Emperor's Reckoning

"Are you serious?" asked Wanda.

"A part of it," said Lyon as he nodded. "Well then, Queen Wanda, if there is nothing else, I will be going back to my inn."

"Meeting you is not easy, so I won't have you go that easily," said Wanda as she shook her head.

"Hm?" Lyon put his hands behind his back as he showed a lack of respect toward the position the woman had.

Wanda didn't mind before she said, "The Sverine Kingdom, my kingdom, is not an art-based cultivator kingdom but the powerful magic-based cultivator type. The power may not be equal to Pala in terms of number, but in terms of destruction, I dare say ours are way better."

"I'm listening," said Lyon as he smiled.

"I can see that you know where this is going," said Wanda. "What about it?"

"Hmm... I wonder if Hilde has the same offer?" said Lyon as he put his hands down.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Wanda shook her head, "Don't compare the Bolg Kingdom against us, they put their pride in that golden spear that they are so proud of but lacking in other aspects."

"But I'm just a mortal cultivator," said Lyon.

"A mortal cultivator that collects over five thousand pounds of hellboar horns? I don't think anyone of the latest generation could do as well as you."

Lyon shrugged his shoulder as he smirked. "What do you need me for though?"

"As tough as my kingdom is, we do still need a spearhead in our kingdom," said Wanda. "I know the important part that a spearhead plays in a war. A wall could only stand after all."

"True," Lyon nodded. "Magic-based cultivators needed time for their magic to be cast."

"See, I know you would understand."

She smiled as she walked past him. "I doubt the Bolg Kingdom would dare to offend the Pala Kingdom for one mortal cultivator that they barely knew."

"And you would?" asked Lyon as he turned around to see her back.

"Depends," she turned around with a smile.

Lyon crossed his arms, "It's only the first round of... well, I don't know, but it's only the first round and you are already here making the second move to hire me."

"Second?"

"Hilde did give me lunch before the first round," said Lyon as he rubbed his chin, "Maybe that's where I got the strength to pummel that hellboar down."

"I see, it seems that fate is very fortunate toward her, but her kingdom is dying, at least in the army perspective," uttered Wanda. She knew his latter words were nothing but jest.

"You seem to be adamant in me joining your kingdom," said Lyon as he smiled. "However, are you willing to let me kill Hezar?"

Wanda narrowed her eyes. It was the question that mattered the most for the young man in front of her. Killing Hezar would have been a sure way to war between the two kingdoms. A grand clash would happen, and all of it was because of a mortal cultivator.

"What makes you so sure that you can kill Hezar?" asked Wanda. "Do you know how powerful he is? The extend of his capability?" (He is sharp indeed).

(She is dodging the question here) thought Lyon as he smiled inwardly. He noticed that she had said about offending Pala Kingdom but not actually killing Hezar. The two might be connected but were different in their own right.

"I don't think, I know," said Lyon before he asked, "Are you more powerful than Hezar?"

"Can't say that I'm not," Wanda furrowed her eyebrows. "You're a Peak Godhood Cultivator, Lyon, it would be impossible to beat him, let alone kill him without some.... help.....?!!!?"

Her eyes opened wide as she muttered that word. A revelation that was hidden in plain sight. (A peak Godhood Cultivator... defeating a four-horned hellboar with a single fist to its thickest skin..)

His peak arrogant manner and his smirk. His attention-seeker bearing and his nonchalant act. With those combined, everyone would have forgotten just how high his cultivation was in reality. The power that defied the cultivation law. The strength was absurd even from heaven's perspective. This young man was the very embodiment of singularity, alongside his auburn-haired goddess.

Her opened eyes slowly narrowed and turned into a slightly sultry one. She had just realized how thunderous the potential the young man had. Only a Godhood Cultivator, and he had conquered the first round of the tournament.

"I see..." Wanda grinned. "The answer is yes."

"What?"

"Killing Hezar and obtaining you? That's just a win-win situation for me," said Wanda as she cut the distance between her and him. She opened her thin lips.

"Mother," Cherie called out from the entrance of the alley.

Wanda smiled before she took a step back. (Not even a blush, unbelievable).

"What are you doing, mother," asked Cherie with a sigh.

Lyon furrowed his eyebrows (It seems like this is not the first time).

"Nothing much," said Wanda before she yawned, "I will return back to my inn then, good chat, Lyon."

Cherie watched her mother leave past her before Lyon caught Wanda leering at him lasciviously.

"The Sverine Kingdom is not an ordinary kingdom," said Cherie as she smiled.

"Your mother is more dangerous than your kingdom, princess," said Lyon.

"Glad you noticed," Cherie smiled before she turned back. "Don't lose in the next round, I'm rooting for you."

She left the alley to follow her mother.

Lyon shook his head before seeing the two of them leave his line of sight, "Welp, at least I got some souvenir."

Lyon opened his crossed arms before a piece of an exquisite black bra was seen on his right hand. The item disappeared as he willed it to be stored in the spatial ring.

"Hah, what a night," said Lyon before he whistled on his way back to the inn.

---

"Mother? Are you cold?" asked Cherie as she noticed her mother kept her arms crossed as they walk.

"No, quite the contrary," said Wanda as she smirked.

"Huh?" Cherie was lost as she halted for a moment before continuing walking.