Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 996 The Hunter Challenge.

As the first rays of the morning sun danced through the opulent chamber, Lyon stirred from his slumber. The plushness of the bed beneath him provided a sense of comfort and luxury, a stark contrast to the humble origins from which he hailed. Stretching his limbs, Lyon allowed his senses to fully awaken, immersing himself in the grandeur of the surroundings.

The chamber, a testament to the royal hospitality of King Nyi, exuded an air of elegance and refinement. Intricately carved furnishings adorned with gilded accents lined the walls, while soft, ornate tapestries added a touch of warmth and color to the space. The room breathed life, infused with the whispers of a rich history and the aspirations of a kingdom.

With a sense of anticipation, Lyon rose from the sumptuous bed, his steps silent on the exquisitely woven carpet that adorned the chamber floor. As he approached the ornate windows, he was greeted by a breathtaking view that stretched beyond the palace grounds—a vista of lush gardens, majestic spires, and the ever-present air of enchantment that enveloped Elyrianth.

He glanced down and his right brow rose. "Hmm?" he noticed the three students were in the courtyard with a man he had never seen before.

"The three of them are having bow lessons," a familiar voice came from behind.

"Selena?" said Lyon.

"Good morning darling," said Selena as she embraced him from behind.

Lyon sighed, "Do you ladies ever woke up not in the morning?"

Selena smiled, "I'm just honing my sword a few thousand times."

"Woah, how about mine?" asked Lyon as he grinned at her.

Selena grinned back, "Your mother's here."

Lyon froze on the spot as he felt a presence sitting on top of his head.

Rui made a light cough, "I will pretend those words were never present."

Lyon smiled wryly, "So.. mother, where are the other three?"

"Bapho might be strolling in the garden, and Sun is probably in the cellar."

"What about Grandpa Shen?" asked Lyon as he raised his brows.

"Guess."

"Guess...? Hmm... oh..." Lyon smiled wryly. ( I bet he's with Grandpa Sun, I swear, a monkey and a dragon? Wild ).

In the vibrant courtyard of the palace, where the scent of blooming flowers mingled with the crisp morning air, a target practice was underway. Bows taut, eyes focused on their intended marks. The rhythmic sound of arrows being drawn and released filled the space.

"I missed!" Reinhard wailed as his knees dropped. His arrow was nowhere etched on the target.

"There was an attempt," Rayus sighed as he lowered his bow. "He too had missed the target."

"Woah!" the man exclaimed as he pointed out the last target practice, "You almost hit the critical mark!"

"Eh?" Noah was flabbergasted. His arrow was the only one that hit the mark. "Ah, it's probably just beginner's luck."

"Do it again," a regal voice came from not too far away.

The man and the three students stood straight with respect before bowing their heads, "Good morning, Your Majesty."

King Nyi was present and his eyes were a shade less bright than the clear sky. "Noah, do it again."

"A-Ah, alright," Noah was handed an arrow by the man before the bow taut. His eyes were on the red dot at the center of the target practice. He breathed through his nose before holding it in. His hand no longer wavered before he released the arrow by pure instinct.

Nyi smiled as the arrow zipped through the air.

The resounding sound of an arrow etched on the target gave Noah's two friends and the tutor gasped. Once again, Noah hit the target albeit barely missing the red point that was only as big as a drop of ink on paper.

The young king nodded in acknowledgment, "You have talent."

"Damn, Noah," said Reinhard. "Why you never picked up a bow?"

"Does it ever occur to you that because I can chant magic with my grimoire?" Noah rolled his eyes.

"Our chances of winning just went up, and we still got five months to go."

"C'mon Noah, don't tell me that's your best?"

All heads turned and saw the young man that enthralled the whole kingdom walking with arms crossed and true bearing of confidence as arrogance.

"Hahaha, good morning, Lyon," said KIng Nyi.

"Morning," said Lyon.

The tutor had his brows furrowed seeing the lack of respect Lyon gave to the young king. He leered over to the target practice and smirked inwardly. He stepped forward before bowing at his king, "Excuse me, Your Majesty, if I may request."

"Hm?" King Nyi looked at his loyal guard. "What?"

"I want to request an archery spar with, Sir Lyon."

( And he just got here... ) Noah sighed inwardly.

"An archery spar?" King Nyi raised his brows before he looked at Lyon with a smile, "What do you think Lyon? Do you want to spar with him? I have to warn you though, he is the best in the kingdom. We call him, The Hunter, Rew."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply honored by your kind words and generous praise. It is with utmost humility that I accept your appreciation," said Rew.

Rayus took a glance at Reinhard and saw the worry in his eyes. Then Rayus darted his gaze back at his teacher, but with curiosity mixed in them. ( So far, he had not used any weapon at his disposal, he just kicked things or punch things... can he really use a bow? ).

Lyon snorted, "It's in the morning and I have not yet any breakfast yet."

"Ah, that can be arranged," said King Nyi as he darted over to look at a nearby servant, and a simple nod did the trick.

"Huh?" Lyon was flabbergasted as he saw maids lined up and preparing the said breakfast for a picnic right in the courtyard of the palace.

King Nyi sat on the large picnic blanket and even the chefs already started grilling on the side. He crossed his arms and laughed wholeheartedly.

"This is..." muttered Lyon as he slouched his shoulders before annoyed as he saw his three students dutifully sit and looked at him innocently.

"Ooooh? A picnic!" said the joyful mother.

"Haha, join us Mother!" said King Nyi. "We are about to witness Lyon versus our kingdom's finest archer, The Hunter, Rew!"

"Oh my! Such delight!" said Mother Queen Isabella. She gracefully sat by before calling out Selena, "Selena my dear, come sit with me."

Selena frowned and clutched Lyon's arm.

"Oooh, what a lovely couple! You make me jealous!" said Mother Queen Isabella as she pressed her cheeks together.

"Where is Father?" asked King Nyi.

"Stuck in the library," she rolled her eyes.

"Ha-ha-ha I see..." King Nyi smiled wryly before turning his gaze to his best archer and nodded.

Rew nodded then he stepped forward and give Lyon a bow and then an arrow.

Lyon glance over at his wife and nodded and only then did Selena let go of her clutches and sat by Queen Mother Isabella's side.

"So I put an arrow to your knee?" asked Lyon.

"W-What?"

"Well, you said sparring," said Lyon.

"Oh, hahaha, Sir Lyon jest I see," said Rew. "We are going to use the two target practices that had no arrows etched on them."

Reinhard and Rayus had their brows twitching a the subtle mentions of their failures.

The two positioned themselves right at the same distance to their respective target practice.

Mother Queen Isabella was looking at Lyon before she nudged his wife beside her. "Dear, has your husband ever done any archery before?"

"Darling? Well, he once lost in an archery competition," said Selena as she frowned.

"Oh my, what placement he got?"

"Second, it was a close call though," said Selena as she sighed.

"Oh, that's too bad, I hope luck will put a cloak on him today," said Queen Mother Isabella.

"Are you two ready?" said King Nyi.

"So we are going to shoot together?" asked Lyon.

"Yes," the guard nodded with his bow down. "Only when the majesty said 'begin' that we can aim and shoot, so bow and arrow down, Sir Lyon."

"Weird..." Lyon muttered as he did what Rew told him.

Now both were at the same starting position. King Nyi smiled before he said, "Begin!"

Rew swiftly pulled up his bow and taut it. He held his bre—

"Ngh?!" His eyes widened as his ears twitched hearing a swift sound zipping the air. His pupils barely managed to see to the side before they reflected the arrow of his opponent penetrated through the red dot of the target practice cleanly.

The picnic crowd gawked in disbelief and silence filled the courtyard before they heard Lyon's stomach growling. The best archer in Elyrianth lost.

"D-Dear, who did he lose to exactly..." Queen Mother Isabella had her mouth twitching.

"I forgot his name but, I think he was the next-in-line as the Elven Emperor at the time," said Selena.

"E-Elven Emperor?!" exclaimed Queen Mother Isabella.