Emperor's Reckoning



---

As the news of King Cae's assassination reached the ears of an elderly man, his trembling hands gripped Judsah's shoulders, his eyes widening in disbelief. The world around him seemed to blur as the reality of the situation sank in.

"King Cae... dead? Assassinated?" he murmured, his voice quivering with shock.

The weight of the revelation pressed heavily upon his weary heart. Memories of a bygone era flooded his mind, of a time when King Cae's rule had brought prosperity and stability to the kingdom. The elderly man's features contorted with grief, lines etching deeper into his weathered face.

"And to think... Lyon, involved in such a heinous act," he muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

He looked through the window and toward the empty courtyard with a brood. He sighed, "Young master Mavis, what have you just sent to Second Heaven..."

Old Gu sighed, "Doesn't he realize his name is tarnishing? Involving in this is such a scandal, oh how will the people look at my school now?"

He knew he couldn't simply expel them, not with how much Mavis was invested in this. He could only lament his fate and reconsider his retirement as he sat back in his chair. 

Meanwhile inside the faculty office was solemn. The atmosphere was heavy and the silence even more. They had received the same news as the principal did.

Marat, the one with the unkempt hair and who seemed to respect the principal with his silence, was having his arms crossed and eyes closed. His muscles were toned down as he no longer commanded the situation from the sheer figure.

Cini pressed her lips together. She still remembered like it was yesterday, how Lyon was able to close in on her just outside the door of the faculty office, now that same young man was involved in the death of a king in Second Heaven, not long after his famous encounter with Drogan. 

"He killed King Cae, a regicide," said Vina as she lost her bundle of energy. "I honestly never thought that he would go that far."

"We don't know that for sure," said Rokh with his eyes no longer seeming to be asleep. "However, our names are also affected."

"Class six has yet another crazy teacher," said Yama as he set his gaze on the bow and spear on his desk. "The last one sabotaged them, this one, perhaps the entire realm."

"What's the principal thinking?" Han stood up and said firmly. "This is clearly defamation!"

"Sit back down, Han," said Marat. 

"Hmph! Unlike you, Marat, I still care about what this means for our students as well!"

"Han is right," said Cini. "This will implicate the students as well."

"But.." Vina looked at the ceiling with one of her brows raised, "You know, upperclassmen Nyi was also involved, oh yeah, he was in your year right, Cini?"

Cini closed her eyes and straightened her back before nodding. "The genius was recently coronated and become the king of Eulyrianth."

"He is so dreamy," said Vina as she giggled. "A royal blood, a genius, though... it does make you question why he wouldn't go to Third Heaven."

"..." Cini's eyes seemed distant.

"You know something about it?" asked Vina. 

"His kingdom," answered Cini. "He knew about the Burgeon Swan situation and Drogan as well, that's why he never set eyes on his own peers. His goal was already set the moment he got his foot on Nirvana's School."

"Wow... are you his ex," said Vina.

"A-Am not!" Cini answered nervously with a blush on her cheeks.

---

Drogan sat in his dimly lit chamber, the air heavy with anticipation and the scent of intrigue. His sharp eyes, shadowed by a veil of darkness, flickered with a mix of anticipation and malice. He knew that a pivotal moment was upon them.

Drogan's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the chamber door creaking open. Ferece entered with a sense of urgency etched upon his face.

"Is he really dead?" asked Drogan.

Ferece nervously nodded. "According to the witnesses, golden fists descended from the clouds as if rioting toward the sea."

Drogan smirked, "It's funny how the one that secretly coveted my runic power died a miserable death."

"The young king of Elyrianth claimed his death, captain," said Ferece.

"The details," said Drogan.

"Absolutely," Ferece nodded. "He was there as well."

The figure that briefly sunken his foot against his chest resurfaced.

Drogan pondered. "Niamh is not showing signs of coming back either, but his Summoning Ruby Stone is still glowing, so he is still alive."

"Heh, I should have gone instead of him," said Ferece as he clicked his tongue.

"You are needed here," said Drogan before he contemplated. "It seems like King Nyi has decided to team up with him, otherwise he wouldn't claim the Broken Rose Kingdom. Some sort of deal must have been made on the day of the king's death or prior... wait... no, Nyi definitely didn't kill Cae." Drogan raised one of his brows as he snapped a revelation in his mind. (The deal was made specifically because Nyi didn't kill Cae in the first place...  )

Drogan slammed his arm on the armrest and revealed his runes pulsing with a glow. His eyes were filled with determination. "Cae was killed by Lyon."

Refl who was being held captive in the special cell had overheard of Cae's death and Nyi's claim over the kill and also the Broken Rose Kingdom. His hair had turned unkempt and his breath was getting slower, his beard had grown a bit longer since the last time he made an appearance. He opened his eyes and sighed. The Second Heaven had faced such drastic change and the scale was getting bigger.

---

As the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the sprawling kingdom of Elyrianth, a magnificent carriage glided through the bustling streets, drawing the attention of every passerby. The carriage, adorned with intricate carvings and glistening gemstones, seemed to emit an aura of mystery and grandeur.

Inside the carriage, Lyon, sat in silence, his piercing gaze fixed on the vibrant tapestries that lined the carriage walls. Beside him, his wife, and sitting across him were the three students.

"Look there," a voice murmured, tinged with both curiosity and trepidation. "It can only be Lyon, the one whose name has spread far and wide."

The people of Elyrianth, known for their astute perception and keen curiosity, recognized the significance of the extravagant carriage. Whispers spread like wildfire through the streets, carrying tales of Lyon's involvement in the assassination of a king from a distant land. The mere mention of his name sent shivers down the spines of those who spoke it, and his reputation grew with each retelling of the story.

It was said that the carriage had once belonged to the fallen king, a symbol of his opulence and power. Some believed he had orchestrated the king's demise, however, the death was claimed by Elyrianth's king, King Nyi. Thus Lyon's involvement was further shrouded.

"Stop here," Lyon said.

The driver didn't dare to even voice out his opinion, he simply did what he was told.

Lyon noticed the curiosity embedded in his students' gazes. "We will take a walk, besides, it's not that far from the palace."

Hushes fell over the crowd the moment Lyon alighted from the luxurious carriage. His presence was commanding attention and people craned their necks, their gazes fixated on the figure at the center of it all.

"He's the one they say was involved in the assassination of a king," someone whispered, the words filled with both awe and suspicion. "The very carriage he rides in is said to be the spoils of the regicide."

Rumors and tales swirled through the air, mingling with the murmurs of the onlookers. Opinions clashed and merged, forming a tapestry of speculation.

"Is he a hero or a villain?" a voice pondered, uncertain yet intrigued. "The stories of his actions are as varied as the colors in a painter's palette."

"Some claim he orchestrated the regicide, a puppeteer of power and intrigue," another voice added, the words laced with a mixture of fear and fascination. "But others argue he unraveled a web of treachery, exposing the true nature of King Cae."

As Lyon's gaze swept over the crowd, a loud intensity emanated from his eyes. It was a look that spoke of confidence and an unwavering determination.

"I sense determination in his gaze," someone remarked, their voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. "A silent resolve to shape the destiny."

Lyon's students, steadfast, stood beside him. The crowd watched them, their collective breath held in anticipation.

"Class Six of Nirvana School," a voice murmured. "This is the first time that the fallen class has involved themselves with something so controversial, I wonder what the principal was thinking... or perhaps... the teacher is that untouchable in the school that this much of involvement is allowed?"

As Lyon strode forward, approaching the palace of Elyrianth, the whispers grew louder, interweaving with the sounds of the bustling city.