Chapter 42: Passion

The servants of the capital were uniformly surprised by Noah’s face, free of burn marks, and the lively appearance of Fiene.

“Fiene’s illness has been completely cured. She’s scheduled to live a long life. I’m going to the Tower of Magic now. Please make sure Fiene doesn’t go out alone.”

“It seems you don’t trust me much.”

Noah casually brushed off Fiene’s complaint.

“And also, Fiene has a unique constitution; sometimes her magic doesn’t work when she’s being cautious. If she seems about to do something reckless, physically confine her.”

“Understood.”

Fernan, who quickly recovered from the initial surprise, responded.

“Eh! Noah-sama? That’s not fair.”

Ignoring the surprised Fiene, Noah headed alone towards the Tower of Magic.

—

The capital was bustling with news of the development of the Elixir. The developer, Jurgen Nohm, was being celebrated.

“That idiot.”

Noah muttered curses as he tried to pass through the entrance of the Tower of Magic as usual.

“Please wait! Do you have anything to prove your identity?”

Stopped by the knight guarding the Tower of Magic. This was unprecedented.

Usually dressed in a neat robe, today Noah wore a shirt and trousers. Nevertheless, they were made of fine silk.

Noah authenticated his identity through magic.

“Eh? Duke Stein?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

Noah remembered that his face had returned to normal because of Fiene’s intervention. Fueled by anger, he continued forward without thinking.

No one at the Tower of Magic would recognize him with this face.

But for now, he disregarded that and headed straight for the laboratory where Jurgen was.

As he went further in, the crowd grew, and it became chaotic.

And for some reason, there were military police everywhere. In the midst of the crowd, he spotted Edmond.

In the center was Jurgen. It seemed Edmond had caught Jurgen ahead of time.

And as soon as Noah spotted Jurgen, he ran.

He couldn’t miss this opportunity. Otherwise, Jurgen would be arrested and untouchable.

The military police noticed and tried to stop Noah. However, they couldn’t catch Noah, who was enveloped in wind magic.

“Jurgen, you scum, how dare you steal data!”

As he shouted, Noah’s fist burst open, Jurgen was blown away, and he ruthlessly slammed into the wall.

At the same time, the wind magic dissipated, and Noah was restrained by the military police on the spot.

“W-Wait, are you, Noah? It’s you, right?”

Edmond said, looking surprised at Noah’s face, free of burn marks. Since they were childhood friends, Edmond remembered Noah’s unblemished face.

“Ed, I haven’t hit him enough, have I?”

Noah was furious.

“Wait a minute, Noah. So, did your loved one survive?”

“Yes, just barely.”

Edmond breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s good. We’re taking him into custody now. Because you returned to your territory so quickly, it took us some time to gather evidence. Be grateful. And calm down a bit.”

“Your Highness, I am perfectly calm,” Noah replied, and Edmond instructed the military police to release Noah.

“I’m innocent! It’s a false accusation. Noah Stein assaulted me without any reason!” At that moment, Jurgen shouted, and Noah went towards him again, kicking him hard this time, and was finally restrained by the military police.

Edmond, facing his enraged friend, could only hold his head as if there were no other options.

“I understand how you feel, but after the interrogation, there will be a trial. Don’t let yourself be provoked by him every time. Please don’t blast the military police away with your magic,” Edmond sighed.

Eventually, Noah, too, ended up being detained within the palace walls under the advice to “cool his head.” He underwent questioning and stayed overnight. The atmosphere was sympathetic, and it was reasonably comfortable.

The next morning, Edmond himself came to fetch Noah.

“Hey, your ride’s here.”

Noah was released.

From now on, as a victim, he had to attend the trial. He didn’t like the idea of having his time taken away from research, but since he couldn’t just let Jurgen go free, he decided to cooperate fully.

“Noah-sama, is it true that you caused a disturbance at the Tower of Magic?”

Noah looked up in surprise, and behind Edmond, Fiene, and Fernan appeared.

“Why did you bring Fiene along?” Noah asked, looking at Fernan with a stern expression.

“I can’t confine Lady Fiene like that,” Fernan said, shaking his head.

“I suppose not,” Noah said, shifting his gaze to Fiene, whose green eyes sparkled.

“So, Noah-sama, why were you arrested? Did you perhaps punch someone you didn’t like when you came to the capital?” Fiene asked earnestly.

“Well, it’s something like that.”

“For gentle Noah-sama to be so angry, what did that person do exactly?”

“He stole the data for the Elixir. And on top of that, he announced an incomplete version before me.”

“What! That’s too much.”

“I went through a really tough time. I could have healed you without pushing you to that extent. I administered the punishment.”

“So, you physically punished him and got caught. That’s certainly unacceptable. Why didn’t you invite me along? I helped, you know,” Fiene said, sounding a bit disappointed.

“I wouldn’t invite you, would I? I’ll be staying in the capital for a while because there will be a trial eventually,” Noah said. He loved his territory and wanted to return home quickly.

The trial would consume his time and hinder his research, and he wouldn’t be able to spend time with the now-healthy Fiene. It was extremely disappointing.

“So, Noah-sama, are you going to announce the real Elixir?” Fiene asked.

“I intend to announce it soon. We can’t have Jurgen’s half-baked creation gain traction. But the materials are very hard to come by. There will be various obstacles before it spreads to the general public,” Noah replied, and Fiene nodded solemnly.

“I see. By the way, Noah-sama, speaking of which, I’m thinking of going back to my family’s home. I have someone I want to settle things with,” Fiene declared firmly. She seemed quite active now that she had regained her health.

“Understood. I’ll come with you,” Noah offered.

“Aren’t you tired? I’ll be fine alone. I’ll speak up on your behalf too,” Fiene suggested, typical of her.

Noah chuckled at Fiene’s proposal.

“You’re calm even when you’re angry.”

“What? I’m extremely angry, you know? Where’s the calmness in that? You’re the one who’s calm. They are abandoning a worthless daughter at the doorstep of your house, and your research is being stolen; I can’t forgive them,” Fiene said, her anger surprisingly charming. Noah was grateful for her fiery spirit and for sending Fiene to him.

“Fine, let out your anger first,” he said, wanting to let her do as she pleased.

“Fernan, prepare the carriage for the Hausen residence,” Noah ordered, lending Fiene a hand and getting into the carriage together.

“Um, well, Noah-sama, it’s the Hausen family, but it seems they’ve already fallen into decline,” Fernan said.

Noah understood, but Fiene seemed shocked by his words.