Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1231: Earthquake

Lyon was slightly surprised as he observed Lumina’s impeccable table manners. Despite knowing she was a princess, just like Luna, he never thought he would witness such refined etiquette from her. Lumina, with her dragon-like instincts and sharp intuition, gave Lyon a cold glance before returning to her meal. Lyon smiled wryly, shaking his head as he resumed eating.

King Thalor, seated at the head of the grand dining table, glanced at Lyon with furrowed brows. The king’s curiosity was evident, but he maintained a composed demeanor. He then turned his attention to Lyra, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

"Young mistress Lyra," King Thalor began, "we are very pleased to have you here."

Lyra nodded gracefully, her movements fluid and poised. "The honor is mine, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice carrying a melodic quality that seemed to enchant everyone present.

The queen, seated beside King Thalor, added, "Your arrival has brought a special light to our city. We are eager to hear more about your travels and the melodies you bring with you."

Seraphina, the princess of Ardentia, squinted her eyes as she observed the group eating in front of her. One was a giant, another was a human, then another human, followed by a hybrid, a small puppy, and a dragon lady. Her curiosity piqued, she glanced at her brother, Eamon, who managed to keep his emotions well-hidden.

"Seraphina, are you interested in Young Mistress’s friend, Lyon?" Eamon asked, his eyes closed as he meticulously cut his bread.

"D-Dear brother, please," Seraphina stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"My, aren’t you a fast one," Selena interjected with a sarcastic tone, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Seraphina’s blush deepened as she tried to compose herself. "It’s not like that," she protested, casting a quick glance at Lyon. "I was just... curious about our guests."

Lyon, catching the tail end of the conversation, looked up and smiled. "It’s alright, Princess. Curiosity is a sign of intelligence."

King Thalor cleared his throat with a deliberate cough. "Young Mistress Lyra, may I ask you to join me in the garden?"

Lyra raised her brows in mild surprise but gracefully accepted. "That would be an honor, Your Majesty," she replied, rising from her chair.

As the king and Lyra left the hall, the atmosphere shifted subtly. The remaining royals turned their attention to Lyon and his group, curiosity and suspicion mingling in their gazes.

The queen, her demeanor regal and composed, initiated the conversation. "Young Master Lyon, may I ask which clan you are from?" Her tone was as cold as the sparkling water inside the glass she held.

Lyon met her gaze without flinching. "I am from no clan, Your Majesty," he replied evenly. "I am a wanderer by nature, bound more by my companions and my purpose than by any formal affiliation."

The queen’s eyes narrowed slightly, assessing his words. "A wanderer, you say? And what purpose brings you to our city, then?"

Lyon smiled, a mix of charm and mystery. "We are on a journey that intertwines with the fates of many. Our goals are not fixed, but our resolve is. We seek knowledge, allies, and occasionally, a bit of adventure."

Eamon, observing the exchange, interjected smoothly, "Knowledge and allies are noble pursuits. Ardentia has much to offer in both respects."

Seraphina, sensing the tension, decided to lighten the mood. "You mentioned adventures, Lyon. Have you had any interesting ones recently?"

"Well, I just brought a new balance in Hell, killed the ultimate disciple of Purgatory and used his soul as my weapon. After that, I met my father for the first time in the last two lifetimes; he was imprisoned by the World Tree," Lyon said, his tone casual, as if recounting a mundane event. He finished with a raised brow, taking a sip from his glass.

As he placed the glass down, silence descended upon the hall. The royals stared at him, mouths agape, their previous composure shattered by the sheer audacity and weight of his words.

The queen, her face paling slightly, managed to find her voice first. "You... you did what?"

Lyon leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I suppose it sounds rather unbelievable. But it’s the truth. My journey has taken me to places and through challenges that most would deem impossible."

Maria, sensing the need to elaborate, chimed in with a playful grin. "Trust me, Your Majesty, every word Lyon says is true. We’ve witnessed things that defy explanation, fought battles that test the limits of reality."

Selena nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and awe. "Lyon’s journey is one of destiny. He carries a legacy that intertwines with the very fabric of this world and beyond."

Seraphina, her earlier hesitation now replaced by fascination, leaned forward. "Tell us more, Lyon. How did you manage to meet your father? And why was he imprisoned by the World Tree?"

The Queen stopped Seraphina from inquiring further about Lyon’s story by laughing. She took over the conversation, her laughter light but filled with a hint of tension. "That was a great jest, Young Master Lyon, but may I ask what is your relationship with Young Mistress Lyra?"

Lyon’s eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and mystery as he replied, "We met back in Second Heaven. More than an acquaintance, I would say."

The Queen’s expression remained polite, but a flicker of curiosity passed through her eyes. "Second Heaven, you say? How intriguing. It seems you have traversed many realms, Young Master Lyon."

Meanwhile, back in the garden, King Thalor and Lyra strolled through the lush greenery, the fragrant scent of blooming flowers filling the air. Birds chirped melodiously, adding a serene backdrop to their conversation.

The King, his demeanor warm yet probing, entertained Lyra with stories of Ardentia’s history and beauty. He paused for a moment, looking at her with keen interest. "Young Mistress Lyra, if I may, who is... he?" His voice dropped to a whisper, the question laden with the weight of curiosity and concern.

Lyra’s steps slowed as she considered her response. Her eyes softened as she thought of Lyon, the enigmatic figure who had captivated both friend and foe. "That is a hard question to answer, Your Majesty. If you ask for his name, it is Lyon. But if you ask for his identity, well, he has left a mark in the Second and First Heaven, and he is wildly famous across the Mortal World."

"Mortal World?" King Thalor’s brows furrowed in disbelief. "He heralds from such a lowly place?"

Lyra smirked, holding her instrument with a delicate touch. "Aren’t you surprised? All six of us were, even Yuri."

The King blinked, processing her words. "Young Master Yuri too? The one from the Black Kirin Clan?"

"Yes," Lyra nodded. "Lyon’s rise from the Mortal World to the heavens is nothing short of extraordinary. He is a testament to the fact that greatness can come from the most unexpected places."

As they continued their walk through the garden, the serene ambiance seemed to reflect the newfound understanding between them. However...

Lyra lurched to a halt, her brow creasing in a deep furrow. Her eyes snapped towards a nearby tree, its branches swaying wildly despite the stillness of the air. An unnatural tremor rippled across the still surface of the pond, shattering the tranquility of the scene. "This is...!," she gasped, but before she could finish her thought, a deafening clang echoed through the hall as the chandelier above them swung violently, showering the table with glittering shards of crystal.

The utensils on the table rattled in a chaotic symphony, sending a wave of panic crashing through the previously jubilant diners.

Lyon, ever the observant strategist, took in the scene with a cool detachment. Unlike the flustered royals whose panicked whispers shattered the prior serenity, Lyon’s companions maintained an air of calm that bordered on eerie. The tremor, though brief and violent, had left its mark. The once-pristine dinner table resembled a battlefield – overturned goblets bled ruby wine like spilled blood, and scattered silverware clattered on the marble floor like panicked whispers. Amidst the chaos, the queen’s voice rose, laced with a tremor that mirrored the one that had just rattled the hall.

This is the fifteenth time this week," she choked out, her eyes darting nervously towards the source of the unseen tremors. An unsettling silence descended upon the hall, broken only by the soft clinking of a single, precariously balanced spoon.

Lyon, his gaze lingering on the unsettled queen, offered a curt nod. "It seems our presence is required elsewhere," he announced, his voice a low rumble that cut through the tense silence. "Our thanks for the hospitality, Your Majesty. We enjoyed the...unique dining experience." A hint of a smile played on his lips, a chilling counterpoint to the tremor’s aftermath. "May you find the source of your troubles soon. Until next time, perhaps under calmer circumstances." With that, Lyon turned on his heel, his companions falling into step behind him with practiced ease. They exited the hall in a flurry of purposeful movement, leaving the stunned royals to grapple with the unspoken implications of Lyon’s words and the unsettling tremors that continued to plague their kingdom.