Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: Shifting hearts Chapter 102 — Shifting Hearts Noah reappeared at the shattered temple — only now, it was completely destroyed. Nothing remained but broken stones scattered across the ground, the devastation absolute. Even Echidna’s avatar had been wiped out.

And in the middle of that ruin, a figure stood silently — calm, composed, indifferent.

The Crow.

But now, Noah knew her name.

"Lucie, right?" he said softly.

The Crow — Lucie — flinched. It had been a long time since someone had spoken her name.

And more importantly, she could feel it — her master’s authority surrounding Noah.

He was now the champion.

Relief washed over her. She reached up and removed her mask, revealing her beautiful face — golden and red eyes glowing with stunning intensity.

"Yes, it’s me. Now that you’re my master’s champion, I’m at your service," she said, bowing slightly.

Not to Noah, the man — but to Noah, the champion.

"You don’t have to do much," Noah said, approaching her. "I heard you have the dwarves under control. Just manage them. And if you happen to find a female dwarf with excellent forging talent... I’d like to know her."

Lucie nodded. "I will, Champion."

Noah tilted his head. That title felt... awkward.

"You know, you can just call me Noah. I don’t mind."

But Lucie shook her head firmly. "No. That would be too disrespectful — to you, and to my master. The status of a champion is no trivial thing."

"What if I order you to call me Noah?" he asked playfully.

Lucie froze. She struggled visibly. She didn’t want to disobey her champion — but she also couldn’t bring herself to casually speak his name. Not anymore.

So many conflicting emotions.

Noah chuckled softly. "Alright, alright. Do whatever you want. Call me Champion if that makes you comfortable."

He stepped closer — an inch from her face.

"But I hope that, someday, you’ll call me by my name. ’Champion’ sounds a bit too distant, don’t you think?"

He smiled gently.

And for some reason, Lucie started blushing. She looked away, flustered — unable to meet his gaze.

And honestly? That was understandable.

Noah’s appearance hadn’t changed much, but his beauty had. If it could be quantified, his beauty now approached divine levels — nearly equal to the most handsome mortal to ever exist.

Very, very close.

His majestic purple hair, his silver eyes that held truths — and now, he was S-rank. A being with Intent.

Coupled with his traits and title, Noah’s aura and presence were... simply overwhelming.

"Y-Yes, I understand!" Lucie stammered.

’What the hell is happening to me? Why am I acting like a shy little girl?’ she screamed internally, crying at her own embarrassment.

"Any news for me?" Noah asked, needing to return to his team quickly.

Especially now that Zara’s affection had dropped to 30%.

He was anxious.

Lucie steadied herself. "Yes. My spy reports that the princes of Castria — from the human domain — have contacted Demon Lord Belzebuth."

Noah raised an eyebrow. So they contacted Belzebuth, huh?

"Do you know what they talked about?"

Lucie shook her head. "No, but... Belzebuth’s power is extremely dangerous, Champion. He can consume anything — and when he does, he gains what he consumes."

Noah frowned. "What?"

Lucie gave an example. "If he kills a beast with a dragon bloodline and consumes it, he can obtain that bloodline for himself."

Noah’s expression darkened. "There has to be a limit. Otherwise that talent would be beyond even SSS-rank."

Lucie nodded. "There is. He has a fixed number of things he can consume per rank. And he can only consume beings up to three ranks above his own."

Noah tilted his head. "And what rank is he now?"

"SS-rank."

Noah nodded, then sighed.

"A bit troublesome, huh."

But the old Noah was gone.

Now he had new power.

He had transcended himself.

He was One Who Is All.

He smirked. "Would’ve been better if Belzebuth was a woman."

Silence.

Awkward silence.

Noah stiffly looked up — and saw Lucie staring at him like he was some kind of insect.

"...Damn. Did I say that out loud?" he muttered, forcing a wry smile.

Lucie didn’t respond.

Cough, cough.

"Okay. Time for me to go. Thanks for your work, and... bye."

With that, he teleported away — face flushed with shame.

’Damn. How did I mess up my first impression this badly...’

And Lucie?

"All men are perverts," she muttered.

Honestly?

She wasn’t wrong.

...

Noah reappeared in front of the inn OpenYourPussy. He didn’t waste time and went straight to Zara’s room.

Knock knock—!

He knocked.

No response.

He opened the door.

Inside, he saw Neko asleep, her head resting peacefully in Zara’s lap. Zara sat there, gently stroking Neko’s face with quiet affection.

Noah’s gaze fell on Neko — and saw dried tear stains on her cheeks.

His heart skipped a beat.

A sharp pain struck his chest.

Zara looked up at him, her voice cold and biting. "Oh, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence."

Noah said nothing.

He simply walked forward, stopping just a step away from them.

And as if sensing him — Neko’s eyes opened.

Despite the pain, fear, and sorrow she held...

She jumped up and hugged him tightly.

"Noah!! You’re here — I missed you," she said, full of love.

Noah stood frozen, his heart aching. He reached out — and for the first time in a long while, his arms trembled.

He wrapped them around Neko.

Tightly.

He didn’t need to be a genius to figure out why Zara’s affection had dropped.

He only had to see Neko’s state.

And what hurt even more was that Neko’s affection...

Had never once gone down.

Even after everything.

She still greeted him with pure love.

"I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I’m sorry I didn’t take better care of you, my dear Neko. My first companion."

And at those words—

Neko broke down again.

She cried.

Hard.

...

Meanwhile—

At the academy, Patricia and Aiden sat together in Aiden’s room, facing a holographic screen.

Their father, Oliver Stoneheart, stared back at them. His expression was dark and furious.

"What did you just say?" he demanded.

Patricia remained silent. But Aiden — he was done holding back.

"We said we’ve decided to join Noah. We’re going to help him fight Elijah. So no, Father, we’re not doing what you asked."

His voice dripped with contempt.

"And how dare you ask us to get close to Elijah after what he did to Patricia?"

Red fire glowed in his eyes as he continued.

"He tortured her. In front of the whole world. Nearly shattered her mind."

He paused, glaring at the screen.

"And now you want us to go to him? To serve him?"

"Have you lost your mind, Father?"

"It’s you who’s lost your damn mind, Aiden," Oliver snapped, his tone authoritative.

"You forget you’re speaking to your father, not your friend. Watch your tone."

He sighed, then leaned forward.

"You kids have no idea what it means to oppose a chosen one. You’re not just fighting Elijah — you’re fighting a divine being."

He paused, looking at his children. He did love them.

Which is why—

"Go to Elijah. Bow to him if you must. But don’t oppose him."

"And if you can’t do that... just come home. I’ll protect you."

There was silence.

They understood. They knew he cared.

But still—

"We can’t, Father," Patricia said softly.

Even her voice trembled. "Even if it means our death, we’ll walk this path."

"Yes, we ignored him before. But..."

Her body shook.

"Did I ever deserve what Elijah did to me?" she asked, voice raw with pain.

Aiden pulled her close, hugging her tightly. They’d grown closer since Elijah’s attack — and now, he was deeply protective of his sister.

He looked at Oliver.

"We’ve made our choice. We appreciate your concern, but it’s unnecessary. You only say this because you don’t know Noah."

He paused, smiling faintly.

"Because if anyone can stand against a chosen one — it’s him."

"He’s a monster, Father. A real one."

"You have no idea what he’s capable of."

Oliver was silent for a moment.

Then he sighed.

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"So be it. If that’s your path — walk it. Just... don’t regret anything."

They both nodded, eyes full of resolve.

Oliver sighed again.

He may have failed as a father to Elijah...

But to Aiden and Patricia?

He’d been a good one.

Lustful, yes — but still, a good father.

—End of Chapter 102—