Lior Croft: The Storm They Never Saw Coming!

THE REWARDS

Sophia’s brows furrowed, her voice trembling with confusion as she asked,  

“Why?”  

Her words echoed faintly, drawing every eye toward Lior.  

Lior’s gaze was steady, his tone calm but firm. “Because it is fake.”  

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Governor Marcus stepped forward, his robes sweeping the floor with authority. 

His voice thundered, “Impossible! The Blood Moon Stone cannot be fake. I picked it myself, and I am one of the top artifact appraisers in the country. Years of experience do not lie.”  

Lior bowed slightly. “With all due respect, Governor, I do not question your identity or your reputation. But I know this stone is a forgery.”  

The governor’s eyes narrowed. “Explain yourself.”  

Lior gestured toward the glittering stone in the open box. “The True Blood Moon Stone has a deep crimson hue, almost alive, shifting faintly under moonlight, or under a torch light.

Its edges are sharp yet smooth, like glass carved by divine hands. This one, however, is duller, its color leaning toward garnet rather than blood‑red. 

The shape is imperfect, too rounded, lacking the natural symmetry of the original. These flaws betray its falsehood.” 

All this information, Lior reported directly from the system.

The governor ordered a torch light. He lifted the box, staring at the stone as it shimmered under the torchlight. “I see nothing wrong. Are you trying to make a fool of me, boy?”  

Lior shook his head. “No, Governor. In fact, I have a way to prove it.”  

Before Marcus could respond, one of his officials stormed forward, his face twisted with outrage. 

“How dare you insult the governor! He has shown nothing but kindness to a common servant like you, and this is how you repay him? Shameless! You should be on your knees begging for forgiveness.”  

The crowd murmured in agreement, some nodding, others glaring at Lior.  

But Marcus raised his hand, silencing the official. His voice was calm but commanding. “Enough. Let him prove it.”  

Lior stepped forward, his confidence unwavering. “The Blood Moon Stone is said to be nearly unbreakable. Yet this replica will shatter with the slightest pressure.”  

Marcus frowned. “Very well. But be warned; this stone cost a fortune. If you are wrong, you will have destroyed a priceless artifact.”  

Lior smiled faintly. “I won’t need that much pressure.”  

He took the stone from the box, held it up for all to see, then dropped it onto the marble floor. The sound echoed sharply.

Gasps filled the hall as Lior raised his foot and brought it down hard.  

The stone shattered instantly, fragments scattering across the floor like broken glass.  

The hall erupted in shock. The governor’s eyes widened, his composure failing. King Aldric himself rose from his throne, disbelief written across his face.  

“By the gods…” the king whispered.  

Voices surged from the crowd:  

“He was right!”  

“Is this man truly a servant?”  

“Unbelievable!”  

Marcus stood frozen, then slowly composed himself. His voice was quieter now, tinged with humility. “I must admit… for the first time, I have been fooled. 

Perhaps age has made my skills rusty. Whoever sold me this fake will return my money in full. Thank you, Lior, for your keen eyes.”  

He bowed slightly, a gesture of respect that stunned the hall.  

“Tell me,” Marcus continued, “where did you learn the art of appraisal?”  

Lior bowed in return. “I taught myself, Governor. I am not perfect, but today I was fortunate.”  

The humility in his words softened Marcus’s humiliation. He nodded. “Very well. You should not remain a servant. Your skills are too valuable.”  

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden card. “Here. Visit this address. We will go to the antique hall and put your talents to proper use.”  

Lior accepted it with gratitude. “Thank you, sir.”  

Marcus turned to King Aldric. “My old friend, to make up for today, I demand all sentences against Lior be lifted, and his debts considered paid.”  

The king inclined his head. “If that pleases you, old friend, so it shall be.”  

Then Aldric addressed Lior directly. “I promised a reward to the one who healed the governor. Speak your request, and I will grant it.”  

Lior smiled. “Your Majesty, I request entrance into the Royal Academy.”  

The hall gasped. The academy was reserved for royals and elite families. Yet Aldric did not hesitate. “Granted.”  

Relief washed over the king. He had hoped that Lior wouldn't get cocky and request for something which he would find hard to grant after giving his word.

Until Lior continued. “I wish to keep serving in the palace, but with the right to leave freely.”  

Aldric nodded. “Done.”  

He began to sit, thinking that was all, but Lior’s voice rang out again. “And…”  

The king froze, his patience thinning. “And what?”  

Lior’s tone was resolute. “I want electricity restored to Ravenshire village in my name. And every resident living there, granted a thousand dollars monthly, for as long as I serve in the palace.”  

The hall fell silent. Aldric’s stomach churned. Ravenshire housed even the exiled. Yet he had given his word.  

“Fine,” he said at last, his voice tight. “It will be done.”  

The king sat down impatiently, signaling the end of requests. Lior, however, was satisfied. He had begun fulfilling promises to his people at Ravenshire.  

Sophia’s eyes glistened. She whispered, “Lior is truly noble. He thinks not of himself, but of his people. A true leader.”  

She handed him a black card. “This was my father’s gift on my birthday. It grants access to any place or event in our cities. Now it is yours.”  

Lior accepted it gratefully. “Thank you.”  

Marcus added, “That golden card contains ten million dollars. Spend it in any shop under my governance. With your skills, you’ll earn double in a day.”  

Lior was speechless. “I… Thank you, Governor. I will forever be grateful.”  

Marcus waved it off. “You earned it.” He turned to Aldric. “I beg to take my leave.”  

“Go ahead,” the king replied.  

Sophia smiled softly. “Hope to see you soon, Lior.”  

He nodded.  

The king ordered the guards to remove the metallic band from Lior’s neck and they obeyed.  

“Kneel before my throne,” Aldric commanded.  

Lior knelt, wondering what was coming next.  

“Lior Raz, from today, you are a freeman. You may leave the palace whenever you please. You are granted citizenship of the Azurefang clan as an honorable member.”  

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”  Lior was pleased that everything was going according to plan.

A scribe brought a piece of paper. The king signed, sealed, and stamped it, handing it to Lior.  

“This paper will serve as a witness to my words. Rise.”  

Lior stood, his eyes drifting to Delilah and Frederick in the corner. Frederick’s face burned with anger, while Delilah’s calm expression showed her new schemes.  

Maids escorted Lior to his new quarters which were spacious, luxurious, far better than the cramped servant’s chamber he once endured.  

He laid on his bed with a wide grin.

“As long as I live in this palace, I'll rain down storms, till they pay for everything I went through.” He said to himself.