Jiang Chuan and Novia had agreed to sail to Demacia on his ship today.
The ship had been docked at the harbor early, before sunrise. The captain stood excitedly on deck, directing the sailors as they loaded the cargo. He knew this voyage was bound to make him a fortune.
Jiang Chuan had already smuggled the Steam Engine aboard, where Laurie and several trusted men were guarding it. Jiang Chuan took the children onto the deck. They were filled with hope at the thought of going home, and every child wore a happy smile.
Jiang Chuan said to the other children, "You don't need to be sad or discouraged. Bloodfang Island will be our home from now on, and no more criminals will ever hurt you. I swear it in the name of Sun Wukong."
After Jiang Chuan had told the children the story of Sun Wukong that night, they had all grown fond of the Great Sage and made him their idol.
Jiang Chuan entrusted those children to Edmund, then boarded the ship with more than ten others.
Before long, the cargo had been loaded. Standing on deck, the captain tossed a Golden Siren into the sea.
This was the custom in Bilgewater. Every captain setting sail had to cast a Gold Coin—a Golden Siren—into the sea to seek Lady Beard's protection. The captains called it their tithe. Ships that didn't pay their dues could only travel the deep sea alongside the Titan.
Standing on deck, Jiang Chuan stared blankly out at the distant sea. The thought of spending three months on the water made him miserable. He would have been happy to spend his entire life aboard a modern luxury cruise ship, but three months on an ancient sailing ship was unbearable. He could already feel his stomach churning...
Wilkoster, a Crown Guard and member of the Dauntless Vanguard, came from the noble Crownguard Family, just like Garen. Wilkoster was a true war machine. In his youth, Wilkoster had been an upright, sunny Demacian boy, but it was as if fate had decided to test him: misfortune had befallen him. It had begun when Wilkoster went on a mission...
It was a peaceful, quiet morning. The rising sun shone over the land. Beneath its warm light, Wilkotes stood tall, a proud gleam in his resolute face. Today was the day Wilkotes would officially join the Dauntless Vanguard, a day he had awaited for so long. He had once fought his way through Noxian forces, then escaped a tight encirclement and delivered his intelligence to the camp. After taking a drink of water, he had gone straight back into battle. That fight had earned Wilkoster the chance to join the Dauntless Vanguard!
In the sunlight, Wilkoster said excitedly to his father, "Father! Today I'm joining the Dauntless Vanguard. I'll stand at the forefront of Demacia and fight alongside them to crush our enemies. I'll make the name of the Crownguard Family resound across the battlefield!"
Wilkoster stood ramrod straight, like a sharp sword, and said, "Kotes, my son, I'm proud of you. When I was young, I joined the Dauntless Vanguard just like you and became one of its bravest warriors. We are the kingdom's blade, the sword in His Majesty's hand! From this day on, you are one of Demacia's brave warriors. You and Garen will make our Crownguard Family proud, and your names will be written in bold strokes in the family history!"
Wilkotes gave a solemn knight's salute. "Father, I won't bring shame upon Demacia!"
Kotes patted his son on the shoulder. "Your father is old now. I can't protect your mother and sister, and I'm afraid I don't have much time left. When I die in a few years, you'll have to look after them."
Wilkoster supported Kotes. "Father, don't say that. You're in good health. If a Noxian soldier showed up right now, you could still knock him flat."
Kotes coughed and replied weakly, "I know my own body. I caught a chill years ago, and I've never recovered. I probably don't have many years left. When I was young, your uncle and I were His Majesty's right and left hands. We fought countless battles. Now that we're old, at least I don't have to listen to your uncle brag about his handful of victories all day. I've heard it so often for decades that my ears have practically grown calluses."
Kotes and his father strolled across the grass. Kotes said, "What are you talking about, Father? Garen and I have looked up to you both since we were children. To us, you're heroes. I still remember the brave deeds you told me about."
Kotes waved a hand. "Do you remember the basement behind my bookshelf?"
Kotes scratched his head. "I remember sneaking in there by accident as a child and getting a scolding from you."
Kotes smiled. "Good. After I die, that basement will be your office. Your son will take it over after you. I can't tell you why just yet, but you'll understand when the time comes. I'm going to rest here. Go bring your mother and Meili over."
Kotes said, "Yes, Father."
Later, Kotes spent a pleasant morning on the grass with his father, mother, and young, sweet little sister.
Two days later, Kotes received word that pirates had attacked his parents and sister. No one aboard the ship had survived. The news struck Kotes like a bolt from the blue. His family, who had been talking with him just two days earlier, were suddenly gone. The loss devastated him, and in his grief, he remembered his father's words about the basement.
Kotes asked the Dauntless Vanguard's commander for a day off and returned home to the basement his father had mentioned.
Kotes opened the basement door. It was packed with books, and a large table stood in the middle. A letter lay on it. Kotes opened it, and his father's familiar handwriting came into view.
"My dear Kotes, my proud son. By the time you read this letter, I'll be dead. Don't grieve for me. A brave Dauntless Vanguard warrior always dies on the battlefield, always in front of our people!"
"Your uncle and I once discovered, by chance, that Demacia wasn't as peaceful as it seemed. Noxus had planted many spies in our kingdom. After we uncovered them, your uncle and I reported it to His Majesty. The king ordered our Crownguard Family to establish an investigative department and root out every last spy! But as we investigated, we discovered that Demacia's enemies weren't just Noxus and those savages. There were also Dark Creatures! Those Dark Creatures were far more terrifying than the Noxians. They had hideous faces and immense strength. The more we learned about them, the more terrified we became. They had no human thoughts or consciousness; all they knew was destruction and slaughter. Your uncle and I spent most of our lives fighting the Dark Creatures, but it was as if they could never be killed. Another one of your uncles died at their hands. Only your eldest uncle and I remained of the three brothers. At the time, we were still fighting Noxus. If people learned about the Dark Creatures, their morale would surely collapse. We had no choice but to blame your uncle's death on a Noxian Mage. Your eldest uncle and I spent our lives fighting those damned wretches. I also suffered internal injuries in battle after battle. But remember, from now on, you must take on this responsibility. Only a few people know of it, but its honor surpasses even that of defending against the Noxian army! Your eldest uncle will discuss the details with you."
"For Demacia!"
"Your loving father, Wilkoster, Crown Guard"
Kotes tucked the letter into his breast pocket and wept. "Father, Mother, Meili, I'll tear apart whoever hurt you and avenge you!"
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