-141- The Lions of the West

Noxus Calendar, Year 985, January 23.

In the western part of the Valoran continent, atop the prosperous land, stands a colossal white lion.

This is another powerful empire in Valoran, renowned for justice, honor, and duty—the mighty nation of Demacia! 

In the capital of Demacia, buildings and walls made from the common sight of white petricite stones give the capital, Great City of Demacia, a look of purity and brilliance.

The most prominent structure is a massive stone statue standing atop the high walls of Demacia—a giant figure with wings spread wide, covering the sky, known as the Guardian of Demacia, Galio.

A powerful creation of petricite, a war machine that can ignore magic.

In the heart of City, within the Crownsguard family, serving the royal family for generations, the Grand Marshal of Demacia, Tianna Crownguard, dons a suit of armor adorned with gold and silver. With a blue cape flowing, her tall and straight figure is accentuated by the imposing shoulder guards.

Around her waist hangs a silver sword, and at this moment, seated in a chair, beneath her golden hair, Tianna's stern expression lacks any hint of weakness. Despite being in her middle years, she exudes grace and solemnity, making others hesitate to look her in the eye.

"Fiora, do you understand your mission for this journey?" Tianna Crownguard asked.

"Yes, Marshal. I understand," replied Fiora, kneeling on one knee, left hand clenched in a fist placed over the right chest, her name emphasizing her femininity.

"Demacia has been invited by both Piltover and Zaun after Noxus invaded Piltover. The details of this situation go beyond our expectations. The king has decided we must attend."

Fiora Laurent raised her head, looking at Tianna, and asked, "Why, Aunt Tianna?"

Tianna looked at Fiora, her beautiful appearance belying the touch of white hair at her hairline, revealing her age. 

Having served the Crownsguard family from the third generation to the fourth, Tianna now held the highest position in the council and served as the Grand Marshal of the nation.

"Check your pocket."

Fiora immediately reached for her pocket and pulled out a square box, glancing at it, she quickly understood.

"Where did you get this?" Tianna asked.

"I bought it."

"I mean, where is it from?" Tianna frowned.

The descendants of the Laurent family in Demacia were unique.

Their style was different from the calm demeanor of Demacia. 

Vibrant and radiant— is the symbol of the Laurent family. 

For the sake of honor, the Laurent family would even engage in unconventional behaviors.

It was precisely because of this that Fiora found herself kneeling before Tianna.

After all, Fiora ruined her previous engagement, and her father, when facing an Dauntless Vanguard soldier dispatched by Tianna, contemplated resorting to poisoning, a despicable method, to defeat the soldier. 

However, he was caught in the act and ended up facing execution by hanging.

But this didn't affect Fiora's relationship with the Crownguard family. On the contrary, it ignited Fiora's desire to become stronger. She wanted to restore the Laurent family's reputation and, for this purpose, was willing to sacrifice everything.

Now, Fiora, with her single-minded focus on honing her sword skills, had become a renowned master of swordsmanship and a weapons master in Demacia. 

She was likely the strongest noblewoman in Demacia, following in the footsteps of Tianna Crownguard.

However, in this moment, Fiora lowered her head because she realized she had asked a rather foolish question. 

Demacia was a closed nation, relying on the petricite forest to ward off powerful external threats. 

Demacia had thrived for centuries with united, brave, and skilled warriors, self-sufficient and not in need of assistance from outsiders.

Therefore, Fiora was naturally curious about Demacia's sudden diplomatic mission to Piltover and Zaun. 

But now, she understood. Thanks to Hex phones, which had become a standard among nobles in Demacia, communication was possible at the touch of a button. It wasn't magic; it was Hextech.

However, good things came at a cost. Despite the wealth of Demacia's land and the prosperity of its people, maintaining dozens of Hextech stations and replacing Hextech energy every quarter incurred substantial expenses. 

To address this, Demacia sought to establish friendly relations with Piltover and Zaun, hoping to obtain Hextech energy at a reasonable price or through barter.

"And, this time, Lux will accompany you," Tianna added, seeing Fiora's embarrassed expression.

"Her? Aunt Tianna, isn't Lux with the Illuminators?"

"Yes, but what does that have to do with her traveling with you?" 

Fiora shook her head, "Nothing."

"If it weren't for Xin Zhao's status, which makes it inappropriate for me to give him orders, I would prefer to send him to Zaun," Tianna said in a deep voice.

She acknowledged the man who had been captured by her in the past and now served as a guard for the emperor. 

He was a powerful man with extraordinary martial skills and exceptional talent. 

Tianna considered capturing Xin Zhao during a battle, when she led the Dauntless Vanguard forces, to be the most correct decision she made. 

Now, he had been serving the royal family for nearly twenty years!

"Remember your mission, Fiora. Meet with the leaders of Zaun and deliver the schematics for the Damascus Steel in exchange for a significant amount of Hextech gemstones," Tianna Crownguard commanded as she rose. This striking woman, with her tall figure and commanding presence, would instinctively make others lower their heads in her presence.

"If possible, discuss the possibility of an alliance with them. They are currently under threat from Noxus. We are willing to provide assistance and weapons and, in return, seek Hextech gemstones and the chance to examine powerful Hextech weaponry."

"Oh, and Fiora, there's one more thing. When the time comes, find a place for Lux to release her magic. She has stored a considerable amount recently, and it will keep her away from that mage!" Tianna's tone became solemn as she mentioned Lux.

Recently, Tianna had discovered that Lux was getting too close to a confined mage. 

In the Crownguard family, Tianna's husband served as the head of the mageseekers, tasked with hunting down mages within the nation. 

This allowed Lux to easily interact with mages captured in the country.

However, she had recently formed a close relationship with a mage named Sylas, something Tianna could not tolerate. 

This situation presented an opportunity.

Fiora also understood why the head of the Crownguard family was upset. 

Lux, Garen's sister, possessed magical abilities in a country that strictly forbade magic. 

Even a powerful family like the Crownguards feared the shame that would come if it were revealed they had a mage in their midst.

"I understand."

"Go. At the latest, in three days, the Piltover airship will arrive here. You will depart on a Hextech airship at that time."

Upon hearing this, Fiora exclaimed in surprise, "Aren't we going on horseback?"

She looked at Tianna in amazement, "So I can ride that?"

Tianna frowned, "..."

"Sorry... Aunty Tianna."

Fiora quickly stood upright, placing her hands on her knees.

"Go."

"Yes."

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