A Hero's Return

After returning to the room, Riven quickly fell asleep, but I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, constantly thinking about what had just happened.

Think about it carefully, aside from the crazy aspect of this action, why are there so many mages here? And why do they know such high-level resurrection magic!

Where did Lux find these people?

After so many years of rigorous investigations in Demacia, even if some escaped, there shouldn't be this many, right? And this is in a small place; does Demacia have many more mages hiding there?

Witt couldn't possibly be unaware of such a grand ceremony; did he tacitly approve of Lux's actions?

Should we tell Jarvan about this?

I thought about it for a long time and decided not to tell him yet. I'll ask Fiora for her opinion first when I see her.

I was a little sleepy after dawn, but it didn't bother me much; I'm used to sleepless nights like this.

Lux was as enthusiastic as ever, showing no signs of anything amiss. Surprisingly, she had packed quite a bit of luggage, preparing to return to Silver City with us.

She didn't bring any attendants, and although she told Jarvan she didn't want to trouble anyone, I think it must be related to the Magic Circle.

Lux's carriage was beautiful, and the horses were magnificent, but it wasn't her little white horse, Angel, Jarvan also noticed.

"Where's your Angel? She's a peerless spirit beast."

"Angel is missing." Lux's face showed sadness.

"How could such a smart horse go missing? Was it stolen?"

"I don't know either. She disappeared inexplicably the day before my wedding. I don't think anyone would dare to steal from the House of Lightshield."

"That's a real shame."

"By the way Jarvan, is it alright for you to take Miss Shvana to Silver City? She's full of magic."

"It's alright. I came back precisely to deal with this matter. Demacia can no longer suppress mages like this. Many of them are innocent, and this could even make Demacia stronger!"

"You wish to pardon the monks within the territory?"

"It's not a pardon; they were innocent to begin with. We can't always rely on Nullstone for self-defense; peace gained this way feels utterly insecure."

"I support you, Brother Jarvan!"

Lux seemed very excited, and of course I knew what she was thinking—that this way she could legitimately adopt a mage and use magic.

However, this idea seems simple, but it may not be easy to implement. I have some knowledge of Demacia's dark history.

The people here were once deeply persecuted by Dark Magic, living in constant fear. The sorcerers even established a cruel festival for elaborate killings: the Fencings Festival.

After hundreds of years of arduous battles, the Demacia used the power of the Nullstone to eliminate them. How could they possibly lift the ban so easily now?

Although it's the Dark Magic who commit evil, who can guarantee that people won't harbor evil thoughts after coming into contact with magical power?

The best way is to eliminate it at its source! Just like what Demacia is doing now!

Of course, Jarvan's point is also valid. If Demacia wants to become stronger, it cannot rely too much on the Nullstone.

If one day the enemy figurees out a way to counter the Nullstone, how will the people who have always been protected resist the threat?

Riven bluntly said, "A world without magic is too boring!"

The road from the City of Light to the Silver City was very easy to travel, and we arrived in two days.

Coming here again, I wasn't as anxious as last time; instead, I was filled with anticipation.

This was Riven's first time here, and she was utterly awestruck, marveling at every place she visited. The grandeur and peace of Silver City captivated everyone who came here.

Jarvan's joy was palpable. "I'm finally back. It's just the same as before, which is so reassuring."

Shvana remained cautious; the magic within her was severely suppressed, and even without causing any real harm, she felt uncomfortable.

I asked Jarvan about Shvana's past, and he just shook his head. "She never told me."

In contrast, Lux seemed much more peaceful, after all, she came back often.

The guards knew her well and let us in without even checking us, but there was an unexpected problem with Shvana; her magic was too obvious.

"Madame Dali, please forgive me, but your friend is truly unusual. We dare not let him go without notification from above."

"This isn't my friend, it's Prince Jarvan's friend."

Upon hearing this, the guards exchanged glances, and after a moment said, "You mean Prince Jarvan?"

"Does Demacia have a second Prince Jarvan?"

Seeing the guards' puzzled expressions, Jarvan stepped forward. "Thank you for your hard work, everyone. I'm back. This is my friend, you don't need to worry."

With Lux by our side, the guards naturally had no reason to doubt Jarvan's words and immediately sent men to escort us to the palace.

At first, the people on the road were puzzled. Who was it that had such influence in the royal city? Soon, news of Prince Jarvan's return spread throughout the entire Silver City.

Royal guards lined up to greet him, and Jarvan III personally welcomed him.

Having not seen his son for over a decade, even a king could not resist his longing, and a grand banquet was immediately held in the palace, lasting for three days.

The few of us who came back with Jarvan were treated like VIPs, but our clothes seemed out of place here.

The king ordered his royal tailors to make us magnificent suits of armor as a reward.

During the banquet, the king wept bitterly, moving everyone present.

He has grown old and no longer possesses the imposing presence of his youth; now he is simply a father.

In the years since Jarvan left, Demacia has been peaceful and stable, but the nobles have discussed this matter quite a bit in private.

At first, the king didn't care much, thinking it was a good thing for the young man to go out and gain experience, but he never expected that he would not return.

Later, the king sent people everywhere to search, but they never received any news of Jarvan; he was nowhere to be found, neither alive nor dead.

He only had this one son, and seeing himself growing old and frail with no one to inherit his great enterprise, how could he not be anxious?

In recent years, the nobles have repeatedly urged the king to appoint another crown prince, but he has refused, saying that he is not yet sixty years old and is still very young.

For most people, sixty years old wouldn't be considered old, but the king is different. He has many things to worry about, and Jarvan's departure in recent years has made him look much older.

General Dali even selected many maids for the king in the north, hoping he would leave behind some of his bloodline, but the king refused.

He firmly believes that the House of Lightshield, with its single lineage, will never perish!

Until last month, the Sage Tabor delivered a prophecy to the king, consisting of only four simple words. "The hero returns."

Some say this prophecy refers to Demacia's victory over Noxus in another battle, and the hero represents the victor.

Some believe that a new bloodline will be born into the House of Lightshield, and that this new bloodline will become a hero of Demacia.

Only the king firmly believed that the hero referred to Jarvan, who would do something extraordinary and then return.

Sure enough, Jarvan returned, carrying Dragon Horn and Dragon Tooth.