Chapter 622

Without batting an eye, Adrian grabbed her neck with his hands and whispered.

“Have you heard of suppressor restraints?”

“Hey, you punk!”

“This is also one of your inventions, Eleonora.” 

Cold metal touched her neck, and then another click sounded.

She immediately understood the situation and her eyes widened. What did you do to my neck…?

“Don’t worry. It’s not something that would hurt you.”

Adrian, who smiled at Noah for the last time, got up from the seat. Noah was breathing hard and scratched the restraint on her neck with her hand in panic. Kyle quickly approached Noah and embraced her shoulder. Noah instinctively burrowed into the familiar arms and coughed.

Adrian’s voice, as he continued to testify, was calm as if nothing had just happened.

“But if it is certain that the dragon’s mana will contribute to Laurent’s revival, taking into account the value of his current master, Eleonora Asil…”

With the constraint fastened, the mana that had been in front of Noah until just now disappeared without a trace. Muel growled and clenched his small hands. Noah stopped Muel in a hurry whilst she was hugged by Kyle.

“… in conclusion, my esteemed judge.”

Adrian’s voice resonated in the chaotic court. He was the only one who was too calm and elegant in the midst of the confusion in the whole room.

“I would like to ask the defendant, Eleonora Asil, to wear the restraints that stop her from using magic, I request for a sentence of 200,000 hours community service, and to give me the authority to supervise over the defendant.”

Noah doubted her ears for a moment. How many hours of community service?

… 200,000 hours?

The mental calculations in my head rolled fast. 200,000 hours is roughly 8,300 days, 8,300 days…

Approximately 22 years…? If I were to do my service for 12 hours per day, 44 years. 60 years if I work for 8 hours a day.

“……!”

I was sentenced to life in prison!

Without thinking of the consequences, curses started coming out.

“Fu… this crazy guy!”

“Don’t move, Miss Noah. Your skin will get chafed.”

Kyle was busy looking at the restraints on her neck. Muel, who frowned, tried to communicate with Noah using his mana, but she still couldn’t see Muel’s mana. 

However, it was fortunate that the one thing he said about it not being harmful to her was true as there was no shock to Noah’s body.

Adrian, who glanced in their direction, gently urged the judge.

“Respectable judge, let us hear your decision.”

“…the defendant.”

The presiding judge and the Minister of Justice breathed a deep breath and sent out the sentence.

“The defendant will be sentenced to 200,00 hours of community service and 100,000 pounds of bail. All subsequent disposition shall be left to Minister of Magic Adrian Rosinel….”

His voice was full of will to end this terrifying trial for even just a second earlier. He struck the gavel.

Bang… Bang…

The sounds of banging which meant the trial was over, signaled a turn in Noah’s life. Noah’s instincts became a red light and sent a sharp warning. If Adrian takes away her freedom, it’ll be very troublesome. Her peaceful life will be ruined…!

What if Adrian dragged her into a dark lab in the name of community service?

The Minister of Justice was about to strike the gavel for the last time. A powerful voice came right behind Noah.

“Your Honor.”

It was Kyle. He left Noah and got up from his seat.

“Please give it to me. The Supervision authority over Eleonora Asil.”

“What…what?”

“I stake my name, my status, my honor, and everything into ensuring that nothing will threaten Laurent. As it is my responsibility, I will also take responsibility for everything regarding Eleonora Asil.”

Kyle’s words flashed in Noah’s ears but immediately, Adrian’s voice followed his, which angered Noah again. 

“You can’t do that Lord Leonard. It may not be a good thing to say this here but… It’s not good for you to be so shameless, is it?”

“I do not know what you are talking about, Minister.”

Kyle hit back in a hard tone without raising his voice. Adrian, by comparison, was smiling all the time. The temperature was very hot and cold.

Adrian approached step by step and whispered furtively.

“Romance between an investigator and a criminal… I wonder how the people of Laurent will take this.”

“Romance between the investigator and… what?”

Kyle asked in disbelief, Noah realized her mistake and went pale. Come to think of it, she had spoken about her ex-lover and her current lover. Noah was so flustered this time that she cut off Adrian’s words.

“I’ll do it. Alright? I’ll do it. But I’ll report to you once a week. Is that enough?”

“Two times a week.”

“… yes, twice.”

When Noah gritted her teeth and accepted, the Minister of Finance, who remained seated, shouted.

“Yes, go ahead and do it. The defendant’s overall management will be supervised by Sir Leonard and the defendant will make regular reports to Secretary Rosinel. The trial ends here.”

The judge struck the gavel, with a look of ‘Take on whoever you want and go!’

This time, he passed the sentence with a quicker motion than any other time.

Bang, bang, bang!

The trial was over. The final ruling was to report to Adrian on a regular basis, with 100,000 pounds bail, 200,000 hours of community service, and restraints on her neck and wrist.

“…hey, you spoiled dog.”

In the midst of this courtroom where all the trial audience fled like a low tide, Noah crept away from Kyle and grabbed Adrian by the collar.

Note: * – The restraints Noah has on seem to react to any mana from her/ or people who are really close like Muel.