Elise looked at Li Ke in horror. She wasn't afraid that Li Ke had said her name, after all, she was born into the House Kythera, a family with a history of hundreds of years and one of the oldest bloodlines in Noxus.
Although ancient, the House Kythera is not very famous. The only thing Noxians know about them is their excellent genes, with handsome men and beautiful women.
Elise was renowned for her beauty in Noxus from a very young age, and no one who saw her could forget her face. Although she had not shown her true face in Noxus for hundreds of years due to a certain incident, it was still quite normal for some noble families to keep her portrait.
It's not surprising that she was recognized.
But what terrified her was that this person actually uttered that person's name!
Even Elise spent countless years gradually gaining her trust before learning her real name!
"You, you--"
"Forget about you, Elise. If I'm not mistaken, she's right here, isn't she?" Li Ke raised an eyebrow, looking at Elise's sudden tremor in her shoulder, and smiled.
Don't let Elise's appearance fool you; she looks like she's only in her early twenties and has a tall, slender figure. In reality, she's old enough to be Li Ke's great-grandmother!
Like many netizens unfamiliar with the League of Legends lore, Li Ke initially assumed Elise wasn't very old and that Elise transformation into a spider by Vilemaw occurred in modern times in Runeterra. However, this actually happened hundreds of years ago, and it's one of the rare instances where LeBlanc backfired.
The last sentence in Elise's backstory perfectly proves this point—for the past few hundred years, whenever Elise felt a divine summons, she would return to the land shrouded in Black Mist, bringing with her a lovesick suitor or other easily manipulated souls as sacrifices to her Deity.
Therefore, this "little old lady" is a real monster who has lived for hundreds of years.
How could someone like her possibly willingly obey the words of a "marquis"?
It's worth noting that quite a few marquesses have died at her hands, so Elise's presence at the marquesses' banquet as Boli's bodyguard must have been at LeBlanc's behest.
Most events in Runeterra are related to LeBlanc. Li Ke often reads online discussions about LeBlanc, and thus learns about the various things LeBlanc has done.
Her favorite tactic was to feign weakness, keeping herself and the Black Rose organization hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to reappear.
Just as she "died" at Swain's hands, tonight's dinner party is clearly also a way to justify Boli's death and then bring her into the shadows.
But Li Ke saw through all of this!
Li Ke's gaze passed over Elise and landed on the group of masked servants beside Boli.
Boli covered his ears, closed his eyes, and mumbled something. Li Ke looked at him and realized that what the guy was saying was probably—"I didn't hear anything. I didn't hear anything."
"Hmm, the magical fluctuations are about the same. That's true. If you want to hide, even Swain can't do anything to you, and I have no way to find you either."
The atmosphere became somewhat tense, and Mel subconsciously gripped Jayce's hand, biting her lip as she looked at Li Ke.
"But you invited me, yet you don't show up yourself. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Li Ke continued.
Earlier, Vander, unusually thoughtful, had said something like this: he believed it was dangerous for the Twin Cities' top officials to all go to Noxus for a dinner party. If Noxus were to give up, it would be a serious blow to the Twin Cities.
However, Li Ke wasn't worried. After all, he could summon Ahri to help at any time. A few dozen seconds was enough for Ahri to reveal her true form, overthrow Noxus, and safely send Li Ke and his group away.
Li Ke came carrying nuclear weapons!
Do you even know what a humanoid nuclear bomb is?!
Therefore, Li Ke loudly pressured LeBlanc to come forward and used the Wind skill to summon Janna as well.
LeBlanc is powerful, but she certainly hasn't reached the level of Demigod. Janna shouldn't have much trouble dealing with her now.
Don't underestimate the mascot, the little blue bird!
Just as Li Ke was about to take action, a hoarse voice sounded from beside Boli, and a man wearing a white faceless mask stepped out.
"That's a surprise. I've never been with you before."
His voice was hoarse and deep, but it gradually became more pleasant as he spoke, eventually transforming into a pleasant female voice.
The voice was very mature and sophisticated, but coming from a man, the whole scene looked strange.
"We've dealt with each other before, how did you know my name?"
No, it should be called LeBlanc.
She reached out and removed the white mask from her face, revealing an ordinary face. It was a very plain face, the kind that would go unnoticed in a crowd. However, the eyes on that face were exceptionally beautiful. They were golden eyes, bright, intelligent, and cunning, watching Li Ke intently.
Another voice sounded from the side, a young girl's voice. Another servant stepped forward, removing his mask to reveal a freckled, cute face. Tilting his head, his golden eyes looked at Li Ke, and he opened his mouth to ask, "Did the wind spirit tell you this? Or is it a secret you discovered in another world?"
"Actually, we've wanted to contact you for a long time, Lord of Zaun. You possess the abilities we need." Another voice rang out.
Boli covered his ears and closed his eyes. The previously quiet attendants around him suddenly stirred. They removed their masks and spoke in different voices.
Behind Li Ke, a group of attendants appeared. They also removed their masks, tilted their necks, and contorted their bodies, just like the attendants in front of them, and asked Li Ke questions.
"Since you can go to the Spirit Realm and you know my name, I'm very curious: do you know of his existence?"
"Will you be our friend, Lord of Zaun?"
"Swain isn't as good as you think. He only cares about Noxus, but I'm different. Come on, join me, Lord of Zaun."
Have you seen him in that world?
"Don't be nervous, we don't want to be your enemy. We've seen what happened in Bilgewater."
"I apologize for Elise's previous behavior, and I also apologize for my own behavior."
"Us."
The chaotic sounds filled the hall, seemingly echoing deep within one's mind.
Jinx swallowed hard, crouched behind Li Ke, and cautiously peeked out with her cute little face, looking ahead.
Even Jinx was startled by the bizarre scene before her.
The ceiling damaged because of Elise, the servant emerging from the shadows, the questions rang out simultaneously, and the puppet-like behavior of those people.
Katarina did the same; like Jinx, she swallowed hard. However, unlike Jinx, who hugged Li Ke's waist and hid behind him, Katarina gripped her short blade tightly.
Looking at the "people" all around her, she gasped.
She arrogantly believed she had handled things smoothly and completed the task perfectly, but now she realizes she was nothing more than a pawn who had been mistakenly drawn into the game.
The LeBlanc mentioned by the Lord of Zaun, and Swain behind him, are the players in this game. If Li Ke hadn't suddenly stepped forward and exposed the truth, would he really have been able to go back?
Perhaps it is possible, because LeBlanc clearly wants to make Swain.
Thinking of this, Katarina looked at Li Ke and said, "Although I don't think your reasons are sufficient, I think I should indeed thank you."
"So now, how do we get through this hurdle?"
Li Ke didn't expect Katarina to ask him that.
Looking at Katarina, Li Ke smiled and said, "Even if I don't intervene, you'll be fine."
"After all, haven't you been watching the whole time?"
"What?" This wasn't Katarina's question, but LeBlanc's.
Twenty or thirty servants spoke at the same time, their voices deafening.
However, after a strange "quack" sound rang out, all these sounds were suppressed.
Li Ke looked towards the source of the sound, raised his head, and saw a black and red multi-eyed raven spreading its wings and standing on the chandelier, its scarlet pupils staring intently at Li Ke.
"Heh heh, looks like this isn't a good time for chatting," LeBlanc said with a laugh as she saw the raven.
"Lord of Zaun, I hope this matter won't affect our relationship. The Black Rose is willing to be allies with Zaun. You must know of his existence. If he returns, not only me, but the entire world will be affected."
"The Black Rose needs your help."
"Well then, see you next time."
As LeBlanc finished speaking, black light flashed on the ground, and golden chains appeared, forming a huge magic circle on the ground. With a flash of black light, all the servants, along with Elise and Boli, disappeared.
Katarina lowered her head when she saw the crow.
It's President Swain. He's here.
"I guessed you wouldn't side with LeBlanc. From what I know of you, you're a leader who wouldn't submit to anyone, but I didn't expect you to reject her so directly."
The crow landed on Katarina's shoulder and spoke in human language.
"Li Ke, it's the same as Janna!" Jinx exclaimed in surprise, clapping her hands.
For some reason, Jinx suddenly found the black crow and the little blue bird quite interesting.
"I can't compare to her." Raven shook his head, looking at Jinx with a surprisingly gentle tone. He continued, "Even someone like me respects Janna."
"Alright, Li Ke, let's talk."
"Katarina will lead the way; I will await you in the palace."
Before Li Ke could even speak, the crow snapped open with a "snap," leaving behind a few feathers.
Jinx was quick; she snatched one and stuffed it into her pocket.
Katarina's lips twitched at the sight, and she wanted Jinx to take it out, but seeing Li Ke looking at her, she changed her mind and said, "Then, please follow me."
At the same time, in a northern village in Noxus.
A woman with purple hair crossed her long legs, wearing a mage's cloak. Her face was adorned with strange makeup, leaning towards a gothic style, and her golden eyes flashed with runes. As she raised her hand and waved it, a huge magic circle appeared in front of her.
"Buzz!"
The golden light dissipated, Elise appeared on the magic circle, cautiously looking up at the woman sitting with her legs crossed.
"Why did you act without permission?" The woman looked at Elise, a hint of displeasure on her beautiful face.
Upon hearing the other party's words, Elise immediately knelt down and prostrated herself, saying, "Lady LeBlanc, I... I didn't know Li Ke would intervene. I just wanted to make this performance more realistic."
"I was thinking, if Boli hadn't had any guards and had been easily assassinated, the other side definitely wouldn't believe it."
"Alright, I believe you, Elise, but why did you reveal your true form later?" LeBlanc asked again.
She lowered her beautiful legs, put her hands on her hips, and walked down the steps from the top, step by step towards LeBlanc.
The sound of her high heels clicking on the ground seemed to strike Elise's heart, making her even more nervous.
Even with the power of the Vilemaw and Deity protection, Elise still feared LeBlanc.
She knew very well that everything she had now came from LeBlanc.
"I... I wanted to scare them away," Elise said.
LeBlanc fell silent, and when she spoke again, her tone was cold. "You just need to do what I tell you to do. There won't be a next time, Elise."
"Yes, I was wrong," Elise quickly said.
Seeing Elise's reaction, LeBlanc waved her hand and whispered, "Go back to Immortal Bastion and use your connections among the nobles to find out what Li Ke and Swain talked about."
"Yes."
After Elise finished speaking, she left the room.
After Elise left and the room was empty, LeBlanc, who had been calm and indifferent, suddenly threw her staff aside in anger.
She gritted her teeth, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes.
"It's all because of you disobedient subordinates that I look so stupid!"
"Do I have to teach you everything step by step? Can't you just obediently follow my orders?"
With her hands gripping the purple hair, LeBlanc growled in a low voice.
The reason she was angry was that it was clearly the Black Rose organization that invited the Twin Cities people. Originally, LeBlanc's plan was to first get to know Li Ke and at the same time observe Mel up close.
Because LeBlanc suspects that what Ambessa stole is on Mel, she wants to make both Li Ke and Mel hers if possible.
She doesn't care who holds the power, as long as she controls the person who wields it.
But what was the result?
Swain got a freebie!
When it came to Swain, LeBlanc became even more frustrated.
Swain's current abilities are entirely her own doing.
Swain was an enemy she had created herself!
And this is also LeBlanc's most formidable enemy over the past thousand years.
Now, because of Elise's unauthorized actions, he has become his true form. Because of her appearance, Li Ke discovered him and also realized Boli's faked death plan, thus leading him to Swain.
Damn it, it was all that idiot Elise's fault for making the decisions on her own!
This is definitely not because LeBlanc's plan was foolish!
Because of Elise, she almost made another enemy!
But LeBlanc's anger came quickly and subsided just as fast.
After all, if she were really angry and troubled by such things, she could have truly died of anger over the past thousand years.
The plans she sets out are often subject to various changes.
And isn't there some good news too?
That is, Li Ke didn't seem to harbor much hostility towards him.
Perhaps, I still have a chance.
Smoothing her hair, she transformed back into the intelligent, cunning, and beautiful woman.
She raised her hand forward, her fair palm facing upward, and there appeared a beautiful Black Rose.
LeBlanc whispered:
"This isn't over yet, Swain. Just you wait and see."