169 -166- Demon, Tyrant
February 29th.
On the shores of Navori, countless Noxian soldiers, wearing steel helmets and wielding long spears, are driving the captives forward.
A group of bound Ionians walks with heads down, numbly proceeding forward.
Among them are women, children, elderly, and wounded young adults.
Their number exceeds four hundred.
These are the residents of Placidium and Navori.
As for the villagers of Weili, Faylore, and Wuju, they are already dead.
"Grand General, scout report, the Ionians are on the move."
A dozen generals surround Swain. On this vast salt flat, the Noxians are ready for action.
"What about the mine? Any activity?"
"Grand General, no movement yet, but our troops are already set up in the mine."
Swain nods.
Ever since he learned about the existence of the mine from an Ionian, Swain noted it. Now, facing Darkwill's command, Swain decided to deal with Ionia first and then return to Noxus.
Therefore, Swain spent an entire afternoon thinking and ultimately decided to use captives as bait to force the Ionian resistance to appear.
They will appear.
From the way they have been trailing like wolves, unless Noxian leaves this land, unless captives are rescued or dead, they will keep pursuing Noxians.
"Be vigilant. Put them in as soon as we make contact."
Swain says calmly.
"Yes, Grand General."
"Go."
Swain holds a long tube, a telescope, a convenient and practical tool.
Looking up at a hill, Swain observes the Ionians.
Sure enough, they have appeared.
————————
"The Noxians have noticed us."
"Irelia, this is an ambush, but we can use the advantage of the mine. We can counter-attack!"
Irelia stands on the hilltop and nods.
Even though it's from a distance, Irelia can see Ionian comrades surrounded by Noxians.
Now, they are waiting for the signal from the resistance in the mine, Irelia is ready for the attack.
Time passes slowly.
Until a flute sound from the rear signals the movement of Ionians on the hill.
"Charge!"
The sound of footsteps, like heavy raindrops.
First, a girl with a peculiar blade appears on the high slope, followed by Ionians carrying long sticks, spears, and short knives.
They either wear straw hats, tattered armor, or helmets with one side broken, carrying Noxian steel spears.
"Boom!"
Explosions occur.
The resistance knows that the resistance in the mine has also launched an attack.
Although they are reluctant to use Noxian alchemical bombs to destroy Ionia's ecosystem, at this moment, Ionians can no longer care about that.
It's not the way of the spirits?
It's certainly not.
But when they needed the Spirit, where were they?
Those powerful being, the mighty individuals.
Not a single one is intervening in this invasion!
They ignore the destruction of the first land by Noxians, just for the sake of balance in their hearts.
Absurd!
Irelia led the charge, rushing to the forefront of the battlefield, her slender limbs gracefully in motion. The blades behind her effortlessly cut through the formation hastily formed by the "panicking" Noxian soldiers.
"Don't linger in battle; our mission is to save our people!"
Irelia looked at the resistance forces already clashing with the Noxian soldiers around her.
They were not a match for the Noxians, but for the sake of their homeland, they willingly sacrificed themselves.
"Charge in!"
"Follow her!"
Amidst roars and shouts, hundreds of armed Noxian soldiers retreated steadily.
Irelia leads the charge, dancing gracefully, a beautiful and deadly rose.
The blade danced wildly, as if dipped in blood, creating a vivid painting.
Several steel spears thrust towards Irelia from the side, and Noxian soldiers roared.
Accompanied by painful sounds, not emitted by Irelia.
Several blades intercepted the spearheads, Irelia crouched, pushed her palm forward, and the surrounding blades danced chaotically, instantly slashing the throats of several soldiers.
Swain observed this scene from a distance, waved his hand calmly, and said:
"An excellent blade dancer."
"Signal the troops in the mine, use our remaining alchemical bombs and poison gas!"
"Use those things we spent a fortune buying from Zaun!"
Years ago, Zaun didn't challenge Noxus, and the poison gas Swain mentioned was purchased from Zaun's alchemists at that time.
The effects of those biochemical weapons were significant. Even though several years had passed, a squad carrying those alchemical weapons recently passed through the capital of Navori Province and reached a village.
When the released rockets ignited the oil barrels.
Green fireworks exploded, killing numerous Ionians with poison, but also the Noxian transporters.
Therefore, Swain knew that after using these alchemical bombs, they would completely annihilate the Ionians in the mine.
"Boom!"
The explosion resounded, Irelia turned her head to look, and the next second she extended her hand forward, shouting.
She saw a few men with straw hats just rushing out of the exploding mine, wearing angry expressions. But in the next moment, their anger turned into fear as they were met by prepared Noxian soldiers.
"Set it ablaze!"
Several Noxian soldiers held alchemical bombs, throwing them towards the mine entrance.
"Kill them!"
Swain watched this scene, raised his head indifferently, and gave a ruthless order—
"Get them all inside, shatter the rocks, seal the mine, and leave no survivors"
Swain walked a few steps into the captive group and looked at the alarmed Irelia without changing his expression, saying in a deep voice:
"Kill them all!"
———
"No, don't! Help me!"
"Don't leave me behind!"
"We can't go back; quickly, charge together!"
When the green poison smoke rose, the Ionian people, watching the familiar green mist, instantly fell into panic.
They recognized this mist; it was the strange poison mist that had completely destroyed the terrain of Ionia.
And now, the alchemical bombs thrown by Noxus not only shattered the poison gas barrels ambushed around the mine but also collapsed the rocks above the mine, blocking the entrance.
In this sealed environment, the lethality of these toxic gases was undeniable.
"Irelia, we need to retreat now!"
"They're killing their own people too!"
Two middle-aged men rushed into the chaos beside Irelia, speaking to her.
Irelia looked into the distance, where the tyrant, like a demon, looked at her calmly without any emotion.
"Can we, still leave?"
Noxus soldiers had gone mad.
They trapped their own people in the mine.
They even killed their own people!
Although they had solved the Ionian resistance with the minimum cost, such actions that didn't regard soldiers' lives as valuable and sacrificed them at will, wouldn't it chill the hearts of Noxus soldiers?
On the salt field, Swain saw the Ionian's actions.
Taking a short axe from a soldier, Swain walked to a slave.
Looking at the woman with a child, Swain's expression remained unchanged.
"I beg you, don't hurt him, don't hurt him."
She bowed her head to the ground, protecting the child in her arms.
Swain's eyes showed no ripples, he raised his foot and stepped on her hand, then lifted the axe.
"Ah!!!"
A scream of despair rang out.
Irelia quickly looked over.
She saw the demon holding a severed arm, looking at her from a distance.
He shook his head at himself.
Irelia knew what he meant.
"Damn tyrant!"
"You;re a demon!"
Irelia roared at him.
A surge of anger rose in her heart.
Is the dance of the Xan family related to Ionia's spirit?
Irelia didn't know about this.
Right now, all she knew was that if this anger was not released, she would go crazy.
The blades formed a circle, like a shield, guarding Irelia's side.
With eyes full of anger, Irelia made elegant and beautiful movements.
As if in a dance.
She raised her hand, took a step, and charged towards Swain.
"This dance."
"Is for the tyrant's funeral!"
