Choice Born of Strength

The clamor of war had passed, and Noxus had won a glorious victory.

Du Couteau's army had won too many such victories, and everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Ryan, as the army mage appointed by the empire, sat in his private tent with a pot of Noxian liquor, seemingly waiting for some guests.

Not long after, the curtain was pushed aside, and the tall, imposing Du Couteau was the first to enter.

Behind him followed a ashen-faced Katarina. She looked as if she had completely lost her previous conviction.

Ryan admired her for a moment before refocusing his gaze on Du Couteau:

"This liquor I brought from the Immortal Bastion. I heard General Du Couteau likes to have a drink every time he wins."

"You don't seem like someone from Trifarix at all. You're more like you belong to the Black Rose."

Du Couteau stepped forward, grabbed the liquor pot, and took a large, satisfying swig.

The fiery alcohol burned his throat, unmistakably Noxus's strongest liquor!

"No one says all of Trifarix are warmongers, and the Black Rose aren't all delicate mages," Ryan said with a slight shrug.

Trifarix was secretly established by his former superior to reshape the increasingly corrupt Noxian empire.

The Black Rose, on the other hand, was formed in the shadows at the very beginning of Noxus's establishment, and they had a hand in every change of imperial succession.

He actually had a choice. LeBlanc of the Black Rose had personally invited him. If he betrayed his old superior, he could not only join the Black Rose but also be personally granted immortality.

However, he genuinely admired his old superior. During the Battle of the Presidium, when the empire abandoned them and their comrades were almost all dead, it was his superior who helped him survive the hardship.

His memories concluded, Ryan looked intently at Du Couteau:

"General Du Couteau, we in Trifarix are tired of the empire's internal strife. Noxus should rise!"

Ryan was not originally from Noxus, nor was he even from this world.

He had traveled through Demacia and Ionia, but ultimately, Noxus accepted him.

This place was the best soil for talented individuals. Whether it was in combat, magic, business, politics, or alchemy, as long as it benefited the empire, everything was accepted.

In Noxus, hierarchy was determined by ability, and status by strength. This alone was enough for Ryan to approve of the empire.

After all, no one would consider themselves an incompetent mediocrity.

Du Couteau continued to drink heavily, but as he consumed more alcohol, his expression became increasingly clear-headed.

Ryan's meaning was clear: the other party had come with a goodwill invitation from Trifarix.

Although he held significant power and didn't need to choose sides right then, facing the great changes about to sweep the empire, he had to make early preparations.

Having made his decision, he glanced at his daughter, who was still in a daze behind him, and Du Couteau said coldly:

"I am a general who expands territories. I only obey the orders of the imperial high command. I came here to discuss something else."

Ryan also glanced at Katarina, a smile still on his face:

"Please, speak."

"My army does not need unruly soldiers," Du Couteau said, his voice very cold.

As he spoke, Ryan could clearly feel Katarina's body trembling slightly. Perhaps her spirit had already crumbled, but because of her strict training and upbringing, she was prevented from rushing out the door.

Ryan's position was different from Katarina's; he understood Du Couteau's meaning perfectly.

Du Couteau didn't want to actively choose sides, but the empire's situation had become critical. A eldest daughter expelled from the family might become the hope of the Du Couteau Family, and within that, there was undoubtedly a father's expectation for his eldest daughter.

"Trifarix doesn't do charity," Ryan said with a slight smile.

He was cooperating with Du Couteau's act as a father. Although he didn't approve of the idea of expecting his children to grow through resentment, it was a family matter. If the father was willing to be a tool for his daughter's growth, there wasn't much he could say.

Hearing herself being evaluated like merchandise by the two of them, Katarina's face showed no unusual reaction. There was no anger, no hysteria, at most just a touch of unwillingness.

This was how Noxus was: the strong determined the fate of the weak, and the strong would not limit the growth of the weak. Only one's own talent was the best proof of one's path to power.

Here, one had to conceal the weakness in their heart with a frosty demeanor. Katarina had understood this principle since she was six years old.

"Piltover has been a bit restless lately. The imperial nobles' transactions there have suffered losses. His Majesty wants me to handle it, but I prefer war. From the recent troop movements in Noxus, we can't go to war with Piltover just yet," Du Couteau said.

He was very interested in going to Piltover to kill and burn. But if it was just to be a diplomat in Piltover, it would be a complete waste of his time.

His implication was that he wanted to hand over this troublesome task.

This was more than just a troublesome task. Trifarix, represented by Ryan, needed a pretext. With this pretext, they could control the lifelines of many nobles.

"Piltover, you say? It's developed quite rapidly in recent years because of the Hexgate. I'd actually like to meet that Jayce Talis. Both Miss Du Couteau and I will take care of this matter."

Ryan readily agreed. The outcome of the Battle of the Presidium had made him somewhat averse to war. He heard Piltover was a peaceful city, so taking a vacation there wouldn't be bad.

However, there was one thing he still needed to confirm.

"General Du Couteau, under what name will I be acting this time?"

He gestured to Katarina.

"From today, Katarina is a subordinate of Trifarix. The Du Couteau Family no longer has such a person! I will give you the Du Couteau Family crest; it can represent my will and the will of the Du Couteau Family."

Du Couteau said coldly. After speaking, he left with the liquor pot, which still had a little left, seemingly unwilling to stay any longer.

After a long while, Ryan stopped fiddling with the Du Couteau Family's magical crest in his right hand and turned to look at Katarina, who, like her father, habitually kept a cold expression:

"Ryan Meredith, one of the founders of Trifarix. You should be familiar with me."

Only after Ryan's introduction did Katarina finally react. She knelt on one knee, her head bowed low.

"Every Noxian has heard of your deeds, Your Excellency. I am willing to serve you!"

"Rise."

Ryan motioned for Katarina to stand, then leaned back in his chair and said, "I heard countless times while at the Immortal Bastion that Katarina is the most talented assassin in the Du Couteau Family, destined to surpass Du Couteau himself. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that."

"Just a good-for-nothing who failed her first mission," Katarina said with a self-deprecating look.

In today's battle, 25 Noxian soldiers were killed by Demetrius, and she was responsible for every life lost.

She held no mercy in her heart for lives, but she wouldn't deny her own mistakes.

"Where do you think the problem lies?" Ryan asked.

"Not following orders. If I had another chance, I'm confident I could kill Demetrius," Katarina said, her voice full of confidence when she mentioned the name.

In her eyes, if she hadn't acted on her own, it might have been a perfect mission.

"Miss Katarina, I don't think so. We are both Noxians; we know each other. Please answer me honestly: after eliminating the enemy commander, what was your intention?" Ryan's indifferent gaze fixed on Katarina.

"I…" Katarina's mouth opened slightly, but she ultimately answered dejectedly, "I wanted to continue with the assassination mission."

"Killing the commander was a bonus; that was absolutely not a mistake. Your mistake was only in one thing…"

Ryan didn't finish, but Katarina already understood his meaning. Her fists clenched tightly, her eyes filled with intense unwillingness, but she still took the initiative to clarify:

"I made my choice, but I lacked the strength to see it through."

"Good." Ryan nodded in satisfaction. "Maintain that mindset. Tomorrow, an airship will pick us up to go to Piltover. There, I hope you can complete your transformation."

"As you command, Your Excellency!"