Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon recounted his detailed conversation with the two guests, to the women present.

"That's really convenient," said Cecile. "The Sixth Heaven most likely controls the situation in Second Heaven, I can dare say that the Third through the Fifth has a similar situation."

"Considering how much of an influence that they have, that's likely the case," said Lyon before looking at Cecile.

"Hmm?" Cecile raised her brows, "What?"

"Well, since you're incredible at this kind of stuff, what's your opinion?" asked Lyon.

"Hahaha," Cecile laughed, "Who gave you that idea?"

"Graham did," said Lyon.

"Hahaha," Cecile continued to laugh.

"This is serious, Cecile," said Lyon.

"Alright, alright, what do you think that you should do?" asked Cecile.

"Why are you asking me? I'm seeking your opinion here," said Lyon.

"I meant if I was not here, what would you do, considering the situation that you're in?" asked Cecile.

"Hmm," Lyon contemplated. "If you're not here, I most likely just go with them and do as they told."

"You? Do as they told?" Cecile raised her brows.

"What..? Well... at least the majority of it," said Lyon.

"It's not a bad idea," Aelina pitched in. "The more docile appearing you are, the more pleased they are with you."

"OOOoooo?" Cecile puckered up her lips, "That's a sharp way of thinking, princess."

"I-I will take that as a compliment, e-empress," Aelina bowed her head.

"But appearing docile might be to your disadvantage," said Cecile. "You're task now is to make your team win the graduation event."

"That's the hard part," said Lyon, "I still haven't seen their faces, heck, I don't even know what their names are. The only thing that I know is that they are most likely coming from the common ground, or as they say the 'non-elite'."

"Beating the elite is your specialty, darling."

That familiar voice was recognizable from miles away. Selena entered the room without hesitation with her arms crossed, and her lips smiling.

"Maybe..." Lyon smiled as he lightly scratched his nose.

"Oh, c'mon don't be so modest," said Karina. "I've seen you done it a couple of times, even in the days when you're in Nostria. Remember that event with the labyrinth? You make them realize how strong you are."

"Well, they were asking for it," said Lyon with a shrug, "But your little brother also plays a part, a big part in that."

"Yeah, but he hasn't trained all that much lately," said Karina. "I wonder why he is so lazy at times."

"Assid can teach him basic archery," said Cecile. "After all you both have elven blood inside you, it's in your genes."

Karina made a wry smile.

"I've rarely seen an elf with close combat forte," said Selena. "Well, Kesya was the first."

"Yeah, I was never good with the bow," said Karina before she made a laugh.

Selena smiled before averting her focus toward her husband, "Darling, when are you going to depart?"

Lyon raised his brows, "Hmm, I never asked that, but it's probably soon."

"Like today?" Aelina asked.

"Most likely?" Lyon shrugged his shoulder. "We might go there using a Returning Jade Stone."

"Returning Jade Stone," Karina muttered.

"Oh right, can you use the Returning Jade Stone?" asked Lyon.

"That depends," said Cecile, "If the Returning Jade Stone was marked by Anti-Mana, then it would work."

"They're from Second Heaven, the chances are pretty low," said Lyon.

"Might as well cross it off the list," said Cecile.

Lyon take a cold breath as he walked a few steps away with his face gritting against the ceiling, "This is a problem."

"It's alright Lyon," said Karina. "I can always go there, on foot."

"That's crazy!" said Lyon. "The Second Heaven is a faraway place, and... hmm..."

"Darling?"

"You said it before," Lyon looked at Selena.

"Said what?"

"The spatial space, or the Spatial Storm as they called it, are exclusives," said Lyon.

"En," Selena nodded.

"Then, let's ask Little Yoji to bring her to the tower, then through the Spatial Storm, he will take the teacher to the Second Heaven."

"T-That, that could work," Cecile nodded before she snorted a laugh, "You and your crazy ideas."

"Heh," Lyon smirked. "Looks like we have a concrete plan then... Wait a minute!"

"Hmm?"

"She can go through the portal, right?" Lyon asked.

"Yes, she can," Selena nodded. "There is no trouble for the anti-mana cultivator to enter the heavenly realm, Kesya did it multiple times."

"Kesya is an anti-mana user?!" Lyon exclaimed.

"Huh? You didn't know?" Cecile raised her brows.

"Of course not!"

"Well, why don't you probe her cultivation realm?" asked Cecile.

"I did, but I found nothing... oh, so that's why," said Lyon. ( I thought her realm was too high but instead, she is an anti-mana cultivator ). Lyon made a wry smile.

"So, who is going to accompany you there?" asked Cecile as she sat down.

"I will, right, darling?" Selena grins.

Lyon smiled and nodded before looking at Cecile and asking her, "You're not coming?"

"Not this time, two is already a crowd," said Cecile before she smirked, "Besides, she deserves her time with you."

Selena raised her brows hearing those nectar-worth words from her 'rival', "That's awfully nice."

"You're welcome," Cecile smiled.

"What are you scheming, Battle Maiden?" asked Selena.

"Oh don't be so negative, Empress of The Void," said Cecile with a jest implication.

Lyon couldn't help but twitched his lips seeing the tension grow between the two of them. "Alright, Selena, get packing."

Selena withdrew her killer instinct before smiling at her husband, "I'm already set." She showed me her wedding ring.

"Hah, hahaha..." Lyon laughed a fool's laugh. ( She already planned it all, I guess that's explained why she came here late ). "Alright, so here is the plan, in about six months, the teacher and Little Yoji will come to Second Heaven without drawing attention, as much as they can, despite the majestic look of the chariot, damn."

"Then, after the Graduation Event is over, we will become bandits," Lyon laughed.

"It's quite concerning, considering you would become a teacher right before becoming a bandit," muttered Karina.

"Remember, the goal is to hijack the seer's carriage," said Lyon. "There is no need to harm anyone else more than it should, the best case scenario, no one's hurt, hahaha!" his laughter echoed for a moment before his face turned solemn as his eyes turned sharp, "We will do this, even if my class wins the tournament or not."

The room descended to a slight silence before Aelina said, "Don't say that!"

"Huh?" Lyon raised his brows.

"If you're going to be a teacher, make sure that they win!" said Aelina. "You will be their hope! Don't kill it."

They all had their lips parted.

"En!" Lyon nodded, "You're right!"

"Capturing the seer's carriage needs the perfect timing, do it after she has done her job, and far away from anyone's sight," said Cecile. "It will be our biggest chance without making an enemy out of the Second Heaven."

Lyon nodded, "Sounds like a plan."

"Then let's go, darling, let's not waste any more time in this place," said Selena.

"En," Lyon nodded. ( Perhaps there's a clue about Maria's whereabouts as well ).

"Lyon..." Aelina called with her gleaming and parted lips.

"Hmm?" Lyon turned. "What is it?"

"Nn.. nothing," Aelina shook her head and smiled, "Good luck."

"En!" Lyon firmly nodded.

"Good luck, disciple," said Karina.

"Don't overdo it," said Cecile before she jested herself, "Bah, who am I kidding."

"Hehehe," Lyon scratched the back of his head.

"Go," said Cecile.

Lyon nodded and turned before his wrist was pulled. "Hm?...?!"

Cecile pulled his wrist and sucked his lips dry as the atmosphere inside the room was filled with parted lips and the embarrassment of the maidens. His toes were on the verge of collapsing before his face was drawn to rest on her breast. His shoulders slouched as his eyes hardly opened. He was in bliss and felt no strength in his limbs.

Cecile smiled looking at his face before leering at Selena, "No matter how cold you look right now, he is melting in my embrace."

"Hmph! Let's go, darling," said Selena as she forcefully dragged Lyon away from her clutches and slammed the door close to a crack.

"Hehe," Cecile smirked seeing the door bending the wrong way.

"How are you two... even live together with him?" asked Karina.

"It's complicated," Cecile answered.

Meanwhile in the garden.

"So are you two ready?" asked Judsah.

"Yes," Selena answered.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Judsah seeing Lyon was in a high state.

"Darling's been cursed by a detestable being, but darling will recover, don't worry," said Selena.

"H-Hmm.. is that so," said Judsah. ( Damn, she calls him darling? When will I get someone like that? ).

The old man laughed, "Hahaha, well, this is the Returning Jade Stone for you, and one for the lad, I-I mean your darling."

"Good luck," said Garuda.

"Our meeting is too short!" lamented Yunesia, "But I'm sure that you will have them starstruck with your prowess."

The old man crushed his Returning Jade Stone before, Judsah nodded and did the same. Selena reached out for Lyon's hand and crushed it using his hands at the same time she did her own. The four jade lights shot toward the infinite sky, leaving the Mortal World.