Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1258: I Have My Answer

Meanwhile, at Venenum.

Esmeralda stepped forward with a respectful nod. "Lyon, this is my mother, Lady Kalani."

Lyon’s gaze didn’t waver as he met Lady Kalani’s eyes. A cryptic smile played on his lips as he replied, "I can see that beauty and danger resonate altogether. I thought it was your sister."

Lady Kalani’s expression remained composed, but there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "You are daring, Lyon Torga," she remarked, her voice steady but carrying an underlying edge.

"Take your seats," she added, her tone leaving little room for argument.

Lyon’s smile remained as he moved to sit, his confidence unshaken. The exchange had been brief, but the subtle challenge in their words was unmistakable—a delicate dance of wit and power, with neither party willing to back down.

As the guests enjoyed the delicacies laid out before them, the conversation flowed smoothly, punctuated by the clinking of fine china and the murmur of appreciative comments. Lady Kalani, however, seemed to have a more probing interest.

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on Lyon. "Lyon, I’ve heard that you came from a very humble beginning."

Lyon met her gaze steadily, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "There is nothing humble about me."

Lady Kalani’s smile widened, a spark of amusement in her eyes. "I thought you might play along and humor me for a bit."

Lyon’s smile broadened, his tone light yet edged with a touch of intrigue. "I can see that you are a dangerous woman to deal with, Lady Kalani."

Lady Kalani’s gaze shifted momentarily to the dishes, then back to Lyon. "The food we have here—did it fail to impress you and your companions?"

Esmeralda, seated beside Lyon, raised her brows in surprise. She glanced around the table, noting the calm and somewhat detached demeanor of Lyon and his group. The lavish spread of delicacies, usually enough to awe those new to such opulence, seemed to have left them unmoved.

Lady Kalani’s eyes returned to Lyon, her curiosity piqued. "Where exactly are you from?"

Lyon leaned back, a carefree grin on his face. "Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of experiences. The journey’s been a bit more colorful than a banquet, though."

As the conversation continued, Lady Kalani’s curiosity was clearly piqued.

"What’s it like then?" she asked, her gaze steady and inquisitive.

"Hm? What do you mean?" Lyon replied, his expression a mix of genuine curiosity and playful nonchalance.

"The Mortal World," Lady Kalani smiled, leaning slightly forward. "What’s it like knowing that someone from the heavens could stroll down there and rule over them, like ants compared to a dragon?"

Lyon’s smile remained as he contemplated her question. "Thankfully, the dragon might not notice the ants, perhaps because they’re not worth ruling over."

Lady Kalani’s eyes sparkled with intrigue. "It’s been quite a while since someone from the Mortal World reached such heights. Some legendary figures have even managed to ascend to Paradise." She took a delicate sip from her cup, then placed it back on the table, her glistening red lips curling into a thoughtful smile. "Perhaps you are one of them as well."

Lyon raised his glass in a gesture of toast. "To intriguing conversations," he said, his tone light and full of charm.

Before he could take a sip, Selena, ever vigilant, swiftly swapped his glass with one containing orange water. Lyon’s smile turned wry as he noted the change. He had hoped for a bit of wine, but his three wives were always watchful.

Despite the switch, Lyon maintained his composure and took a sip of the orange water. "Well, it seems I’m destined to keep my wits sharp in all circumstances," he said with a grin, lifting the glass slightly as a gesture of acceptance.

Lady Kalani’s gaze softened, clearly amused by his response. "It appears you have a knack for handling challenges with grace."

Lyon’s smile widened as he enjoyed the moment. "It’s all part of the journey, isn’t it? Adapting to whatever comes our way."

"I’ve heard that on one of your adventures, you encountered the Black Kirin—or rather, its child," Lady Kalani said, her voice smooth yet tinged with intrigue.

Esmeralda’s eyes lit up with interest, her posture leaning slightly forward as she awaited Lyon’s response.

"Who?" Lyon asked, a look of genuine confusion crossing his face, which startled both Lady Kalani and Esmeralda.

"Yu-Yuri, Lyon. Surely you remember," Esmeralda said, her tone edged with impatience.

Lyon’s expression brightened with recognition. "Oh, right, Mavis’s best friend."

Lady Kalani’s eyebrows arched in surprise before her lips curled into a wry smile. "It seems you’re more acquainted with Mavis than with Yuri."

Lyon sighed, shaking his head with an air of exasperation. "That brat has always been a bit too loose." He glanced around as Selena, Cecile, Maria, and Harvestasya struggled to suppress their laughter, some of them almost spilling their drinks.

"Hey, are you all alright?" Lyon asked, his voice laced with concern.

"W-We’re fine!" Cecile managed between fits of giggles, her face flushed with laughter.

Lyon shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips, clearly amused by the commotion.

Esmeralda observed the light-hearted exchange with a bemused expression. "It seems you and Mavis are like birds of a feather."

"You mean ’birds of a feather flock together’?" Lyon corrected with a playful grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Esmeralda laughed softly. "Perhaps. I’m not exactly known for my mastery of quotes."

Lady Kalani’s gaze hardened slightly, her tone shifting to one of focused intensity. "So, who won?"

As Lady Kalani’s question lingered in the air, Lyon straightened his posture, crossing his arms over his chest. The room seemed to hold its breath as he inhaled deeply, the subtle shift in his demeanor drawing the attention of everyone present. With his eyes closed momentarily, he exhaled slowly, savoring the dramatic pause.

"Oh, right," Lyon finally said, his voice steady and nonchalant, "I ran away."

The revelation dropped like a stone into the stillness, and the room fell into a stunned silence for a heartbeat. Lady Kalani’s eyes widened slightly, her composed facade momentarily faltering. Esmeralda’s expression mirrored surprise, her brows shooting up in disbelief.

The unexpected confession left everyone in a state of suspended disbelief, the weight of Lyon’s words hanging palpably in the air.

As the stunned silence enveloped the room, Lady Kalani let out a soft, amused chuckle.

"I see," she said with a playful glint in her eye, "it seems like quite the entertaining bout."

Lyon, unperturbed by the reaction, shifted his focus. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp and inquisitive. "So, what is the current goal of the Six Clans of the Sixth Heaven?"

His question seemed to freeze the room. The lighthearted mood abruptly shifted to one of tension as everyone turned to look at him, their expressions a mix of surprise and contemplation. Lady Kalani’s smile faltered, replaced by a thoughtful frown, while Esmeralda’s eyes narrowed, intrigued by the unexpected turn in conversation.

The atmosphere grew thick with anticipation, as if the question had touched upon a subject of significant gravity.

"That is quite a question, young man," the voice said, just as the butler opened the door. A middle-aged man with a distinguished handlebar mustache stepped into the room, his presence commanding immediate attention.

Lady Kalani’s eyes softened with a hint of surprise as she addressed him. "Ah, my dear, you decided to join us as well?"

"Father, you came too?" Esmeralda asked, her voice a mix of surprise and relief.

Lyon stood up with a confident grin as the middle-aged man approached. "I see, so you are the current master of the Ouroboros Clan," Lyon said, extending a friendly smile.

The man’s eyes narrowed slightly, taking in Lyon’s confident posture and smirk. Esmeralda, seated nearby, was visibly stunned; she had never seen anyone greet her father with such boldness unless they were of equal standing.

"I am," the man confirmed, his brow furrowing with skepticism. "Who sent you?"

A tense silence fell over the room as Lyon’s directness challenged the atmosphere. Esmeralda’s eyes widened in concern, and she instinctively started to rise from her chair. However, Lady Kalani’s hand gently but firmly pressed down on her arm, a gesture that combined reassurance with control. Esmeralda looked at her mother, her gaze a mix of worry and intrigue.

Lady Kalani regarded her daughter with an enigmatic smile, shaking her head slightly in a gesture that seemed to convey both amusement and patience.

Meanwhile, the tension was not limited to Esmeralda alone. Selena’s eyes flashed with a mixture of annoyance and concern as she glared at Cecile, who was smiling with evident satisfaction. Selena’s wrist was caught in a firm grip by Cecile, preventing any impulsive actions.

"Tch!" Selena’s frustration was palpable as she tried to free herself from Cecile’s grasp.

"Your daughter invited me," Lyon said smoothly, reaching out for a handshake.

The middle-aged man, initially wary, extended his hand. But Lyon’s handshake was more than just a greeting; it was a firm pull into a quick, unexpected hug. As he did, he leaned in to whisper in the man’s ear, his voice low and purposeful.

"And I have my answer," Lyon murmured, his tone carrying an undertone of assurance.

The Master of the Ouroboros Clan peered intently into Lyon’s eyes, his gaze narrowing in scrutiny.

"HM!?" In that fleeting moment, something profound and unsettling shifted. The sensation was akin to a peasant encountering a god, the stark contrast between their positions palpable. For that brief instant, the master’s expression was a blend of awe and apprehension, as if he were suddenly aware of the vast chasm between his own presence and Lyon’s formidable aura.

Lyon’s aura, potent and radiant, dwarfed the master’s, casting his own presence into stark relief. It was as if Lyon’s mere existence rendered the master’s aura pale and insignificant by comparison, leaving him momentarily disoriented.

The impact of that gaze was swift and profound, a collision of reverence and trepidation that left the master momentarily stunned, his composure shaken by the sheer force of Lyon’s presence.