Returning Empty-Handed

For some reason, Sivir seems to really hate the topic of "romance." She wasn't angry at Sett's hugs and kisses, but now she's pulled out a dagger. ☜🍪 ♣💝

Sett's expression turned serious upon seeing this; he hadn't expected that someone with the title of King of Fists would be so wary of Sivir.

"Okay, just kidding, don't take it so seriously! I do have some good information, but now doesn't seem like a good time for treasure hunting."

"What's the meaning?"

"Didn't you see how few people are outside? Everyone's fled south; who has the mind to search for treasure?"

"Escape? What happened?"

"The Noxus are coming. I've heard they're going to conquer Shurima. Their forces have already landed at Kumangu."

"Oh, I see. Then I'll have to pull off one big heist before stopping. If Shurima is conquered by them, I might be able to buy an official position."

Judging from the current timeline, Sett is probably referring to Kled's invasion before the Allied Wars, which means Noxus.

When I traveled back in time, I felt like a god, able to see through everything.

But I'm also curious, what role is Zhao Xin playing now?

Now that I have changed, will the course of the world change as well?

Based on the role I played, the answer is yes, at the very least, the unification process of Noxus will be slow and bloody, and it is even highly likely that unification will not be completed.

In this situation, the people of Runeterra are simply unable to cope with the three cataclysmic events: the Shadow Isles, the Vastaya, and the Void.

Just as I was pondering these things, Sivir and Sett finished their conversation, and she learned of a new treasure location.

When we arrived at the camp, we found that all the team members were there. Everyone was surprised to hear that we weren't going to the Imperial Tomb this time.

Frodo, as always, stepped forward first. "Chief, the Imperial Tomb hold countless treasures, why don't we go again?"

"I wasn't feeling well after leaving there last time, so I don't want to go this time. If I don't have the strength to open the gate, then everyone will die there."

This sounded like an excuse, but people couldn't refute it; they couldn't force Sivir to go, could they?

Following Sett's directions, we set off to find a new treasure in a ruin south of Naremajet, where we were certain we wouldn't encounter Noxus.

Sett said that the southern ruins were much easier to find than the Imperial Tomb and were less dangerous, but conversely, there were far fewer treasures, and they might even have already been stolen.

Sure enough, when we found the ruins, we discovered that they had been dug by tomb raiders, and that more than one group of people had been there.

"It looks like we don't need to go in," Frodo said, backing out.

"Since we're already here, let's go in and take a look. Ancient ruins are very complexly designed; there might even be hidden rooms."

Just like last time, I first explored the structure here, and then we slowly went deeper inside.

This place is much smaller than Imperial Tomb, with only four rooms and a large hall, and it looks like some kind of sacrificial site.

The hall was empty, probably emptied out long ago. A thick layer of dust covered the floor, indicating that no one had been there for a long time.

We searched all four rooms, but found nothing except some worthless stone carvings. Only one lucky member found a gold bracelet in the dust, which wasn't anything valuable either.

At this point, Frodo pleaded with Sivir again, "Chief, let's go to the Imperial Tomb one more time, just once, and then we'll stop!"

"This..."

Sivir couldn't bear to see them leave empty-handed, so she looked at me, wanting to hear my opinion.

Now people know what happened; it was clearly me who prevented her from going, not some so-called physical discomfort.

I didn't try to avoid it and told them directly, "I told Sivir not to go, and I can't explain why, but basically, she wouldn't have a good time if she went."

"I knew it was your sweet talk that fooled the leader! I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

Frodo was about to make a move when Sivir stopped him, shouting, "What are you doing, Frodo? Don't you respect me?"

"Chief, you've been fooled by this kid! He's definitely up to no good!"

"I know perfectly well whether I've been misled or not, you don't need to worry about it!"

"Fine, since you're so protective of an outsider, I won't say anything more. From now on, I'm abandoning the dagger!"

After Frodo finished speaking, he drew his dagger. I thought he was going to do something rebellious, but to my surprise, he chopped off his left little finger!

Sivir frowned, said nothing more, and simply agreed to Frodo's request to withdraw.

"Now that you've already cut off your little finger, I have no reason to stop you anymore. Take this money."

"Hmph, no need!"

After Frodo left, people gradually left as well. There was no point in staying any longer, and judging from the expressions on their faces, they were all dissatisfied with Sivir's actions.

When it was just the two of us left, Sivir plopped down on the ground, looking rather dejected.

"Ezreal, do you think I should give up my position as leader? I don't think I'm fit to continue."

Why do you say that? Is it because of Frodo's departure?

"That's only one aspect. Another thing is that I feel everyone is very dissatisfied with me, as you've seen."

This is because of me, not because of you.

"Sigh, I don't know how to continue. Maybe I should talk to everyone about this sometime. My attitude is always too forceful, which makes people not like to communicate with me."

"You're a woman, sometimes you have to be tough, otherwise they'll bully you, that's a harsh reality."

"I think so too, but this isn't a long-term solution."

"Do you have to cut off your fingers if you want to leave the team?"

"It's not just us; it's the rule for all treasure hunters. If you want to leave, you have to leave behind your finger. So people are generally loyal to their own team; otherwise, it's very difficult to join another Treasure Hunting Team if you're missing a finger."

"Oh, so it seems this is to reduce instances of internal strife. What about the leader?"

"The leader doesn't have to cut off his fingers, but if a leader leaves his party, he/she may never join another party again."

"So that's how it is. You can't bear to part with the dagger, can you?"

"Yes, the dagger has special meaning to me, and I know no other way to survive besides treasure hunting. It's both my pleasure and my job."

"Actually... you don't need a whole team to go treasure hunting, like the two of us."