After the War

Demacia soldiers spread news of their victory throughout the journey, and the people who had suffered so much finally smiled. ♟✎ 👻♪

Although the mages did not harm civilians, the days of destruction and tension left everyone living in constant fear.

Peace has returned, and craftsmen are rebuilding their homes everywhere, singing praises of Jarvan's heroic deeds as they work.

Jarvan hadn't forgotten that this victory was achieved with the help of the Noxus, and there were still important things to discuss.

The banquet was held in the palace banquet hall before it was even fully renovated. It looked quite lavish, but neither side seemed to care.

Kled never liked attending banquets, so he didn't linger and led the Sandstorm elites straight back to Noxus.

Darius attended the banquet alone without any guards, a feat that alone commands respect.

There weren't many people from Demacia either, because Darius had said before the meeting: too many people will cause too much trouble; just leave a few who keep their word.

Riven and I, the two "key players," naturally wouldn't be absent, and Darius even let us sit next to him.

In his words, he didn't want others to think he was alone and helpless; he just wanted to show that our relationship was closer, so of course he would take us with him when he left.

Upon seeing Fiora, he greeted her warmly, "Hey, we meet again."

The last time we were in Demacia, the two of them met at the Laurent Manor. Fiora had suspected his identity then, but she never expected that the disheveled man would actually be the Great General of Noxus.

"I never expected you to be Darius, coming alone. This is the second time."

"To thank you for sparing my life, I've come to help."

"I am extremely grateful."

Others, unaware of what had happened between us, were quite surprised by our greeting.

Garen's expression was not good. Sylas's words were still bothering him. Although Jarvan said he didn't care that Lux knew magic, his act of concealing it was indeed not honorable.

He spoke because Darius introduced Riven, and when he learned that the young woman before him was actually Blood Warrior from the War Axe Legion, his surprise was palpable:

"I never expected you to be Blood Warrior. Seeing is believing. No young talent in Demacia can compare to you."

"Right now, I'm just Riven; the title of Blood Warrior isn't something to be proud of."

Jarvan picked up the conversation. "Alright, let's get down to business. Lord Darius, you helped us escape danger after your Darius journey. Demacia will never forget this kindness."

"Your Majesty is too kind. This little bit of trouble is nothing compared to your efforts in bridging our differences."

"What do you want? We're afraid we can't come up with the compensation in a short time. You've seen Demacia's current situation. Of course, if you allow us to owe the debt, I will definitely repay it."

"No need. I'm not rich, but I'm not short of money either."

Jarvan was afraid of this: the only things that can be plundered in war are money and territory. Since Darius didn't want money, his purpose was clear.

He took out a map, drew a line with a pen, and marked out nearly a third of Demacia's territory, almost the entire eastern region. "The eastern region has been almost completely destroyed. Are you satisfied?"

Darius didn't even look at it. "I have plenty of territory, I don't need it."

Jarvan was now completely baffled. He didn't want money, he didn't want territory, did he want the whole of Demacia?

Thinking of this, Jarvan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. "What's wrong with you?"

"Besides money and territory, there's something even more important in the fruits of war..." Darius paused, glancing at Jarvan and his men, hoping someone would chime in.

"Human hearts," Garen said.

"Indeed, General Garen possesses both talent and strategic brilliance."

"The hearts of my people? How can I give them to you? Please forgive me, I will not abandon my people."

"The will of the people has nothing to do with where you are. Forgive my bluntness, but you are still young and may not understand these things. Just know that I will not ask for anything. All I want is for both sides to live in peace, nothing more."

Darius's words were similar to Swain's; he conveyed the same message after invading Ionia, but inevitably aroused suspicion from others.

They've expended enormous human and financial resources just to achieve a vague and uncertain peaceful relationship? This might be plausible for others, but Noxus isn't known for that.

Jarvan looked directly at Darius, whose sincere expression suggested he wasn't joking. "I am indeed still young and don't quite understand your thoughts. In conclusion, you want nothing and will lead your troops back after the banquet?"

"Yes, I'll head back immediately after the banquet. Of course, if you'd like me to stay a couple more days, I wouldn't mind."

Not only Jarvan, but all Demacia couldn't believe what they were seeing. If they wanted nothing in return, why did they invade in the first place? Wasn't it all for nothing?

But the facts are undeniable, leaving them no choice but to believe.

Based on what Swain last time, I've come to understand one thing: peace achieved through negotiation is not as secure as peace achieved by demonstrating strength, especially now that there's an added debt of gratitude involved.

Please stay a couple more days; I'd like to ask you a few more questions.

"I wouldn't call it asking for advice, but we can exchange some personal thoughts."

The banquet was in full swing when someone announced that Andy had come to see them. He was now the head of the Laurent Family and was in charge of the entire reconstruction work. He had taken a break from his busy schedule to come to the palace. It was unclear what business he had there.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Don't mention it, Andy. We're the same age, we've known each other since we were little, just be natural."

"Yes, I caught someone and want to hand them over to Sister Fiora, and also explain some things."

After he finished speaking, he beckoned, and a soldier brought up a woman, who was none other than the head maid of Fiora's household. After some questioning, the truth finally came to light:

It turns out that while she appeared to be working for Bordewin to harm Fiora, she was actually Sylas's subordinate.

Bordewin wanted to seize control of the Laurent Family, so he devised a plan to control Fiora with Ice Orchid. At this time, the head maid showed interest in him, and the two conspired together.

However, Bordewin did not use magic to alter the properties of the Ice Orchid; he simply wanted to keep Fiora in line so that she would automatically step down once her body weakened. The person who interfered and used magic to alter the properties of the Ice Orchid was the head maid.

The culprit was caught, Bordewin was also partially cleared of suspicion. Although he had ulterior motives, he did not intend to kill Fiora.

Out of anger, I made Riven kill him; I went a bit too far.

"What are you planning to do?" Jarvan asked Andy.