-315- The spider queen
Basilich - the port city of Noxus.
This port town, with a history of nearly a thousand years, has experienced something unusual every year for the past century.
Basilich's port sees ships heading overseas every day - fishing boats, merchant ships, warships, you name it, there are all kinds of ships.
Noxus is renowned for its naval warfare, and its influence extends across the entire continent of Runeterra.
As a result, Noxian maritime traffic is naturally well-developed.
But what's been unusual for the past century is that every year, when Basilich sets sail, a ship mysteriously disappears at sea.
Logically, this shouldn't be strange, as sailing is inherently risky.
No one can guarantee their safe return from the sea every time.
However, the strange thing is that the disappearing ships are always those that set sail around October each year and never return.
Every time it's October. And that's very unusual.
Once or twice might be a coincidence, but what about the fourth or fifth time? What about dozens or even hundreds of times?
So, a strange legend has emerged in Basilich - the Noxians of Basilich are cursed by the sea god of the Guardian's Sea, and October is the season when the sea god goes out to sea. It's said that you shouldn't sail in October, or else you'll encounter the sea god on its voyage and be devoured along with your ship.
But this legend hasn't stopped the Noxians from sailing, as not sailing for a month would be a big problem for the Noxians, who find it difficult to farm the barren land.
Therefore, in Basilich, people still set sail every October.
"Wait, do you have any other news?"
Approaching the alley, a masked and cloaked young man with a crow perched on his shoulder asked.
"I don't want to know about your fishermen's tales. I'm not interested in the sea god legend you told me."
Linwin complained to the crow on his shoulder, Swain.
"The sea god? Isn't that the Bearded Lady?"
Linwin even joked with him.
Linwin was now quite speechless. According to the expected time, he should have already returned to Zaun by now!
But now, he was still in Basilich, and after searching for three days, three days, Linwin still hadn't found any trace of LeBlanc.
She truly live up to the name of the enigmatic leader of the Black Rose, unknown to anyone.
"I used to think it was because Noxus waged war every year and destroyed the ecosystem, offending the spirits of the sea. But I only recently learned the truth."
The crow opened its mouth, continuing, "Indeed, every once in a while, a small boat sets sail from Basilich, and the people on board do indeed get eaten by some creature, but it's not a sea god."
"Swain, what are you trying to say?"
"A woman, Lorant, there's a woman here in Basilich, she's with the Black Rose."
The crow closed its eyes, seeming to be pondering something.
"A woman who has lived for hundreds of years."
After listening to Swain's words, Linwin connected several pieces of information given by Swain— the woman from the Black Rose organization, Basilich, going out to sea, and being eaten by some kind of creature?
In Linwin's mind, a figure suddenly appeared.
The Spider Queen.
Linwin suddenly froze, then exclaimed, "Are you saying it's Elise?!"
"."
The crow remained silent for a moment before speaking:
"The Zaavan family has a palace in Basilich. In the depths of that palace, it is rumored that there is a woman with eternal youth. In her dilapidated, sealed palace, there lurks a terrifying, ferocious monster."
The crow took off, leaving behind a parting remark:
"Lorant, if you find her, then you may have a chance to find the Pale Lady."
"So why didn't you just tell me directly?" Linwin watched the crow take flight and said.
"I can't confirm whether this information is accurate, and I can't even confirm whether Elise is truly her people."
Swain emphasized, "As I've said before, anyone could be the Pale Lady."
"Follow me, this is the last time I'll help you."
The crow transmitted its voice to Linwin as it flew through the air.
"After all, our deal was that you'd cause trouble for LeBlanc, and I need to prepare for my plans."
"Tsk!"
Linwin quickly caught up with the crow.
Since the first day Linwin set foot in Noxus, he had already become embroiled in the power struggles of this empire.
LeBlanc and Swain. Truly, they were natural enemies.
---
Within the spider's web, only the spider can remain unharmed.
Zaavan, the surname owned by the man who once betrayed Elise. Now, the Zaavan family has fallen, leaving only Elise as the sole "person."
A woman holding a glass of red wine sits on the throne. She is taller than usual, but despite her height, her body is alluring.
With fair skin, ample bosom, perky buttocks, and a slender waist that twists and turns.
But strangely, there are several extra bones behind her spine. No. Do they look like spider legs?
In the dimly lit palace, a voice rang out.
"I think it's about time, Elise. Have you prepared the chosen one to be sacrificed to the gods?"
Elise shook her wine glass and nodded, saying, "Rest assured, madam. I value my master's wishes more than anyone else."
With yellow hair, a slightly flushed face with freckles, the girl who looked like a country girl nodded and said, "That's good. Then, Elise, pay more attention to the cursed object."
"I hope this time you bring back some good news."
Elise nodded vigorously.
Even though she now had a new master, a powerful supernatural being, Elise still felt fear deep in her heart when facing the woman in front of her.
No. Elise even speculated, is she really her?
Is the woman who invited her into the Black Rose hundreds of years ago really the woman in front of her?
Elise dared not confirm.
No one knows the true face of the Pale Lady, not even the old man who has followed her for hundreds of years, her confidant.
Even many instructors who ascend to leadership in the Black Rose every hundred years doubt whether the face underneath is still hers.
Would this lady even remember her true appearance?
She has played too many roles over the years. Would she even remember what she looked like originally today?
But Elise didn't dare to ask that question.
Looking at the girl opposite, who was drinking, Elise thought for a moment and said, "But madam, I heard that someone has been inquiring about you recently."
"You mean the man who ruined my plans?"
The girl put down her wine glass and looked at Elise with a smile in her eyes.
"Yes, it seems he has been looking for you all along. Do you know about this?"
The girl smiled and nodded without denying it.