While Cocolia's hand was on his head, Noah's face was filled with bliss and enjoyment, so he didn't see the emotion in her eyes.
When Cocolia withdrew her hand, the boy named Noah turned to look at Shu. "You must be Mama Cocolia's guest! Please wait a moment, I'll go get things ready right away!"
After a quick, respectful bow to Shu, Noah turned and ran toward the kitchen.
The boy's attitude was so polite that Shu found it difficult to harbor much hostility, but the dense Herrscher aura emanating from him also meant Shu couldn't let his guard down for a second.
"So, what do you see?" Cocolia asked, watching Noah quickly grab a stool, stand on his tiptoes, and pull beer and other items from the refrigerator.
"Without a doubt, he is a Herrscher," Shu said. He noticed Cocolia's composure visibly waver, like a family member of a critically ill patient being told the official diagnosis.
She had suspected it all along, yet her heart still trembled upon hearing the news.
"Does your Fire Moth have any technology that can eliminate or transfer a Herrscher's power?" Cocolia asked after a long pause.
Shu shook his head. "A Herrscher's power comes from their Core and their body. For a Herrscher, the Core is more important than the heart is to a human."
After all, a Herrscher could exist solely through its Core, whereas a human could not survive on a heart alone.
"A Core?" This was new information for Cocolia. "Is that a Herrscher's weakness?"
"Not exactly... It's the source of their power and the foundation of their existence. Without special means, removing a Core is even more difficult than killing the Herrscher."
"I see..." Cocolia fell silent. "And what are these special means? Can the Core be removed, or transferred to someone else?"
"It can," Shu nodded. For a brief moment, Cocolia's expression brightened.
"But he is a natural Herrscher. His body was transformed into the perfect vessel for the Core when he became one. Without it, he will die." Shu intentionally stressed the word "die." As expected, the light that had appeared in Cocolia's eyes immediately dimmed.
Shu already had a rough idea of the situation.
"I understand." Cocolia recovered quickly. Before long, all traces of emotion vanished from her demeanor, as if she had made a decision.
By now, Noah had placed two cans of beer and some desserts on the table. Cocolia beckoned to him, and Noah immediately dropped what he was doing and came to her.
"Mama Cocolia, it's all ready!" he announced, as if seeking praise.
Cocolia sighed, knelt down, and wrapped her arms around Noah. "Come, let Mama hold you."
Noah's body went rigid. Shu could see surprise and a sense of being overwhelmingly flattered in the boy's eyes.
His small hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure whether to return Cocolia's embrace, yet unwilling to push her away.
He had never felt a hug like this from Cocolia, one that lasted so long. The only time he'd ever seen it was the night Bronya-oneechan had rescued Seele-oneechan.
It was an embrace he had once been jealous of, a reward he had dreamed of day and night.
But now...
Noah suddenly noticed Shu standing to the side. He seemed to realize something.
"Mama, I..."
"Noah, listen to me," Cocolia said, rising and placing her hands gently on Noah's shoulders. "From now on, you must remember him. You will obey his commands, follow in his footsteps, and accept his guidance. You must not make any mistakes, understand?"
Noah nodded numbly. "Yes..."
"Mama Cocolia... are you... getting rid of me?" he asked timidly, his gaze constantly flitting toward Shu.
Cocolia shook her head and patted Noah. "No, Noah. It's not that Mama doesn't want you. It's that Mama no longer has the ability to protect you."
"That's not true..." Noah instinctively started to argue, but Cocolia just stroked his head.
"Mama can't protect you all now, but you can, Noah. You can not only protect Mama, but you can also protect everyone at the orphanage."
Noah's mouth hung open. He finally nodded in silence. Cocolia stood up and turned to Shu. "From now on, Noah is in your hands. A Herrscher, I imagine, should be capable enough to stand by your side in Bronya's place, wouldn't you say?"
Shu didn't answer, his expression complex as he looked at Noah's bewildered eyes.
This was the "bargaining chip" Cocolia was putting forward to replace Bronya. As she had said, most of Bronya's combat effectiveness currently came from her armor and the Titan, but that was still no match for a Herrscher.
But Noah, as a Herrscher, regardless of his powers, at least had the qualification to stand on the same front line as Shu. He was better suited to stand by Shu's side than Kiana and the others.
He was also more likely to survive an encounter with a Herrscher than Kiana and the others.
This was one of Cocolia's open ploys... In the conference room, she had already pointed out the current flaws in their team. Now, she was pushing Noah, the antidote to that problem, right in front of him.
A Herrscher. Shu had to take this medicine. In return, Cocolia would get what she wanted...
Bronya... and the entire orphanage would be protected.
It was a win-win deal, a transaction he had to make.
But when Shu opened his mouth, no words came out. He felt he shouldn't be making this decision, yet logic told him it was a surefire gain.
His thoughts felt jumbled. He shook his head sharply, changing the subject.
"Can I see your ability?" Shu asked, looking down at Noah.
Noah glanced at Cocolia, then nodded at Shu. "Yes. Mama Cocolia told me to listen to you."
He was so obedient it felt cruel to give him orders. Shu didn't know if Noah understood his own situation, or if he would interpret this as being "sold."
He felt he had no right to judge, because he himself was a party to the transaction. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Noah trotted a short distance away, then raised his hand. A thin, small stick appeared in it.
As Shu watched in surprise, he gently waved the baton in his hand.
At the same time, another figure, who had been waiting for a very long time, sprang into action the instant the baton was waved.
In two different places, two identical Herrscher fluctuations masked the detection of the Eye of Heaven.