Emperor's Reckoning



The five of them walked toward the palace with each their own personalities. Lyon led at the front with Selena close by whilst the three students were still trying to cope with the constant gaze and hush.

Lyon looked up and slightly raised his brows upon seeing the palace. It was the largest one he had ever seen in Second Heaven. He smirked in astonishment, "That is one big castle."

The two guards wearing helmets that covered everything but their eyes saw Lyon and the others. They looked at one another before standing their own ground and asked, "Are you Lyon?"

"Who am I speaking to?" asked Lyon.

"The guards of the palace," said one of them. "Do you seek an audience with the king?" 

"Yes," Lyon nodded. 

"I'm afraid the majesty is busy today," said the other guard. 

Lyon was flabbergasted hearing those words and hardly blinked before he smirked. "Well, that would be too inconvenient for me, I've been on the road for seven days now and I told your king that I am expecting a pleasing welcoming."

"I'm afraid His Majesty is not taking any visitors today," said the guard with his eyes revealing annoyance.

Lyon furrowed his brows and quickly raised his fist before stopping abruptly.

"Ah!" the guard was caught by surprise before both summoned a lance by reflex.

Some from the crowd already took a step back. Weapons were drawn and they immediately expected blood to fly over in that instantaneous moment. They knew that Lyon was somehow gotten involved but they never knew to what extent. His next action might reveal a hint of what his intention was to visit Elyrianth.

"Hahahaha," Lyon chuckled, "Relax, you're making the crowd gasping again."

( The crowd was not the only one surprised by your action, teacher! ) Noah exhaled as he rubbed his chest with his hand.

Lyon might not see their faces but he could tell that the guards were embarrassed. 

"You're showing signs of aggression!" said one of the guards in an attempt to cover the embarrassment.

"Nah, I just took something really fast," said Lyon before he quickly extended his fist toward one of the guards before stopping once again.

The guard was not startled this time, in fact, his eyes revealed aggression as Lyon could see the glabella was folding.

"Don't glare too much," said Lyon with a smirk before he turned his fist upward. He opened his hand and showed his palm before saying, "Look."

"Oi look, isn't that," said the other guard as he nudged the glaring guard.

The glaring guard was hesitant at first before he turned his gaze downward to observe it. His brows were pressing his eyes before his pupils shrunk in a slight tremor. "No way... this is..." his hand was reaching out the earring but Lyon closed his palm and pulled his arm. "Ah?!"

"I can't see a thing!" someone grumbled, their voice tinged with disappointment.

"Nor I," another added, their tone filled with frustration.

The anticipation in the air grew thicker, as Lyon's ability to keep the object hidden only heightened the crowd's curiosity.

Lyon smirked seeing the guard's reaction. "Not so fast, guards of the palace."

"But that's!"

"You're not going to say that it's fake, are you? Oh what will happen to your head if you do," said Lyon as he smirked. "Are you going to take that chance?"

The glaring guard softened up as he gulped. He took a step back, "That one is real."

"Oi, are you sure?" the other guard nudged his elbow. "We'll be in huge trouble if it's not."

"How about this," said Lyon before he casually lobbed the earring.

"Ah?!" The once glaring guard panicked and dropped his lance as he hurriedly try to grab the earring falling. He managed to grab it before it fell on the floor with his body already squatting down. He sighed a sigh of relief before standing up, "What are you doing?!"

"Well, you're friend over here is not convinced that this is the real one, why not go inside and show it to him," said Lyon. "I don't mind waiting, but not for long."

The guard looked at the earring on his palm before darting his gaze toward Lyon. He then looked at the other guard and nodded, "Keep watch, I'll inform His Majesty."

"En!" the guard nodded before seeing the one with the earring left toward the inner palace.

"And there he goes," muttered Lyon before he asked the remaining guard, "There is a crowd behind me, want to address them and look cool?"

"Kh!?" The guard raised his brows before he noticed the massive crowd that was shushing and hushing behind Lyon's group. He quickly strode forward with his spear pointed upward. "What are you people doing?! Disperse! Disperse!"

"Tch! Picky! At least tell us what he showed you!" said someone with a displeased tone.

"Yeah, tell us!" said another as a murmur of agreement echoed through the gathered crowd, their eagerness palpable.

The guard was taken back before he grabbed his spear tightly and glared at them, "What are you all? My wives?! Disperse!" he swung his lance. Only then did the crowd was begrudgingly doing what he said.

Lyon chuckled, meanwhile, the guard that was searching for King Nyi was found by someone else instead as he passed through the Grand Hall of the palace. 

"You there, what's the rush?" a dignified monarch tone quickly put the guard in his place.

The guard turned before he quickly knelt, "Your Highness, it is an honor to be in your presence."

The one standing in front of him was one of the figures of the kingdom, the reason that King Nyi even existed in the first place. A well-groomed beard graced King Father Leander's face, its color blending the hues of silver and ebony. The beard was trimmed and neatly styled, adding an air of sophistication to his appearance. It accentuated his regal features, emphasizing the wisdom and authority he embodied.

"Thank you, my loyal guard, but you seemed worried."

"P-Please forgive my emotions, Your Highness. There is a guest outside the palace that wants to meet His Majesty."

"And, did you send them away? What's the rush?"

"N-No, Your Highness. He instead, showed me this," the guard showed his palm facing upward with his head lowered.

Leander's eyes raised his brows before he took the earring from his hand. The abstract earring was staring at first glance, but then he turned it around and took a careful look. A sculpt of a brilliant rainbow gem the size of half of a pupil gave a resplendent glow.

Leander closed his eyes and calmed his shock with a silent breath. He opened his eyes and looked at the guard. "Where is my son?"

"Forgive me, Your Highness. At this point in time, His Majesty is usually taking a short nap in the Throne Room."

"Check if he is there, now!" said Leander with a commanding voice.

"Yes! Your Highness!" said the guard before he stood up and rushed toward the Throne Room.

Leander swallowed the earring with his hand as he faced the door outside. Before long, the guard returned in haste.

"Your Highness, His Majesty is sleeping as we speak, and... his right ear is not wearing any earring."

"I see, who is this guest that is coming to visit my son?"

The guard knelt, "His name is Lyon, Your Highness."

"The Lyon..? The one who encountered Drogan?" asked Leander.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"So he came," said Leander before he exhaled through his nose. He closed his eyes and burst out his divine sense. In an instant, the range of the entire kingdom was managed easily.

Meanwhile, outside, Lyon raised his brows before crossing his arms. "Hm?"

"What's wrong, teacher?" asked Rayus as he stood beside him and looked toward the inner palace.

"Someone's testing me," said Lyon as he smirked.

"Eh?"

"Someone wants to die," said Selena as she raised her chin. Her hand was already grabbing a sword before Lyon suddenly embraced her from behind, with his hand calming the one that was grabbing the said weapon. The dreadful killing lust evaporated in an instant as Lyon's cheek touched her left temple.

"It's not ill-intent, darling," said Lyon as he smirked. Selena's cheeks gave out a red hue as her ears could pick up his heartbeat.

Leander's eyes furrowed as he muttered, "How weak... how is this possible, a maxed-out True God and a barely Origin God? Is he a rune user as well? Did Nyi overlook it?"

Leander sighed as he turned and faced the kneeling guard. "Wake my son, his guest has arri—"

Lyon slightly raised his chin with a smirk, "My turn." his eyes turned horizontal gray as his aura burst to a point.

Leander's experienced eyes shrunk as his goosebumps rose. An apocalyptic sense hooked his soul and perched on his shoulders deep. He quickly turned around and the feeling vanished in an instant. Before he realized it, he could hear his own heartbeat and was unaware of the trepidation he experienced.