The Raven spoke in a deep, magnetic middle-aged voice. Even from his tone alone, one could sense the aura of authority within it.
Katarina could tell that the owner of that voice was a born leader.
"Commander, it has been some time. You have certainly made things difficult for me these past few years." Ryan rose with a helpless expression, as though he were facing a superior who liked to slack off.
"Everything is for the Empire. The Empire has been occupied by corrupt people for too long. It is time to purge them." The Raven's voice carried an emotionless coldness.
Ryan showed no particular reaction as he listened. He had always known that the other man was a saint.
Yes, that was his assessment: a saint.
He was someone who devoted all his spirit, loyalty, faith, and strength to the Empire. Right and wrong did not matter, nor did humanity, good, or evil. So long as it could preserve the Empire's future, he was willing to try it.
If someone stood in the way of the Empire's development, even if it was the current Emperor, he would overthrow him.
Ryan stepped forward and stopped before The Raven, helplessness in his voice. "But all I can do is make some moves here to draw their attention."
"That is enough, Ryan. If you were at the Immortal Bastion instead, you would only arouse their vigilance. Everything will proceed smoothly. Just as I promised, our Empire will surpass the Shurima Empire of old." The Raven continued.
"Under your direction, I have always believed that. Still, I do not want to become Xerath," Ryan said jokingly.
"Do you see me as nothing more than Azir, a tyrant driven by selfish desires?" The Raven's tone held mockery toward that name.
Xerath and Azir had been two supreme rulers during Ancient Shurima. Xerath studied magic, while Azir sought to become a great Ascended, an existence beyond mortals.
In the end, Azir's impatience gave Xerath an opportunity. Xerath betrayed Azir and sought to replace him as an Ascended. But according to records Noxus had obtained from the Immortal Bastion—
Both Xerath and Azir had failed. In the end, they had perished alongside the Shurima Empire, which had once been powerful enough to rule Runeterra.
"You are far more outstanding than Azir. I have always believed that." Ryan smiled. "Since you appeared here today, I assume you have orders for me."
"I have been watching every corner of the Empire from the shadows. A powerful collision of energy occurred here today, and I happened to sense traces of your magic."
"It must have been when Hextech caused those aftershocks. I cast a Water Curtain to block the shockwave, or I would have had to sleep out in the square." Ryan gave a slight shrug.
"Do not allow yourself to grow accustomed to comfort. The days when we hid from place to place in Pilltover were far harsher than this."
The Raven gave him a brief lecture before returning to the matter at hand.
"Is that the Hextech you described in your letter? What they have developed is already comparable to Piltover Augmented Technology. The Viktor you mentioned truly is a genius. I will push for the construction of the factory he wants. Within a month, he will see our sincerity."
"Piltover Augmented Technology? What is that? Piltover's hidden power?"
Ryan was somewhat surprised. He had not seen anything about it in Noxus's intelligence reports. At present, Piltover's strongest defensive system should only have been the H-28Q advanced turret that fired fireballs today.
"It is normal that you do not know. It was a secret project conducted by the Ferros Clan, once Piltover's wealthiest family."
"The Ferros Clan. Its head is Stevan." Ryan answered without hesitation. "I met him once. He is frail and sickly, with an intense desire to control power. I could sense his thirst for strength from his eyes, but he likely possesses no great power himself."
"He is merely a puppet. The true ruler of the Ferros Clan is named Camille. A few years ago, the Empire transferred her out of Piltover and forced her to serve by threatening Piltover and her family. But after what happened today, you should be seeing her very soon."
"That sounds like something those people at the Immortal Bastion would do. Still, for the Empire to value her so highly, what she is responsible for must not be weak."
A faint smile spread across Ryan's face, without the slightest awareness that he had caused trouble for the Empire.
"She is responsible for monitoring Ionia's movements. She is a perfect, precise machine, and the Empire needs talent like hers." The Raven sighed. "But her heart remains with Piltover and her own family. She only wishes to preserve the old order, and her vision is far too narrow."
"Not many people possess your awareness, Commander. We are all merely mortals." Ryan chuckled teasingly. "I understand what I need to do. In a few days, my letter requesting aid should be sitting on the Emperor's desk. Without the Hexgate, His Majesty's pursuit of an immortality elixir will have to slow considerably."
"Take care of yourself and remain cautious. The Empire needs you for its future ten thousand years, Ryan!"
As The Raven spoke, his body began to combust. Crimson flames engulfed him, and before long, he was burned to ashes, leaving behind only a wooden frame marked by faint scorch marks.
After The Raven vanished, Ryan shook his head indifferently and muttered to himself,
"Commander, ten thousand years really is asking too much of me. Still, leaving a mark in the history of Noxus and Runeterra does not seem so bad."
After sighing, he turned toward Katarina and asked with a smile,
"He is the Founder of the Trifarix. What do you think of your highest-ranking superior?"
Katarina did not answer immediately. She thought for a while before saying seriously, "As someone of the Empire, I think following him would let us see hope."
"Yes, hope. He is both absolutely rational and absolutely emotional. He considers everything rationally, like a tireless machine. Yet emotionally, he devotes everything to the Empire, all for the best possible Noxus." Ryan sighed.
Katarina's eyes flickered beneath the shadows as she recalled the conversation between Ryan and The Raven.
It was clear that they were planning a rebellion to overthrow the current Emperor.
Yet she was surprised to find that she felt no resistance at all. Instead, a hint of anticipation rose within her.
Noxus had long been filled with grievances because of that Emperor's absurdities in recent years. Now that someone was willing to stand forth on the Empire's behalf, perhaps that was not such a bad thing.
And for her to be able to join such a process might even be a kind of honor.
In any case, it would not involve the father who had abandoned his daughter, nor would it implicate her innocent family, her pitiable younger sister, or her mother. Giving it a try did not seem so bad.
"Miss Katarina."
Ryan looked at Katarina's face, faintly visible in the shadows, and suddenly spoke with a smile.
"What is the most important thing for an assassin?"
"Speed, and a sharp blade!" Katarina answered without hesitation.
"Then let us learn how to use magic to enhance speed and sharpen your blade. I believe you have the talent for it." Ryan pointed to the bookshelf behind him.
"You intend to teach me magic?" Katarina asked in surprise.
"Magic cannot be taught, but runes and a few tricks can make you stronger. The winds of the Empire are about to rise. You need to become stronger."
"I will become the sharpest blade in your hand, sir!" Katarina dropped to one knee, her voice sincere.
Ryan took a black leather-bound scroll from the bookshelf behind him. He had taken this book from his luggage only a few days ago. It was a copied version of a Noxian classic.
"It came from a certain Ionian sect. It describes some spatial tricks, using magical items or magic power to communicate with Runeterra's magical energy and appear instantly behind an enemy. Read it first. You can ask me anything you do not understand. The magical items will arrive in a few days."
"Thank you for your gift, sir. I will not disappoint your expectations!"
Before you continue