Emperor's Reckoning

Abaddon made the first gulp without blinking an eye before he converted his thoughts into words through his dry throat.

"Master, did you hear what he had just said?"

"U-Uh, I don't think I'm deaf yet, but I hope I was," Di gulped his saliva as he looked at the group leaving the sight of his eyes. He had never thought that he would hear such revelation in the bright of the noon, especially when they accomplished the quest in a day.

Their rising power was prominent, and he had picked up the clues of how incredible they were, however, he still had not known their status or their background.

"He said brother-in-law, does that mean the rumors were true?" asked Abaddon as he looked at his master. The latter was bound to have more knowledge than he had for the latter was second-in-command in their guild.

"I cannot verify whether that's true or not, at least not until I see Leviathan's Fang's sister," Di shook his head, "However, he might actually get a response if that is the case."

"Unbelievable," said Abaddon. "I never thought that I would hear such brazen words out of someone's mouth, it's like he is asking for death or something."

"She has a lot of fans, they even adore the unproven sister," Di sighed. "However, that group has an arsenal that could rival everyone, at least, that's what my guts are telling me."

Abaddon sighed. "To think that I would live to see the day that you would act like this, master."

"I can't help it," Di made a wry smile. "There are countless experts out there that some might not be possible to meet in this lifetime."

"Heh," Abaddon smirked before he frowned, "Master, are you sure it's a good idea to meet with her and tell her that?"

Di shallow breathed a cold one before he crossed his arms, "Sadly, I have to hold my word."

Abaddon smiled to one side, "I knew you would still do it."

"It is hard, yes, that group is definitely hard to approach," said Di.

"Even as you are right now, master? You are the second-in-command in the Flame Guild," said Abaddon. "You got to have some privilege, some cards you can play, right?"

Di shook his head, "It's not that simple, they are in Myriad Devils, not to mention, the cream of the crop. They are all having the same haughty character inside them. Not to mention we are advancing our exploration more than ever, ever since Zelena become the spear.

"They have the complete, basic party, and not a single one of them is a weak link," said Abaddon before he sighed. "However, even if that may be so, they still have to give you some face, right?"

"Maybe if our guild leader wants to take action," said Di.

"Tch! They are that powerful, huh," Abaddon clicked his tongue.

"Maybe I can work something out if I asked the guild leader," said Di. "I'm a man of my word, that's what I taught you with, right?"

"I know, I know," Abaddon nodded. "Save the lesson for another day, master." he rolled his eyes.

"Heh," Di smirked before he turned and watched the alley where the group was no more. "Have you sensed anyone of them when they were here?"

"I wouldn't dare," Abaddon laughed and shook his head. "You might see me getting my head chopped off if I rudely do that."

"Well, three of them are powerful," said Di.

"Yes, I know who you are talking about," said Abaddon as he nodded. "I felt their presence when I and that guy confronted the White Perch. They literally made the second-in-command to just a figurine that could talk without lifting a fist."

"Yes, can sense their power greatly, even if they suppressed it to an incredible height. However, the one that I wary the most was the one that does the talking," said Di as he furrowed his brows.

"The lofty guy?" asked Abaddon as he raised his brows. "Well, he did end up in a draw against Boto, though, I think I saw him jumping out of the line on his own accord to obtain a tie."

"He did?" Di raised his brows.

"I still doubted my eyes, but I think he feigned the tie and even more so the pain that he 'suffered' after the tie," said Abaddon.

"Perhaps, he is not what as you see him, or hear him," said Di as he made a shallow breath through his nose.

"What do you mean, master? Enlightened me," said Abaddon as he watched his master's eyes fixated on the street with ongoing adventurers passing the alley.

"I have felt something subtle the moment I opened the door, something unreal coming from his eyes," said Di.

"Unreal?"

"Yes, I've met the guy before, I thought he was the spokesperson of the group since most of them don't talk that well. However, the one I'm speaking to now was different."

"How so?"

Di shook his head, "I have no clue, that's what silently infuriates me."

Abaddon looked at his master with respect, however, this was the first time he found his master brooding over a matter that he thought was effortless for someone like him.

"He seems so, daunting but in a different way," said Di. "He was straightforward, yet he was not the strongest of the group."

"I knew it," said Abaddon before he let out a sigh of relief. "That means I can spar with him later on."

Di shook his head, "No, no, that would be a waste of time."

"What? Didn't you say that he was not the strongest of the group, I even walked with him side by side, besides, he has free time from waiting for your answer, well... Zelena's answer to be precise," said Abaddon.

"He might not be the strongest of the group, however, I can tell you that he must be the most dangerous out of them all."

Abaddon was stunned for a second before he caught a hint of small trepidation from his master's forehead. He couldn't put two to two together, the lofty man that was walking with him, laughing freely, and acting mostly like a spoiled child, was the most dangerous out of them all.

Abaddon smiled wryly, "Master, you're not messing with me, are you?"

Di shook his head calmly, "It is what it is, that man that we spoke eye to eye, is the most dangerous man out of the group."

"But that's impossible!"

"It is possible," said Di before he turned and asked his student. "Let me ask you this question, is a sword dangerous to a mere man?"

Abaddon was taken aback by his master's question, however, he could see the weight of the words inside his sharp eyes. "Yes, if the man didn't cultivate, one thrust against his head, and he is done."

Di shook his head, "The answer is no."

"What?! How?"

"A sword is a tool," said Di. "A tool is nothing without the presence of a man."

"A tool is nothing without the presence of a man..." Abaddon rectified his master's words. He furrowed his brows as he contemplated before his thought clicked, "You mean, those three people are the swords?"

Di smiled and nodded, "That's right, those three are the swords and he is the man that holds them."

"But, that doesn't make any sense," said Abaddon. "Why would they follow the weakest of them?"

"And that, is what terrifies me," said Di before he made shallow breathing and looked back at the alley. "What can of monster that guy is, to actually have his word listened by those three without a single leash."

( I also noticed those eyes, they are not rookie eyes, they are something more, not wise, but more of a different path ) thought Di before Lyon's presence clouded his mind for a while.

"I-I, it's not that I don't want to believe you, master, however, it's just not possible for me to believe something like this out of the blue," said Abaddon as he shook his head.

"Trust me, Abaddon, we are in the same shoes," said Di. "However, the reality is what served right in front of us."

"I..."

"You can spar with him if he has the whim to entertain you, however, try not to die," said Di before he turned toward his student.

Abaddon was taken back with his mouth giving out a slight gape. He had never had such a stern warning from his master before.

"You can die for real, or you can die inside," said Di. "One of those three can easily uproot your life from your spinal cord. Be careful what you say to him or any of his group, it might save not only you but the town as well."

Di entered the house before slowly closing the door on the petrified Abaddon. The door freely rotates without any irritating sound of friction before clicking.