Chapter 1138: Unexpected Encounter
Anna raised her eyebrows, thinking that this would lead to a fight.
Even Noel could see through him with the Affection Medal.
Name: Ryan Eyester.
Affection: Hostile (65/100)
Description: Angry because you humiliated him in the bidding war.
Noel couldn't help but wonder, 'When did he humiliate him?' After all, this was a fair war. It was just his petty pride that couldn't take a loss.
However, when the person saw Noel and Anna coming out of the room, his affection abruptly changed.
Name: Ryan Eyester.
Affection: Happy (10/100)
Description: A very moody guy.
'Oi. Don't give up my medal.' Noel was quite shocked by the description.
More importantly, Earl Eyester suddenly smiled at him and said, "Congratulations for winning the sword."
"Eh?" Hilda was taken aback. This wasn't what happened a moment ago. When she delivered the message, Earl Eyester was angry at her, insulting her and even saying that he would crush her.
But it all changed as soon as Earl Eyester saw Noel and Anna. He was one of the people who were able to see Noel and Anna's faces when they came into the auction house. So he recognized them in an instant and changed his approach.
Earl Eyester thought, 'I was lucky enough to see their appearances earlier. My quick reaction is so swift that I'm even scared of myself.'
It couldn't be helped if people didn't know him. After all, not a lot of people had seen him, and his portrait wasn't really spread that wide.
In fact, it wouldn't be weird for a normal commoner to never see the lord who controlled their territory in their lifetime.
Noel knew about his hostility, yet he smiled back. "Thank you. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time in the Zaecuria Kingdom. I'll excuse myself."
"Of course." There was no way the Earl didn't take the opportunity to get away.
Noel signaled Hilda to continue guiding them, leaving the Earl alone. Anna couldn't help but say, "He is only brave enough to bully the weak, but he is a coward who doesn't dare to go against the strong."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Hilda looked shocked. She had served a lot of nobles in the auction houses, but this was the first time she saw true strength. The Earl was a powerhouse in the Zaecuria Kingdom, so there weren't a lot of people that could scare him. When she saw his reaction, she realized that even the people the Earl was afraid of might not dare to go against Noel. This was true strength.
They swiftly handled the rest of the process, getting the sword for 370,000 gold coins. It was a lot, but it wasn't like this sword was the only thing they wanted.
"How is it?" Anna asked.
"Yeah. It's good. It's a bit heavier, but it's not a problem." Noel nodded while walking out of the auction house.
"Did you notice it?"
"If you're talking about the hostility, yes, I sense it." Noel nodded.
"It seems that the fish has taken the bait. We're quite lucky that the fish is inside the auction house. We don't have to search around anymore."
"Agreed…"
Noel and Anna walked normally, but they hid their presence a bit so that they could move away from the crowd. They took a detour toward the stables where the nobles parked their carriages, as if inviting this person to take action.
The shadow that had been following them for a while remained quiet, so Noel chose to approach it in a more aggressive manner.
Both Anna and Noel suddenly disappeared.
"!!!" The shadow shuddered because they lost track of them, realizing that they had noticed them. However, she suddenly heard a voice coming from behind.
"So, what's the reason for you to tail us?"
"!!!" The shadow hurriedly turned around while waving her hand, trying to knock Noel away.
Unfortunately for her, Noel caught her wrist and slammed it against the wall, restraining her completely. He finally got the opportunity to take a look at this woman.
Name: Incetta Sherverna
Affection: Hostile (0/100)
Description: Taking hostile action but never having any hostile intent toward the host.
This was the first time he saw zero point in the affection. There was no grudge between them, and she probably had to do it just because of the sword.
"Kh! Release me!" Incetta gritted her teeth, struggling. But no matter how hard she tried releasing her spiritual energy, it felt like she was being grasped by an invisible hand, causing her body to refuse to release the energy stored inside her body.
When Noel confirmed her name with his medal, he couldn't help but recall the conversation he had with Anna after mentioning the auction.
…
A month ago.
"Incetta Sherverna?" Noel raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. I didn't know a lot of people from other kingdoms, but this name made a sound big enough for me to know her name. In our previous lives, Incetta or Cetta managed to rise through the ranks. It was said that she became one of the youngest admirals in history.
"She hailed from the Sherverna family, who were known for their spear technique. But after her father died and her uncle became the patriarch, her life turned miserable. If I were not wrong, her uncle erased her name from the family registry to avoid her getting in power again.
"After all, she was a genius in spirit techniques. However, that wasn't all. Once she escaped from her family, she ran to the military, where her real talents shone brightly. She became a general in just three years.
"There were rumors that she had the chance to become a Spirit Transcendence, which would guarantee her the Guardian position. In addition to her title as a future admiral, she could become the first person to achieve the two highest positions in the kingdom."
When Noel heard all that achievement, he couldn't help but ask, "And you want me to recruit such a person?"
"When her name resounded across the kingdom, instead of crushing her uncle, she turned her own name into a household name."
"So she made a new family instead of returning to her ancestral family? She hated her family that much." Noel raised his eyebrows.
"Probably. But I think you now know why I want you to recruit her, right?"
"That is true. Still, an admiral, huh? She might be able to become our navy commander." Noel nodded with a serious expression.
…
When Noel recalled it, he looked at the woman before him with a serious expression. "You don't expect me to release you when you've been tailing us for a while, right?"
"Should we just kill her?" Anna smirked, teasing her.
"Kh." Incetta was helpless, but she still glared at him.
"Oh. This sword?" Noel lifted up his sword.
"Don't use that sword. You are not worthy," said Incetta coldly.
"I don't need anyone's permission to wield a sword, let alone from a stranger who has been tailing me. Who are you? Whether I kill you or let you go depends on your answer." Noel placed the new sword on her neck, threatening to kill her with the sword of her family.
Incetta didn't plan to answer him. Even if she had to die now, she would at least die by her family sword.
"Do you think I don't dare?" Noel released his killing intent and pressed the sword slightly, causing the edge to slightly slit the throat. The blood flowed to the blade, showing that it wasn't an empty threat.
But that was when the sword suddenly shone as if reacting to the blood.
"!!!" Noel, Anna, and even Incetta widened their eyes in shock when the sword let out a green-colored glow.
There was a fluctuation of spiritual energy, which Anna immediately suppressed to avoid people feeling it.
And the three of them were stunned for a second. For Incetta, she saw a floating, translucent person that suddenly emerged from her sword.
She was a middle-aged man with a muscular body. She wore only shorts and a tube top that only covered her breasts.
"Who finally awakens me after a thousand years?" The woman smiled in excitement while stretching her body.
The original Anna sensed it and said to Anna, "Something is coming out… Something similar to me."
And last but not least, Noel saw nothing but empty air. But his medal was showing him something else.
Name: Vivi Shervina
Affection: Loyalty (100/100) - Saved
Description: Loyal to you and won't hesitate to risk her life. (Saved)