Beware the Harbor

Night fell again. This time, we were well-rested and didn't turn off the lights, staring intently at the door. 69ᔕᕼᑌ᙭.ᑕOᗰ

Unfortunately, nothing happened. But as we were preparing to leave after daybreak, Riven pointed to the window. "Look."

"Ugh... this is terrible! We're watching the door, and her image is right there in the window. It's impossible to guard against her!"

"Next time, we'll keep an eye on both the doors and windows!" Riven said enthusiastically.

"But what about the roof? The corners? We can't possibly keep an eye on everything—the bed frame, the floor, the vases, the wardrobe, and so on."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Return to the Immortal Fortress and find Swain!"

Since LeBlanc keeps bothering us and refuses to show herself, I can only place my hopes on Swain and hope he can help us.

On the way back, the Black Rose emblem never appeared again. It seems that was exactly what LeBlanc meant; she wanted us to go back!

Swain spent many years in the council, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to Noxus, so we found him easily.

Strangely, the guards let us in without asking any questions. It's impossible for such an important place as the council to be so lax. It seems that Swain had already sensed our arrival in some way, perhaps through the ravens.

It was just dawn, and he was the only one in the empty council hall. The temperature in the Immortal Fortress was very high, and he was still wearing a heavy cloak.

Swain sitting upright reading a book and didn't even notice us coming in. I was about to go over and say hello when suddenly someone jumped out from behind him, startling me.

This man was dressed in all black, just like Swain, but even more thoroughly: a black hooded robe, a black veil, and black gloves.

That outfit is definitely LeBlanc's!

I came here to inquire about her, but I never expected to find her here, and with Swain.

Riven looked at her as if she had seen a ghost. She walked up to LeBlanc, looked her over carefully, and tried to reach out to lift her veil, but LeBlanc dodged her.

"Is he really still alive?"

Are you surprised to see me? Aren't you here to see me?

"Shouldn't you be saying you wanted to find us? You left so many traces along the way."

"You guys found out, haha! You passed by the Immortal Fortress without even stopping to see me. How heartless! I even let you go back then. Next time you come to the Immortal Fortress, remember to come see me first."

"So now you're holding a grudge against me because I revealed your identity?"

"It's been six or seven years since we last met. It seems we have a lot to talk about. Come on over."

Sure enough, LeBlanc knew I was Zhao Xin. She pointed to the seat next to her and asked me to sit down and talk.

The council hall inherited the iron-blooded style of the Noxian Empire, with bold strokes depicting thrilling battles on the dim cement walls.

Two giant battle axes are carved on the front wall, and two black and red flags are planted below and flutter in the wind.

Everything about the Immortal Fortress gives off this oppressive feeling, making people unconsciously want to submit. It seems that the person who designed this place did so for this purpose.

Swain didn't look at us from the beginning, and even when LeBlanc asked us to sit down, he remained engrossed in his book, seemingly oblivious to our presence.

"Hello, General Swain, we meet again."

I greeted him politely, but he didn't respond at all. If I hadn't seen him flipping through a book, I would have thought he had been murdered by LeBlanc.

At this point LeBlanc explained, "It's no use, he can't see us."

Why? Did you use some kind of magic?

"It's nothing but a mirage."

So it seems the guards at the gate can't see us anymore?

"From the moment you stepped into this castle, you entered my world."

"Okay, I'm really bad at communicating with you."

Riven didn't care about that; she was more interested in what LeBlanc looked like.

"There are only the three of us here, why are you covering yourself up so much? Can I see your face?"

"Little guy, didn't we meet last time? You even chopped off my head."

"Uh... I think it was a misunderstanding. I thought you killed Zhao Xin, so I did that. I'm sorry."

"Hahaha... You think a simple misunderstanding is all it takes to clear things up? If it were anyone else, you wouldn't even have a chance to apologize."

Riven was speechless, but LeBlanc still lifted her veil, revealing deep, captivating amethyst-like pupils and skin that was pure white, the complete opposite of her clothes.

If she doesn't speak, you can't tell she's a living person at all; she's more like a... work of art.

When Riven saw her appearance, her doubts were completely dispelled; the face was exactly the same as the Pale Witch she had captured before.

After the Pale Witch was beheaded, she aged rapidly, and this face regained its youthful appearance.

This is the second time I've seen her. I never tire of looking at her face, no matter how many times I see it. It even makes me want to touch it. It's as attractive as a smooth, lustrous piece of jade.

"Do you realize you're staring at a very dangerous person?"

"Since you've already let me go once, why not consider letting me go again?"

"Hehe, is this face pretty?"

"It's absolutely beautiful; it's a perfect work of art."

"An artwork, that's good. It seems my memory isn't wrong."

"Memory?"

"I've frozen this face in my memory; the mirror doesn't reflect my features."

"No wonder you always wear a veil; are you afraid you'll suddenly change your appearance?"

"You're so smart, you even want me to open your skull and take a look."

Although LeBlanc's tone was calm, I sensed she was angry, so I quickly changed the subject:

"What do you want with us? Just to catch up, right?"

"You're right, it's about catching up. I saw a strange fate in you last time, and now I want to know if it's still the same."

"And what conclusion did you draw?"

You will encounter misfortune.

LeBlanc's words made my heart tighten. Someone of her caliber wouldn't speak so casually. But the fierce war was over; what calamity could possibly remain?

We're headed to Piltover next. It's a well-ordered place, and Jorba is Darius's friend, so even if he doesn't offer us any special treatment, he won't just stand by and do nothing.

Zaun is in a state of chaos, but it is still under Piltover's control. Besides, we're not going there to fight; we're just sightseeing.

Of course, if it's an undeserved disaster, then there's nothing that can be done.

Could you elaborate?

"Be careful of the harbor, yes, that's what that person said."

"That person?"

"Don't ask so many questions, just remember what I said. By the way, are you going to see Swain?"

Before we could answer LeBlanc suddenly disappeared. At that moment Swain looked up:

What are you doing here?