Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon's glare made the host's incredible cultivation to naught. The latter's knees turned weak as the intense aura enveloped his figure. As if he was looking at an emperor sitting on the highest throne about to pass judgment on his sin.

"Big br—"

Porealus and Verdu immediately stopped Zet from interfering.

"This is not the time, Zet," said Verdu. "You can praise him later, but now, that young man is pissed off."

Porealus let out a sigh, "Master Verdu, can you feel the incoming trouble?"

"Miles away," answered Verdu.

"But it's funny," Porealus snorted with a smile. "They gave us the most minimalistic effort for this preliminary, cutting off our original ten spots to half and then not even a proper judge. Now, someone from our Mortal World destroyed the colosseum even the forest on the hill behind it. They finally kicked off an iron plate this time."

(Monstrously strong...) the word echoed inside the host's mind as he looked at that dark galaxy eyes of his. He could have never imagined the might of the word 'monstrously' was at this level. Not even in his wildest dream that things would escalate to this point. The colosseum was ruptured by a single fist and the fist was not even directed against the former.

"Who is who?" asked Lyon once more.

"A-A-..." the host was speechless as the fear inside his eyes turned apparent. 

Only a moment ago did he act high and haughty, disregarding Lyon's presence at the sight of Cecile and questioning his identity with a condescending tone.

"I believe that you should let him go, young man."

The calm bearing tone courted all attention. 

Lyon furrowed his eyebrows before he turned his head to take a glance.

"I've come as soon as I hear the explosion."

"Who are you?" asked Lyon.

"Hezar," the middle-aged man smiled.

Thre figures immediately landed on the middle of the colosseum as soon as he introduced himself.

Verdu immediately opened his crossed arms, "Father!"

"Grandfather?" muttered Porealus

"Even my grandfather too!" Porealus.

"Matriarch..." muttered Ivy softly.

The host immediately begged, "Sir Hezar, please help me!"

The spectator was excited and fearful at the same time. Things had turned to a point where any comment that they make could deter their lives.

"It's Hezar..."

"Phew, he is as heartless as he was said to be."

"Shut up!"

The whispers from the spectators were unheard.

"You better stop whatever you're planning Hezar," said Tael as he put his left hand on the hilt of his sword.

Verdu furrowed his eyebrows (Act of aggression? I knew it, something must have happened!).

He leaned down and whispered at his son, "Zet, listen carefully, the matter at hand is beyond our scope. If your grandfather is involved, the whole Mortal World is at stake here."

Zet nodded, "I understand."

Carius gave his grandson a glance before the latter nervously nodded. 

(What the hell is happening?) thought Porealus.

*Matriarch, what's going on?* asked Ivy through mana transmission.

*They kidnapped us yesterday, but we don't know their objectives yet, be careful.*

*En.*

Hezar let out a sigh. He didn't even need to turn around to know who the three figures standing behind him a few meters off were.

Hezar snapped his finger before the ten soldiers made their way inside and surrounded the three of them.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, old man," muttered Hezar. His eyes were looking at the young man holding the host by the collar but his eyes immediately widened as he saw Cecile standing by the side.

"Miss Cecile?!"

Hezar immediately turned docile before slightly giving her a slight bow, "Please do pardon my rude welcome!"

"It's okay, I don't even know who you are," said Cecile as she raised her eyebrows.

The cold word did make damage against his pride but he kept a smile on his face before continuing, "I see that this young man over here is with you, is he perhaps your brother?"

"Pfft~" Lumina looked away as she chuckled.

"Brother?" Lyon raised one of his eyebrows.

"N-No Sir Hezar, this one is—"

"I didn't ask you, did I?" said Hezar as his deadly calm glare made the host closed up his lips.

Cecile let out a sigh. She walked forward before kicking the host away from Lyon's strangle. The host immediately felt a broken rib the moment of impact before he rolled away. He coughed out blood as he panted.

"Eh?" Lyon didn't see that coming as he raised both of his eyebrows.

"He is..." Cecile grabbed Lyon's crew neck before pulling it.

The onlookers opened their eyes wide and gawked as they saw her kissing Lyon. The kiss last more than five seconds before Cecile let it go as she felt a tongue start to pry in. She smiled at him before turning her glance back toward Hezar.

"My husband."

Hezar was stupefied by both her action and her answer. There was not a single news source that stated she was already married from his end.

"Wh-What? I'm sorry I must have misheard you, did you say husband?" asked Hezar.

"Indeed," said Cecile as she crossed her arms. 

Hezar started to stutter a bit. "I-I see."

Hezar made a harsh swallow. The usually calm and overbearing attitude he had shown was gone. The look he gave to Lyon turned into that of pity (Poor young man, they will maim you, but thanks to you, now I know how to handle the situation).

"Well then, young man, care to explain to me why are you disrespecting the host like that?"

The change of tone made Lyon laugh. It didn't even take a moment ago that Hezar couldn't care less about the host of the preliminary. (Trying to make a reason out of the smallest things huh).

"S-Sir Hezar, he is also the one that destroyed the forest and crumbled a huge part of the colosseum!"

"What?!" exclaimed Hezar in disbelief even his ten soldiers were staring at the young man in disbelief.

"I-It's true he was punching the slab of stone!"

Hezar furrowed his eyebrows before he took a glance against the slab of stone but it had returned to normal and stood on the ground instead of the bright Heaven's Prism.