CHAPTER 329 - Crisis of Trust

With Li Lin's support, Jarvan IV's resolve grew stronger. The capture of Ted and the loss of numerous soldiers on the battlefield were his responsibility, and he did not shy away from it.

As the Crown Prince of Demacia, he knew that facing his mistakes was one thing, but taking the correct steps to amend them was another.

Night fell, but the wine had little effect on Li Lin's enhanced body. He summoned the *Morning Star*, which had been hovering above him all this time, and retrieved a portable gene-editing tool. He planned to perform surgeries on several soldiers overnight.

The deadline for the prisoner exchange with Noxus was just two days away, and Barrett would soon arrive in Renwall. Time was of the essence.

Li Lin had to reassure the prince's guards and the newly appointed Commander of the Dauntless Vanguard, multiple times, before they reluctantly allowed him into the specially prepared surgical room. Their doubtful gazes lingered on him as he entered.

Meanwhile, Jarvan IV gathered his confidants, including Shyvana, in the war council chamber of the main fortress to discuss the prisoner exchange with Noxus.

"Your Highness, our duty here in Wrenwall is to ensure your safety. You cannot attend the prisoner exchange with Noxus," was the first opinion voiced by Pardeck, the newly appointed Commander of the Dauntless Vanguard.

The previous Commander, Tiyana Buvelle, who was also Garen and Lux's aunt, had stepped down from her position to run for the Marshal of Demacia. She had been a legendary leader, and Pardeck, though courageous, lacked her experience.

"Li Lin said he would help me," Jarvan IV countered, not agreeing with Pardeck's concerns.

"Have you seen the flying machines in the town? Those are Li Lin's inventions. Without them, our journey to Wrenwall wouldn't have been so smooth."

"That may be true, but…" Pardeck hesitated, unsure how to argue against the prince.

At this point, the deputy, Alberk, interjected, "But Your Highness, have you ever… questioned Li Lin?"

The room fell silent as everyone turned their gaze to Alberk.

Jarvan IV frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Have you ever wondered why he 'just so happened' to be passing by our battlefield and then 'just so happened' to save us?"

Alberk looked around, noticing the varied expressions on the faces around the table—frowns of doubt, confusion, unease, and a few with outright disapproval.

The room was enveloped in a heavy silence.

After a long pause, Jarvan IV glanced at Shyvana, who sat to his right, and said, "Li Lin told us he heard rumors of a dragon nearby…"

Though he didn't know the full extent of Shyvana's connection to Yvva, nor had she ever disclosed it, he had his suspicions given her draconic bloodline and the recent rampages of elemental dragons along Demacia's borders.

At the mention of the word "dragon," Shyvana involuntarily trembled. "A dragon…"

"Yes. However, according to reports from the Watchers on the Great Wall, that fire dragon was slain by a towering giant, radiating a blinding light."

"When the dragon scouting team arrived at the scene, they witnessed the giant lifting the dragon's corpse as if it were a mere toy, then disappearing from the spot."

Jarvan IV's words left everyone in the room gasping.

"Is that true?"

"Impossible… The size of an elemental dragon is no joke. If it was a toy in the giant's hand, that means it was at least a hundred meters tall!"

"Aside from the celestial warriors of Shurima, only the primordial demigods of Freljord could possibly reach such a size!"

"It would be larger than the Galio statue on the city walls!"

"But celestial warriors vanished after the Darkin Wars, and the demigods of Freljord are merely legends, never seen by Demacian eyes."

"Even if such beings existed, why would they suddenly appear in Demacia? I don't believe it."

"Hmph! Perhaps the dragon scouting team made up the story to cover for their failure."

"Haft, mind your words!" Pardeck scolded, turning to Jarvan IV, whose face showed slight displeasure.

It was a serious offense to doubt your comrades in the prince's presence, especially when those comrades had distinguished themselves on the battlefield. Even as members of the Dauntless Vanguard, they couldn't tarnish their fellow soldiers' honor without cause.

Receiving a stern look from his commander, Haft quickly lowered his head and apologized, "My apologies, Your Highness. Sometimes I speak without thinking… I didn't mean it."

Jarvan IV waved his hand dismissively, clearly growing weary of the discussion. "I wrote to the scouts for more details. According to their reply, it was a massive mechanical giant."

Mechanical… giant?!

The minds of everyone present immediately connected the image of Li Lin to the description.

"Alberk, as my deputy who fought alongside me after Ted's capture, you must remember how Li Lin drove away that vampire monster."

"At that time, those countless mechanical units, including many robots at least five or six meters tall, were also his creations. I trust you know who was responsible for them."

[arvan IV recalled the events of that day. "I understand your suspicions regarding his motives, but only Piltover possesses the technological prowess to develop that mechanical giant."

"From what Li Lin described and from his own words, it seems likely that he indeed controlled that mechanical giant and slew the dragon."

Jarvan IV allowed the group a moment to ponder his words before his gaze swept across Alberk and the three or four others present.

"You were witnesses to our journey. You've seen the strength of the floating robots that escorted us, and the larger machines—no doubt even more formidable."

"With such power, those mechanical armies alone could have nearly flattened Valoran. And yet, you suspect him of ill intent toward us..."

Jarvan IV couldn't help but shake his head with a faint smile. "How confident are you in your own strength?"

Even Alberk found himself at a loss for words. However, the prince's doubts about the military prowess of their nation stirred a hint of dissatisfaction in Pardek.

"Your Highness, those words aren't fair."

He observed the approving expressions of several of the royal guards before continuing passionately, "Our duty is to protect Demacia. My heart, my sword—they all fight for Demacia. No enemy can breach the mithril walls of Valoran!"

"Confidence and passion are admirable, Pardek, but..." Jarvan IV pointed upward, "Can you fly?"

"...What?"

Pardek was left speechless by the question.

"Answer me, Pardek."

"No, Your Highness."

"Indeed... but those robots can." A complex expression crossed Jarvan IV's face. "And their weapons can pierce through a Noxian soldier's standard plate armor in a single strike. I witnessed it myself along the journey."

Pardek fell silent, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation. Seeing the pained look on his face, Jarvan IV let out a long sigh.

"Chief Zhao, my uncle taught me something when I was young: Never doubt those you trust... After my conversations with Li Lin, I've come to realize that he is a truly wise man."

"Though he's quite young—very young indeed—his knowledge, behavior, and experience far surpass mine in every way."

"That..."

The group exchanged glances, uncertain of how to respond to the prince's praise of Li Lin.

"You must think I hold him in too high regard, don't you?"

"We wouldn't dare," they replied in unison.

But their expressions betrayed their true thoughts.

Jarvan IV knew that words alone would not convince them.

After a brief moment of reflection, he continued, "What do you all think of Chief Zhao?"

"A mere Piltover citizen could never compare to Chief Xin Zhao!" A soldier, clearly a fan of Xin Zhao, responded loudly.

Even among the Dauntless Vanguard, only the Sword Captain could serve as a personal bodyguard to the king. Yet, Xin Zhao, the Chief of Demacia, was an exception.

Over a decade ago, Xin Zhao began serving King Jarvan III, becoming a legend within the army.

With his three-pronged spear, he was invincible. No soldier in the camp could match him, not even the powerful Sword Captain Tiyana, who couldn't stand against him for a single round.

Xin Zhao had not only trained the Dauntless Vanguard under the king's orders but had also earned the respect of a young Jarvan IV, who affectionately referred to him as uncle.

The soldiers of Demacia held Xin Zhao in deep reverence, as did the elite warriors of the Dauntless Vanguard.

Comparing an outsider to Chief Zhao was nothing short of an insult.

Pardek was about to reprimand his subordinate for disrespecting the prince, but Jarvan IV waved his hand, interrupting him.

The prince smiled warmly. "If you admire Xin Zhao so much, you must know where he hails from."

"Of course! That far-eastern land he calls the First Lands—Ionian," the soldier responded with pride. "The same place where the unbeatable Noxian warbands were forced to retreat."

"Indeed, Ionia—a land of wonders."

Jarvan IV mused, "My uncle was born there, and so was Li Lin... I've often wondered what kind of magical place that is to produce such brilliant individuals."

The soldiers around the table listened silently to the prince's musings, none daring to interrupt.

Finally, Jarvan IV turned his gaze to Shyvana, who had remained silent until now. "Shyvana, you've met Li Lin today. What do you think of him?"

"Me? My thoughts?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question in front of the prince's confidants, Shyvana appeared a bit nervous.

"Yes, just share your honest opinion."

"My father used to say that Ionia is indeed a land of wonders." Shyvana hesitated slightly. "As for my impression of Li Lin... I felt a certain aura from him that made me feel a threat to my very life."

To think that someone could make a dragonborn with elemental dragon blood feel threatened...

Judging by Shyvana's expression, it was clear she wasn't exaggerating.

Even Jarvan IV was somewhat taken aback by her assessment.

The room fell silent once more.

After about a minute, Jarvan IV spoke again, "Alright, by now, everyone should have some understanding of Li Lin."

He glanced around, meeting the eyes of his varied, trusted soldiers.

"Just as my father once trusted my uncle Chief Zhao, today I choose to trust Li Lin. With his abilities, if he wanted to conspire with Noxus, there would be no need for him to go to such lengths to win my trust."

Jarvan IV's tone became resolute. "Tomorrow, I will accompany him to the Noxian prisoner exchange meeting. I will ensure that Ted is returned... No more lives will be lost due to my mistakes."

"But Your Highness..."

"No more objections, Pardek."

Jarvan IV raised his right hand, signaling for silence.

"My decision is final. Trust me... and trust Li Lin."

(End of Chapter)

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