-119- Submit or Die

"How should I address you, sir?" Stevan approached and inquired.

"I am General Wilton, Commander of the First Army, Fifth Legion of Noxus!"

"General Wilton, where is Viscount Boklan?"

Wilton lowered his head, looking at the frail old man before him, and chuckled, "That useless fool? He has no authority to command my soldiers!"

"General Wilton, this is not what we agreed upon initially."

"Oh? Tell me, what's different?" Wilton said, waving his hand, and in a few breaths, Noxian soldiers filled the area behind him.

Looking around, Wilton felt it was not an ideal place for a conversation. The open high ground had limited space, and the entire army couldn't descend safely. If anything unexpected happened—well, that wouldn't be good.

So, Wilton extended his large hand and effortlessly lifted Stevan. 

Seeing this, servants from the Ferros house rushed forward. 

One of them grabbed Wilton's large hand, shouting, "Release our master!"

Wilton glanced at the man, a sturdy middle-aged figure, but in front of Wilton's towering height, he seemed like a child.

"Annoying!" Wilton casually said, and with a swing of the short hammer, he struck the Ferros servant's face. Accompanied by a few shattered teeth, the servant was sent flying and crashed into a wall over seven meters away. His face caved in, covered in black blood, and he lay there with an uncertain fate.

Wilton then lifted Stevan, holding him close, and menacingly said, "So, Stevan, let's have a good chat, shall we?"

"O-Of course." Stevan nodded immediately, displaying political acumen honed over many years of managing the Ferros family.

Upon seeing that the arriving figure was not Viscount Boklan as agreed but instead a formidable Noxian military force, Stevan understood what had transpired.

But this couldn't be right!

Noxus should be well aware that making a move on Piltover would truly antagonize nations worldwide. To the north, there's Freljord; to the south, Shurima; to the east, Ionia; and to the west, Demacia was actively engaging in battles.

And now, Noxus was making a move on Piltover, in close proximity?

This exceeded Stevan's expectations.

However, the reality was right in front of him, leaving Stevan with no choice but to believe it. 

As he descended the stairs, Noxian soldiers, well-prepared, stood behind Wilton.

"General Wilton, all troops are ready, awaiting your command!"

"Stay on guard!"

Wilton declared sternly.

"Yes Sir!"

After Wilton gave the order, the soldier conveyed his command. 

In just a short minute, a thousand-strong army received the instructions and swiftly dispersed, guarding various routes leading to the Piltover tech district.

"Stevan, I bring the supreme decree of His Majesty, King Darkwill of Noxus."

Wilton put down Stevan, crossed his arms, and looked at him coldly, saying in a harsh tone, "His Majesty orders you to surrender the Hextech production process, merge the Ferros family into the empire, and assist Noxus in taking over Piltover. Afterward, Stevan, you will gain the friendship of His Majesty!"

Stevan's gaze suddenly froze. He raised his head, staring blankly at Wilton before him.

Join Noxus?

No, this couldn't be. Would Ferros still be Ferros then?

The guiding principle of the Ferros family was family supremacy!

"If you refuse, death awaits you and your family!"

"Submit or die!"

Wilton visage turned ferocious, terrifyingly looking at Stevan. He growled lowly, "Joining the empire is an honor for you, Stevan. If not for the need for someone familiar with the local area and to handle the aftermath, we wouldn't need you and your Ferros family."

"This is your last chance."

"I..."

Stevan looked at Wilton, completely frightened.

What approached him was not just a person, but a ruthless killer, a general who had killed countless on the battlefield.

Wilton stared at Stevan, grinned menacingly, and said, "You should know Noxus' way of doing things, tolerance. I can tolerate all cultures! We will allow the existence of the Ferros family. You won't even need to move to the Immortal Bastion. The empire needs your loyalty. After this, I believe His Majesty will grant control of Piltover to the Ferros family. Stevan, you can lead your people and be the king of this city."

"But Stevan, the empire has supported many kings. Over the years, some kings have had second thoughts, and their endings were all miserable. Those who defy the empire face death! Either be beheaded for public display, or hanged in the streets, becoming a rotting signpost."

Wilton threatened Stevan, "And now, I hope your answer satisfies me."

"I don't mind slaughtering a family on the first day I arrive in this city."

"After all, isn't the Ferros family the uncrowned emperor of this city?"

Stevan looked at Wipton and, in the end, slowly lowered his head.

Noxus was powerful and domineering, but Stevan also knew, just as Wilton said, that the Noxian Empire was highly tolerant, allowing the birth of various cultures.

As seen in the Noxian city on Shurima, Bel'zhun, it was a good example. The local sand people and the Noxian army formed a political alliance, bringing harmony and prosperity to Bel'zhun.

Piltover, too, was an evolving, enlightened city with great inclusivity.

Perhaps, by integrating into Noxus, the Ferros family would lose something, but at the same time, Stevan believed that they would gain something.

Wilton looked at the aged Stevan, who gradually knelt before him.

"Well done, Stevan. I appreciate your judgment."

"I am willing to become a citizen of Noxus," Stevan said in a low voice.

Wilton nodded in satisfaction.

At that moment, a soldier approached Wilton and loudly said, "General, people from Piltover are here."

Wilton nodded but looked at the kneeling Stevan, saying in a deep voice, "Rise, Stevan."

"Yes, sir."

"You won't regret your choice."

After Wilton spoke these words, he turned his gaze to an open passage where a tall man stood, dressed in noble attire, wielding a massive hammer. He stared in astonishment at Wilton's side.

"You... Stevan?" Jayce looked at the countless soldiers and then saw Stevan in the midst of the soldiers.

Those symbols on the soldiers.

They were Noxians!

"Jayce Talis," Stevan stood behind Wilton and whispered, "Sir, he's the councilor opposing me."

"I understand."

"The empire will pave the way for you."

Wilton raised his hand, and dozens of soldiers behind him drew their bows, aiming at Jayce. Wilton said in a stern voice:

"Release the arrows, kill him! I want to use him to establish dominance. Within three days, we must take control of this city!"

"No!" A woman's voice rang out, and Wilton squinted, seeing a woman rushing out in front of Jayce.

"I am Mel of the Medarda family, and my mother is—"

Several soldiers hesitated. At this moment, Wilton loudly commanded, "Release the arrows! Even if the Madam Medarda comes in person, she has no right to stop me! This is an order from His Majesty!"

"Swish!"

A row of heavy archers released their arrows, directly shooting towards Mel.

In a critical moment, Jayce reached out, pulled Mel behind him, and at the same time, he placed his Mercury Hammer in front of him. With a forceful twist of his wrist, a sudden orange glow burst forth in the dark night.

Dozens of one-meter-long heavy arrows shot into the yellowish barrier and could not move forward. Then, they fell to the ground.

Wipton saw this scene, opened his large mouth, excitedly looked at Stevan beside him, and laughed, "Is this Hextech?"

"Yes, General Wilton."

"Good."

"Third Squad!"

"Capture her. I want to personally kill her!"

Wilton was referring not to Jayce but to the other councilor who claimed to be from the Medarda family.

Stevan's eyes were cold, lowering his head, his thoughts unclear.