Emperor's Reckoning

The little figure soon disappeared from Lyon's view as she departed from the store. It was quite an eventful meeting for them but the fact that she could enter Luderia proved her credibility since the kingdom were quite sensitive about a non-human visiting.

"Ah, that's right, I need to introduce you to these two ladies," said Lyon before Princess Aelina's eyes.

*cough

With a little cough, Lyon continued, "As you might have heard from before, the beautiful fox lady is called Kyoko and the other beautiful lady is called Ryona."

"Ah, nice to meet you, I'm Aelina," said Aelina hurriedly. She knew how powerful these two ladies were from their exchange against the elder from Alchemy Union, so she didn't dare to show the slightest disrespect.

"Likewise," said Kyoko with a smile. She knew her true identity from the very start since she and Ryona were watching Lyon in the banquet as well.

"Nice to meet you Aelina, looks like I will have another rival in the future hehehe <3" teased Ryona as she winks at her hubby.

Princess Aelina couldn't help but turn a shade of red on her cheeks before saying, "Ah- it's not like that, we are only taking a stroll, besides we only knew each other less than a day's worth."

"Hehehe, sure, whatever you say Aelina," said Ryona with a teasing tone.

"Anyway, Lyon, we will hide in the shadows once again to watch this 'endeavor' of yours," said Kyoko before averting her gaze toward Aelina and Rowland, "It would be of your best interest to not speak about what happened, lest you would make it difficult for yourselves."

It was soundless and elegant, their movements couldn't be caught by normal eyes as they disappeared from their vision. Only Lyon was not surprised by this.

"Engh.."

A sound of a grunt was heard behind the trio before being followed with a cough.

The old man on the floor was finally back to the living as he felt a jolt of pain in his head. His fragile body that almost as thin as a toothpick slowly got up before sitting on the floor, leaning on a nearby wall.

"Aw, what happened?" said the old man as his memory was getting hazy.

"Oh, old man, you came through?" said Lyon with a smile.

The old man's vision was blurry and split into two before slowly fusing into one, revealing three people staring at them.

(Ah that's right, I remember now, I was in the pill store where I lost a bet) thought the old man before he realized that he was not wearing the azure cloak of Alchemy Union.

"K-kid! Where is my azure cloak?!" said the old man as he noticed that none of them was holding it nor wearing it. The only other possibilities were, it was kept in their spatial ring.

Lyon shook his head before his expression was gloomy as he looked at the old man. He was like a doctor giving bad news to the patient's family. "Too bad old man, I have good news and bad news, which want do you want to hear first?"

Rowland and the princess kept their mouth shut since even they didn't know what Lyon was saying.

The old man squinted his eyes and furrowing his eyebrows as he heard what the young man said. Albeit a bit confused, the old man responded, "What's the good news?"

"You are a free man now," said Lyon calmly.

His answer only brought the old man to sink deeper into confusion. "What do you mean?" asked the old man eventually.

Lyon made a fake cough before explaining, "You are a free man now, wherever you go will be your own responsibility, you have an unrestrained life now. Go live the life you had always wanted."

(Has this young man lost it?) thought the old man before saying, "That's just the way I live right now kid!"

"Alright, alright, no need to yell, sheesh old man, you will die alone if you keep that act," said Lyon while he drilled his own ear with his index finger.

The old man almost splurted out blood as he heard what the young man said. (Damn, I was known for a sharp tongue, but this brat don't know mercy against an old man). One of the greatest fear of living an old age was that there was no one by their side, alone till the grave.

The old man closed his eyes before slowly standing up and patted the dust on his clothing. (Hm? Was there always an ice sculpture in the middle of the room?) thought the old man as he got a clearer view.

(No wait, this ice sculpture's placing was not right, it would meddle with the alchemist making a pill, so that means this is new!). He was not the student of Alchemy Union for nothing, his analytical capabilities were the fruits of his labor whenever he made pills or trying new recipes.

"Kid, what is the bad news?" asked the old man.

Lyon sighed as he shook his head.

This response of his made the old man agitated as he contemplated (Is it that bad?).

"I now know what the azure cloak means old man," said Lyon softly.

The old man's eyes opened wide, "Y-you do? T-that's good then, c'mon give it back, I will pay the bet with other kinds of stuff!"

"I can't, because the cloak is not with me, nor this pretty lady Aelina and... that guy."

(Did he? Did he just call me 'that guy'?) thought Rowland.

"In fact, it was not even in this room, perhaps is not even in this city," continued Lyon.

"Wh-what do you mean?! Y-you?! Don't tell me you sold it?!" said the old man as cold sweat started to build upon his forehead.

"You are no longer a student, old man, an elder from the Alchemy Union was here when you passed out."

*thud

The sound of thudding was heard as both of the old man's knees hit the floor. He looked at his wrinkled hand in disbelief. (Impossible, impossible) thought the old man as the word kept resounding in his mind. His weary eyes slowly looked up to the young man before his words sent him into reality.

"Elise Growthort."

(PFfft! Hahaha! Goddamnit!).