Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon slowly opened his eyes, his vision adjusting to the light filtering into the room. He expected to find Selena by his side, but instead, he saw Cecile standing by the window, her usual spot for reflection. The room was quiet, and the absence of Selena's presence immediately caught his attention.

Turning his gaze towards Cecile, Lyon inquired, "Cecile, where's Selena?"

Cecile nodded towards the window, and Lyon followed her gesture. There, on a training ground just outside, Selena was engaged in her daily sword training. The elegant movements of her blade drew the attention of many elves from the Moonshadow clan, who were more accustomed to the art of archery. Selena's expertise with the sword was a rare and captivating sight, and the onlookers watched with fascination as she practiced her techniques.

The room was filled with the rhythmic sounds of her training, and Lyon couldn't help but smile. Selena's dedication and mastery of the sword never failed to impress him, and her training sessions had become a source of inspiration for many within the Moonshadow clan.

Lyon couldn't help but smile as he watched Selena's graceful movements with the sword from the window. Her dedication and expertise in swordsmanship were truly remarkable, and it had caught the attention of the elves in the Moonshadow clan. Lyon was proud of his Empress and her unwavering commitment to her training.

He turned to Cecile and said, "She's truly something, isn't she?"

Cecile nodded with a fond smile. "Indeed, she's always been a master of the blade. But now, her skills have surpassed even her own expectations. It's a sight to behold."

Lyon's gaze remained fixed on Selena, his heart filled with admiration for her. "I'm lucky to have such incredible women by my side."

Cecile chuckled. "And we're lucky to have you, Lyon. Now, what's our next move? Finding Maria and Liu is a top priority."

Lyon's expression grew serious as he thought about their mission. "Yes, we need to locate Maria and bring her back to us. I won't rest until we've accomplished that. I'll need to gather more information about her whereabouts."

Cecile nodded in agreement. "We'll find her, Lyon. And we'll reunite with Liu, too."

With determination in their hearts, Lyon and Cecile knew that their journey was far from over, and the challenges that lay ahead would be met head-on, just as they had always done.

As Selena lowered her sword and prepared to catch her breath, a sudden round of applause echoed through the training area. She turned her head along with the others, her attention drawn to the source of the applause. To her surprise, it was Patriarch Oren of the Stormrider clan, accompanied by Liam, the young master.

Patriarch Oren's hearty applause was accompanied by an approving smile, and he spoke, "Impressive, Empress Selena! Your swordsmanship is truly remarkable."

Beside him, Liam, who had been observing the training session, nodded in agreement. "I've never seen anyone wield a sword like that. It's truly inspiring."

Selena, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of pride and humility, nodded in acknowledgment. Her usual cold demeanor seemed to soften slightly as she responded, "Thank you.."

The elves in the training area, many of whom were not accustomed to such proficiency with the sword, also applauded Selena's skill. It was clear that her abilities had garnered their admiration and respect.

Seraphina entered the training area with a courteous smile and a slight bow as she approached Selena. "I apologize for the intrusion, Lady Selena. The patriarch of Stormrider Clan and its young master were quite eager to witness your impressive swordsmanship. They mean no disrespect."

Selena nodded graciously in response. "No need for apologies, Matriarch Seraphina. I understand their curiosity."

Oren scanned the area, his eyes searching for the other two figures. Finally, he spotted Cecile and Lyon standing by the window above, and his face lit up with joy.

With great reverence and enthusiasm, Oren knelt before Lyon, setting an example for the onlookers gathered outside the window. As they caught sight of the Zodiac Emperor, a wave of excitement and respect washed over them. The onlookers, now aware of Lyon's presence, joined Oren's act of respect, shouting in unison, "Good morning, Zodiac Emperor!"

Lyon's wry smile hinted at a mix of amusement and nostalgia as he turned to Cecile. He leaned in and muttered to her, "Did this sort of thing happen often back in the day?" His question carried a hint of curiosity about how his reappearance might have been received in the past, a time filled with legends and stories about the Zodiac Emperor.

Cecile's laughter echoed through her words as she replied, "This? This is nothing. You've witnessed grander spectacles before, to the point where even the Elven Emperor couldn't help but envy the awe and reverence that it commanded." Her response held a tone of fond reminiscence for the legendary events of the past.

Lyon let out a sigh, "I'll miss the peaceful days..."

Cecile couldn't help but laugh, "You might want to raise your hand or something, or they'll stay kneeling forever."

"Right, right!" Lyon quickly raised his hand, signaling for the people to rise.

The elves rose to their feet, but the matriarch soon received whispers from others in her clan. Her eyebrows perked up, and then she turned her attention to Selena. With a smile, she informed Selena, "It appears that Patriarch Thaedan is also on his way for a visit."

---

All the patriarchs and the matriarch were assembled in a spacious room with a breathtaking landscape view. Lyon's group was present, but the young masters were not involved in this meeting.

Patriarch Thaedan opened the proceedings by addressing the emperor with a respectful tone. "Your Majesty, we have been honored by your presence, and I would like to offer my gratitude for your understanding." He continued, "I have received information regarding the cloaked healer you seek. It appears we may have a lead."

Lyon's friends noticed his immediate shift from a casual demeanor to a serious one, and his sharp eyes focused intently on Thaedan, awaiting further details.