Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1153 Harvestasya Will Be Back Soon

The group stood before the towering statue, the aura of Harvestasya lingering in the air like a gentle breeze. Cecile, the ever-curious strategist, couldn't resist seeking more information about the enigmatic illusionist.

"Where is she?" Cecile inquired, her gaze fixed on the majestic statue.

The golem, unwavering in its stony demeanor, responded, "Lady Harvestasya is going on a trip, and will be back soon."

"A trip?" Cecile chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Something must have caught her eye."

Kesya, the ever-eager Kesya, couldn't contain her curiosity. "Hey, does she live here?"

The golem nodded solemnly, "Yes, she made herself quite a sanctuary here. Her abode is the biggest house in this place, and the only one made out of wood."

"So, she is the leader in this place?" Liu sought clarification.

"More or less, yes," the golem affirmed, its voice resonating with a tone that suggested both respect and acknowledgment of Harvestasya's influence.

The group exchanged glances, contemplating the significance of Harvestasya's absence. Lyon, now reconnected with the memories of his past interactions with the illusionist, felt a sense of nostalgia for the camaraderie they once shared. As they navigated through the city, the golems led them toward the heart of Golem City, where Harvestasya's dwelling stood as a testament to her unique role in their sanctuary.

The city, despite its stony exterior, bore signs of a lively community. Golems of various sizes moved about, engaged in their daily activities. The buildings, constructed with precision, showcased the harmonious blend of natural elements and stone craftsmanship. The air, infused with the essence of earth, carried whispers of Harvestasya's enchantments.

the bustling city of golems momentarily froze in surprise. Eyes turned toward him, and a collective gasp swept through the streets as recognition dawned on the golems. The awe-inspiring giant statue in the center, which previously topped every other structure, suddenly gained a profound significance. The air was charged with excitement and reverence as the golems, acknowledging the familiar presence of their revered hero, took a collective knee.

"It's Emperor Hero!"

"Emperor Hero, welcome!"

The resounding cheers echoed through the streets, a harmonious symphony of gratitude and respect for Lyon's legendary feats. The city once paused in awe, now erupted into a lively celebration, with golems expressing their joy at the return of the legendary figure who had once saved them.

Approaching Harvestasya's residence, the group marveled at the wooden structure, a stark contrast to the stony surroundings. The architecture, though simple, exuded a warmth that embraced visitors like an old friend's embrace. Lyon couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity as if the wooden walls echoed with the laughter and lessons shared in the past.

Cecile, ever observant, couldn't resist commenting, "Lady Harvestasya certainly has a penchant for collecting memories. This place is a testament to her connection with the elements." she giggled.

Kesya and Liu couldn't help but giggle at Cecile's obvious jesting. Her sharp observation about Lady Harvestasya's penchant for collecting memories elicited a playful exchange of glances between the two, acknowledging the strategist's wit. The camaraderie among the group deepened in that moment, as laughter echoed within the wooden walls, bridging the past and present with shared amusement.

Lyon, Cecile, Liu, and the others stood before Lady Harvestasya's enigmatic abode, a structure made of wood that stood out amidst the stony surroundings. As curiosity took hold, Lyon queried the golems about her whereabouts and the anticipated duration of her return.

Lyon, surrounded by the stone statuesque presence of golems, inquired about Lady Harvestasya's imminent return. "How long is soon again?" asked Lyon.

Kesya, known for her witty retorts, replied with a playful smirk, "If she is still the Harvestasya that we knew, it could be in the next five minutes or the next five centuries." Her eye roll accentuated the whimsical uncertainty of Harvestasya's timeline, leaving Lyon and the group to contemplate the enigmatic temporal framework surrounding her reappearance.

"Did she tell you where she's gone too?" Cecile inquired, directing her question to the towering golems that guarded Lady Harvestasya's sanctuary.

"She didn't tell us anything," replied the golem, its voice resonating with the weight of uncertainty. The lack of information about Harvestasya's whereabouts hung in the air, creating an atmosphere thick with intrigue. Cecile's line of questioning, set against the backdrop of the silent stone city, highlighted the mystery surrounding their elusive acquaintance

"Can we get inside the house?" Lyon inquired, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity as he gestured towards the grand wooden structure that stood prominently in the heart of the stone city. The golem, a stoic guardian of Lady Harvestasya's sanctuary, responded with a cryptic "Perhaps."

Lyon's raised brows reflected both intrigue and a mild sense of challenge, setting the stage for the interaction that unfolded.

"Perhaps...?" Lyon probed further, seeking clarity on the mysterious barriers that protected Harvestasya's abode. The golem, unmoving and resolute, explained that a formidable barrier had been erected, barring entry without the elusive lady's permission. The dialogue between Lyon and the golem painted a picture of magical safeguards, a testament to Harvestasya's proficiency in the arcane arts. The uncertainty surrounding the prospect of gaining access to the house added an air of suspense, emphasizing the intricacies of their current situation.

"A magic lock?" Liu pondered.

As the conversation lingered on the magical lock, Liu stepped forward, impulsively picking up a stone and hurling it toward the front door. The golem's subsequent revelation that the stone had been repelled by an unseen force added an element of the supernatural to the scene. The interplay of Lyon's inquiries and the golem's guarded responses created a narrative tension, leaving the group standing outside the locked entrance, pondering the complexities of Lady Harvestasya's magical defenses.

Lyon's eyes widened in momentary horror as he observed Liu casually throwing the rock toward the front door. A brief but intense internal debate ensued as Lyon glanced back and forth between the golems and the airborne projectile.

( Wait a minute?! Isn't Golem made out of rocks? Did he just throw their little cousin?! ) thought Lyon.

The realization that both were made of stone triggered a fleeting concern – a whimsical contemplation of whether the golems were somehow distant relatives of the humble rock. However, to Lyon's relief, the golems remained stoically unresponsive to the action, their stony exteriors betraying no familial connection with the airborne rock.

In that sigh of relief, Lyon's features softened, the tension dissipating from his frame. The juxtaposition of concern and relief in his reaction added a touch of humor to the situation, hinting at the complexities of interactions between beings of different compositions.

"Looks like we have to wait outside," remarked Cecile, a playful glint in her eyes, as she turned her gaze towards Lyon, her self-proclaimed mister miracle. "Unless you have an idea to unlock it."

Lyon, the contemplative Emperor, approached the invisible barrier that sealed Harvestasya's abode. His eyes flickered with a subtle determination as he coated his hands with the ethereal essence of mana drawn from his own meridians. With a measured focus, Lyon extended his hand towards the unseen wall. To everyone's astonishment, his hand effortlessly traversed the magical boundary, meeting no resistance at all.

A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers – Cecile, Selena, Liu, Karina, Kesya – each expressing their shock in their own unique way. Lyon himself wore an expression of mild surprise, a testament to the unexpected success of his impromptu attempt to breach the magical defenses.

Lyon withdrew his hand, observing the fading remnants of the opening he had created. A distinct smirk adorned his features, signaling a newfound confidence in his ability to manipulate mana. Crossing his arms with a self-assured stance, Lyon declared, "Looks like we've found a way in."

His next move demonstrated a broader mastery over mana. Coating his entire body with the mystical energy, Lyon conjured a sizable hole in the invisible barrier, beckoning the others to join him. "Now!" he exclaimed, prompting his companions to react swiftly. They rushed towards the opening, eager to step through before it sealed once more, the ethereal dance of mana serving as their key to Harvestasya's mysterious abode.

Lyon's curiosity lingered as he observed the golems nodding in acknowledgment. "Enjoy your stay in our city, Emperor Hero," they communicated, but Lyon was left baffled by the silence that followed. Puzzled, he leaned in, putting his ear forward as if trying to catch the remnants of their words.

"What did you say?" asked Lyon.

Kesya, on the other hand, had already burst into laughter, rolling playfully in the courtyard. Cecile, with a knowing smile, remarked, "Looks like sound can't travel through the barrier." The group shared a collective realization that the golems' communication was confined within the enchantments of their city.

With the golems having turned away, Lyon's attention shifted toward Harvestasya's residence, the wooden structure standing as the largest in the vicinity. The group readied themselves for the next leg of their journey, eager to uncover the secrets that awaited them within the enigmatic abode.