Emperor's Reckoning

The very first morning of dawn. Lyon had sat on the chair with fruitful and enchanting food displayed under his chin. The table was long enough to host tens of people but he was alone. Judging by the culinary of food that was served, it seemed like Assid had taken control of the household of Garuda's huge mansion.

His mind was still occupied by the sudden appearance of the imposter from yesterday night. He had kept the garment inside his special stash but the worry in his heart still got the hold of him.

Right after the incident, he had tried to have a conversation with Cecile but the latter already slept like a log. Being the gentleman that he was, he didn't pry any further and let her sleep in peace. However, he didn't expect to wake up so early in the morning.

(Selena, what are you doing right now?) the question lingered inside his mind but the distance toward Myriad Devils was still unknown to him. Cecile had brought it up before that he was not ready to go there. Consuming the anxiety that he felt he leaned back (Is she safe? I hope that she is, there is no way that she is not, she is really strong. However, that imposter is also powerful... and sexy.... wait a minute, she is imposing as my wife so of course, she is!). Lyon closed his eyes as he nodded firmly. He had no idea that his back was straightened out and his arms crossed.

The door to the dining hall was opened before a figure stepped in.

Lyon opened his eyes as he saw that golden hair fluttered. He didn't blink. That woman had saved him a couple of times in dire need. The kiss under the post-rain was still etched inside his mind. The forest was memorable both to him and her. He couldn't believe that time went so fast and now he had become a prominent figure.

"Karina," called Lyon with a smile.

Karina immediately took a glance against him. She smiled, "How are you feeling?"

Lyon stood up before he approached her as he said, "That's my question."

He stood in front of her before continuing, "You have been out for almost a week. How are you feeling? Still tired? You must be hungry, aren't you? You had not eaten for days."

He assertively took her wrist before dragging her.

"W-Wait."

"Nope," said Lyon with a smile.

He let her sit down on his chair before grabbing a clean plate and putting it right under her gaze. He took the silverware and gave her the knife and fork. He took a small bowl and took the scooped out the soup with the provided ladle. The steam and the scent ignited her hunger before the latter bashfully covered her stomach as a growl was heard.

"There you go, a student to a teacher," said Lyon with a smile.

"Ah, ha..." Karina smiled as she shook her head. She complied. She began not eating but feasting on the food.

Lyon couldn't believe how fast she was eating. He immediately grabbed a glass of water before putting it under her reach just in case she choked on herself.

"Bwah!" she let out a satisfying grin.

Lyon immediately bowed, "Thank you for saving me."

"Huh?" she turned around before looking at the young man bowing at her. His cultivation level was way higher than hers but the fact that he was still more or less the same brought a smile to her face.

Her hand suddenly reached out before rustling his hair as she muttered, "It's alright."

Lyon who was staring at the ground opened his eyes wide. What she did was out of her usual character but he remembered that afterglow after he stole her first kiss.

Lyon nervously swallowed up his saliva before he gradually looked up with expecting eyes. The gaze he gave her brought Karina to her senses before the latter's cheeks turned a shade of that of a peach.

She didn't dare to stare at him straight in the eyes as she turned her glance elsewhere. She slowly pulled her hand off of his hair before her face hung down in embarrassment.

(W-What did I just do?! I can't believe I, I) thought Karina as her heartbeat thumped faster than usual. She didn't dare to look up as she stiffened up that upper lip. However, a face suddenly sneaked into her view. It was the same face that she didn't dare to take look.

"Eh?" muttered Karina.

Lyon only blinked.

(What is he doing?) Karina blinked back.

"Pfft!~ Hahaha!" Lyon kept a cool act in the awkward situation as he burst into laughter.

Karina's eyebrows twitched as her right hand buried its fingers in its palm. She smashed his head before the latter cried out.

Lyon stood up with a dejected face as he rubbed his steaming head. He could feel a slight bump from that hit. (The anti-mana cultivator seemed to have an edge toward cultivator relying on mana alone).

"Oh speaking of which, I now know the origin of anti-mana," said Lyon proudly.

"Hm? Really? What is it?" asked Karina.

"It's in Hell," said Lyon with a grin. "You are now a devil Karina, haha! Actually, that fits your name! The Golden Demoness."

"A-Are you serious?" asked Karina as she couldn't tell whether the young man joked or not.

"Nope, the source of mana is from Heaven and the source of anti-mana is in Hell," said Lyon.

Karina looked at both of her palms as she muttered, "Hell..."

Lyon's smile slowly dissipated as he looked at her expression. The guilt slowly corroded his mind and soul. Because of him that she had to alter her cultivation. Though it was a huge boost in her cultivation it did come with cons.

Living in a world where mana was abundant and anti-mana was scarce, she would have a hard time in everything magic-related.

"I promise!"

Karina was jolted out of her sense before she turned around. Lyon grabbed both of her wrists as he stared at her. "I will bring you to Hell."