Launching a Coup

We returned to Rappor's military camp the way we had come, exchanged a few words, and rode an Ironhorn Bull cart back to Doco.

This time, we took a trade road with relatively heavy foot traffic. None of the dangers from before occurred. I drove in front while Riven sat in the back, listening intently as Darius told all sorts of thrilling stories. The two of them gradually became familiar with each other.

After spending this time together, I discovered that Darius was actually quite easygoing. Some of our views were also very similar. Especially after learning of his grand ambition, I became even more determined to help him.

Of course, that did not include conquering the world. I would only help him seize leadership of Noxus, then continue my own adventures in this world.

After returning to Doco, Darius said he was going to find Swain and might need several days before returning. He told me to wait for him at Tam's training grounds. I did not want to see Tam, so I took Riven around the marketplace instead.

One of us had black hair and the other white hair, and we were both dressed in rags. Wherever we went, people looked down on us. Some even suspected we were slaves who had run away from someone's household. I touched the money pouch on my body and found that I still had several Gold Coins, so I decided to buy some clean clothes first.

I had no particular requirements for clothing. I casually bought a coat that fit and changed into it. Riven, however, seemed very interested. She had never worn a good set of clothes in her life, and now, faced with such a wide variety of styles, she could hardly put any of them down.

"If you like them, buy a few more. It's fine."

"Really?"

Riven was overjoyed and picked even more seriously. After all, she was a teenage girl. Things related to clothes and makeup always held enormous appeal for girls her age.

To my surprise, Riven ultimately bought only one outfit. She did not choose expensive furs or beautiful formalwear. Instead, she bought a sturdy-looking set of coarse cloth shirt and trousers, styled more like men's clothing.

"Why did you choose this one?"

"These clothes suit me better. If I wore those pretty clothes, I wouldn't be able to work. I want to earn money and repay you."

I smiled and said nothing more, but my fondness for her deepened.

After buying clothes and having a filling meal, we wandered around without any particular destination. Riven became excited whenever she saw something new, but every time I wanted to buy it for her, she refused, saying she did not want to spend money carelessly.

Later, we passed a weapon shop, and she could not move her feet. Her eyes stared fixedly at the weapons inside, and every now and then, she looked at me as if asking for my opinion.

Was she truly a born warrior? Otherwise, what girl would like blades and swords? I did not want her to become a warrior, so I did not respond.

"Kid, do you want one?"

Seeing Riven's strong interest in the weapons, the shop owner took the opportunity to ask.

Riven nodded, but when she saw that I had no intention of buying anything, she immediately shook her head again. I felt a little sad, but I still hardened my heart and pulled her away.

If possible, I never wanted her to come into contact with battle. No one knew better than I did what kind of torment awaited her once she stepped onto the battlefield.

Perhaps my decision would mean one less hero in this world, but it would also mean one less unfortunate girl.

I did not want to say something as boring as "it's for her own good." I was simply doing what my heart told me to do.

The passage of time was objective, but its length was subjective. During battle, every breath and every stare exchanged with an enemy felt unbearably long. Yet now, although we had not visited many places, half a day had passed in the blink of an eye.

After night fell, I found a shabby little inn. The proper inns here all offered women's services, which was practically a major feature of Noxus. Perhaps it was related to the large flow of travelers here.

For three days straight, we had a wonderful time. Doco was a very large town. If we just wandered around for fun, we would not finish exploring it even in ten days.

More interestingly, we watched one circus performance and two plays. The animal trainers in the circus displayed extraordinary skill.

From fierce Giant Bears and giant wolves to monkeys and tabby cats, as well as many animals I did not recognize, they completed a series of difficult movements under the trainers' commands.

The circus clowns performed all kinds of special acts. With magic and lights accompanying them, they drew wave after wave of cheers. I did not know whether Shaco was among them. After all, clowns all looked the same after putting on makeup.

As for the two plays, one was called Founding of Prosperity. It was a historical drama about how the Darkwill Family established the Noxus Empire after overcoming countless hardships. The exaggerated acting was hilarious, but many people said it was all true.

The other was called The Conqueror. It told of the campaigns of the four generals Darius, Swain, Rappor, and Kled. With their united efforts, the empire's territory continued to expand and its strength reached unprecedented heights. It counted as a modern drama.

I was someone who rarely even went to the cinema, while Riven was a poor girl from the lowest social class. These wonderful performances fascinated both of us so much that we excitedly discussed the best parts even after leaving the theater.

I asked Riven what she planned to do next. She said she wanted to help Darius with me. I refused on the grounds that she was too young and clearly told her never to have anything to do with the military in the future.

Riven did not understand at all, but she still nodded and promised that she would only support herself through work from then on.

I patted her head, feeling terrible inside, because doing this was equivalent to interfering with her life and her freedom.

That night, I met the person I least wanted to see—Tam. My instincts told me that nothing good ever came from meeting him.

"Long time no see, Zhao Xin. Oh, and there's a little girl too. Have you two had fun these past few days?"

"The process was perfect, but meeting you makes for a terrible ending."

"Haha, you still hate me so much. Darius is back. He told you to meet him at the arena tomorrow. I think tonight will be your last joyful night."

As he spoke, he kept looking Riven up and down, his eyes revealing their usual greed. I knew what he was thinking and quickly said:

"Don't even think about it. She will never risk her life for you in the arena. She will stay far away from battle. I will not let off anyone who leads her to take up a weapon!"

"Ah, what a pity. With a little simple training, she would clearly become a fine warrior. Since you're so protective of her, I won't meddle. You said you won't let off anyone who leads her to take up a weapon. I hope that person won't be you."

I had no idea what nonsense Tam was talking about. Since I had made this decision, I naturally would not let her participate in any battle. But then again, people truly were selfish. Without realizing it, I had already begun to regard Riven as mine.

At dawn, we came to Tam's arena. It was as lively as ever, and the spectators were as fanatical as ever. They shouted loudly, like a pack of madmen.

I found this atmosphere deeply repulsive, because I too had once been treated like a beast by them.

There were seven people in the arena. One had an average build, with firm, well-proportioned muscles, and held a Steel Knife slightly longer than a dagger.

The other six were obviously in the same group. They wore identical outfits, fully armed with shields and swords. It was another battle that appeared hopelessly one-sided.

It was easy to see from the audience's bets that most people believed the team of six would win. Yet I had no doubt that the average-built man would prevail. Before I could place a bet, Riven eagerly took out two Silver Coins and placed them on the lone fighter.

She stared unblinkingly at the arena, her mouth slightly open and her hands clenched into fists. From time to time, she stomped her feet. She was completely absorbed. Her inborn instinct and eye for battle really were hard to restrain. It seemed I would have to bring her to places like this less often.

As I watched Riven in a daze, I suddenly noticed that she had gone completely rigid. Then a shout erupted from the crowd. Looking back at the arena, I saw that all six men had fallen to the ground!

Their armor and shields were completely unmarked, yet blood gushed from their throats.

The battle had ended so quickly? I had expected the lone fighter to win, but this was far too fast. How had he delivered such precise and rapid attacks? I was deeply disappointed to have missed such a spectacular moment.

The odds for this fight were twelve to one. Riven was delighted as she held the twenty-odd Silver Coins she had won, but I quickly pulled her away.

"This isn't a place for you to make money. You still need to earn food through work, like before. Remember?"

"Mm. I know you're doing this for my own good. I've also realized that I'm not quite like other children. I don't dislike battle or the smell of blood at all. I even like them. That's not normal, right?"

"Right. So you must restrain yourself. That is the difference between humans and beasts."

After leaving the arena, we went to Tam's training grounds. Besides the Five Teachers—Strength, Speed, Shadow, Defense, and Accuracy—Tam and Darius, the man who had just won was also there.

He had changed into a fitted traveling outfit. I found him extremely familiar, but I could not remember who he was. Then Tam introduced him.

"While you were away, I trained several more newcomers. Only this one survived in the end. Like Zhao Xin, he is also from Ionia. He was thrown into the death cells after a failed assassination. I spent some money pulling strings and bought him. Looks like I can make another profit now, right, Darius?"

"How much do you want? I don't have much money right now."

"The same as Zhao Xin. Two thousand Gold Coins."

"Two thousand Gold Coins!" Riven cried out in shock. To her, that was an astronomical sum.

"Deal, but I'll owe you for now. I'll repay you the moment I have the money."

"This business of yours is guaranteed profit. For the sake of our years of business, I'll agree this once. I hope you won't go back on your word."

After saying that, Tam walked over to the victor. "Talon, this is Darius. For the sake of your shared ideal, serve him well."

No wonder he had looked familiar. It was the Blade's Shadow!

Without his assassin attire, he really was hard to recognize. That made the battle from earlier unsurprising. Still, with skills like his, how had his assassination failed? Just who had his target been?

Darius walked up to Tam. "Our shared ideal? What exactly do you know?"

"I know everything. That's why I helped you find Zhao Xin and Talon."

"If you were willing to personally take action, I would be truly grateful." Darius pronounced the words "truly grateful" one by one. It sounded like a request, but more like a threat.

"You think too highly of me. Training others is one thing, but my own skills are not even as good as your soldiers'. I'd rather manage my arena properly and make money."

"How long are you going to keep playing this arena game?"

"Who knows? Besides, I've never considered it a game."

Darius knew he could not control Tam, so he said nothing more. Turning around, he called to Talon and me. "We leave now. By the way, what about this little girl?"

"Riven will stay here. I've already decided not to let her take part in anything related to battle." I answered Darius, but I was speaking to Tam.

"Don't worry, Zhao Xin. I never force anyone to fight. If she likes staying here, I won't drive her away. If she doesn't like it, she can do as she pleases. My arena has never lacked gladiators."

When she learned that I was leaving, Riven was reluctant to part with me. Her eyes reddened. "When will you come back?"

I looked at Darius, only to see him shake his head. "Maybe three to five days. Maybe three to five months. Maybe three to five years. Perhaps even longer."

"It's okay, don't worry. I'll come back to see you as soon as I can. Remember what I told you."

"Mm, I understand. After you leave, I'll find a steady job. I won't take up weapons or join any battles. With my Strength, I won't have trouble feeding myself, hehe."

After finishing our arrangements, we set off. Riven chased after us for a long way and still refused to leave even after we had left the city. I patted her head and wiped the tears from her face.

"You should go back."

"Can I call you big brother?"

"You are my little sister."