Emperor's Reckoning

The short introductory from his wife brought immense pressure toward the onlookers. Were it from someone else, they might have believed only a shred of it, but the one introducing them was Cecile, the cold empress herself.

"We are here," said Cecile.

Garuda could recognize his own hometown from miles away. Especially with his statue erecting in the center of the city. Their cheers immediately followed even before the shadow of the huge bird swallowed their euphoric faces.

The scent of victory soon followed with a roar as their hero came back victorious. Despite the overwhelming odds of fighting against one of the great families in the mortal world, they came out on top.

"Sir Garuda!"

"Victory for Garuda!"

"Thank you Sir Lyon!"

Lyon's head immediately bloated as those fellows below revered his name with such enthusiastic cheer. (Ah, I could get used to this) thought Lyon before Yunesia suddenly step in.

"Now, then, it is time to make haste toward the meeting," said Yunesia.

"What meeting?" asked Lyon as he raised one of his eyebrows.

"The Summit of Geniuses, or so they say," said Cecile as she shrugged her shoulders. It was clear from her eyes that she didn't give a clear damn against it.

"Summit of Geniuses, what is that?" asked Lyon.

"Well, it's an annual meeting that was held for geniuses, well that was self-explanatory. However, the goal of the Summit of Geniuses is to pick a few people of the mortal world to go in a competition in heaven."

"Really? I thought it would be something more major," said Lyon.

"Well, that's half of what they are doing. The mortal world as we know it still holds secrets that even heaven coveted. There are special places that we haven't discovered yet. This whole world is still unknown," said Yunesia while shaking her head before continuing, "And I've heard that the next expedition would be in that place where I and Garuda went before."

"What?!" Garuda overheard their conversation before approaching in with a glare of warning.

"No! Benefactor, you must not go there! The place is dangerous!" said Garuda before Ayumu stood beside him with a concerning look.

"If you go there, I will go with you, and that's final."

Garuda and Yunesia raised their eyebrows before averted their gaze toward the jaded hair beauty who came in with her arms crossed. Her eyes were closed and she was not having any opposing opinions from this gesture. Lyon could only smile wryly with a warmth in his heart.

The woman would surely accompany him everywhere he go now. However, it was understandable, if she were to lose him once more, she might kill to her death. Her feelings were mutual, to the aburn supreme beauty that stood with her smirk.

"Garuda thanks for your opinion but it seems like I need to go there," said Lyon before he looked at Yunesia.

"After all, she said to go on some sort of expedition?"

"Yeah, that place, that means mother and father are coming along," said Cecile as she glanced at Jin and Priscila.

"Wait me too?" said Jin before his wife smacked the back of his head.

Lyon chuckled.

Cecile smiled, "You might get a chance of evoking some memories there, however, the whole reason we are going there is personal. We are going to a grave."

"Grave?" Yunesia tilted her head before she opened her eyes wide, "Empress.. so you?! You have traverse through it before?!"

She refused to answer her question but her smile was enough. Yunesia couldn't believe it, she had said that she had no interest every time an invitation came to her front door. Yet, what was the reason? Was it not because she had already taken a stroll there?

Garuda was taken back. Based on her smile, she sure had gone there before. However, 'when' was the ultimate question. She never seem to go out much outside of her room, in fact, this moment was probably the longest time she had ever gone out.

Priscila looked over her daughter with a hint of concern in her eyes. She had not yet cope with how thankful she was that her little sister found a chance of survival but the time had come for the Summit of Geniuses.

"Cecile, you go to the Summit of Geniuses meeting first, I want to stay with your dear aunt for a while, I need to amend," said Titania.

"En, it's fine," answered Cecile.

"I will have to accompany your mother, after all, whose chest she is going to— that hurt! Oi, let go! Why two of them?!" Jin's ears were pulled by both of her hands as she dragged him like a naughty little boy.

"Heh, you two lovebirds," commented Lyon with a smirk. Despite their arguing in the front, they were pretty much flaunting their love.

"Alright then, we disembark to that summit in a few hours, or... by the way, when will it be held, haha!" asked Lyon as he broke his leadership image.

Kesya and Assid chuckled at their leader but Graham only let out a groan.

"He never changes, hehe," chuckled Kesya.

"That's why he needs us," muttered Assid.

Meanwhile, Graham made no comment.

"Tomorrow," answered Yunesia with a smile.

"What?"

"Understood," Assid suddenly answered in Lyon's stead before he vanished from his spot.

"Eh? What? Where did he go?" asked Lyon.

"Most likely to buy some supplies," answered Kesya with a shake of her head and shrugging her shoulders.

"I have returned."

"Bwah!" Lyon jumped out of instinct before Cecile quickly caught him.

"Don't be too hasty, Assid. We don't need to go there punctually in time. Let the ones that need to rest stayed inside Garuda's mansion. Also, not all of us will be going there," answered Cecile like a true ruler she was despite carrying a whole adult man in her arms.

"I understand," said Assid before continuing, "I will prep the meals in the meantime."

In the next blink of an eye, he's gone from sight.