Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1194: He knows it’s you

As the Ice Spirit gazed upon the distant silhouette of the Nifelheim palace, a sense of unease crept over him, shattering the tranquility that once enveloped his cave. Memories of a not-so-distant past flooded his mind, transporting him back to the moment when Harvestasya had stood before him, her determination palpable in the air.

"I will return to my master’s side and support him," Harvestasya had declared, her voice laced with confidence. A smirk had graced her lips as she cast a meaningful glance at the Ice Spirit. "You might want to contact the Fire Spirit by yourself, if you still love your cave. You know well how my master does things."

The Ice Spirit’s heart had clenched with apprehension, knowing all too well the fiery temperament of the Fire Spirit. Yet, in that moment, he had understood the gravity of Harvestasya’s words and the impending storm that loomed on the horizon.

With a heavy sigh, the Ice Spirit returned to the present, his gaze fixed upon the foreboding presence of the Nifelheim palace.

As Lyon slowly emerged from the depths of slumber, his consciousness gradually returning, he found himself enveloped in a familiar warmth. Blinking his eyes open, he gazed upwards, recognizing the intricate patterns adorning the ceiling of Harvestasya’s dwelling. A sense of relief washed over him as he realized where he was.

Turning his head to the side, Lyon’s gaze fell upon Harvestasya, who sat beside him with a soft smile gracing her features. "Master, you’ve woken up!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with both joy and relief.

"Tasya..." Lyon murmured, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he took in the sight of her tear-filled eyes. Overcome with emotion, Harvestasya found herself at a loss for words, her heart overflowing with gratitude and happiness. Without hesitation, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Lyon in a tight embrace, the weight of their shared trials and triumphs melting away in that moment of connection.

The others immediately join in and Lyon immediately finds himself being surrounded. Lyon smiled seeing his loved ones. Even Luce, Yala, and Rakumtatak were there as well.

As Lyon found himself surrounded by his loved ones, he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of their relieved faces. Luce, Yala, and Rakumtatak were there, along with Cecile and Selena, all expressing their joy at Lyon’s swift recovery.

"Welcome back, Lyon," Luce exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine relief. "We were worried sick about you."

Yala’s eyes sparkled with tears of happiness as she reached out to squeeze Lyon’s hand. "I’m so glad you’re awake, Uncle. We were all so worried."

Rakumtatak, ever the stoic warrior, simply nodded in approval, a small smile quirking the corner of his lips. "Good to see you back on your feet."

Cecile and Selena exchanged a glance, their expressions softening with relief. "We were beside ourselves with worry," Cecile admitted, her voice tinged with emotion. "But now that you’re awake, everything feels right again."

Selena nodded in agreement, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair away from Lyon’s face. "You scared us, darling," she murmured, her eyes reflecting her deep concern.

Surrounded by the warmth and love of his companions, Lyon felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. Despite the trials they had faced, they were all here together, united in their support for one another.

"How long was I out?" Lyon asked, breaking the emotional moment.

"Not a day has passed," Cecile replied, her voice calm but with an underlying concern. "Harvestasya’s skills are truly remarkable. She’s been tending to you diligently."

Lyon chuckled warmly. "Hahaha, of course, I expect nothing less from Maria’s best student."

Harvestasya blushed at the praise. "Oh please~ praise me more!"

Cecile interrupted with a gentle reprimand. "Alright, that’s enough," she said firmly before turning back to Lyon, her tone serious. "Purgatory has not made a single move yet."

"He knows it’s you," Rakumtatak remarked, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Lyon’s smirk widened. "Of course, that’s why he wouldn’t dare," he replied, his tone brimming with assurance. He then turned his attention to Luce Veritas, who stood nearby, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Luce, thank you, again," Lyon said gratefully.

Luce’s response was bashful, her words stumbling slightly. "N-No need," she murmured, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. But before anyone could dwell on the exchange, the sound of hoofbeats filled the air, drawing their attention skyward.

A chorus of gasps escaped their lips as they beheld a majestic sight: a fleet of pegasi soaring through the sky, their wings beating rhythmically as they descended toward Harvestasya’s courtyard. Luce’s eyes widened in recognition as she realized the significance of the approaching creatures.

"It must be the girls!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement. With a graceful bow, she hurriedly excused herself from the room, eager to greet her winged companions.

As Luce rushed outside, she was greeted by the sight of her own pegasus waiting patiently in the courtyard, its majestic form a stark contrast to the vibrant blue sky above. Around them, the air buzzed with anticipation as the horde of pegasi drew nearer, their silhouettes cutting through the clouds with effortless grace.

As the fleet of pegasi descended upon the golem city, their majestic forms casting shadows upon the ground below, the golems remained undisturbed, their attention focused elsewhere. Unaware of the impending arrival, they continued their duties, their mechanical movements unyielding.

Within one of the carriages, Vivi, a young seer, watched in awe as the city came into view below. Her eyes widened with astonishment as she beheld the aftermath of the recent battle, the landscape marred by destruction and chaos. The ground was littered with debris and the remnants of fallen devil cultivators, a stark reminder of the violence that had transpired.

"What in the world happened here," said Vivi.

Beside her carriage was Lily, a senior seer known for her composure, who couldn’t help but furrow her brows at the sight. Though she had witnessed her fair share of tragedies, the scale of devastation before her was staggering. She clasped her hands together tightly, a silent prayer for those who had lost their lives in the conflict.

As the carriages descended further, the air grew heavy with sorrow, the weight of the loss palpable even amidst the grandeur of the golem city.