Emperor's Reckoning

The group left both adventurers and merchants astounded. The lines paused with awe on their faces. There had never been a newcomer dare enough to duel against a Five-Star Adventurer just because of something trivial. However, some of them nodded at the group's bravery, especially the man that dared to lay and take a nap during the duel. Nobody had ever dared to taunt a Five-Star Adventurer that way. It was demeaning, but it was also satisfying for the fellow early birds.

The higher their rank, the more they had come accustomed to the status it brought them. No longer humble they did, more haughty they did. There were a number of such cases, however, there was no one that had the capability to challenge a Five-Star Adventurer when one was still starting at the bottom of the well, furthermore, ending up in a tie.

"What just happened?" the merchant said in disbelief.

"I don't know, the group won despite a tie."

"Damn," the merchant shook his head. "I should have got to know them sooner!"

They immediately notice the potential boom that Lyon and the others brought. A rising rookie was something that every merchant wanted to gnaw upon, a wet dream. Their fame would bring the merchant fame, it was good business.

However, to the dismay of the merchants, the group didn't turn unaware, but rather, didn't care for such thing. The confidence and the lavish way Lyon paid back the lady was class that both hurt the pride of the latter and significantly boosted his already sparking presence.

"Well this city doesn't bring much to attention," said Lyon with a sigh.

"Yeah, this is practically the same as the Ahkam, however, what do we know," said Lumina. "It's not like this is our last destination."

"What Lumina said is right, we have to go to Selena's place still, however, we learn nothing yet," Cecile sighed. "That woman is really weird."

( Oh no, I sense some rivalry between them ) thought Lyon as he gulped. His women were not some weakling he found on the street. These two were powerful in their own accord, powerful in their own way, and mesmerizing in the way they were passionate about. Yet, for him, this is quite an ordeal to face. ( I wonder if I can handle these two together ) he gulped.

"Huh?" Lyon caught something in the corner of his eyes. It was a public notice board, the same type that he had once seen in the previous city. He paused his tracks and raised one of his brows.

"What's wrong?" asked Luna who caught him looking at the board. She followed his glance and darted over. She saw quests planted on the wall. Some were bounties placed on a monster, some were searching for ingredients, while some were just advertising.

"This is our source of income at the moment," said Lumina. "Or, you could just save up some tokens from the previous duel."

Lyon let out a wry smile. He did pay the entrance fee with an unnecessary bonus to prove his class. "Don't worry, I got some more, haha!"

Lumina sighed and shook her head. She glanced over at Cecile before she asked, "Does this happen often?"

"You mean how he spends things royally?" asked Cecile.

Lumina nodded.

"A lot," Cecile sighed. "We are always either living lavishly or on the brink of homelessness."

"Never in between," Kesya sighed. "But! We thrived in the wood! Hunting boars and stuff."

"Wow, he is really that irresponsible with money?" asked Lumina.

"More than that," said Cecile with yet, another sigh. "You just caught a glimpse of the iceberg here, not even under it yet."

"C'mon, it's not that bad right?"

"It's that bad," said both Cecile and Kesya at the same time.

Lyon was taken back by their synchronous words, thus with a wry smile, he glanced over at Graham whom supposedly had also been adventuring with him for a while in the past.

"I-I have no comment, master."

Lyon slouched his shoulder with a sigh. "Alright, alright, let's see here, what kind of quest do you guys want?"

"We should find something that is easy to accomplish and fast," said Lumina. "However, I'm speaking this because this is the first time for me with adventuring stuff."

"That's not a bad idea," said Cecile. "However, the reward is not really something that you might want to see."

"It's dismal," Kesya shrugged her shoulder. "We can pick up the bounty ones, they should be decent enough."

"We also need a place to stay," said Luna. "I wonder how much will the living expense cost here."

"We just passed an inn, it cost about a thousand or so per night," said Assid.

"Per room?"

"Per room, young master," Assid nodded. "If we want to save some money, we can share the rooms."

"Well that depends on the room first," Lyon furrowed his brows. "Wait a minute, isn't a thousand AT for a night kind of expensive?"

"It's still on the cheaper ones, cheaper than that, it's better to make a tent outside," said Assid with gritted teeth.

( It seems like he had taken this a bit too seriously ) Lyon smiled wryly. "Well, Assid is not wrong."

"Thank you, young master," Assid replied instantly.

"I trust in senior Assid's judgment!" said Kesya with a grin and crossed arms.

"Yeah, in this scenario, he is the best," Cecile chuckled.

"Thank you, young miss," Assid bowed.

"Hey! How about me?! Why no gratitude?" asked Kesya with pouted lips.

"Hmph! Your gratitude has been used to pay for the troubles that you gave us," said Assid with a cold glare.

"What's that?!" Kesya gritted her teeth. "I dare you to say that again!"

"Alright, guys, enough of this childish banter!" Cecile smacked both of their heads down.

"Oof," Lyon made a wry smile as he saw how his woman controlled these two superior beings like she was their older sister.

Assid and Kesya rubbed their heads but didn't say a word to one another. However, they did spend each other a glare. Meanwhile, Graham looked away and didn't seem to bother with the situation.

"Alright, then that's settled, after a long journey, we might as well look for the quest tomorrow," Lyon proposed the idea before he gave yet another entire pouch to Assid. "This is for the expense and much-needed provisions, I entrust this to you," Lyon grinned.

"Y-Young master..." Assid was having his eyes jerking.

"Why are you crying?"

"N-No, young master, I will do my best!" said Assid before he took the pouch out of his hand.

Lumina looked at Lyon with her brows raised. She never thought that Lyon would have another pouch of AT, however, she recalled that he said he had more. ( I guess Five-Star Adventurers are loaded enough for this city ).

"Alright, who wants to spend a stroll, or joined Assid?"

"I will go with Assid," said Cecile. "In the meantime, Kesya, you are also coming with me."

"NOooo!!" Kesya wailed to the sky and caught the attention of passing adventurers.

"This is an order," said Cecile.

"Bigger NOOO!!" Kesya wailed.

"Alright princess," Cecile smacked the back of her head once more. "Enough overreacting, we are an eyesore."

"Tch! Meanie!" Kesya put her hands to cover her head. "You always aim at the head. It won't be long before I become stupid if you keep on doing that to me!"

"I don't think that would happen," said Assid.

"Huh? A-Assid?" Kesya was stunned by Assid picking her side.

"You can't be dumber than now."

"You son of a bitch!" Kesya immediately leaped and pounced at him. The two immediately hurdle on the side of the street with a cloud of smoke. Punches and kicks were seen escaping the smoke as they fought each other.

"What... are they doing," Lyon slouched his shoulder.

Cecile sighed before her eyes turned sharp. Her presence immediately froze the two's movement and made them pause whatever it was that they were doing.

"Eh? Hehe, not the head?" said Kesya with a smile of a child.

Cecile moved in a flash before smacking them both at the same time on the head. "Sober up!"

"Ouch!!" Kesya wailed. "You hit me like three times in under an hour!"

"As expected of young miss, we are well deserving of your punishment."

"Huff," Cecile turned before looking at Lyon. "Once you picked up the quest, meet us at the inn."

"Do I need to make the decision now?"

"No, of course not, we can just do it tomorrow," said Cecile after she shook her head. "No need to rush, with the money we can live for another day, or two if we are stretching it."

"Or, three or four, if the emperor spared another pouch he hid," said Kesya as she whistled away.

Lyon froze.

"What?! You have another stash?!" Lumina exclaimed.

"Ly—?! I mean, Sein?! What are you going to do with that much money!" Luna frowned.

"Kesya!!" Lyon glared at the girl who was already gone.