-208- The Twin Cities are powerful

Demacia, the Great City of Demacia—

A grand event is underway within the heart of Demacia, bustling like the late spring sky of May, radiant under the sun.

His Majesty, King Jarvan III, has ordered an alliance with the distant city-states of Piltover and Zaun. As a result, the royal city will soon welcome Zaunites and Piltovans, and a miraculous Hex Gate is to be erected in one of Demacia's squares.

The common folk have no say in this matter, and the nobility is divided. Many nobles opposed King Jarvan III's "impulsive" decision.

However, after deliberation in the council, the king's decree faced no opposition.

"The Hextech gemstone has become indispensable to Demacia."

"While there may be chaos, compared to the importance of that Hextech 'communicator'. do you think it's worth opposing the king? Even without the king's decree, the other group of nobles could tear you apart."

"Indeed, do you not use the Hextech communicator now? Are you not aware of its wonders?"

"When will the people from Piltover arrive?"

"It seems they will be here in a couple of days. They have marvelous Hextech equipment. I heard the Hex Gate technology can accelerate airship's speed."

Recent discussions among Demacian nobles have revolved around these matters, including Tianna.

As the current head of the Crownguard family, Tianna is loyal to the emperor's command, though she found King Jarvan III's decision questionable, she prepared Garen and headed to a border town of Demacia called Stonewood Village.

Several days later, outside Demacia—

Within the forest, on a route to the town of Ermwood.

"Hey! Come out, I've already sensed your presence!"

"I don't want to harm you, please don't block my path!"

In the dense forest under thick foliage, a petite figure emerged. She wore heavy gauntlets and wielded a massive hammer, twice her size, yet she handled it effortlessly.

With grey-white hair tied in twin tails, beneath her bangs, her youthful face bore a serious expression, but what was amusing, a small fang broke the severity of her countenance.

Before her, several figures emerged from the bushes upon hearing her words, one tall man wielding a dagger even flashed a wicked grin, saying loudly, "Little fella, if you hand over your hammer, we might consider letting you go."

"Impossible! Only qualified heroes can wield this weapon, and you guys don't look like heroes."

Poppy shook her head at them.

"Hehehe, then we'll just hang you up, strip you naked, and see if we're heroes or not."

Hearing this, Poppy's patience waned.

She didn't want to harm anyone, but she wouldn't hesitate either.

With a shout, Poppy swung her hammer, unleashing its full force upon the ground.

The hammer struck the earth, causing a resounding tremor. The ground shattered, dirt flew, and under a surge of pure light, cracks formed rapidly beneath the men's feet.

"Boom!"

"Ah!"

Stones pierced their chests, blood spurted, and in an instant, they collapsed, powerless.

In a heartbeat, Poppy effortlessly defeated the leader and scattered the rest, leaving them to flee in disarray.

Shaking her head in resignation, Poppy didn't pursue but sighed deeply before hoisting the revered Orlon's hammer and continued her journey.

"I didn't expect so many bandits in this place."

"Wait a minute, I remember, I seem to have killed many monsters here before? But why didn't I hear about any monster slaying heroes here?"

Carrying the massive hammer, the small figure muttered to herself, her steps steady.

"Hmm!"

"I think, this time, I might have a chance to find the greatest hero."

"He must be in the next village."

In the year 985 of the Noxian Calendar, May 3rd, Location: Piltover.

At the Hex Gate Center east of Piltover, public matters today led to a three-hour suspension of the gate's use.

At this moment, Linwin, Camille, and Viktor have all arrived at the gate center.

Originally, Linwin wasn't supposed to come, but he couldn't refuse the persistent little one's insistence.

Helplessly, Linwin had no choice but to bring her along.

With cute Lulu dressed in adorable children's clothing in his arms, the adorable little sorceress wore a flowery dress and a super stylish little hat, whimpering to Linwin, "Demacia, I want to go to Demacia too."

Upon hearing Lulu's words, Linwin immediately asked, "Why? Don't you like it here?"

He couldn't help but spoil Lulu.

On the entire Runeterra, Lulu is the only one with fae magic, not just a cute little one who can make you bigger and run fast, like in the game.

Lulu's fae magic.

This is an extremely powerful ability. Lulu's whimsical thoughts can reshape reality and change the structure of the material world.

So, to put it bluntly, as long as Lulu wishes, she can even rewrite a person's lifespan.

She can turn people into frogs or accelerate or slow down their time.

This kind of ability...

Lulu isn't a six-star card probably because she's too naive. 

If she were to develop her abilities to the extreme, honestly, how many people could withstand Lulu's "whimsical thoughts"?

However, thinking about it, it's because of Lulu's innocence and cuteness that she's deeply loved by the Fae.

Yordles are favored by nature spirits, and Lulu is probably the most favored of them all.

From activating the Lulu card to collecting it, Linwin only spent seven days in total.

Haha, seven days, and he obtained a powerful five-star card!

Along with that, Linwin also activated the four-star Tristana and the four-star Hexplosive Expert (Ziggs).

This is something Linwin never dared to imagine before.

Let's put it this way, Lulu added 180 intelligence to himself, and now intelligence has become Linwin's highest attribute.

Nearly a thousand intelligence has brought Linwin's wind magic to a whole new level.

And the increase in favorability among the Yordles, especially Lulu's favorability, really leaves Linwin at a loss.

Several times, Linwin sat in his office, and the system kept ringing incessantly.

Favorability of the Fae Sorceress increased.

Favorability of the Fae Sorceress increased.

Favorability of the Fae Sorceress...

He clearly didn't do anything! Yet Lulu's favorability kept rising on its own.

Honestly, what kind of stuff is going through that cute litter head?

"Because Poppy is in Demacia!"

Lulu pushed Linwin's chin and said loudly, "I want to go see Poppy, I miss her."

"But the frozen berry ice cream you want is being produced. If you go to Demacia now, it might be gone by the time you come back," Linwin immediately said seriously to Lulu.

Talking to Lulu, you must empty your mind, just don't use your brain.

"Ah," Lulu blinked her big green eyes, and by her side, the little fae Pix flew around Lulu anxiously.

"Then, then I'll go see Poppy after I finish eating."

Linwin smiled immediately.

As long as there are things in Piltover and Zaun that can interest Lulu, this little witch will stay here for a days.

For Lulu, who is curious about everything...

Linwin estimated that she wouldn't leave the Twin Cities for at least a few hundred years.

"Linwin, say a few words."

Before long, the students from the Twin Cities University who were going to Demacia were all ready, a total of eleven students, three teachers, and a group of excellent craftsmen.

But they were not all from the same origin.

Linwin nodded and put down Lulu before walking up.

"Good morning, councilors!"

The eleven students stood in three rows, nervously watching Linwin approaching.

And in the crowd, Linwin saw Orianna.

She stood in the second row, accompanied by a red-haired girl.

Is this Orianna's friend, Lorana?

Linwin wondered.

And Orianna was excited to see Linwin.

She liked Linwin and liked what he said at the Twin Cities University opening ceremony.

As a result, Orianna blinked her beautiful eyes and looked up at Linwin on tiptoe.

"The airship is about to depart, and I think Dean Viktor has probably already told you everything, so I won't say much," Linwin said with a smile in front of the eleven students about to leave.

"I'll just say one thing."

"Demacia is a powerful and prosperous country."

"But you shouldn't feel inferior."

"You shouldn't cause trouble, but you shouldn't be afraid to act either. If you encounter discrimination and bullying, tell your teacher immediately."

"Behind you, stand Piltover and Zaun."

Linwin gently raised his hand.

The wind appeared under the students' feet.

With a light flick of his finger upward, the students were enveloped in a breeze and flew into the air instantly.

Orianna looked in horror at the ground.

Her hands instinctively went up in front of her.

She... she... she's

She's flying!

Councilor Linwin can not only fly himself, but he can also make others fly with him!?

Then, at the moment they flew towards the airship, Orianna also heard the last sentence from Councilor Linwin.

"The Twin Cities will protect you."

In this moment standing on the airship, a strange feeling grew in Orianna's heart.

Piltover has never been a country, just a small city-state.

And Orianna and her father are not old Piltoverians.

Or rather, whether it's Piltover or Zaun, it's hard to trace their ancestry.

The old Zaun is gone, and the civilization of Shurima, to which Zaun once belonged, has also changed.

But now...

A small fire of pride ignited in Orianna's heart.

The Twin Cities, too, are powerful.

The Twin Cities will protect them from external oppression.