Chapter 54: Demon Prince Lyon's Rule is Ultimate

Kairo and his party entered his villa through the portal, which closed behind them when no magic was keeping it open. The orrery had stopped spinning and resumed its usual display.

Jan and Zindor-sekkan were waiting for them near the hearth.

"Good." Jan nodded when he saw Kairo. He frowned when he couldn't see Genie.

"The Shadow Cabal has Genie." Lady Bluesteed worryingly informed him.

He sighed. "Then we must see our prince. Kairo-wizard, change into fresh clothes and follow."

As soon as Kairo had redressed in unspoiled clothes, they left the villa.

Kairo frowned as he noticed a lot of soldiers and servants were making repairs to doors, windows and other broken building parts.

"Court Visor Jan, what happened?"

Jan and the others looked sad.

"The palace was under attack while you were in the Purgatory Cell."

Yanmu's words resurfaced in his mind about his pirates and Shadow Cabal attacking the place. His eyes narrowed with ire and hands curled into fists, but he silently followed them into the audience hall, which was lacking many nobles.

"We'll return to our posts." Adell-guard bowed to Jan.

He nodded. The guards said their farewells and left the group. The sekkat priests also said their farewells.

"Don't worry Kairo-wizard, we'll get Genie-bey back. Just ask, and I'll be there for you," Eldor-sekkat said when he bowed and followed the others out of the hall.

"I've got to pick up my brother. Don't get too worked up. Genie-bey needs your cool head." Lady Candice patted Kairo's shoulder as she left the group.

"Court Visor Jan, was the insurgency that devastating?"

Jan sighed and said that he wasn't there for most of it.

Kairo's heart raced as Jan told his chilling side of the event, where Valerr had forced Lyon to imprison him and Aldrick-pasha on false charges. Fortunately, their sekkat allies had snuck into Jan's cell to release him. It was at the time, Valerr had just left the dungeons.

"We went to free Aldrick-pasha and Lady Foster, and saw them in a shrieker cell-pool."

"Valerr caused that?" Kairo frowned, feeling disgust for Leela's mother. The woman was cold and ruthless.

Jan saw the boy struggling with his emotions and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We were able to rescue them. The important thing is we're all safe. The palace is in Lyon's control. Now, thanks to you, the border as well."

Kairo and Jan entered the throne room when they were called, and formally greeted Lyon on his throne. He noticed a sore lack of court visors.

Lyon nodded. "Kairo-wizard, step forward."

Kairo obeyed with his head bowed. He used to bow his head to Lyon because he didn't want to be shrieker food. Now it was in respect. And maybe because he was dating his brother, so he wanted to give good impressions.

Lyon stepped off his throne to stand before Kairo. "Raise your head. From now on, you don't need to bow before me. Kretos smiled upon you when you fell into Manfred-nun's hands to foil his plans. Justice was delivered. Thanks to you and Genie, our borders are secured."

Nods and murmurs of approval went around the room. Jan smiled proudly.

Kairo felt uncertain on how to take this high honor, but his thoughts soon gathered on his desire to rescue Genie. So, he decided to be frank with his words.

"Sire, Genie was abducted by the Shadow Cabal. I request permission to bring him back."

Lyon nodded. He passed orders to his court visors for the gathering of conclusive and irrefutable evidence of Valerr's lies and corruption that led to the palace attack. They would then make it public knowledge to restore confidence and normalcy within his rule.

"And, my father will feel the sting of his failure." Lyon returned to his throne, pleased by the energy and inspiration he was sensing from his loyal subjects.

"Kairo-wizard, as per your request, permission granted. You'll have a unit of the strongest warriors under your command. Perhaps, while you go about rescuing Genie, you'll do some significant damage to that troublesome order."

"Sire!" Kairo nodded, took two steps back and left the throne room when he was given the permission.

His mind was focused on his plan to bring Genie home.