Eavesdropping

Returning to the Demacian Imperial Capital, Lux's life seemed to return to normal once more.

After a quiet and low-key New Year, Crown Guard Manor became lively again—not long after Lux returned, Tiana also finished her preparations for war in the north and returned to the Demacian Imperial Capital.

Attending nobility events, cultivating art with Sona, exercising her body on time every day, and preparing the Nullstone circuits for simulated training...

And besides these daily routines, she added an extra activity.

Visiting the Nullstone Prison.

To be precise, it was to chat with Eno.

For ordinary people, the Nullstone Prison was a forbidden zone, absolutely not allowed, and impossible to enter.

But for Lux, entering the Nullstone Prison was hardly more difficult than going home—as the youngest princess of the Crown Guard family, and with her uncle-in-law being the current head of the Magic Seekers, no one would be foolish enough to stand in Lux's way if she wanted to enter the Nullstone Prison.

Apart from changing into a blue robe of the Magic Seekers, Lux needed no other preparation.

The Magic Seekers guarding the Nullstone Prison were tight-lipped. No matter how curious they were, every time Lux arrived, they would silently open the door leading to the prison and then quietly stand guard outside.

As long as Lux's safety was ensured, nothing else mattered.

According to Demacian law, Eno was considered a person who "caused destruction under coercion." Moreover, considering that Eno was not yet an adult when everything happened, the Magic Seekers' court ultimately sentenced her to ten years imprisonment.

This meant that Eno would serve ten years in the Nullstone Prison, and after her sentence was completed, she would be escorted by the Magic Seekers and exiled outside Demacia's borders.

However, because the Nullstone Prison was built almost entirely from Nullstone, the mages here were constantly having their Magic Power absorbed, and most people couldn't last ten years.

And those who could endure for ten years... even by Karya's standards, they would be considered "somewhat talented."

Because being able to last ten years indicated both abundant Magic Power and a considerable degree of magical control. The combination of these two was a necessary condition for becoming a strong individual among mages.

It was precisely because of the astonishing suppression of mages within the Nullstone Prison that Lux would often visit Eno—in her opinion, this could help Eno endure this difficult period.

Speaking of which, Eno was a very intelligent young girl. When she was a maid at Codora's house, she had already learned basic reading and writing. So, Lux simply continued to teach her characters while also bringing her books to read.

Although Lux couldn't rescue her now, she could at least prevent her spirit from being imprisoned along with her body.

Eno, on the other hand, completely regarded Lux as the light in her life—she would share all her insights from reading, cherish Lux's every visit, and even tremble with excitement every time Lux held her hand through the bars.

And all of this was witnessed by a pair of eyes from the adjacent cell.

One day, Eno had just finished reading a passage from an epic poem by the dim sunlight. As soon as she put the book down, a deep voice came from the cell next to hers.

"Can I borrow that book to read?"

Eno was startled.

Although she had known for a long time that there was someone in the adjacent cell, unlike Eno, whom Lux had particularly looked after, that person had worn heavy Nullstone chains from the very beginning. Any slight movement would produce a rattling sound.

As for the person himself, he appeared listless all day long. Even when the guards brought food, he would just chew silently, tidy everything up quietly after eating, and remain silent throughout.

At first, Eno had tried to chat with him—this was a place for "juvenile offenders." Although the other party didn't seem to be a minor, Eno thought they might have some common ground.

Moreover, when Lux wasn't around, Eno was really bored, and chatting with people was always a good thing.

But unfortunately, the other party seemed to be mute—or perhaps completely unwilling to speak. No matter what Eno said, he remained like a walking corpse, showing no reaction.

Unexpectedly, this time, he actually spoke first!

Eno looked up in surprise, glancing at him.

And almost as Eno looked up, the other party also leaned close to the bars of the cell, looking at Eno with longing.

"Please, little girl," he said, his Demacian with an eastern dialect slightly slurred, "let me read it..."

Eno blinked.

To her, everyone imprisoned in the Nullstone Prison was a fellow sufferer, so she was willing to help.

However... this book belonged to Lux.

And Lux bringing books into the Nullstone Prison was, if one were to be strict, a violation.

Eno didn't want to cause trouble for Lux—so, after hesitating for a moment, she sat on the edge of her own cell.

"I'm sorry, sir," Eno subconsciously mimicked Lux, maintaining her etiquette, "this book belongs to Miss Lux. If I lend it to you, I need her permission."

"..."

"But we can chat now," as if feeling that refusing outright was a bit too harsh, she blinked and added, "Don't worry, she'll be here tomorrow or the day after. Miss Lux is very kind and will definitely agree."

The other party seemed satisfied with this answer. He let out a long sigh and then tried hard to express his gratitude, "Thank you so much—I've been here for ten years already, and emptiness and pain have almost driven me mad!"

"Ten years already?" Eno blinked in surprise, "That means you should be getting out soon, right? This is a detention center for minors. Most minors who contract magic have sentences no longer than ten years!"

"Unfortunately, I have a life sentence," the other party shrugged, causing the Nullstone chains on his wrists to rattle, "I'm afraid I'll have to spend many more decades in this dark place."

"Life sentence!" Eno's eyes widened, "Heavens, what did you do!"

"My name is Sylas," the other party sighed, putting on a helpless expression, "Perhaps you've heard my name before—three people died in a magic outburst. Although it wasn't my intention, it still earned me a life sentence."

Eno fell silent.

Sylas... she had indeed heard that name.

I'd only heard of it from bards.

And as for how unreliable the bards of Silvermine City are, just look at the stories they sing about Lux.

In their tales, Sylas was supposed to be an evil and powerful guy who killed three people in one go, including elite Magic Seekers, then colluded with the detestable Noxians, and almost escaped the country.

While mages killing people was rare in Demacia, it happened a few times every year.

But a mage killing Magic Seekers? That was extremely rare.

For Demacia, the Sylas case was undoubtedly the most sensational and shocking case in the past decade.

At this moment, Eno really wanted to step back, to get away from this person.

Even though she was also a mage, in her eyes, the guy in front of her was still too dangerous.

Compared to a murderer like him, Eno suddenly felt that someone like her, who had frozen a field of crops, was completely insignificant!

"Don't be so nervous." As if sensing Eno's emotions, Sylas gently shook his head, "I told you, it wasn't my intention—magic isn't that easy to control. Everything that led to this tragedy was an accident!"

"..."

Eno didn't speak—but from her eyes, Sylas could see a complete lack of trust.

"Alright, alright, stay away from me then." Sylas waved his hand decisively, "If you're willing, could you listen to my story? Just consider it doing a good deed. I really haven't spoken to anyone in a long time."

Eno didn't stand on ceremony either. She stood up and took several steps back until she was leaning against the edge of her cage, then nodded.

"Then, begin your story—Mr. Sylas."