The next day.
Noah, who'd slept soundly until noon, checked out of his hotel room and ate some local delicacies by the roadside to fill his stomach before heading to the train station to buy a ticket.
The Magic Train still had some time before it arrived, so Noah waited in the station hall.
The entire hall was buzzing with one topic, incredibly lively.
"Good news! Truly great news!"
"That damned Black Bird is finally finished!"
"The mayor issued an announcement early this morning, and it won't be long before everyone gets their swindled money back."
"Damn it, what a load of crap about being forced by the Black Magic Priest! I think that bastard Joel is just as bad!"
"Oh, this great god called Nexus, I worship him!"
"..."
Noah yawned. He had to admit that, although it was an alias, being respected felt good—even if it was a bit too noisy.
The Magic Train soon arrived. A mysterious man in a black robe carrying five Magic staves walked off the train and accidentally bumped into Noah's suitcase in the crowded flow of people.
"Sorry."
"It's fine."
Although he was dressed in a way that suggested he didn't want to be seen, he was surprisingly polite. Noah didn't give it much thought and brushed past the man to board the Magic Train.
The mysterious man, however, turned back to stare at Noah's retreating figure, a hint of confusion in his eyes. Only after Noah had entered the carriage and completely disappeared did he shake his head slightly and turn to leave.
Acalypha, Merchant Guild Love & Lucky.
Noah happened to meet the enthusiastic salesman from last time again, but this time he was going out for business, so Noah didn't delay him and went to the president's office on his own, knowing the way well.
"Roland! My affairs are none of your business!"
"Enough! Jude! You lucky fool, it's time you sobered up!"
Before he even knocked, Noah heard two men arguing loudly inside the room, followed by sounds of a scuffle.
Just by their names, Noah knew who was inside.
The current president of Love & Lucky, Roland.
The helmsman of the Heartfilia Konzern, Mr. Jude Heartfilia.
Both were prominent figures in the financial world, and hearing them fight was a rare treat. He couldn't miss this gossip.
Noah even rushed downstairs, grabbed a chair, and sat by the door.
Listening to the commotion inside the room from his chair, Noah could almost simultaneously analyze their movements.
So, rich people also throw wild punches... Roland looked quite frail, but he managed to kick Jude into the wall. You really can't judge a book by its cover.
Why is Jude so hot-tempered but keeps getting beaten up? However, his physique is unusual—he's quite resilient, even dragging Roland until his stamina was almost depleted.
Relying on his tankiness, didn't the situation just reverse?
Now it was Jude pinning Roland to the ground and pummeling him.
Noah analyzed the situation with great interest based on the sounds, with no intention of going in to rescue his client.
Inside the room, as they fought, Jude also got a bit tired. He released Roland and sat panting on the sofa. "Roland, I beg you, for the sake of our friendship, help me through this crisis..."
"Hehehe~"
Roland lay on the ground, bruised and swollen, letting out a sneer. "Jude, you still think investing in Black Bird can make money? What a fool. Don't even think about getting a loan from our guild."
"Once the Mage I hired returns, everything will be revealed."
Hearing the word "Mage," a hint of anger appeared on Jude's crestfallen face. "You bastard, I told you long ago not to associate with those Magic users! Magic only brings misfortune! It killed Layla!"
Roland made no attempt to hide his mockery. "So you resent Magic, and by extension, you hate those who use Magic, and by extension, you hate your daughter too!"
"You have no right to speak of my family affairs!"
Jude stood up, looking at his good friend with complex eyes. "I'll ask you one last time—can you give me a loan? If not, I'll find someone else."
"Don't dream, I'm the president!"
"You'll regret this, Roland!"
Things had come to this. Jude didn't linger. In two or three steps, he walked to the door and pulled it open forcefully, only to see a young man leisurely sitting in a chair, blocking the door.
Jude froze on the spot. "You... how much did you hear?"
Noah crossed his legs and said with a slight smile, "I'd already moved my chair here before your fight even began."
Being overheard throughout an embarrassing brawl—not just Jude, but even Roland was dumbfounded this time.
Fortunately, Roland quickly recovered, supporting himself to stand up. "Mr. Noah, you're back. It seems everything went smoothly. Please come in to talk."
"Jude, don't leave just yet."
With the door blocked and called back by his old friend, Jude couldn't say anything and turned back to sit down.
Noah carried his chair into the room, closed the door, then blocked it with the chair and sat down, looking at the two with a smile. "You two have truly redefined my perception of the wealthy."
"Hahaha, Jude and I were just having a long-overdue sparring session. Mr. Noah, please don't misunderstand."
Roland stubbornly denied it, but Noah didn't press the issue. He'd already finished his gossip, and he could only describe it as "splendid." Now it was time to move on to business.
"President Roland, I've completed your job."
"You got proof that Black Bird belongs to the Black Magic Cult?!"
Roland's joy was evident, while Jude frowned deeply. For certain reasons, he intensely disliked Magic and had no good feelings toward Mages.
Noah shook his head. "Evidence is no longer needed."
"What! Have they already transferred their assets, planning to abandon Black Bird..." Roland grew anxious. If so, Jude's funds wouldn't be recovered.
Noah shook his head, speaking calmly. "You misunderstand. I dealt with the Black Magic Priest behind Black Bird, and the Magic Council's enforcement squad has taken over."
"Before long, the Kingdom of Fiore will contact Mr. Jude to reclaim the Heartfilia Konzern's assets."
Just then, the communication Lacrima on the desk lit up. Roland, still in shock, habitually brought it to his ear to answer, then looked at his old friend.
"Jude, your secretary called—answer it."
Jude took the communication Lacrima from Roland's hand with a cold face. "Hello, it's me... What?!"
With a hint of joy between his brows, Jude turned to look at the young man sitting by the door, quickly said a few words into the communication Lacrima, then hung up, displaying an expression of unstoppable shock.
It was actually true, just as Noah had said: the Kingdom of Fiore had asked the Heartfilia Konzern to take over the investments defrauded by the Black Bird Conglomerate.
As a friend, Roland had understood what happened from Jude's expression. He then comfortably leaned back on the sofa, smiling mischievously. "Jude, aren't you going to thank Mr. Noah?"
Noah also had an amused expression. "That's right, say thank you."