Emperor's Reckoning

The clip-clop from the horses' hooves finally came to a stop in front of a mansion. The fences were adorned with various flowers as its coiled around the tip, almost touching both of the lamp's frame. As the gate was made of thick wood, one couldn't see what's hiding behind it, however, from one glance, they would understand that the owner's status was no ordinary noble in the street.

*creak

The gate was cut in half as it slid to the right and to the left. Revealing an old butler that took a bow. "Welcome back lady Clemora and lady Biane." Though the butler was clearly old, his voice was as fresh as any middle-aged man would sound.

"Yes, thank you, Graff," said Clemora as she jumped down from the seat and proceed further in the mansion. Biane followed suit as she held Fenrir in her hands.

"My, you two sure don't look so well," said Graff as he continued with a chuckle, "Ah, please hold your liquor next time."

"N-no it's not like that, we just have a... rough travel," said Biane as she glanced at the man who was responsible for this.

"I see, thank the heavens that my lady is fine, but who is this youngster?" asked Graff before he approached Lyon who was still gripping his reign. "Let me introduce myself, I'm Graff, the head butler of house Elgome."

*thud

Lyon slowly climbed down from the seat before he stretched his right hand, "I'm Lyon Torga, nice to meet you."

Graff was a bit surprised by his gesture. In his everyday life, every time he met a guest from his masters, they would act all high and mighty, refusing even to shake his hand. In the nobles' eyes, he was nothing but a commoner. (Is he perhaps also a commoner? His bearing definitely not that of a noble, but his charisma, that sharp look of his, there is something that I just couldn't put a finger. Of all my life I never felt like this) thought Graff.

"Nice to meet you too sir Lyon," said Graff as he reached out Lyon's hand and gave a firm handshake.

Lyon shook his head with a smile, "Lyon is fine, my status is not that grand for you to call me sir."

Graff was clearly taken off guard. His request was a first in his entire career as a butler here. Everyone would like to be referred with a higher title if they were possible, but this youngster flatly refused such courtesy.

"Haha, sir Lyon surely joking, you are my masters' guest, so I'm afraid I have to call you with a 'sir',"

Lyon smiled before walking behind both ladies, "Whatever, suit you then."

With his hand behind his head, Lyon looked at his surroundings. There was a well-maintained garden with a greenhouse in the center of it. The maids were tending the plants while some of them were cleaning a little fountain nearby. (I guess, this is what a noble life is like huh, Hmm, I wonder where Ryona and Kyoko are at the moment).

*Creak

Biane opened the door entrance, "We are home, father." She declared it clearly so that every room in the mansion heard what she said.

In the middle of the room was a charming middle-aged man, with a well-built figure. He was wearing a gold robe with a black swallow engraved on it. He was looking at a beautiful scenery painting before the trio arrived.

"Oh, we have a guest," said the charming middle-aged man as he noticed Lyon standing behind both of his daughters.

"Hmm, where are you from young man, are you one of the noble's sons? If so what rank?" asked the man with a deep look in his eyes.

Clemora stood in between them and said, "He is not one of the noble's sons, but"

"Then he is worthless, excuse him, I do not want to waste time," said their father as he waved his hand like he was trying to shoo a dog before continuing, "Take the item to my desk and we will have to discuss both of your arranged marriages next, I think your future husband will come tonight."

Biane's furrowed her eyebrows as she said, "Father! Watch your tone, he is our...",

"You dare to talk back to me?!" shouted her father.

Biane instinctively took a step back as her head hung down. "Do you have something to say too, Clemora?"

Clemora could only do the same as Biane. (Damn it! Why am I so weak in front of him!).

"Hmph!" the middle-aged man turned his back and walked back to his room.

"Oi-oi, don't you think you owe me an apology?" said Lyon nonchalantly.

"Hmm?" the middle-aged man turned back and face him once more. "Apology? You are the one who supposed to do that to me!"

With the cultivation of peak Lower Half Divine realm, he tried to suppress Lyon just like he suppressed his own daughters.

Lyon lazily responded, "If you are trying to intimidate me with your current cultivation realm like what you did to these beautiful ladies, mine as well make me a tea, father-in-law."

Clemora and Biane were surprised to see how nonchalantly Lyon said that to their father. Even the nobles of Earl rank wouldn't dare.

"Fa-fa-father-in-law?! Who are you to qualified to be their husband?!" Even their father couldn't help but gawk against his response.

"Me? I'm Lyon Torga, nice to meet you,"

The middle-aged man almost vomited blood as he gulped back down to his throat while Biane and Clemora tried to hide their chuckling.

Lyon laid on the nearby sofa under their gaze, "I'm still waiting for that apology you know, besides, I saved your daughters in the forest and the only thing keeping you alive right now is because you are their father,"

"Don't believe me? Want to test it?" said Lyon as he smiled wickedly. He slowly raised his right hand.

"Lyon, please stop," said Clemora before averting his gaze to his father. With a deep breath, she said firmly to his father, "F-Father, There is something crucial you need to her, and that young man is a key part to it."

Her father looked at her determining eyes before nodded in an agreement.