Pero's Choice

Jiang Chuan looked at the shimmering silver potion in his hand. To an ordinary person, this potion held a fatal allure. Jiang Chuan really wanted to ask Zoe for another bottle, but lying to a child twice was immoral. Jiang Chuan looked at Zoe and smiled, "Okay, the Cosmic Spirit has received your wish. You'll be able to have a beach date with Ezreal right away!"

Jiang Chuan snapped his fingers. Since they were acting, they had to commit. With a flash of white light, Little Blondie, no, Ezreal, appeared before Jiang Chuan and Zoe.

Ezreal wasn't as oblivious as Zoe. In an unfamiliar environment, Ezreal displayed the vigilance and qualities of an explorer. He looked around cautiously, his Gauntlets emitting a cerulean glow, ready to unleash Arcane energy at any moment.

Seeing Ezreal, Zoe spoke in a rare, ladylike tone, "Hi, Ezreal, it's Zoe, we meet again."

Ezreal said sternly, "Zoe, get behind me. There might be danger here."

Zoe smiled, "There's no danger here."

Ezreal pointed at Jiang Chuan and asked, "Who is he? How did I suddenly appear in this place?"

Zoe smiled, "He's the Cosmic Spirit, here to grant my wish."

Ezreal said, half-believing, "Is there such a thing as a Cosmic Spirit?"

Zoe smiled, "I don't know, but he seems real. He already granted my wish."

Ezreal smiled, "Where is this place?"

Jiang Chuan looked at the surrounding sea and said, "Bilgewater. You've heard of it, haven't you, Ezreal?"

As an explorer, Ezreal had certainly heard of Bilgewater's reputation. Bilgewater was a paradise that criminals from other places yearned for.

Ezreal asked doubtfully, "Why would a Cosmic Spirit who grants wishes live in Bilgewater?"

Jiang Chuan really wanted to crush this Ten Thousand Whys. He smiled and said, "Since I'm a Cosmic Spirit who grants wishes, I naturally have to travel around. There are many wishes in this world waiting for me to fulfill. Oh, right, I need to tell you, you only have thirty minutes. After thirty minutes, you'll return to where you were."

After speaking, Jiang Chuan walked to a bench on the side and sat down, watching the vast and magnificent sea.

Kayn emerged from the shadows and said, "You're actually deceiving a child? This isn't like you. Besides, her wish was for endless Chocolate Mooncakes."

Jiang Chuan took out the silver potion from his pocket and said, "He's a Twilight Spirit, and I'm just a human. How else could I get this potion?"

Kayn chuckled disdainfully, "You call yourself an ordinary human?"

Jiang Chuan nodded, "We're all ordinary people. It's just that what we can do is different."

Jiang Chuan put away the potion and looked at Kayn. "Can you still return to Ionia now?"

Kayn gazed into the distance, "That's not my home. They only want this weapon."

Jiang Chuan asked, "What about Noxus?"

Kayn burst into laughter, "Hahahaha! Although I am a Noxian, I've killed no small number of Noxians."

Jiang Chuan smiled, "So you're homeless then."

Kayn picked up a stone and tossed it into the water, causing seagulls to take flight. "I'm just an assassin. For an assassin, home is just a burden."

Jiang Chuan stood up and patted Kayn's shoulder. "From now on, follow me. I'll ensure your safety. The Dark Sea Throne will be your shield."

Kayn looked at Jiang Chuan and smiled dismissively, returning to Jiang Chuan's shadow. It was the first time Kayn felt a sliver of warmth in the darkness.

Half an hour later, Jiang Chuan dispelled the summons for Zoe and Ezreal. They returned to their original places as if they had never left.

Jiang Chuan returned to the First Army's camp. Pero and an old mage were waiting for him in the hall.

Jiang Chuan looked at Pero and smiled, "Leader Pero, have you considered it?"

Pero looked at Jiang Chuan with a serious expression and said, "Leader Roland, I've decided to abandon Red Hat and defect to the Dark Sea Throne."

Jiang Chuan poured them both a cup of water and said, "No, no, no. I don't need you to abandon Red Hat. I need Red Hat to become another force of the Dark Sea Throne. Red Hat will not lose its independence. You won't fall behind the Upper Gang of Bilgewater just because you've joined the Dark Sea Throne. Red Hat will contribute five hundred people, and I will provide the weapons and training. Everything will be unified under the Dark Sea Throne's training. You can also continue to use magic. We can hold a meeting to discuss the specific details and proposals."

Pero nodded and said, "That's no problem. Let's schedule the meeting for tonight. What do you think?"

Jiang Chuan nodded. "No problem with that."

Jiang Chuan placed the Stardust Potion on the table. "This is the Twilight Spirit's Stardust Potion. After you drink it, you will regain your ability to use magic."

The old mage looked at the potion on the table and said, "Heavens, to think I would see such a precious potion in my lifetime. I am truly fortunate."

Jiang Chuan asked, "May I know your name, old sir?"

The old mage bowed. "Mr. Roland, Mage Kamanda pays his respects."

Jiang Chuan helped Kamanda up. "Mr. Kamanda, you are too kind. It is our honor to have you at the Dark Sea Throne. We welcome any ambitious individual to join our ranks. We are in great need of mages right now."

Pero picked up the Stardust Potion and said to Jiang Chuan, "To a pleasant cooperation."

After Pero drank the Stardust Potion, silver light spots appeared around him. Starlight emerged from around Pero, and he moaned comfortably. After a while, Pero opened his eyes. His clothes were soaked with sweat. Without bothering to clean himself, Pero extended his hand and chanted a spell. A wisp of tiny flame appeared in his hand. Although small, the light it emitted filled Pero's entire vision. Pero cried tears of joy and said, "This feeling is so wonderful! Leader Roland, my life belongs to you from now on!"

Jiang Chuan laughed. "This is just a small matter. Our goal is the Sea of Stars, the boundless Runeterra. I will lead you to conquer the entire Runeterra. Go prepare for the meeting tonight. I will present a proposal with the specific details then."

Kamanda said, "Thank you, Mr. Roland."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Then I'll await your news."

Kamanda took Pero back to Red Hat, preparing for the evening's arrangements.

Kendi came over and smiled. "President, you subdued Red Hat with just that small bottle of potion?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "That thing was irresistible to him. For someone who couldn't walk for a long time, giving him legs to walk is more valuable than a chest full of Gold Coins."

Kendi pouted. "That's a potion from the Twilight Spirit. Giving it to them like that is too generous."

Jiang Chuan tapped the table. "That's not necessarily true. If we arm six hundred people with the current equipment, no one in Bilgewater will be able to stop us."

Kendi laughed. "President, then we can dominate Bilgewater."

Jiang Chuan waved his hand. "It's too early to say that. How is the Siren coming along with its modifications?"

Kendi took out a small booklet. "The Siren's overall modifications are almost complete. We're just fine-tuning the details. Also, Master Noah said we need to find another Master Blacksmith. He can't handle all the food on the island by himself."