CHAPTER 309 - Darling, Did You Miss Me?

Li Lin readily agreed to Jarvan IV's request, as he had already intended to help.

However, editing genes requires the use of "gene editing" and "gene targeting" technologies. These skills are unlocked at level 70, and he was only at level 69, needing just a bit more time.

He could reach level 70 by eliminating The Lady of Blood, Faris Noladi, and her Dusk Brigade. The AI had already locked onto this vampire, and an invisible drone was tracking her.

No matter where Faris ran, Li Lin would catch up to her.

Once all the soldiers were able to walk again, Li Lin ordered the mechanical troops to teleport back, leaving only a few Storm Robots to protect the wounded squad.

Jarvan IV informed Li Lin that they planned to avoid the main Noxian forces cutting off their retreat by traveling along the western Argent Mountain Range, heading to the nearest border fortress, Runewall.

If Li Lin could find and kill that vampire, he would meet them at Wrenwall on the eastern side of the mountains.

After bidding Jarvan IV farewell, Li Lin didn't hesitate. He located Faris's escape route on the holographic map.

Her location was close to where Demacian and Noxian forces were clashing. In mere minutes, she had crossed hundreds of kilometers, an incredible speed.

It seemed Faris had sent her Dusk Brigade to stop the main Demacian forces while she came after Jarvan IV herself.

Li Lin pinpointed the teleportation coordinates and activated the "Hextech Teleport" feature of his Infinity Armor.

Faster than Faris' blood mist, he covered in seconds what took her minutes.

Upon arriving at the battlefield's edge, Li Lin frowned at the sight before him.

Corpses were strewn across the Plain of Silent Lake, not just Demacian and Noxian soldiers, but also Noxian drakehounds and giant drakes, creatures he had only seen in books.

Blood, broken silver and dark armor, weapons, and tattered banners littered the ground, the once verdant and lively plain now a scene of devastation.

It was currently a ceasefire period, so neither Demacia nor Noxus had received word of Jarvan IV, and no truce had been declared. Thus, the battlefield remained uncleared.

Li Lin's brow furrowed deeply. He activated "Optical Camouflage," rose into the air, and scanned the battlefield with his armor's AI, estimating the death toll.

Over a thousand, mostly Noxian soldiers in standard armor, with a casualty ratio of roughly two to three.

"This is… war?" Li Lin took a deep breath, feeling a heavy weight on his chest.

The explosion and toxic gas leak incident orchestrated by Renata in Zaun had caused significant casualties and disappearances, but this felt different.

Li Lin couldn't outright condemn Noxus's actions as evil. From their perspective, expansion was necessary for their resource-poor empire.

To other nations and innocents, Noxus appeared evil. But to Noxians, these actions were about survival, something they had no choice but to do.

Demacia, on the other hand, was outwardly pristine but inwardly corrupt, persecuting innocent mages.

Rather than a simple good versus evil dichotomy, it was more about conflicting stances.

Moreover, deep within the Immortal Bastion lay an iron-clad force once ravaging the continent, now sealed, awaiting its master's return.

Over the past century, the Rune Wars nearly plunged Runeterra into full-scale war, often instigated by the Pale Lady, LeBlanc, and her Black Rose cult.

But the Black Rose's actions, extreme as they were, aimed to prepare for a greater threat—Mordekaiser's return with his undead army.

LeBlanc's methods, however, were too extreme, provoking wars unnecessarily. Li Lin couldn't reconcile with such actions.

There were better ways to save Noxus and prepare for global threats. Why resort to dark magic and war?

This self-destructive strategy made no sense to Li Lin.

If he had to choose, he'd rather support the hypocritical Demacia than deal with Noxus.

Noxus's use of chemtech explosives in Ionia's Navori Plains and Wuju Village, causing horrific tragedies, was still fresh in his mind.

"Master, The Lady of Blood is in the Noxian camp, one kilometer southeast of you."

As Li Lin lamented, the AI marked Faris's location on the map.

"The Noxians are discussing a retreat, considering their plan a failure due to your intervention."

"Retreat? Not likely."

Though Li Lin's actions represented Piltover's interests, and he had to tread carefully, eliminating a few Black Rose vampires wouldn't hurt.

Grand General Swain might even thank him.

With mixed feelings, Li Lin swiftly flew to the marked location, overlooking the busy Noxian camp below.

Li Lin quickly flew to the location displayed on the map, looking down at the Noxus soldiers busy organizing their equipment below.

Faris and her subordinates, the bloodborne Li Lin had encountered at the Gates of Mourning, were stationed in a corner of the Noxus temporary camp, conversing with the current acting commander.

Just as Li Lin had AI lock onto the gray battalion below, preparing for a precise aerial strike, the suit's system suddenly went haywire, losing its target.

"What's happening..."

[Master, the physical laws around us are being distorted. It's probably Miss Zoe's magic.]

"Zoe? Why is she..."

Before Li Lin could finish his thought, a golden circular portal suddenly opened in front of him. Out came Zoe, looking as playful as ever.

As soon as she saw Li Lin, she excitedly pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, her delicate face beaming with joy.

"Hi! Darling, we've been apart for so, so, so many days! Did you miss me?"

Li Lin: "..."

(End of Chapter)

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