Twin Cities Testing Ground

Three days later, night.

Inside Ryan's room.

He sat upright at his desk, holding a book filled with various Runes. With the fingers of his other hand, he manipulated water in the air, sketching and drawing.

Just then, a Raven flew in through the window and landed on the wooden perch in front of his bed.

This Raven was different from the last, possessing two pairs of crimson eyes that made it appear demonic and bloodthirsty. Its sheer aura alone far surpassed that of the previous one.

"The Empire has taken notice of this place. Darkwill even threw a fit about it," the Raven said, its voice a steady, magnetic baritone.

"This was always part of our plan. Has LeBlanc made any moves recently?"

Ryan kept his gaze on the book, memorizing the Runes within, his tone nonchalant.

Matters concerning Noxus were for the commander to handle. His task was simply to stir the pot in Piltover.

Recently, due to the situation in Piltover, the nobles within the Empire were already quite displeased.

Even with the Hexgates still open, recent trade had significantly decreased. Despite Piltover's best efforts, the frequency with which Noxus's armies were transported globally via the Hexgates was gradually declining, leading to a substantial drop in the Empire's spoils.

Almost everyone in the Immortal Bastion speculated that he, Ryan, was behind it all, venting his emotions due to the previous Battle of the Presidium.

The Raven's four crimson eyes focused on Ryan, and it spoke in a low voice, "She's still hiding behind the scenes, like a succubus toying with the world. Her ambition is not small, but her vision is narrow."

"She's controlled the Empire for centuries, and that's all the praise you can give her?" Ryan chuckled wryly.

LeBlanc had invited him before the Battle of the Presidium, offering him endless Rune knowledge and even eternal life, with the ritual prepared by her personally, if he would betray Swain.

Power, wealth, authority, longevity...

Ryan thought of her confident tone back then, a smile spreading across his lips.

The Raven lifted its head, its voice filled with condescending disdain:

"The Empire is the only true entity in this world! Elevating our nation to the pinnacle of Runeterra—that is the highest glory in this life! But she only thinks of petty romances and past sufferings."

"Commander, we can't expect all our enemies to be like you. I couldn't handle it," Ryan shook his head wryly, turning another page in his book.

"If Noxus had someone similar to me, I wouldn't need to step forward. You and Darius are the only ones I can rely on in the entire Empire," the Raven's voice held a note of lament. "However, a few days ago, I received news from the pact. Our strength has increased by another degree."

The Raven's two pairs of crimson eyes glanced out the window, sweeping over Piltover as if it could see deeper things beyond the city:

"Compared to my last visit, the sphere of water enveloping Piltover and Zaun is even more impenetrable. A few days ago, there was still hope of breaking through from within, but because she joined Trifarix, the last opening was sealed. Such ability should be used for Noxus today."

Ryan understood the meaning behind Swain's words, knowing he wanted to know why Ryan was using a cannon to kill a mosquito. A slight smile played on his lips:

"Commander, Noxus will eventually be shrouded by the Raven's wings, but before that, we can make some preparations. Piltover and Zaun are the best testing grounds."

"I prefer to take things one step at a time, focusing entirely on the current war until victory." The Raven shook its head, revealing another piece of information. "News of Zaun's independence has spread across the continent. Darkwill is gathering the Reaver Guard to conquer Demacia, with plans to march on Zaun in three months."

"The Hexgate is Noxus's guarantee for troop transport, so it's not surprising he'd have that idea. This means we have three months to prepare."

"That's enough. By then, I'll be fully prepared to bury him and the Empire's decay together," the Raven's voice was low but held a certain conviction. "At that time, the Empire will usher in a new chapter."

"I will meet the Reaver Guard in Zaun. It's time for the old Undead Warlord to make his curtain call."

Ryan closed the book. With a remote grasp of his hand, water on the ground converged, surging and coalescing into a towering, robust body, 4-5 meters tall.

It was a magical construct known as a Warlord. In life, he was an impeccable warrior, once strangling a Demacian king with his bare hands. Before his death, he willingly underwent undead transformation, wishing to serve the Empire even after passing.

Currently, he served as the vanguard general of Darkwill's elite Reaver Guard, currently campaigning in Demacia.

"Before that, let us witness. What truly ignites people's endless fighting spirit: a beautiful future, or an impending crisis?"

Ryan waved his hand, and the water forming the Undead Warlord dispersed, re-forming into a three-dimensional water model of Piltover and Zaun.

"Zaun yearns for future gains, while Piltover clings to what it currently possesses. An interesting experiment."

The Raven commented, its four crimson eyes also showing a hint of expectation. Unfortunately, he had to deal with the present; otherwise, he would undoubtedly observe this experiment up close. Anything of value to the Empire's future deserved serious attention.

The man and the Raven conversed for a while longer about the world's situation before the Raven flew out the window and vanished into the night.

Half a month later, Zaun's Undercity.

A burly young man with a white mohawk and dark skin, his face covered, walked along a clean avenue, surprise etched on his features.

He had grown up in the Undercity, where there used to be a general store that sold strange trinkets and, incidentally, some information.

Back then, the Undercity was dirty and smelled unpleasant, but it was safe, and life was happy.

Since Silco took power, the Undercity had become an illegal gathering place, filled with all sorts of scoundrels, but none of the simple Zaunites remained.

But a few years later, Viktor came to the city. He had heard of his deeds: a genius from Zaun who attended Piltover Academy, a traitor despised by Zaunites to their very core.

But he had returned, returned to Zaun.

On the day he returned, he first leveled the home of a councilor, then, in front of everyone in Zaun and Piltover, he blew up the bridge that symbolized Zaun's humiliation.

From that moment, he knew in his heart that Zaun had a new master.

His name was Viktor, and he was the one who truly brought hope to Zaun through his strength.

To be honest, if it weren't for his memories of that time in the Undercity, he might have already joined him.

The burly young man thought self-deprecatingly, glancing around at the new changes.

Since Piltover announced Zaun's independence half a month ago, Zaun had begun to undergo changes he couldn't comprehend.

First, a large group of robots with massive tubes roamed the streets and alleys of Zaun, constantly sucking in harmful gases from the air. According to Silco's subordinates, these were called Air Purification Devices, designed to eliminate toxic elements from Zaun's air.

He didn't quite understand the science behind them, but at least the air in the Undercity was much better than before. There was no longer any pungent odor, nor the sour stench of rotting flesh. In fact, a faint fragrance even wafted through the air.

Oh, by Zaun, he hadn't smelled anything this good even in Piltover.

The young man, still wearing his mask, rubbed his nose, wishing he could take it off and truly savor the scent in the air.

"You, stop for a moment!"