Emperor's Reckoning

The onlookers could only stand still as their breathing got locked by the event that transpired before their very eyes. They looked at the half-giant slowly getting up.

His back was straight as he stood up. His right hand was dyed red as his clothes were stained. His eyes showed no remorse or worry. 

He turned around, disregarding the fearful eyes that were laid upon his powerful frame. He returned to the restaurant that was reserved for his master. He left them in their frozen state.

"He saw no threat..." muttered one of the experts in the crowd. 

The demise of one of the Elite Five was instant. They thought that with the queen of the Sverine Kingdom being here, there wouldn't have to be any bloodshed. However, they always underestimate how mad the young man was.

Wanda tried to calm herself down with a few controlled breathing. Her eyes were blinking more rarely than before. Naught was she thinking as she saw one of the five, one of the finest Pala's assets, destroyed like a bug. 

"Ne... Ned!"

The shout came from the other Elite Five member. He could see that his accomplice died without even a fidget at the moment of impact. The ground had turned into a notorious crater. His eyes were in disbelief, such elite, death without an art nor magic being used. As if he had never cultivated his entire life.

His eyes soon turned into a rage before he called out the half-giant that was on his way to enter the grand restaurant.

"You!" he shouted with his killing intent imbued. He balled his fist as the vein on his temple popped. "Pala will hunt your head!" 

His hands were trembling as he pointed at him. He knew that he won't be able to win the fight against him alone. The only bright choice he got was to retreat and instill fear of being hunted by perhaps the strongest kingdom in First Heaven. 

Graham couldn't care less by the yapping of a weak lap dog. He entered the restaurant and gave his back toward the elite cultivator. 

One expert looked at the behavior that he showed before shaking his head, "He is confident enough to show his back toward his opponent, was that a bait or he is just ignorant."

"Like his master, the man is insane."

"I don't think the feud can end without a fight now."

Wanda let out a sigh. Things suddenly took a wild turn, furthermore, she was at the scene where it happen. She was going to approach Lyon and based on the information, he was in the local restaurant, but she never thought that this would turn bloody real quick.

Cherie blinked twice before she tugged her mother's elbow.

"Mother, what now?" she asked in a submissive tone. She couldn't believe what happened as the others did. She saw Raul's soul was fleeing from his body as he turned still with his eyes wide open.

Wanda slightly shook her head. "This has turned into something that even I cannot fathom."

"En, I agree, but we need to do something... or do we?"

The elite cultivator immediately turned around before nodding against the prince, "Let's head back, for now, Prince Raul. The king must hear this as soon as possible!"

However, Raul didn't respond as he was locked gaze with the young man that was sitting on the second floor. 

Their cultivation level might be heaven and earth apart, but so was the strength that they held. He might be a prince, but he didn't know that he was looking at an emperor.

"Prince!!" the elite cultivator said vehemently. 

"Ah?" Prince Raul started to blink before the elite continued saying.

"We must meet the king as soon as possible! Hurry! I will cover your behind!"

Raul nervously nodded as his body started to move against his mind. The instinct of fight or flight was triggered. The other cultivators that he had recruited still had their minds feet shaking. They were proud of what they had become, but after seeing a real expert die being squashed like a bug, the view of their whole world crumbled.

Folcre gulped. He ran as fast as he could following behind the prince. He never saw his teacher act like this. He was keen on being arrogant and showed his prowess if the opportunity was raised.

The valor of Raul's status was gone as he fled the scene. Though nobody dare to make a comment, their eyes signified understanding.

Wanda furrowed her eyebrows before she turned around. "We should hurry back as well."

"Mother... certainly," nodded Cherie. 

There was no reason to linger around for the both of them.

Wanda slightly gritted her teeth as she walked off. (Things have gone out of control if only I was here sooner!). She resented the unreadiness of herself. As luck may have it, it was Raul who has met Lyon first. 

"We are going to have a meeting with the other three rulers soon," said Wanda to her daughter that was trailing.

"I... understood," Cherie nodded.

Graham sat back down after he washed his hands and changed his clothes. He picked up a pair of wooden chopsticks before resuming eating.

Lyon blinked his eyes before he did as well. 

The passerby could clearly see as they passed by the broken door. This was the man that had broken the first and second-round record to an unimaginable height. They could feel that authority aura that was spasming out of his figure, even though the young man was just eating. Forget about Folcre, who could stop the mortal from doing whatever they want.

"However, how can you blame him?" asked one of the passerby

"What? What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean, he did warn them to leave, you heard that right?"

"Yeah but still... this is the Pala Kingdom we are talking about!"

"I mean, would you be pissed if you are starving and people keep on nagging you?"

"I... well, can you put it like that?"

The non-hostile solution was naught from the moment the young man lose his patience. Being at the wrong time and doing the wrong things. Not even the Elite Five was forgiven. His words bore power that could annihilate rulers. He didn't even need to lay a finger before they died like they never cultivated before.

Cecile smiled before she touched her forearm. "No need to have that sour face when you are eating."

"!!" Lyon opened his eyes before he blinked twice, "Y-You're right, sorry."

"It's alright," said Cecile as she nodded. "Just enjoy the meal."

Lyon furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at Cecile.

"Hm? Is something on my cheeks?" muttered Cecile as she touched her cheek, trying to feel if there was rice stuck on them.

"N-No, nothing, it's just that, I never thought that you would say something like that, haha!" Lyon laughed before he dug in.

"Is that so...:" muttered Cecile as she looked at the reflection on the drink that she had. (I guess living together with you for a long time, you finally have some of your tenderness rubbed off on me, but it took another lifetime to do so... hehe... Maria).

The ample dishes belied the tense atmosphere that was outside.

They could feel that Afurnae was about to be shaken. They were even doubting about the last round to even occur. With the death of one of the Elite Five from the Pala Kingdom, Hezar was not even worth mentioning anymore. The man died with a single squash, let alone the latter that was weaker. 

The restaurant still had its door broken but none dared to step inside, not while that young man was there eating his meal. One even wonders how could he eat after something like that happened.

"Pwah!" Lyon let out a satisfied grin after he and the group finished the entire dish. He lightly tap his stomach before he stood up with a toothpick in his mouth. 

Assid in the kitchen was taking off his apron before placing it back neatly on the hanger. He retrieved his glasses before putting them back on. He approached the unconscious owner of the restaurant before he crouched. 

"Thank you," said Assid before he stood up and left.

He left a pouch by the owner's side. He came inside the kitchen clean and left the place clean.

"Assid," asked Lyon the moment the latter got out.

"Yes, young master?" respond Assid.

"Have you eaten yet?" asked Lyon as he tried to pick the food that was stuck between his teeth.

Assid smiled before he nodded, "Yes, young master,"

Lyon raised both eyebrows, "Oh really? Well, I guess so."

The young man and the group got out of the restaurant. The moment he stepped outside. The onlookers immediately stood still while they show wary of him. None of them dare to even call out his name, let alone a word of profanity. Even the two princes were helpless against him, commoners should stay away.

*Hoam!