.

“Your name was also in it.”