"Li Ke, what are you muttering about?"
Jinx appeared with a blue towel wrapped around her hair, making her look like a giant dumpling or a small mountain on her head, while holding the hand of a yawning Isha.
The little girl's hair was wet and stuck to her cheeks. Jinx had her other hand on her head, covering it with a towel and wiping it vigorously.
Seeing this, Li Ke smiled and tossed Aatrox aside, then went to greet her. Jinx then sat down naturally on the edge of the bed, with Li Ke kneeling on the bed behind her, and Jinx Isha, who was crouching on the floor in front of her, half asleep.
Little Jin dries Isha's hair, Li Ke dries Jinx's hair.
Seeing this, Aatrox wisely snorted inwardly without making a sound.
He is now clear-headed and has not fallen into chaos. Li Ke's mental power has strengthened Aatrox, preventing him from being contaminated by the negative emotions of the Void. Naturally, Aatrox has gained the ability to think.
As Li Ke said, Aatrox was once human, so he naturally knew what this scene meant. Therefore, Aatrox silently shut his mouth.
He just leaned against the desk, not losing his temper, the eyes on the greatsword watching him intently.
After watching for a while, Aatrox sneered. The "awe" he felt for Li Ke's knowledge of so many things vanished instantly. No matter what, humans really can't escape their base desires.
This scene before him caused Aatrox to deify Li Ke.
The next morning, Li Ke was the first to get up. He yawned against the headboard. He first moved Isha's little hand away from his chest, which was tugging at his pajamas, and then looked at Jinx, who was resting her chin on Isha's fluffy head.
Last night, the three of them slept together. Looking at Isha and Jinx, who were still sleeping, Li Ke stretched and immediately burst out laughing after getting up.
He swaggered around outside, associating with oligarchs in various regions, first suppressing Noxus, then conquering Freljord. The things he did along the way were enough to be recorded in the history of Runeterra. But when he returned home, he became a pillow for the little women and the big women in his family, and now he even has to prepare breakfast for them.
He's Demigod when he's out, but a stay-at-home husband when he's at home.
Ha, thinking of this, Li Ke first reached out and ruffled Isha's fluffy head. Then, Li Ke carefully tidied up the hair around her eyes that was irritating because Jinx had pressed her hair down.
To Jinx, Isha is like a younger sister, while to Li Ke, although Jinx always makes Isha call Li Ke feels that his relationship with Isha is more like that of a father and daughter.
Well, Li Ke doesn't dislike this feeling.
"Oh."
As soon as Li Ke got up, he heard a cold laugh.
Turning his head slightly, he saw Aatrox standing in the corner, his sword hilt leaning against the desk, a Big Eyes staring at Li Ke.
For some reason, Li Ke felt as if two small hands had appeared on the sword, standing on the blade and looking at him disdainfully.
Perhaps it was because of Aatrox's tone?
Li Ke reached out, and Aatrox flew over. He didn't resist. Although he hadn't explicitly stated yesterday that he was willing to become Li Ke's sword, Aatrox's lack of refusal was tantamount to agreement.
After all, given Aatrox's arrogance, his lack of objection was tantamount to agreement. If he disagreed, he wouldn't have been arrogantly jumping up and down and spouting nonsense last night; he would have directly called Li Ke delusional.
Therefore, wielding Aatrox, Li Ke unleashed his power, the spiritual energy of Soul Blossom counteracting the bloodlust on the Darkin's body. Then, Li Ke gently swung his sword.
Aatrox looks big, but it's actually not very heavy. I reckon even little Isha could lift it up with both hands.
Then, Li Ke carried Aatrox on his back and walked towards the kitchen.
Aatrox, carried on Li Ke's back, felt the power emanating from Li Ke and muttered to himself after a moment of silence:
"Your power... Spending more time with you might help me overcome my negative emotions. Ha, I never agreed to become your sword; it's just that staying by your side is beneficial to me."
"Don't overthink it, Li Ke."
"Yes, it's a trade-off. I need a sword to use, and you need someone to use it. You fight for me, and I'll help you meet Sivir and Azir."
"Yes, that's it," Aatrox said forcefully.
Li Ke shook his head with amusement.
"Ooh~"
"It's so much more comfortable sleeping at home. Alright, Isha, time to get up!"
"Hey, why is your hair all wet?"
On the bed in the bedroom, Jinx, wearing Little Bear- patterned pajama, stretched out her limbs. Her white, glowing wrists peeked out from the cuffs, and her Big Eyes darted around. She reached out and ruffled Isha's hair.
Isha, who had been lying in bed staring blankly at the ceiling, looked at Jinx with a hint of resentment upon hearing this.
Why is my hair wet?
It's all because you ate it, sister!
But Isha couldn't speak, so she could only hum and whine to express herself.
But having just woken up, both women, one big and one small, were still a bit dizzy, so neither could understand the other, and they just stared at each other blankly.
But a moment later, Jinx burst out laughing and slapped Isha's little bottom.
Isha rubbed her bottom, then watched as Jinx took out her outfit from the closet—a beautiful princess dress.
"Eek!" Isha protested; the dress didn't suit her at all!
In Li Ke's words, she was... what was it again?
Oh right, tomboy!
But Jinx ignored Isha's whimpering protests, stretched out her hands, and pounced on Isha with a howl, pinning the giggling Isha to the bed. With one hand holding down little Isha's clasped wrists, she used the other hand to forcibly remove Isha's pajamas, moving left and right.
Jinx hopes that Isha can dress up beautifully and be happy every day. Although the two sisters are not related by blood, they really look alike, especially Isha, who is practically a younger version of Jinx with a different hairstyle and hair color.
After they had both put on their new clothes, they left the bedroom and went to the bathroom to brush their teeth and wash their faces.
Just then, as they passed by the kitchen, they heard the sound of an argument.
"Li Ke! You fucking bastard, I am the great Aatrox, the Aatrox who will destroy the world! How dare you, how dare you use me to chop vegetables!"
"Yes, yes, great Lord Aatrox, I was just trying to improve our teamwork. I needed to get familiar with how to use you. And don't underestimate your chopping skills, you bastard!"
"There's a real art to chopping vegetables!"
"Screw you!" A hoarse, angry shout expressed Li Ke's disagreement.
What the hell are you talking about?!
He's Aatrox, Aatrox!
He was a general during his Ascended period and a king during his Darkin period—a powerful being!
What would other Darkin think if they knew he was now being used by humans, willingly becoming their sword—and a kitchen knife at that?
You should know that Aatrox used to mock their original form!
Aatrox had thoroughly mocked them for their farm tools, sickles, kitchen spoons, and big pots.
Let them know their current situation
Grass!
In Demacia, Jarvan III was sipping tea in the royal garden, his eyes half-closed. A commotion could be heard nearby, but it wasn't coming from Jarvan III's harem.
As the ruler of a nation, Jarvan III had only one wife and one son, Jarvan IV. Therefore, those voices were made by the people of Demacia.
As for why ordinary people are allowed to enter the royal gardens, it's because of Princess Catherine.
She opened her garden, offering the flowers she planted to the people for their enjoyment and sharing the joy with them.
Even after her death, Jarvan III did not change this rule, even though doing so would have been very dangerous for Jarvan III, as it would have greatly increased his chances of being assassinated. He was unwilling to change it.
Sipping the herbal tea brought from Piltover, Jarvan III felt a little sleepy as the breeze blew in.
But just as he was about to take a nap, footsteps sounded, and Jarvan III opened his eyes to find Tianna standing before him, her face flushed and her eyes filled with resentment.
"What's wrong?" Jarvan III found it amusing. This Tianna... Ha, it's probably the Crownguard Family's kids causing trouble again.
The last time I saw Tianna this expression was when she learned that her niece possessed magic.
The little one thought she was hiding it well, fearfully concealing her power, but the royal family and the Crownguard Family, a whole host of people, knew she possessed magic.
Even her brother, whom she used to be close to but later drifted apart from, knew about it, and it seems that Garen has even brainwashed her?
"Lux is missing," Tianna said to the king, taking a deep breath.
"Where did she go to play again?" Jarvan III asked cheerfully.
"She must have heard rumors within her family that she would be joining the ambassadorial delegation, and then she went to Twin Cities alone first," Tianna said through gritted teeth.
She and her husband had no children, and her brother's two children, Lux and Garen, were practically raised by Tianna. Lux was very close to her when she was young, but she hid from her after learning that she possessed magic. As for Garen, he had been with Tianna since he was a child.
Therefore, for Tianna, those two children were also her own children.
Now, the "daughter" has run away, without saying a word!
"That's not hard to understand, Tianna. She's always been afraid that you'll find out she has magic. I think she might have wanted to escape Demacia since she was very young. She's insecure, she's afraid of being blamed and becoming a burden to the Crownguard Family."
Jarvan III said gently, even taking the blame himself. "That little one ran away under cover of night, probably intending not to return to Demacia. This isn't her fault; it's your and my responsibility."
"We should push for Lux and my son's marriage as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Tianna sighed, "But His Highness doesn't have those feelings for me."
Jarvan III listened, smiled, and didn't dwell on the matter.
The marriage between Lightshield and Crownguard is definitely a good thing for Demacia. It will not only promote the relationship between Lightshield and Crownguard, but also cover up Lux's magical abilities through the identity of the princess.
Just like Catherine in the past.
Moreover, Jarvan IV and Lux were childhood friends, so it would be a good thing for them to get married.
However, Jarvan IV always regarded Garen as a brother in arms, and therefore, he also treated Lux as a sister.
Jarvan III and Catherine were deeply in love, and he naturally hoped that his children with Catherine could have their own happiness. Therefore, when Jarvan IV protested, Jarvan III stopped pressuring him.
"Don't be nervous. I'll inform Silco and ask him to help us find Lux, and also Tianna. I don't think this is a bad thing."
Tianna nodded, understanding Jarvan III's meaning.
Lux is alone out there for a long time, her magical abilities will naturally come to light.
The fact that the Crownguard Family's little princess possesses magic would undoubtedly cause turmoil in Demacia, but with Lux out at the time, Tianna had countless ways to shirk responsibility.
This will make it easier for the king to act.
So Tianna asked, "Are you... going to do that?"
"Yes, we can't delay any longer."
Jarvan III closed his eyes, his white beard trembling in the wind, and his voice reached Tianna's ears.
"Demacia must change. The people's resentment is growing louder. It's not their fault that they possess magic, nor should it be considered a curse, but rather a talent."
"We used to fear magic because it destroyed our homes, but now we should no longer resist it. In the end, magic is just a tool, and it is the people who use the tool who caused all this, that is absolutely true."
Our ancestors weren't wrong either. It was because they banned magic in that era that Demacia enjoys the peace and stability it has today. But every era has its own rules.
Let's act now.
"Yes." Tianna bowed, her eyes serious.
Once this matter is initiated, the most dangerous person is Jarvan III.
He would face countless assassination attempts by nobles, and the ban on magic. In Demacia, this was no longer about protecting the country, but had become a political tool for the nobles.
But Jarvan III still wants to change all of this, because the ban on magic is destroying Demacia.
In Zaun, a figure wearing a cloak, concealing his small body, walked across the street and headed towards Zaun's largest tavern.
Fugen Tavern, the best tavern in Zaun, she had seen it in the Twin Cities tourist guide months ago; it was said to be a must-visit for outsiders.
Of course, she wouldn't miss it.
Carefully avoiding the people around her, she crept into the tavern.
It was afternoon, but the tavern was already packed with people.
The people's clothing was a motley collection: some wore work clothes, some wore long-sleeved linen and wool garments, some wore red leather armor, and others were dressed in very strange ways.
The soothing music playing from the music player placed by the door made her eyes light up.
Then, she looked around and heard sounds in her ears.
"Would you like something to drink?"
Looking over, she saw a bartender smiling at her.
After hesitating for a moment, she stepped forward and carefully removed her hood, revealing a delicate and beautiful face: a fair oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, a pair of Big Eyes, a small and exquisite nose with a charming curve, and below that, a pair of pink and moist lips.
What's even more captivating is her beautiful, almost glowing blonde hair.
In Runeterra, there are many people with blonde hair, but none as striking as hers.
The bartender's gaze turned strange, and he uttered something she didn't understand. "My God, your hair is remarkably similar to Zeri's."
"Zeri? Who's that?" she asked curiously, blinking her Big Eyes.
"It's not important." The bartender shook his head with a smile, then rested his arm on the counter and said, "Would you like something to drink? Or are you here to gather information?"
The girl paused for a moment, then said, "Give me a glass of juice."
"Seven copper coins, thank you." The bartender wasn't surprised; the girl didn't look very old, maybe sixteen or seventeen at most, even younger than the princess of our Zaun.
The guy who grew up in Zaun still drinks fruit juice, so would it be surprising if this pretty girl, who looks like she's from out of town, also drinks fruit juice?
A glass of juice was handed to her, and the bartender added, "Find a seat yourself, don't worry about what other people think."
The bartender gleaned one piece of information from the girl's clothes: she was from Demacia.
Nodding, she picked up the glass, took a sip through the straw, and her eyes lit up. She placed seven crisp Zaun coins on the bar and smiled at the bartender, saying, "Thank you, the juice was delicious. By the way, my name is Lux, nice to meet you~"
The bartender paused for a moment, finding the girl in front of him quite cute. He thought for a moment, then pointed to a spot. "Go sit over there. No one will dare cause you trouble here."
Lux followed the bartender's gaze and saw a table in a corner. The table in the corner was peculiar; while the other tables were gray or brown, this one was pink and had several cute plush toys on it, which made Lux's eyes light up.
Sitting at that table was a girl with beautiful blue hair, tied in a long ponytail, who had her back to him.
Wearing a blue and red striped coat, black trousers, and a pair of unusual and beautiful boots worn by long legs, he was sipping something while his legs were crossed and bobbing.
Lux hesitated for a moment, then followed the bartender's suggestion and walked to the table.
Then, he met the girl's gaze.
Lux saw the other person's eyes light up, and then, with a grin, she leaned back and sat on the stool in a very unladylike posture, looking her over.
"Hello. May I sit here?" Lux asked her.
She nodded, tapped the table with her finger, and said, "Sit down. You're really beautiful. By the way, what's with your hair? It looks like it's glowing."
"You look beautiful too!" Lux exclaimed immediately upon hearing the compliment.
"Right? I think I'm pretty too." The girl was very outgoing and started talking to Lux with a smile.
But several people dressed in red leather armor nearby looked over.
They looked at Lux, their eyes narrowing at the sight of her white armor dress.
This outfit is in the Demacia style.
After thinking for a moment, the group of guys said something and then walked up to the girl.
The two girls, who were chatting happily, looked up at the same time, and then Lux was startled to find herself surrounded.
She was a little nervous about it; these clothes were Noxians.
Although she didn't think she would get beaten up for it, this was the first time Lux had ever been bothered like this! She had no idea how to deal with it, so she looked at the girl in front of her.
She was still chattering away.
"What's wrong? Go on talking about the statues in your country, your big friend. What's the deal with him? It's the first time I've ever heard of a statue that can move."
"This..." Lux saw that she had no idea what was going on, but after taking a deep breath, Lux felt that she couldn't bring trouble to her new friend.
In the distance, the bartender also saw this scene, and not only him, but many people in the tavern saw it.
The bartender and the people from both cities both wore disdainful smiles.
"Well, let's talk another time. I have to go, my family might be looking for me." Having come up with a plan, Lux got up to leave.
But a hand reached out and blocked her way.
She looked up and saw a man with a scar on his face.
"Let's talk, Demacia."
"I have nothing to talk to you about, you've got the wrong person," Lux said, walking around, but another person blocked her way.
Just kidding, Demacia and Noxus are sworn enemies. If they see a Demacia in a tavern, especially a lone Demacia, they certainly won't let this opportunity pass them by.
Of course, they wouldn't dare fight in Fugen Tavern, but couldn't they at least cause some trouble with a few words?
"Hey, what are you doing stopping her?"
Just as Lux was at a loss, a voice rang out.
The Noxians looked at the blue-haired girl and frowned.
The girl chatted happily with the bartender when she entered the pub, and the bartender treated her extremely well, which suggests that she was from Zaunite.
"This is between her and me, it shouldn't concern you, right?"
"We know the rules of the Fugen Tavern, so we'll take her out to talk. We also know the rules of Zaun; we won't make a move in Zaun," another Noxians added.
Lux felt much more at ease after hearing this. Fortunately, it was just as she had heard: no one in Zaun dared to cause trouble there now, so she wouldn't be in danger even if she went out alone.
As long as she stays put in Zaun.
"What kind of rules are these? I said, don't you recognize me? You came to Zaun and you don't know me?" The blue-haired girl laughed angrily, pointing at herself. Her fingers, painted with blue nail polish, were dazzling under the bright lights of the tavern.
"Who are you?"
"Even if you're a big shot in Zaun, this is a private matter between us and Demacia. Zaun has no right to interfere so much, right?"
The blue-haired girl snorted and said crisply, "What if I insist on interfering?"
"Noxus is also an ally of Zaun. You insist on siding with the Demacia. Aren't you afraid of causing trouble for Zaun? We just want to talk to her. We won't hurt her."
"Talk? If you're going to threaten me, then threaten me. Why make it sound so nice?"
"Then what if we insist on taking her away?" The Noxians narrowed his eyes.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Just as Lux was about to speak, she noticed that her newly acquainted friend had changed her sitting posture.
She sat back, raised the back legs of the stool, then lifted her feet and placed them on the table. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her metal-plated boots made a crisp sound as they landed.
Then came her cold voice. "Why don't you give it a try?"
As the girl's voice faded, nearly two-thirds of the patrons in the tavern stood up and looked in their direction.
The bartender picked up the Hextech rifle hanging on the wall and stared coldly at them.
In an instant, the Noxians were surrounded.
Lux watched this scene in astonishment.
At that moment, she suddenly understood what the bartender had said to her.
"Go sit there, no one can bother you."
This new friend.
Good heavens, who is she?!
And she's so cool!