Emperor's Reckoning

The twin moon was replaced by the sun once again as the day started. The early birds were chirping as some of them landed on a branch in one of the trees in the garden. The sound of water fueling the plant was vivid clear as the mellow atmosphere set in.

Inside the mansion was a familiar young man, sleeping soundlessly as if the world couldn't wake him up. As a matter of course, the usual black-furball was sleeping on his chest, moving up and down with the young man's breathing.

Sadly, this scenario betrayed the actual reality in Luderia.

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Luderia was in frantic, whether they were commoners or nobles. The news of the accident in the banquet had spread wide to its citizens.

The commoners were discussing among themselves as the news spread. Two of the candidates were included in the accident, this sent a wave of mixed feelings toward them.

Prince Weiss was more oriented to a military rule, his fame struck wide to their neighboring kingdom. Despite his good-looking, he was a talented cultivator with many merits of conquering the nearby land. His shrewd ways of dealing with things made him one of the top contenders in ruling the kingdom.

Meanwhile, his little brother, Prince Frey, was one of the most talented pill-maker. He had channels with powerful cultivators as the promising youth was dubbed to be the next in top ten, of pill making in Deo.

However, these two candidates were said to be involved in the accident yesterday night. Both of them along with some nobles were recuperating from their injuries, Though they didn't have any serious injuries, It will take them quite some time to heal.

"So, with the two princes recuperating and His Majesty lifespan about to end, that leaves only the two princesses left to fight for the throne right?" said one of the commoners.

His friend shook his head, "The power to rule Luderia is too much to be simply brushed off because of injury. Though both of them were on a bed recuperating, it doesn't mean that they cannot do anything."

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The nobles in the upper-class part of the kingdom had a different opinion on this matter. The young ones that saw what happened were struck in fear as they couldn't forget the image of the collapsing. Some of them even refused to go out of their homes for a while.

One of the victims in the collapse was Raynoldus, son of Duke Armand. Being treated by a professional doctor it would still take him days or even months to recover. Despite using treasures and the likes, he still had a few broken bones.

Resting on his bed, he spoke to the middle-aged man sitting beside him, "Father, is Prince Weiss alright?"

The middle-aged man closed his eyes as he spoke after a sigh, "I heard his condition is not far off from you."

"I-i see, even the First Prince couldn't leave unscathed," sighed Raynoldus before he continued, "What is His Majesty's reaction after knowing this?".

"You should focus on resting first, the king is relieved knowing the two of them still alive. He could only apologize and reimburse us as it was an accident," said Duke Armand.

Raynoldus nodded before he slowly closed his eyes, a figure of a drunken man playing zither suddenly filled his mind. He opened his eyes as he said, "Father, I have something to tell you."

"Hmm? What is it?" From his tone, Armand knew that this 'something' is crucial.

"The Elgome's family has canceled the arranged marriage of I and the both of his daughter," said Raynoldus as the rage on his tone was clear.

Duke of Armand squinted his eyes and said with a heavy tone, "He dares to do that?"

His son nodded and replied, "I heard it from the two women themselves, and there is this one young man that I wanted dead."

"He was the rumored lover of Clemora, but by the looks of it, he was taking the two sisters in his arms. He humiliated me in the banquet in front of everyone, including the candidates," continued Raynoldus.

"What is his name?" asked his father.

"Lyon, he was an uninvited guest that came to the banquet. His presence ruined everything! He slapped the First Prince and fight with Princess Chloe toe to toe, not to mention that he dared to flirt with Princess Aelina right in front of everyone," explained Raynoldus.

His explanation brought confusion to Duke Armand. (Slapping the First Prince?! Is my son still sane? Who would dare to do that? Not to mention fighting against Princess Chloe).

Raynoldus looked at his father's expression before realizing what he said was unbelievable and crazy to the people that were not involved in the accident.

"What I said it's true father, I swear it on our ancestors grave! He is a really strong cultivator despite his young looks. If father don't believe me, you can ask the others as well."

Seeing how serious his son was, his doubts were reduced greatly. For a noble to swear on their ancestors' grave was a heavy thing to do, for their fortune came from them.

"So, where is this Lyon? Where is he at right now?" asked Duke Armand.

Raynoldus shook his head, "I don't know, but he was one among the victims of the fall."

Duke Armand immediately summoned one of his servants and ordered him to bring the list of the victim. This list was made upon the order of His Majesty himself to count the total reimbursement that was needed.

He carefully looked at the list, combing them one by one. In the end, he put the paper on his son's chest. "There was no 'Lyon' among the list," said Duke Armand.

"Impossible! GHh!" said Raynouldus before he vomited a chunk of blood.

"Just rest first, I will dwell on this matter further," said Duke Armand as he calmly stood and leave his son's room.

Raynoldus smiled as he looked at his father's departing figure, "Face the price of humiliating me, Lyon! You have made an enemy out of me and the princes! Half of the kingdom wants your head!"