The Medallion

As soon as Marcia and Rocky pulled out of the Dragon Master Clan, they received some much-needed good news from Moira. The members of the Mu Clan she had sent out earlier had successfully escorted Bryant and the emperor back to the Imperial City. There were some obstacles on the way, but with the elite forces of the Ximen Clan supporting them on Bryant's orders, the group had already returned to the Imperial City safe and sound.

Rocky and Marcia rushed back and headed straight to the Palace City.

They met Bryant and the others outside the emperor's chamber. Lena was with them.

"Master! Basil!" Sabina and Lucilla exclaimed as soon as they saw the two enter. They had been waiting anxiously for a while, and it was obvious that they had been worried sick. Seeing them alive, the group breathed a sigh of relief.

"Basil, are you okay?" Lena asked with great concern, seeing the wounds on Rocky's body.

"My dear disciple, how are you even standing up straight with those injuries?" Sheridan commented, staring at the bloodstains all over him. "I would have passed out a long time ago."

"I'm fine," Rocky assured with a smile.

"Did you hand over the spiritual treasure?" Bryant inquired, looking between Rocky and Marcia.

"No." Rocky shook his head.

"Then, how did you..." Bryant asked doubtfully, and then looked at Marcia. From the look in her eyes, he understood that something must have happened after they left.

Later, he would be surprised to know that the two of them had witnessed an appalling internal war within the Dragon Master Clan.

Let's talk about it later.

Bryant said, looking at the

the emperor's chamber, Malcom's

sure that the real Basil's soul was hidden deep within his body, and it was in the process of awakening. His thoughts and impulse to

reason why he could no longer unseal the evil power of the Holy Dragon Bead, or his soul

he heard a

through, he still had

Father," Rocky replied, walking to the edge of

why did you have to act so rashly? You shouldn't have taken the risk of breaking into the Dragon Master Clan just to save me. If something had happened to you again,

protect you. For the Holy Dragon Empire and for—" Rocky stopped on second thought. He knew that it was not really him who had wanted to desperately

again, even if it is to save me. I owe you

heard about what happened to Alston,"

do. Don't let it bother you. It's not your fault," the emperor said, waving his

a little upset about it,

with finality. After a pause, he continued, "Basil, I have been through much peril. Although I survived the ordeal, I am much weaker now. I wish to abdicate the throne and announce the new ruler. I want you to take over. The throne would have been yours

Father. I'm not suited to be the emperor." He had been through enough trouble already. Alston was dead, and the emperor was safe. He met Lena again and

would never give up. A more dire situation would befall the Holy Dragon Empire soon enough. Moreover, with the continuous appearance of the

Rocky had other plans which were much more important than being the emperor.