Emperor's Reckoning

Yunesia raised her eyebrows before she quickly turned around. A hand immediately trying to reach out for her throat before an instant magic brand was formed right in front of her figure. However, even after her defense mechanism was activated, the hand casually penetrated it through before breaking it apart in the process. Her pupils shrunk before the hand grabbed a firm hold of her neck.

(What power! Danger, danger, danger...) thought Yunesia as her eyes glance up to face the towering woman. The auburn eyes of the latter had turned sharp but her auburn lips made a smirk. Even though Yunesia was the winner of the Throne, she was still no match against the empress. 

Yunesia's feet slowly left the ground as her hands could only hold the arms that were choking her breath. 

"What do you want?" the cold tone that came out from her lips froze Yunesia's soul before the latter gave up on struggling.

"Cu..rious... curious..." Yunesia struggled to let out those words but she smiled nonetheless as she opened her palms. Either it was the sign of surrender or the sign of retaliation, her eyes conceived both. 

"Heh," Cecile smirked before letting her go. 

Yunesia immediately dropped down by the embrace of gravity. On her knees, she was coughing as she lightly touched her neck which was now bruised red with the imprint of Cecile's choke. She couldn't retaliate at all, her prowess was not as a fighter but even so, her proud defense mechanism was easily obliterated with a stroke of Cecile's hand. It couldn't even buy her enough time to escape.

"Curious about what? The last time you were curious, you went into that realm with the others only to return with that proud bird Garuda in a coma."

Cecile smiled before turning around and showed her back against Yunesia. She was opened but Yunesia knew she couldn't do a thing. If she were to pick up a fight with her, her own career would end prematurely right there and then.

"But.. but.. aren't you curious about what's the secret behind that realm? They must be guarding something important! An artifact may be," Yunesia was still on her knees as she felt the strain of pain in her neck from the firm choke Cecile gave her.

"No, not at all. The so-called Summit of Geniuses, I heard they are taking part for the next expedition?" asked Cecile without looking at her.

Yunesia made a hard gulp before she slowly stood. She was quite confused by the empress's words that contradicted herself. However, if she could lure her into joining the party, the chances of the expedition returning in success would be doubled or even tripled.

"Yes, they soon began their preparation, maybe we could even find the cure to awakened Garuda. That miasma covering his meridians is something I've never encountered."

"Heh, forget about it, tell them to abort the expedition, they are not strong enough to handle the atmosphere there."

"I doubt that they will listen to you. You know how hard-headed they are and how they saw you with contempt since you never came to the gathering."

Cecile smiled, "Then let them do as they wish, consider it just a fart of warning. However, on the other hand, you will be their tour guide, since you are the only one who managed to go there and came back safely. Or at least, that's what you want everyone to think."

Yunesia's eyes opened wide as she heard those words. The atmosphere immediately turned tense as she looked at the towering woman in front of her turning a glance against her with a devil's smirk. The sword tattoo on her nape was slightly visible before a bolt of lightning flashed the whole hall. For that one moment, she had a harsh gulp. The very embodiment of a wargod was, though slight, visible behind that sharp glance of hers.

"Now then, the banquet is waiting for its stars Yunesia, don't make them wait," Cecile turned around before pushing the door behind her open.

"Empress... you're not joining?" asked Yunesia.

"Maybe."

Yunesia couldn't see her smile before the door was closed with a snap of Cecile's finger. Only then did she let out a breath sigh of relief. She put her hand on her chest as she heaved in trying to regain her demeanor. 

"Empress Cecile, you are really interesting... no... scary, scary, scary."

She walked away with her boots tapping the paving way. The stormy weather that she could glance at was less horrendous than confronting the empress up close. Even when the cold atmosphere made some of her goosebumps rose, it didn't stop her heart to palpitate and sweating on her forehead. She tried to lick her lips and fidgeting her fingers to calm her nerves as she was walking in the hallway but it only helped slightly. The empress's presence was too strong when she released that war aura.

(How did she know, I thought I hid it well) the genius contemplated before the bright light shone upon her gaze that was against the floor.

All eyes in the banquet immediately locked in against the woman that was making her presence unknowingly spread. The winner of the famous Throne had finally arrived, their focus naturally averted to her grace. Her purple lips puckered up as she saw all the smiles from every single one of them. She was already famous before winning the title, and now her value rose even more. 

Patriarchs, kings, and even bachelors were eyeing her service. With how flawless she was with magic, she was worth more than a thousand elites of an army. However, until this time, nobody knew how to seduce her interest since she acted like a freelancer despite the immense knowledge of spells that she carried within her mind.

"Oh there she is," muttered Ayumu before she tugged her slightly introverted friend.

"I know, what is she doing anyway?" asked Madoku.

However, her question didn't receive an answer from her best friend as the latter looked at her older sister with a crease on her eyebrows. She looked at the pink-haired woman with a slight rise of her eyebrows, she already had a hunch what's going on between the two of them. Especially ever since her father had fallen into a coma.

Sophia took a glance at Yunesia before she opened her palms in a surrendering way to use her vulnerability as the gateway to their attention. 

"Thank you all for coming despite the short sudden notice! The generation had chosen its genius and as for the Crown winners, don't let your head hung down for not sitting down on the most coveted throne, instead held it high as you are a part of the journey. You might not sit on it but you still have your crowns and no one could take it away from you."

"From far and wide, journey across multiple worlds, you all gathered to prove yourself. With this open event please converse with others of your peers and of the previous generations. Widen your connections and dampened your cultivation. Nothing can stop you from gaining glory, your next destination is the Summit of Geniuses!"

Her speech immediately received thunderous applause that could content with the storm outside. However, as soon as it died down, slow claps were heard before the guests immediately turned around against the source. They couldn't believe someone would dare to offend the Treas in their own home.

Sophia immediately furrowed her eyebrows as well as the others of her family members. However, unlike the three of them, Jin smiled as he put his hands behind his back and straightened up his vulnerable torso. (The real party is about to begin) thought Jin as he saw the group of people that we're walking on the red carpet.

"Hah..."

Priscila let out a sigh as she shook her head. She couldn't believe that their arrivals would be so impeccable. The lightning storm only intensified their presence as they proudly walked forward. Their demeanor was something that was comparable to the hosts of the banquet themselves.

"I expect nothing less from my wonderful niece, such wondrous speech that inspired many, but do excuse me, I hope you don't mind me inviting some of my friends along, right, after all, the more the merrier."

Luna furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the blonde young man that was being aggressive and disgusting when they acted as the Treas family to search for Lyon's missing body. 

"Look, it's him again, never thought I would see his face again," said Ryona as she stood beside Luna.

"I doubt he would do anything funny now," said Karina as she stood at the other end.

Russel Treas Nistan managed to get a glance at the familiar trio that humiliated him in retreat despite wearing the best gear at the time. His face immediately turned into scorn before he smirked and followed along with his parents.

"This gala won't go peacefully," muttered Luna before she crossed her arms.