EMPEROR'S RECKONING

1068 A Visit

King Leopold, his composure gradually returning after the initial shock, furrowed his brow in deep thought. He considered Lyon's inquiry about Maria's whereabouts and the possibilities that lay ahead. With a heavy sigh, he finally spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

"Emperor Lyon, I must admit that I don't possess any direct knowledge of your wife's whereabouts. However, the other rulers of our realm may hold key information. They are powerful in their own right and have their networks of intelligence," King Leopold explained.

He continued, choosing his words carefully, "But I must caution you, Emperor Lyon, that their cooperation is not guaranteed. The politics and rivalries among our kingdoms can be complex and fraught with tension. Sharing sensitive information, especially regarding individuals from the Mortal World, might not be a straightforward matter."

King Leopold's expression showed a mix of sympathy and resolve. While he understood the importance of Lyon's quest to find his wife, he also recognized the diplomatic challenges they might face. The fate of Maria hung in the balance, dependent on their ability to navigate the intricate web of alliances and power struggles that defined their world.

"Can you visit the neighboring kingdom diplomatically?" asked Lyon. "Get me into an audience with the king and let me do the rest."

Emperor Lyon's request hung in the air, a pivotal moment in the conversation. King Leopold contemplated Lyon's proposition, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the potential diplomatic challenges it posed.

After a moment of silent contemplation, King Leopold nodded slowly, his eyes meeting Lyon's with a newfound determination. "Emperor Lyon, I understand the urgency of your quest. While I can't guarantee the cooperation of our neighboring rulers, I can certainly arrange a diplomatic visit to one of the neighboring kingdoms. Your presence and eloquence may open doors that would otherwise remain closed."

Lyon nodded, "Then prepare, we will depart tomorrow."

With a firm nod and an air of determination, Emperor Lyon and King Leopold sealed their agreement.

Lyon jumped over them and saw Linnea's fingers before she pulled them out of sight. Lyon smirked. "Curiosity of a cat," he murmured delightfully before raising his voice, "Also, you don't need to bring an army, Kesya is more than enough."

As the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over the kingdom of Felidora, the two carriages were prepared for their journey. King Leopold and Linnea settled into the royal carriage, its opulent interior contrasting with the more modest one following closely behind. In the second carriage, Lyon, Karina, Kesya, Selena, and Cecile prepared for their diplomatic mission.

Inside the luxurious carriage, Lyon leaned back comfortably and turned his attention to Karina, who sat across from him. Her hand, miraculously restored through the power of cultivation, was now a testament to her resilience.

Lyon spoke softly, his voice carrying a note of genuine concern, "Karina, with your hand healed, you have a world of possibilities ahead of you. Returning to the Mortal World might be a challenging journey. Have you considered what you want to do now?"

"A challenging journey is overestimating it," said Cecile as she crossed her arms. "The options of returning to the Mortal World are limited to two, one of them is how we get her in the first place."

"And the other one?" asked Karina.

"Smashed the door to smithereens," answered Selena. "Not even Returning Jade Stone would work because the path was blocked, so if you have a Returning Jade Stone, it would just bring you toward the nearest sealed gate."

"Heh," Lyon smiled wryly as he scratched his cheek with his finger, "Sorry."

"There is no need for you to apologize, Lyon," said Karina before she was jolted in realization, "I-I mean, Emperor Lyon."

"Ah, drop it," said Lyon as he waved his hand. "I rather have you call me by my name instead."

"I see..." Karina answered. "I think I will take up on your advice from that night."

"That night?" Selena raised her brows before she squinted her eyes at Lyon.

"I-It was a suggestion," said Lyon as he showed both palms near his chest. "I said that it's better for her to stay here for a while and cultivate her anti-mana to the fullest."

"That is the better option for now," said Cecile.

"I'm sure that tagging along with all of you will be more entertaining than traversing this foreign realm alone," said Karina.

"That's for sure," said Lyon before smirking. "Because the next time we come back to the Mortal World, it will not by a pegasus."

Karina had her eyes dilated as she looked at Lyon. The bearing of confidence was exuding out of him. Smashing the gate open that divided the Mortal World and Hell was something out of thought, however, a feat that was impossible to accomplish might just be proven wrong, by the Zodiac Emperor and his allies.

In the neighboring kingdom, a king was seated in the opulent dining room of his palace, savoring a sumptuous meal. The air was filled with the aroma of rich, exotic dishes as he indulged in the feast. His expression was one of contentment as he enjoyed the delicacies before him.

However, the tranquil atmosphere was shattered when the palace doors burst open, and a guard rushed in, a look of urgency etched on his face. He wasted no time and blurted out the news, "Your Majesty, King Leopold of Felidora has arrived for a visit."

The king from the neighboring kingdom choked on his food, coughing violently as he struggled to process the unexpected announcement. He wiped his mouth hastily with a napkin and exclaimed, "King Leopold!?"

Meanwhile, outside the palace, the royal carriage of Felidora made its grand entrance into the bustling town. Adorned with intricate designs and symbols of the kingdom, it captivated the attention of the gathered crowd. The carriage, a symbol of both wealth and the authority of Felidora, rolled through the streets, drawing curious gazes and whispers from the onlookers.

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