Swift and Decisive

The little girl Lux had saved seemed terrified. Her thin body trembled uncontrollably—whether because she'd been splattered with blood or for some other reason, no one could say.

"I... I deserved it." After a long moment, she finally managed to answer. "I used magic to deceive the lord."

"Really?" Lux reached out and wiped the blood from her face, then asked softly, "Why did you do that?"

"Because... the lord is kind. He can't bear to see people suffer." She closed her eyes, tears spilling from their corners. "All I have to do is say my family is struggling, and I can go work as a maid at his estate."

"And then your brother could work as a guard too, so there'd be two fewer mouths to feed at home, right?" Lux's voice was utterly gentle. "Then your family could save a little more money to buy your brother a suit of armor and a horse—even a packhorse—so he could become a knight's squire. Isn't that right?"

The desperate girl's eyes widened.

"Honored young lady, this was all my plan. It had nothing to do with my family—"

"Of course it had nothing to do with your family!" Lux raised her voice, speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear. "It had almost nothing to do with you, either. I was here just seven days ago, and there was no frost then!"

"Did you go to work as a maid seven days ago? Or did Silvermine City report the frost to Demacia City seven days ago?!"

At last, the girl could no longer hold back her tears.

Grievance, sorrow, pain, shame... Every emotion burst out at once. She finally covered her face, crouched down, and began sobbing uncontrollably.

"Isn't that right, dear great-uncle?" Lux turned around to face Codora, who had just stopped her bleeding. "Dear... Mr. Leech!"

"You—" This time, Codora was truly furious. "You little brat, you're sharper than you look!"

"That's what I should be saying to you." Lux shook her head. "You carefully laid one trap after another, even going so far as to ruin an innocent little girl, just to seize a benefit that wasn't yours and that you didn't even want. You really are something—especially when your family isn't short of money!"

"Of course I'm something! I have to think of the rest of the family!" Codora took two deep breaths, backed away from Lux, and snorted. "I may not need the money, but plenty of people do. I'm not like your heartless father, who won't even help his own kin—"

"Father is happy to support the younger generation." For the third time, Lux cut Codora off. "But he wouldn't betray His Majesty or Demacia to do it!"

"That sounds lovely!" Codora snorted. "Too bad such a silver-tongued young lady is about to fall into the clutches of a despicable mage! Eno, attack her. I'll guarantee your family's safety and get them out of Demacia!"

Unfortunately, the girl named Eno had no intention of attacking Lux. She only crouched on the ground, sobbing as her tears streamed down and nearly froze.

"Don't just stand there!" Seeing that Eno didn't react, Codora raised his voice and looked at his kinsmen. "Can't you see? She's here for all of us!"

The nobles were somewhat wary, and their guards drew their weapons. But unlike Codora had hoped, they didn't step forward to help.

Clearly, Lux's actions had made them uneasy. They weren't willing to go down with Codora.

Just then, Dili, his head wrapped in white bandages, strode forward. He drew his sword briskly and stood in front of Lux, holding it crosswise.

"Codora, you're bringing about your own ruin!" Dili shouted. "If you want to get to Miss Luxanna, you'll have to step over my dead body!"

"You skirt-chasing son-in-law, and you're pretending to be loyal to me?" Codora was even more furious and frantic. "Guards! Dili has colluded with a mage and taken Miss Luxanna hostage! What are you waiting for? Attack!"

Though they hesitated slightly, the guards loyal to Codora still drew their weapons and raised their shields.

Codora's personal guards were well-equipped. There weren't many of them, but Lux had only two guards at her side. Even with Dili, they had just three people.

Then, just as the guards began closing in, Dili let out a whistle. A tall white horse came galloping from afar, clad in horse armor and fully equipped. It even carried a cavalry lance of the kind commonly used by the rangers. Before the guards could complete their encirclement, the horse charged into the gap.

"Mount up, miss!" Dili took the lance in one hand and held his sword in the other. "You go on ahead. The city guard post isn't far!"

"Hahaha!" Hearing Dili, Codora burst into laughter. "What, are you trying to pave the way for your son to climb into Lux's bed with your life? Dream on! You're all going to die here today!"

The guards had nearly formed a circle around them, and Codora's wrinkled face twisted into a terrifying scowl. This would have grave consequences, but there was no turning back now!

"Really?" Lux smiled faintly. "I don't believe you."

"???"

"Actually, Mr. Dili got one thing wrong. The city guard isn't on its way—it's already here." Lux reached down and helped the still-crying Eno to her feet. "And the city guard isn't the only one. The Fearless Vanguard from the nearest outpost is here too."

Almost as soon as Lux said it, the ground began to tremble. Everyone's expression changed in an instant. Dust rose along the highway in the distance. Hundreds of cavalry, at least, were charging toward them on tall horses!

At the head of the cavalry was Garen, his greatsword drawn!

Even from hundreds of paces away, Garen's voice came thundering toward them like a clap of thunder, echoing in everyone's ears.

"Deceitful villains! Let anyone who dares lay a hand on Lux try me!"

Fifteen-year-old Garen had already begun to show the makings of the Power of Demacia. He wore a helmet and armor, leading the charge, while behind him the cavalry formed an arrowhead formation, lances in hand, ready to strike!

Bright Rune Steel Armor reflected the morning sunlight. The cavalry charged through the dust, and every beat of their horses' hooves seemed to pound against Codora's heart!

Even the guards fiercely loyal to Codora could no longer keep their spears pointed at Lux. They turned around, trying to protect their master as they fled. They could only hope the farmland would slow down the cavalry long enough for them to get a little farther.

Before they'd gone far, however, another army blocked their path from the opposite direction.

The blue banner of the Fearless Vanguard was held high, its crossed swords fluttering in the wind.

Beneath the banner, the Fearless Vanguard's deputy marshal, Tianna Crownguard, rode slowly toward them.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of the usually stern woman's lips. Lux really had grown a lot. It was worth making this special trip for her.

The situation had been turned upside down in the blink of an eye.

Only when Tianna and Garen appeared did the other nobles truly realize that, from beginning to end, everything in Silvermine City had been under Lux's control.

Remembering her earlier claim that she'd "caught a cold," they felt an unstoppable chill rise from deep within them.

Was... was this really a twelve-year-old girl?

Codora finally realized that all was lost. In the end, he could only surrender dejectedly. There was no point resisting any longer. If he gave up now, perhaps he could preserve the last shred of his noble dignity.

Or at least the appearance of dignity.

Dili, who'd been preparing for battle, stared dumbfounded at how things had changed. He felt as if he'd wandered into a circus and been cast as the clown.

But... it didn't matter now.

Even if Lux hadn't really needed him, and he hadn't played any substantial role, at least he'd chosen the right side and acquitted himself well.

At least better than the other fools who'd tried to sit on the fence.

Especially when Tianna came over and nodded at him, praising him with a "not bad."

Heh, when it came time to settle accounts, I'll be the one leading the raids and collecting the debts!

As long as I skimmed a little off the top, I could go to Demacian Imperial Capital and establish myself there!

But just as he'd thought he was about to become Lux's right-hand man, her orders knocked the wind out of him.

"Codora Crownguard and his associates falsely reported a disaster and concealed taxes. Their crimes against both country and family are unforgivable."

"Codora Crownguard's surname is to be stripped from him immediately. His specific charges will be handled according to the laws of the realm, and justice will be served."

"The others will receive punishments according to their degree of complicity and the amount of taxes involved. Kuren will compile the figures."

"The common people were unaware of the truth. Therefore, the land taxes from the past three years are now settled and will not be pursued."

"Furthermore, Silvermine City lies near the northern border, where military affairs and disasters are common. To prevent anything like this from happening again, four disaster-inspection knights shall be appointed. They may come from any background, but must understand farming. They will oversee disaster reports, advise on the seasons, and help with agricultural work. They shall hold the status of knights under the Crown Guard family."

After announcing all this, Lux led the white horse over to Dili, then smiled as she introduced him to Tianna.

"Mr. Dili is quite skilled. Aunt, you must find him a good position in the army!"

At that, Dili was utterly stunned.

He quickly composed himself and put on a grateful, tearful expression, but inside, he was nearly weeping. He'd worked so hard to climb up for so long precisely because he didn't want to risk his life on a battlefield again. How had he somehow ended up right back in the army?!

Still, by any measure, Lux had already treated him very well. Faced with her recommendation, no matter how unwilling he was, all he could do now was thank her profusely.

After he finished thanking her and turned to leave, Codora was bound securely nearby. The old man looked utterly dejected, but when he saw Dili, he burst out laughing.

"You've got a real knack for reading people, Dili!" Codora laughed, unable to hide his glee. "Too bad you're still going back to the army! Thought you could latch onto someone powerful? Keep dreaming! You—and your little brat of a son—have no chance!"

"Mr. Codora." Dili, already in a thoroughly foul mood, moved close to Codora and snorted disdainfully under his breath. "Maybe I am latching onto someone powerful, but you've clearly misunderstood a few things. I never asked Gao Kan to pursue your idiotic granddaughter. She isn't worth my precious son's attention. In fact, he went to a lot of trouble to get away from that fool!"

"...What did you say?!"

"Thanks to you for locking her up." Dili clicked his tongue. "Gao Kan asked me to thank you again for that. People always say that like father, like son, but I'd say you and your granddaughter are the ones who prove that like grandfather, like granddaughter!"

The smile froze on Codora's face. After one blow after another, he'd lost the last thing that brought him joy. His anger finally overwhelmed him, and he couldn't hold on any longer. His eyes rolled back, and he toppled over, fainting on the spot.

The other nobles weren't faring much better.

Many trembled so badly they could barely stand, and some could no longer control their bowels. The city guard had to send people to carry them away.

"I held you in my arms when you were little!"

"I was the one who introduced Peter to Ogesha—"

"I really didn't know Codora was colluding with mages!"

"Waaah, I didn't even get a share of the money!"

"..."

"..."

At the center of the entire storm, Lux had no interest in the nobles' scheming.

After dealing with almost everything, she took a clean handkerchief from her waist and handed it to Eno.

"Wipe your face."

Eno took the handkerchief and wiped her cheeks. But the tears on it quickly froze again. Clearly, she was beginning to lose control of her magic.

Seeing this, the Magic Seekers strode over and locked Eno in Nullstone chains.

"Don't be nervous." Lux took the handkerchief from Eno without a care, then leaned close to her ear. "I'll come visit you in prison after a while... Your mother makes delicious soup, just a little too salty. Don't worry. I haven't told anyone, and they'll be fine."

With that, Lux waved to her, winked her left eye, and gave her a big smile.

(๑≧ㅂ•́)و✧

Lux hadn't used magic at any point.

But Eno felt as if she'd seen the light.

"Thank you, Miss Luxanna..."