Emperor's Reckoning

In the heart of the bustling city of Ruhera, there stood a magnificent coliseum that towered over the surrounding buildings. The arena was made of white marble and adorned with intricate carvings and golden accents. It was the city's pride and joy, attracting visitors from far and wide who came to watch the epic battles that took place within its walls.

As one approached the coliseum, one would be greeted by a lively and festive atmosphere. The streets were lined with vendors selling all manner of food and drink, from succulent roasted meats to sweet pastries and refreshing fruit juices. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of spices and herbs, tempting the senses and stirring the appetite of all who passed by.

At the entrance to the coliseum, there was a grand archway that led to a massive courtyard, where the crowds gathered to wait for the gates to open. The courtyard was filled with performers, acrobats, and musicians, who entertained the crowds with their spectacular displays of skill and artistry.

Once inside the coliseum, the spectacle continued. The arena was ringed with tiered seating, where the spectators could sit and watch the battles unfold before them. The seats were plush and comfortable, and each was equipped with a small table where one could enjoy food and drink during the event.

The battles themselves were a marvel to behold. Mighty cultivators from all corners of the realm would face off against each other, armed with swords, spears, and shields. Some would ride on horseback, while others would fight on foot. The crowd would roar with excitement as the combatants clashed, their weapons clanging against each other in a symphony of steel.

In between battles, there were other forms of entertainment to keep the crowds engaged. There were magicians and illusionists who would perform mind-bending tricks and dancers who would weave intricate patterns with their movements. There were even exotic animals, such as tigers and elephants, brought in from distant lands to dazzle the audience with their beauty and power.

As the sun began to set and the battles drew to a close, the crowd would spill out of the coliseum and into the city streets. The festivities would continue late into the night, with street performers and musicians keeping the party going until the early hours of the morning.

Ruhera was a city that truly had something for everyone. Whether you were a fan of epic battles or simply loved good food and entertainment, this was a place that would captivate your heart and leave you wanting more.

However, a wagon that was no more than usual came into the view of those guarding the gates of the cities. Three young men not even in their twenties were on the bench seat with one of them carelessly sleeping with his eyes closed and lips gaped as if trying to speak to a being above him.

One of the guards furrowed their brows and raised his hand, "Halt!"

Rayus slightly pulled the reign and made the cantering horse stop.

The guard came up to the three of them with eyes daggering and hands crossed. "Aren't you a little bit too young to be a merchant here?"

"Can't we start young?" asked Noah.

The guard seemed perturbed, "Do you have a permit?"

"Emm.. we just started," said Rayus as he smiled wryly, "We have no idea that we would need a permit."

The guard sighed before he muttered under his breath, "This is the problem with you youngsters."

"Maybe we can work something out?" asked Noah.

The guard looked up before he saw a pouch dangling in front of his eyes. The guard frowned before putting his hands on his waist. He looked around before giving them a scowl. "Did you really think it would be that easy?"

Noah and Rayus had cold shoulders creeping up from below. Their attempt at bribery was met with imminent failure.

The guard looked around one more time before taking a step, positioning himself against the view of others. He took the pouch before quickly putting it away inside his spatial ring.

The act surprised Noah and Rayus both, but before they could even utter a complaint, the guard followed up.

"Welcome to Ruhera City," said the guard smiling. "I hope you enjoy the stay, and... use a permit next time."

Noah and Rayus were dumbfounded looking at the guard stepping away from their path. It was not until the guard gestured with his brows that the horse started cantering toward the city.

Rayus took a sigh of relief. He looked over at Reinhard who was sleeping like a baby without a sin. He squinted his eyes and the desire to push him off the bench was creeping up into his palm.

Noah slightly wiggled the curtain behind them. "Teacher, we have arrived."

"Yeah," Lyon answered. "I can hear the bustling noise of a city."

"What should we do next?" asked Noah.

Lyon peeked his head out of the curtains. His eyes squinted as he saw the city. A huge coliseum immediately caught his attention. He smirked. "Heh, so that's the place."

"You want to go there?" asked Rayus whilst shaking Reinhard to his senses.

"Of course, we need to see where the stage will be played after all," said Lyon before sinking back inside the wagon.

"Ugh, what?" Reinhard asked.

"You need to get a grip," said Noah before sighing. "We're going to the coliseum."

"Huh! What?! Is it time already?!" Reinhard exclaimed. His words caught the passerby's attention.

"Lower your voice down, idiot!" said Noah who stretched his arm past Rayus's back to slap the back of Reinhard's head.

The wagon soon found its way toward the said place. Lyon immediately exited before taking a sip of breath through his nose liberatingly. He smiled looking at the cultivators passing by who didn't say anything nor found him weird.

Selena quietly exited as well before standing by Lyon's side. Her beauty didn't fail to make people look no matter what gender they were.

Noah and the other two followed up behind him.

"I have paid a parking spot for us here, the valet will take our wagon," said Rayus.

Lyon raised his brows, "Valet? A valet?"

"Y-Yeah? You do know what a valet is, right?" asked Reinhard.

"Of course, I know!" said Lyon. ( I just never thought that such service would exist in this world... realm... heaven, whatever ).

"Let's enter the place," said Lyon as he led the group to the receptionist lady standing by.

"Ah, guests, I'm sorry but the coliseum is currently closed," said the receptionist lady the moment she noticed them. She apologetically bowed with her palms touching each other.

"I wonder why," Lyon smirked but didn't lose his pace. "Care to tell us?"

The receptionist lady raised her brows, seeming surprised by the question that appeared to have an apparent answer. "D-Dear guest, you didn't know what's blooming, or should I say, burgeoning, recently?"

"Enlighten me," Lyon smiled.

"W-Well... ah, right, wait for a moment," the receptionist lady scavenged under the desk before getting back up with a poster in her hand. It was the same poster that Lyon had saw before.

Lyon looked at the poster before taking it. His eyes scanned the content before nodding with his brows raised, "This is something."

"Yes," said the receptionist lady, "That's why the coliseum is currently not for use."

"So there is no attraction at all," said Lyon as he scrolled up the poster whilst looking at the receptionist lady.

"We apologize, but there is nothing but empty seats," said the receptionist lady.

"I see," said Lyon nodding. His eyes turned sharp before leaning his face forward. "Hey, what does this establishment have anything to do with the Burgeon Swan?"

The receptionist lady had her face flushed red with her lips quivering. She could feel his breath on her face. Her eyes squirmed, "I'm sorry! But I don't know!"

"Can I meet the owner of this establishment?" asked Lyon.

"I-I'm afraid that he is currently unavailable..!" she answered.

"That's too bad," said Lyon as he pulled his face back. "Thank you for your work, though."

"E-Eh?" the receptionist lady was starstruck. She didn't know what Lyon's intentions were as she saw him and the group turned around. She was finally able to take a breath out of her lungs. With her hand on her chest, "What a weird guy... charming, weird guy."

"So, what was that all about?" asked Reinhard.

Lyon sighed, "I tried to find something valuable that might be useful for us, but it seems like I failed."

Reinhard came to a pause. His brows furrowed before hurriedly following up, "Wait.. did you just?"

"Intending to borrow something, yes," said Lyon. "Perhaps a badge or something that we could use to enter an employee-only area or something."

"But... why?" asked Reinhard.

"Teacher wants an audience with the owner of the establishment," said Rayus. "Because it's clear that he has connections with the Burgeon Swan."

"After all, Drogan has come his way to show us his influence, might as well use it to our benefit," said Lyon.