Emperor's Reckoning

Ivy and the rest of the group were overwhelmed by the shock. Their eyes refused to blink even if they wanted to. The swordsmen and swordswomen were speechless. The only ones that were not caught by the intense shock were Lyon's three generals.

Ivy made a harsh gulp (Does he want to die?!) before she nervously looked at Cecile. The auburn beauty was enjoying her meal and already took the other dishes on her plate. She was drinking the asparagus soup with her spoon. The golden shimmer of the broth was inviting and the silk meat of the crab was resonating with the entire dish as a whole.

Cecile's eyes looked up only to see that Ivy was looking at her bewilderedly. "What's wrong with you?"

"Ah? That's my question!" said Ivy before she sat down by her side.

"Ah... ha," Porealus smiled wryly. He was expecting an outbreak of hell but the situation had turned into something else. (Goddamn, I can't even... goddamn...) Porealus shook his head as he eat his rice.

"Oh..." Zet raised his eyebrows. It looks like he had learned something other than cultivation today. (So that's how you handle women... big brother is really amazing) thought Zet before he picked up the roasted duck.

Lyon pulled out his kiss with a chuckle before handing over the fork. Lumina refused to close her eyes again. With her cute half pouting look she leaned forward before biting it then pulled it inside her mouth. Her blushing face immediately glowed as her eyes opened wide. Her enchanted tongue was sparkling with joy as the meat danced around and pressing the right taste buds to create a symphony. (This is amazing! That skewered meat has nothing against this one!) she quickly averted her glance and took the roasted duck.

"Thank you for waiting," said Assid before he gracefully picked up a tray made out of silver and put the glasses on it. It was filled with a variety of drinks and the three geniuses couldn't even guess any single one of them.

The first was from the nearest of his, Zet, he put the glass down right beside him and whispered, "Please, enjoy, courtesy of Emperor Lyon."

"Ah, thank you!" said Zet (however, I didn't request anything though). He was skeptical about the drinks that he received. Seeing the vibrant green color and bubbly, he thought that it was poison at first. However, after thinking it again, if Assid wanted to kill him he would have died already, not to mention the dishes that he ate all tasted amazing. (Wait did he say, emperor?).

He quickly took a sip despite the warnings of the swordsmen and swordswomen.

His eyes immediately brightened even before the vibrant liquid went to his throat. The energizing feeling that tingled his brain was surreal. He gulped down and the beverage didn't leave a dry feeling inside his mouth. "This is really delicious!"

The swordsmen and swordswomen were given a different drink for each individual. They doubted at first but after looking at the satisfaction of their young master and nothing odd happening, they quickly drank their beverage.

Porealus swallowed his saliva (What is this? I've visited countless pubs and bars. Tasted the cheapest wine to the over-the-top wine that is not even sold at the market, however nothing like this, besides, he used various fruits and even seasoning how odd yet interesting). He picked up his orange spirits. Unlike the ones like Zet, it was plain weak orange. However, it only took him one sip before he knew the difference between all the wine he had tasted against this one. He was speechless even his thought had shut down as he let his soul feel the calmness of nature.

"Graham, Kesya," said Assid before he gave two unique drinks for them.

Graham smiled and nodded, "It's a good thing to have you back, Assid."

Kesya nodded in agreement, "No doubt! I'm missing this."

Assid smiled before he went to Ivy. He knelt and gave her her glass.

Ivy smiled as she received it from the fully professional butler. She looked at the glass that she held with one hand. It was gray and looked depressing at first glance, however, when she shifted her view to the top, there was a velvet red spiral tint on the foam. (I have never seen anything like this at all, not even a record of it).

"Drink it, Ivy, not many people get to enjoy Assid's service," said Cecile before she took her glass from Assid's hand.

"You are too kind, Empress."

(Empress?!) thought Ivy. (Didn't she say that she relinquished that title?)

Assid skipped Lyon whose face was brightening and went toward Lumina. She took the drink with a nod. The scent dances in her nostrils and invited her to drink it. It was a masterful craft indeed. The dragon didn't get intoxicated by the scent but instead resonating in perfect harmony. She smiled before she drank it.

Finally, it was Lyon's turn.

Everyone's focus immediately shifted toward that glass. It was the master's liquor. Normally he would have the most delicate and masterly crafted wine in existence. However, their eyebrows furrowed as they saw the clear water inside the glass. It was sparkling clear that even the light didn't bend when it went through it.

Lyon received the glass with his right hand before rubbing his chin with his left. He looked at the glass over and over but it seemed there was nothing special. It was plain crystal clear water.

(It must be something special!) thought Zet

(There is no way that would taste nothing! Imagine brewing all those ingredients and producing a clear liquor) thought Porealus.

Lyon took a sip on it before his eyes snapped wide open. He swallowed hard before he take look at the glass once again with his glance turning sharp.

"This is..."

He stood up.

"Water."

Cecile burst out in laughter before everyone else had their face slamming down to the ground.