Emperor's Reckoning

The black knight was startled and taken back before he raised his hand. The knights were all looking for the signal that the black knight was about to give. The latter snapped his fingers.

"Bring her here."

Lyon furrowed his eyebrows as one of the knights from the back of the line was dragging a familiar figure by a rope. Both of her wrists were tied and she was pulled like a cow. However, he didn't notice any bruise on her body as he saw her struggling to getaway.

"Older brother, sorry."

Lyon nodded. There was no way she could have escaped against such armada on her own as a healer. 

He smiled. "Who are you?"

One of the lining knights was about to take a step forward but stopped by a gesture from the black knight. The golden streaks on his armor were somewhat brought out a majestic aura that none of them could compare.

"We are from The Cefralin Empire. The Andro Kingdom is..." the black knight paused his words as he looked at the destroyed palace before he continued, "was... our subsidiary kingdom."

(I see, this world is bigger than I thought it would be, there is the Abyss Tower, the demi-human island and now this island was nothing more than a subsidiary kingdom of a greater empire) thought Lyon as he already felt the headache in his head.

"I prefer avoiding meaningless bloodshed, don't you not?"

"Please run away older brother! Forget about me!"

Lyon and the knights were surprised by her selfless words before the black knight commented, "Very good mentality, it's a shame you are not one of us."

"I'm disappointed in you Tuey."

Lyon's words made everyone raised their eyebrows in disbelief before Tuey's fragile heart felt the pounding of a hammer. Her mouth went agape in shock as she saw Lyon crossing his arms. 

Even her enemy was praising her but her true savior was dejected instead. She did what she was taught back in the guild. She did what she was taught in her younger days. There was nothing wrong with sacrificing oneself for others.

The black helmet turned around as his gaze darted to the young man in front. "Are you an idiot? This is a brave girl, how dare you insult her like that."

"You are wrong, I didn't insult her, I'm disappointed in her."

The black knight crossed his arms. "Alright then, I suppose you have a reason for saying that?"

The onlookers couldn't believe that such dialogues were happening. The inhabitants of the island want nothing more than the army of the empire to take the young man away. However, how could mere pedestrians understand their reasoning? Only those who have met strong people could understand.

They were all forgetting one crucial fact that was laid upon his eyes. The young man was definitely a criminal but under the sheer pressure of a whole armada, he stood there like he was in his own backyard. The sky was sealed, the land was sealed, and the sea was also sealed. There was no visible escape method but there was not a hint of worry appeared on his face.

The black knight noticed how Lyon's heartbeat, how the latter demeanor managed to overcome such pressure with no additional action. He also understood for the slight minute window of a time when Lyon looked up at the sky. (He looked at them wyverns as if nothing but giant birds).

"Tuey, you are healer remember," said Lyon before he puckered up a smile, "now, what does a healer do?"

Tuey was slightly taken back by the question before she amicably answered, "To support and heal their teammates."

"That's textbook, it's true. I wholeheartedly agree with that," responded Lyon.

The people were led into confusion but the black knights remained silent in their own contemplation. 

"Then here comes the next question, in a battle, who should live last?"

"The commander of course!" shouted the black knight confidently. The others didn't even have time to conjure up an answer but adamantly agree to it.

Tuey on the other hand was left contemplating. The guild never mentions such a question nor they ever thought about it. All she knew was to help each other out to the fullest capabilities. The more efficient the better.

Lyon chuckled condescendingly before he opened his arms and his eyes turned sharp. "The one who should live last is none other than the healer."

Lyon pointed his finger at the little demi-human, "You."

"If a commander died first, the battle is already lost," refute the black knight.

"If your commander died first then your commander is shit," said Lyon nonchalantly before the gaze of hundreds of killing intents rained down on him. However, not one goosebump rose.

The black knight gestured with his hand to calm them down. The opposing argument was valid, if the leader died before any of the subordinates, then he was not fit to be a leader in the first place. 

"Healer, Tuey, you must be the last one to live. Simply because their services are needed before, during, and after the battle. An injured knight can fight again. An injured bystander can walk again."

Lyon looked at the black knights with a smile. "An injured commander can lead again."

The black knight remained silent and his figure stayed quiet. There was no sign of agreeing nor disagreeing. To admit was to lose publicly, to refute but with what. He was already beaten by the argument.

"Be more selfish Tuey, the world needs a healer more than a commander one day."

Her hands felt a rush of excitement for an instant the moment her ears wiggled. The words struck her heart like a clap of thunder as her cheeks turned a red hue. She repeatedly nodded with hums. 

"But of course, that's only one of the two mistakes. You see, Tuey, you are not the only hostage in this situation."

Lyon smirked before his figure slowly floated a foot high. He blinked once before his eyes turned sharp. 

Lyon crossed his arms. "So, what's its gonna be Black Knight? Tuey, or your whole armada?"

The atmosphere instantly froze as he laid down those words.