Emperor's Reckoning

As they noticed that the ones participating in the auction had mostly gone out, it was nigh for them to meet Elder Bucca.

"See that over there?" asked Reinhard as he pointed out with his glance.

A middle-aged man with a handlebars mustache appeared. His figure was slim and slender and wore aesthetic clothing that matched his bearings. His eyes were sharp and thin and his black hair slicked back. His brows were the shape of a sword, always seem so serious whenever he didn't smile.

"So that's the guy," said Lyon before he crossed his arms. He smirked, "Alright, he looks menacing enough to be a villain, but so be it, let's meet the guy."

"Like, right now?" asked Noah with his brows raised.

"Yes! You think those guards would open the door for the likes of a nobody like me?" asked Lyon with a smile.

"Hehe, you always act silly, darling. No one in this world would close its doors for you," Selena's eyes sharpened as her voice turned cold, "For if they dare to do so..."

"It's always warm my heart that you see me that way, Selena," Lyon smiled, "But you better hold yourself, I don't think my students would have a healthy heart with the constant killing intent."

"Hehe~" Selena tilted her head innocently.

All three students gulped seeing the woman willfully smile at them.

"Let's go," said Lyon as the three students followed them.

"Hmm?" Elder Bucca raised his brows seeing the lots that were coming for him. His eyes caught a glimpse of the lotus symbol on the students' outfits. He frowned a bit before revealing a smile and opening his arms in welcome, "I believe I never see you before, welcome to Nemk City."

Lyon raised his brows. He never thought that the elder would greet him first. ( Well this is new ) thought Lyon before he said, "You believe right."

Elder Bucca, "How do you like it here? The environments, the culture, the people, aren't they wonderful?"

"Yes, yes," Lyon nodded. "The environment is great and all, but we need to talk, Elder Bucca."

"Oh?" Elder Bucca put his hands behind his waist. "Then follow me to my house."

"Not the city hall?" Lyon asked.

Elder Bucca laughed, "The city hall is only yet another building, if there is no I, there is no city hall."

"I see," Lyon smiled. "So you hold all the power here?"

Elder Bucca merely smiled and turned.

Lyon shrugged as he smiled before following him from behind, with the rest of the group following suit.

"You even dare to show your back against me, are you not afraid that I would do something quite not pleasing to the people's eyes?"

"I believe that you don't have evil intentions. I've seen a lot of people in my age, you don't provide that kind of hostility, even with the tone of your words."

"Such bravado might cost you," said Lyon.

"Hahaha, besides, this is my city, doing something like that is utterly foolish," said Elder Bucca. "Unless of course, if you were a madman."

( He is though! ) thought all three students.

"Heh," Lyon smirked.

After a few steps, they finally arrived at his home. The guards naturally recognized the group and gave them the respect they deserved.

The living room was adorned with antiques and a giant vase in the middle with tall flowers filled in. The floor was entirely made out of solid wood and the ceiling was high up. Air flows nicely and the cozy vibe was further enhanced by how soft the cushion they sat on.

"Are you two the new teachers from Nirvana School?" asked Elder Bucca. "Oh, I hope you don't mind tea."

"Tea, is fine," said Lyon. "But, only half of your question is right. I am the new teacher of Nirvana School and the one beside me is my beautiful wife."

"Well, I think beautiful is an understatement, isn't that right?" Elder Bucca smiled and raised his glass. However, his attempt at making praise was met with furrowed brows.

"Yes," Lyon nodded. "She is really important to me."

( Ah, he revealed his weakness so easily ) thought Elder Bucca as he gulped his tea. "Oh please do excuse me, but I haven't heard your name yet, I'm quite troubled by how to call you, hahaha."

"My name is Lyon," said Lyon.

( Lyon? Hmm, I don't believe that I've heard that name before ) Elder Bucca smiled. "Nice to meet you, Teacher Lyon. I see now that you are the new teacher for Class Six."

"Elder, you recognized us?" asked Reinhard.

"Why of course! Such a prestigious school, us in the higher ups always keeping track of the individuals enrolling there, every single one, every three years," said Elder Bucca with his arms spread proudly.

"I-I see," Reinhard blushed.

"Now then, I think that you want to discuss something important with me, otherwise, you wouldn't wait until after the auction was over."

"Well, since you are keeping track of what's happening at Nirvana School, then you must know about the tragedy happening," said Lyon before he smirked. "One of my students, Rayus, is impaired due to the tragedy."

"Ah, of course, how could I forget, the great scandal yes?" asked Elder Bucca before shaking his head. "I can't believe you guys would meet such a fate, but thankfully all three of you are still alive."

"If you want to help, you can," said Lyon with a grin.

"Help? Like what exactly?" asked Elder Bucca.

"Like tell me about the bandits that beaten all three of my students up," said Lyon.

"The bandits, hmm," Elder Bucca furrowed his brows as he contemplated.

"The Burgeon Swan," said Rayus.

"The Burgeon Swan?!" the elder raised his brows to the ceiling. "Are you sure that's the bandit group that you encountered?"

"I trust my students," said Lyon. "Besides, if he doesn't have any merit in lying, now would he?"

"Hmm.... but still..." Elder Bucca crossed his arms and contemplated. "Those bandits are not exactly known for their activity. They worked in secret."

"We know if they worked in secret, we just want to know what you know," said Lyon.

Elder Bucca raised both brows, "To be honest that's information that's really hard to come by."

"Oh is that so?" Lyon asked before he stood up and garnered more focus from the others. He casually walked by and said whilst looking at his surroundings, "You know, Elder Bucca, I once heard a story where a city was actually supported by the bandits in the kingdom, back in my homeland."

"Hmm?" Elder Bucca frowned and slightly raised his chin.

Lyon picked up one artifact and examined it as a gesture, "Without the bandits' existence, the kingdom would fall, financially." he turned and smiled at Elder Bucca. "I wonder Elder Bucca, fill my curiosity and pardoned my intention, but, how much money do you generate that you can all of these artifacts."

Elder Bucca smiled, "That's a man's secret."

Rayus frowned before he felt a cold sensation against his nape, ( Don't tell me!? ). He frowned and looked at Elder Bucca, with sharpened eyes.

"Hehe," Lyon smirked. "You said it yourself, you own this city."

"That I proudly so," Elder Bucca nodded. "What are you getting at? Are you implying that I am from the Burgeon Swan?"

"No, that would be too easy for me," said Lyon with a laugh before his eyes sharpened, "But you do have some sort of connection with them, are you not? Albeit secretly."

"Heh, you think my riches come from them?" asked Elder Bucca.

"That's what I think," said Lyon as he crossed his arms.

"Sadly, you are wrong," Elder Bucca stood up. "You see, I owned Nemk City, I own the literal city, I am the sole elder of the city, I don't need some bandits to give me money. People here love me, why would I want to harm them with the existence of bandits?"

"Great!"

"Huh?" Elder Bucca raised his brows.

"That means you and me, we are on the same page," said Lyon. "You don't want the Burgeon Swan to target your people, right? And I want to hunt them down."

"You want to hunt the Burgeon Swan?" Elder Bucca raised his brows. "The Burgeon Swan is not some ordinary bandit on the street."

"So you do know something," said Lyon.

Elder Bucca sighed, "Enough, I have a job to do."

The elder stood up to their surprised looks.

"Tell us, elder! Please!" said Reinhard.

"Enough," Elder Bucca replied.

"Enough Reinhard, the elder refused to tell," said Lyon before smiling at the elder. "Thank you for your time."

"Teacher..." Reinhard looked at him in disbelief.

The group left the house before Reinhard asked Lyon, "Why are you backing off?"

"Backing off?" Lyon raised his brows, "Who said I'm backing off?"

"What?" Rayus raised his brows before a guard from the elder's house came at them in haste.

"There is a message from the elder," said the guard before giving Lyon a piece of paper.

Lyon nodded before the guard left.