Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon slowly got up as he patted his cloth to clean the dust. "Alright, old man can I ask you to protect the Mist Clan from that Kafrin guy? Tell him to come and find me if you can't kill him unscathed."

His overbearing confidence could amaze anyone even with half a brain. The ancestor of the Kafrin clan was stronger than him by many folds, it was beyond their imagination to think that Lyon would beat him in a battle. However, those who were close to him knew his capabilities very well. Especially, Luna, she was there when Lyon's talent being assessed.

"Yes, young noble, in your honor I shall do as you ask!" said Old Sean with a bow. Though he didn't know Lyon much as a cultivator, he knew that his friends were incredible enough to protect him. (Besides, I can only sense faint disastrous energy emanating from the woman with the fox ears, while the other one make my legs wanted to run for life).

Lyon casually accepted the gesture and turned his way to both Biane and Clemora before saying, "Well, I'm guessing you two will be going back home then," with a hint of disappointing tone.

The charmed Biane had a clear hesitation in her eyes. Clemora who noticed this immediately answered on her behalf, "Yes, we will be going back soon since our task here is done."

Realizing she was being outrun by her sister, she agitatedly said, "But, you are always welcome in Luderia,"

Clemora suddenly tugged her older's sister and whispered, "Sister! Now is not the right time!"

Biane bit her lower lips, "Gah! If only 'that' is not happening right now."

"Exactly, and with his personality, I think that there will be more trouble than what it should."

The distress caught Lyon's attention and he could hear everything they said. (Am I an exacerbate?).

With a clap, Biane said, "Sorry Lyon, things are a bit hectic in Luderia right now. So I really REALLY wouldn't recommend you to go there in the near time."

"Oh okay," said Lyon with a smile. However, his thought was running a different line (What's this? A foreshadowing? Ah heck!).

"Will you be safe though? I mean the journey is pretty far right?" With a concerning tone, Lyon asked.

Even though Clemora felt nothing, a stream of warmth running through Biane's heart. "Don't worry, we have our own carriage and guards, they are dying to go home too," said Biane.

"Yeah, and the road is safe since it is under Luderia's jurisdiction most of it," added Clemora.

With a sweet smile, Biane suddenly pointed at Lyon's nose under his watching eyes. "Next time we meet, I'm gonna play the host, so don't forget to come by!"

Then the both of them cupped their hands and waved goodbye to Lyon and co.

As their footsteps couldn't be heard anymore, Lyon still looked at the closed door. He had a serious look in his eyes that could penetrate anyone's soul.

(Those two... just raised a death flag) thought Lyon. He was aware that those kinds of lines usually ended up in a tragedy. This was happening before in the Phantera Kingdom where the ugly lizard managed to stay alive despite the gruesome wound. (I can't let them die!).

Perverted he may be but he was first and foremost a man. What kind of man would he be if he did nothing after having an incline that something bad will happen?

(But wait, this might be deeper than just killing some bad guys and saving maidens. C'mon Lyon think, what are the clues).

Lyon was in deep thought as he rummaged through his memories. The conversation they just had, the events that were happening, were flashing in his mind.

He slowly opened his eyes, "Old man, that zither you just gave me, would it by chance came from that Luderia Dynasty?"

Old Sean was caught off guard by his question. "Why do you ask that?"

"The moment they want your zither, you asked if they knew the origin of the instrument and then they said that they knew. Then they revealed that they are from Luderia, which means there is a high probability that it came from there."

"Yes, young noble is correct. The instrument is indeed originated from that place," Old Sean didn't even try to deny it. "But why is young noble interested in this?"

Lyon only chuckled in response, "That zither had nothing special. No engraving, not weaponized, cheap materials, just a plain old zither. However, why they wanted that? According to their clothing, they are not just some commoners either. That means that they knew the significant value it posses, and by the value, I meant about the sentimental values."

Lyon turned back and finally facing Old Sean, "Why did you have that zither?"

The question Lyon shot caused everyone's attention to once again weighted down on Old Sean. However, Old Sean was more critical as he realized what the question meant.

Lyon's question was 'why' instead of 'how'. Which meant that Lyon probably knew or didn't care about how the zither landed in his possession.

In the end, Old Sean sighed, "I had... a connection to the current king in Luderia or more specifically his daughter. I can't tell young noble what happens between me and her daughter but know it so that I did it out of my personal vengeance. The zither was the king's wife's memento."

"I wouldn't tap into that matter since it doesn't concern me. Tell me Luderia's situation right now, surely you know," asked Lyon as he waved his hand. He knew that there were things a man just couldn't say in front of a crowd.

"It's a political struggle since the king is on his deathbed, the nobles are fighting each other to have the princes or princesses of their choice to win the throne."

(Man, that sounds really troublesome! Wait, did he say princesseS? As there is more than one? Hehehe) Lyon suddenly chuckled down as he looked at the ground. Nobody in the room could make up his expression.