Legends of Runeterra

Chapter 698: Crisis Emerges in Dawn Fortress

Xiongdu, the meeting hall of the Fortress of Dawn.

Jarvan III sat on the throne, guarding him beside him was Chancellor Xin Zhao, who had been with him ever since the end of the "Demon Rebellion".

Even though III told Zhao Xin more than once that there was no need to do so and that he should take a rest, Zhao Xin always nodded in agreement and continued to guard III afterwards.

After taking a look at his old friend's eyes which were slightly tired but firm and steady, Sanshi sighed silently in his heart.

I just felt that I was not thoughtful enough to let Zhao Xin leave to lure out the mastermind.

He glanced at the people waiting below, but did not see that familiar figure. Sanshi felt a little strange.

"Marshal Tiana."

"The minister is here."

"I remember the order was sent to the border a week ago. Has General Barrett not returned to Xiongdu yet?"

"Your Majesty, there is only news from the border that General Barrett has set out. No more news has come from the post stations along the way until Mitra County. I have sent a team to investigate, but no news has been sent back yet."

"Well, then send another..."

"Ta-ta-ta~!"

The sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, and the Third Generation and his ministers turned to look.

"Plop~!"

The guard knelt on one knee, holding the letter high above his head in both hands.

"Your Majesty, there is urgent news from Mitra County!"

"Um!?"

After seeing the blood-red stains on the letter from afar, Jarvan III's expression slightly stiffened.

"Send it up!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The guard stood up and walked forward, and another guard beside him walked towards him, ready to take the letter and present it to Jarvan III.

"Don't go there!"

"Shua~!"

A loud shout resounded throughout the hall. The guard who was about to step forward to receive the letter subconsciously paused, and a simple but sharp spear shot through the air towards the guard holding the letter.

“Crack~!”

"Bang~!"

The spear tip pierced through the guard's armor and went straight out from behind him into the ground, pinning him to the spot.

The guard holding the letter looked down at the spear that pierced his chest, then looked in front of the throne with a look of pain and disbelief, and saw Zhao Xin who was protecting Jarvan III behind him.

"Uh... Zhao... Butler Zhao Xin... why...?"

The guard groaned in pain and confusion, and gradually lowered his head.

"Everyone, get away from that guy!"

"Wow~!"

Everyone in the hall moved away from the guards nailed to the ground. At the same time, a large number of guards quickly rushed to the door to protect the ministers.

"Zhao Xin, what happened..."

"Your Majesty, that guy hasn't bled yet!"

Zhao Xin's steady voice sounded, and the people around him subconsciously looked at the guard's chest. It was just as Zhao Xin said, although the chest was pierced by a spear, not a single drop of blood flowed out.

It seemed that this guy was nailed to the spot by the spear, but Zhao Xin's sense of crisis became stronger and stronger.

There was even a mysterious feeling that made him not want to try to understand the other party's background any further.

Staring at the guards below, Zhao Xin did not dare to be careless at all.

Suddenly, the guard who had his head lowered suddenly raised his head.

“Gah! Gah!”

At the same time, a cry similar to that of a crow rang out in the ears of everyone present.

Everyone, including Zhao Xin, stood still, stunned and motionless.

But compared to the stiffness of their bodies, the expressions on their faces were extremely rich. Joy, excitement, longing...all kinds of positive emotions emerged among them.

However, soon, the expressions on these people's faces began to change and distort, anger, sadness, hatred...

Tears rolled down the faces of the ministers, and finally turned into deep...fear!

"Buzz~~!!!"

A golden-red flame rose from the armor around Tiana's waist, covering the entire hall at an incredible speed like an explosion, and penetrated the wall to spread to the entire Dawn Fortress.

“Plop! Plop! Plop!”

"Huhuhu~!"

The group of people recovered from their stalemate, and fell to the ground with their legs weak, with a hint of fear still remaining on their faces.

"Do not!!!"

"Shua~!"

Zhao Xin, one of the few who did not show fear, suddenly roared and drew the long sword from the waist of the guard beside him.

“Zhao Xin!!!”

A majestic voice sounded from behind. Zhao Xin paused and turned around quickly.

"Your Majesty! You..."

"I'm fine! Just now... it was all an illusion!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Xin nodded, but he had no intention of putting away the sword in his hand.

"Look what that guard has turned into!?"

A cry of surprise came from the crowd, causing everyone to subconsciously look towards the center of the hall.

The guard who was originally nailed to the ground disappeared at some point, and was replaced by a strange and eerie human figure holding a dim lantern.

"This is...rice..."

"Quiet!"

Tiana shouted and strode to the front.

It was then that everyone discovered that a ball of golden-red flame was quietly burning at the waist of Tiana's armor.

Tiana reached out and slowly took out from the inside of the armor - a jade token burning with golden and red flames.

"Hoo~!"

The flames burned fiercely, completely wrapping and protecting Tiana as she walked towards the scarecrow step by step.

“Gah!”

The scarecrow, which had been motionless, suddenly turned its head covered with tattered and dirty cloth when Tiana, who was burning with golden and red flames, approached.

"Lee~en~!"

A sound like two pieces of rough iron scraping against each other, which only Tiana could hear, suddenly rang in her ears.

“Hula~!!!”

The flame of the jade token erupted again and rushed towards the scarecrow.

“Gah! Gah!”

As the crows cried, the scarecrow gradually burned up in the flames, leaving no ashes.

The jade token also became dull and no longer had its previous magical power.

"Uh..."

A sharp pain came from Tiana's wrist where the jade token was held.

"Marshal Tiana?"

"I'm fine, Your Majesty. That was a trick left by a demon, and it has now been cleared by this jade token!"

Looking at the ministers who subconsciously moved away from her, Tiana raised the jade token and answered loudly.

"Thank you for your hard work, Marshal Tiana!"

As Jarvan III spoke, he walked down from the throne. In front of him was still the Butler Zhao Xin.

But this time, Zhao Xin vaguely sensed that the strange aura had disappeared, as well as the aura that the jade token had revealed before, so he chose to put the sword back to his waist.

The Third Generation walked to within two meters of Tiana. The king and his subject made eye contact and instantly confirmed each other's intentions.

"Zhao Xin, pass on my order, Xiongdu goes on level one alert.

An emergency meeting will be held next. Marquis and those below the rank of general, please leave!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Everyone saluted, and then those who were not of sufficient rank left the hall under the protection of the guards.

"Boom~!"

The doors of the parliament hall were shut tightly and an emergency meeting was held.

The guards stationed in Xiongdu also began to be secretly mobilized and implemented the highest level of martial law.