Emperor's Reckoning



King Nyi sighed. "That is a tough question to answer, Lyon."

"Why would it be?" asked Lyon. "Are you an impostor?"

Nyi shook his head, "Absolutely not, I'm the real deal."

"What prove you have? All hints that you gave are leading to that conclusion," said Lyon as he crossed his arms. "Are you trying to pit me with Nyi's kingdom?"

"My body is my proof," said King Nyi as he sighed, "I don't bring any sigil with me, because well, I am the king so..."

"You really don't act like one," said Lyon as he sighed before shaking his head. "This is a terrible conversation."

"Oh, I have an idea," said King Nyi before he looked at Selena and slowly raised his palm toward his right ear. After revealing his intention was not malice, he reached for his earring and took it off. "This one."

"Your earring?" Lyon furrowed his brows before taking it from his hand. "What are you planning?"

"Nobody in the kingdom is wearing that earring but the royalties," said King Nyi.

Lyon smirked before putting away the ring inside his spatial ring, "Alright, I'll keep it."

"Excellent!" King Nyi replied before he looked at Selena with pleading eyes. 

"He is not going to harm me, Selena," said Lyon.

Selena begrudgingly put away her sword and stood by Lyon's side. 

"So, what benefits are you offering me?" asked Lyon.

"Shelter," said King Nyi. "I can claim this kingdom since the king is already dead, then it would be easy for you to find shelter in my kingdom, or a part of the Second Heaven."

"What about the revolts and loyalists?" asked Lyon.

"Of course, death," said King Nyi. "Turning them to my side would be too much of a hassle, wasting my people's time and resources."

"Heh, straight to the point, huh," Lyon smirked. "However, just shelter wouldn't be enough."

"What?" King Nyi asked as he shared the same disbelief expression as Lyon's students.

"I think that you should understand that I am fighting Drogan, not Burgeon Swan, but Drogan," said Lyon. "I couldn't care less about the aftermath of the battle, you can claim that kill as well, however, these three students need some tutelage, and they need it fast and effectively."

King Nyi looked at the three students, "I've heard that you three are from the infamous Class Six, right?"

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty," said Noah with his shoulders locked. 

King Nyi furrowed his brows, "Hmm, I never heard good things about your class."

"Well, they are commoners," said Lyon. "Upper-class people tend to open only half of their ears and half of their minds regarding those on the lower-class."

King Nyi smiled wryly, "That is true."

"Heh, at least you admitted it," said Lyon. "Nobody wants to be their teachers, and the records of those who did, always had underlying motives, some just for their resume, some was mental."

"Ah yes, I've heard the stories," said King Nyi. "That scandal was all over Second Heaven, but since it was Class Six..." He sighed, "Back to the problem of class."

"Nobody cared," said Lyon.

"But not you though," said King Nyi with a smile. "However, are you having your own ulterior motive for being the teacher of Nirvana School? Especially the teacher of Class Six?"

"Of course," Lyon answered without hesitation. "I have my own reason."

"Hmm," King Nyi contemplated as he looked at Lyon with curiosity. "Now I'm more than eager to know what you're ulterior motives are, you even went out of your way to challenge Drogan, no, the structure of Second Heaven for this."

"Something grand like that, your level is not enough," said Lyon as he crossed his arms. 

Rayus looked at his teacher. Something grand that not even a king in Second Heaven deserved to know. He couldn't help but wonder what it was. 

"Heh," King Nyi smirked. "Then I hope that someday I will know what it is."

"By the time you know, you will see an enormous gap," said Selena. "A gap so wide, that you will remember this day of meeting my darling."

King Nyi shook his head in admiration. "I have to say that I envy you, Lyon, you really have a dream wife over here."

"Heh, this one is mine," said Lyon as he locked his fingers against hers.

"Oh, I wouldn't dare, I value my life thank you," said King Nyi.

"Speaking of 'wife'," Lyon furrowed his brows. "Cae said that his wife and daughter are away."

"Huh?" King Nyi raised one of his brows in confusion then he giggled. 

"He lied, didn't he?" asked Lyon.

King Nyi simply nodded with a smile. "He never married, he was too infested in poison art that rumors start spreading about his manhood being impotent or some sort."

"Heh, alright, let's not dwell deep into that matter," said Lyon. "Why don't you announce his death already, his people are waiting."

"You're right," said King Nyi. "Are you coming? With this declaration, you and I will be on the same side."

"You can mention my name," said Lyon. "I'm not in a hurry."

"Alright then," King Nyi turned before seeing the dozen of guards panic-stricken. 

Their king died in a horrible way right before their very eyes. The sea quakes and space fissured, it was a level far beyond their reach. One didn't need to see how their morale stood right now, because they didn't.

King Nyi approached them before whispering to the front-most guard, "Long live who?"

The guard had cold crawling down their spine. He looked at the devious smile that King Nyi gave them. The eyes that looked tired were replaced with vibrant ones.

His knee knelt, "Long live King Nyi."

The other guards looked at each other before one by one following to kneel. His name echoed across the corridor, and with a victorious smile, he paced toward the balcony. He was stepping on blood that was splattered on the floor before reaching the ledge.

His cloak slightly fluttered against the breeze wind of the night. He closed his eyes and inhaled the fresh scent of the sea before opening his eyes and revealing his wisdom.

"Ah, look!" one cultivator spotted the man standing on the balcony of the palace. He wore a kingly cloak, but it wasn't theirs.

"I am King Nyi," said King Nyi as his words were fused with mantras. His voice reverberated toward the entire kingdom and thus courted all of their attention.

"The phenomenon that you just see, at the sea, was proof of a calamity that had befallen your dear king."

The people gawked and the kingdom was filled with gasps.

"I killed your king," said King Nyi as he petrified the whole kingdom with cold words.

"W-What?!"

"Did he just say what I think he just say?!"

"The king... King Cae is dead?!"

The cultivators of the Broken Rose Kingdom were lost. The news was too sudden, especially in the middle of the night.

"King Cae is dead, he fought bravely, but he eventually lost," said King Nyi. "However, I believe that your king had done his duties well as the king and kept the kingdom alive. Thus, I will try and do the same, but expect some changes to happen."

The crowd was clattering and discussing amongst themselves as some gave King Nyi glares and others fearful glances.

"You may revolt, but it would be unwise," said King Nyi. "Or you may live your everyday life the same, but with a different ruler, your choice."

"Heh," Lyon smirked. "I guess he got this."

Noah said, "King Nyi is no ordinary king, teacher."

"Oh, so you know him?"

"Well, not personally," said Noah, "A bit of history, he was born a genius, legends said that he was born with a sword by his hand."

"Hah, c'mon," said Lyon. "That's pure bullshit."

"Well it's his legend, but more than that, he is very adored in his kingdom, The Kingdom of Elyrianth. He is well-versed in both magic and combat, and his merits are unmatched by his peers," said Noah as he gulped. "And... he is an alumnus."

"Oh?" Lyon raised his brows. "Nirvana produced this?"

"Well, technically it's his father and mother," muttered Noah.

"It's winning at the starting line," Rayus sighed.

"He was the best in his time in Nirvana School," said Reinhard. "I've read the records, he suffered not a single loss and took the top spotlight in the graduation. Many nobles and commoners looked up to him"

"Heh, I guess he is legit," said Lyon as he looked at the young king of Elyrianth. Then his glance slowly grew distant as he was lost in thought. ( I wonder, who was I like, was it like him? Cool and collected, or was I still me? ).

"There was once an emperor," said Selena before she smiled at Lyon, who looked at her. "He was all-encompassing, feared by many, and respected by many more."

The three students tilted their heads in confusion, but their teacher was grinning from ear to ear.