War Is Coming

"She won't lose her mind and go crazy just because you leave, will she?" Lissandra worried about Anaakca's mental state.

"Anaakca can resist even the Watchers' whispers. She won't do anything outside my orders. I've already instructed her to take your orders when I'm not around."

Aatrox remained full of confidence.

"If she poses a threat to you, I permit you to seal her with True Ice. Of course, that's impossible."

"...I'll trust you for now. With Anaakca's help, monitoring the abyssal seal will be much easier."

"Are you leaving now? It's past noon. Why not rest at Frost Guard Fortress before setting off?" Lissandra suggested.

You think I can't hear the hidden meaning behind your words...

Ato felt that since arriving in Runeterra, he had gained a deeper understanding of human relationships, able to fathom the thoughts of even a ten-thousand-year-old Old Hag.

Even though this was a game world, it wasn't as simple as it appeared.

Ato communicated with Aatrox on a mental level: "Lissandra appears to trust us, but her internal barriers aren't that easy to break. After all, she's a madwoman who would kill everyone present to keep secrets..."

"Her guilt towards her other two sisters is real, her desire to protect Runeterra is real, and her madness for secrecy is also real. She never trusts others easily."

As an ancient being who had also lived for thousands of years, Aatrox naturally understood.

"I didn't expect you, Little Thing, to see it too. The only reason she wants us to stay an extra day is because she's still uneasy about Anaakca. If we refused, she'd seal Anaakca with True Ice the moment we left."

"When we return and ask, she'll say Anaakca tried to attack them. We won't have any proof..."

Ato still had doubts: "Staying another day at Frost Guard Fortress will make her trust us? That seems too simple."

Aatrox explained: "Lissandra only believes what she sees with her own eyes. Anaakca's safe return from the bottom of the abyss can greatly alleviate the pressure of monitoring the abyss. She truly desires this assistance."

"If we disappear from the fortress for a whole day, and Anaakca stays outside the fortress, without any extreme actions in my absence, Lissandra can tentatively believe my words. At the very least, she won't seal Anaakca immediately."

He then added: "Just wait and see. Once we enter the fortress, Lissandra will find all sorts of excuses to keep us from leaving. For at least a day, we won't be in Anaakca's sight."

Seeing Ato's expression change and fall silent for a long time, Lissandra asked again: "Well? Can you consider my suggestion?"

Ato then seriously considered it: "Calculating the time, staying here an extra day and then rushing to Noxus in the south, there's still plenty of time."

"It's been a month since I left the Siren and came to Freljord. In another half a month, it will be 984. Noxus's war preparations still need time. They likely won't depart right at the New Year..."

Since a decision had been made, Ato readily agreed: "That's an excellent suggestion. After the previous trade was completed, we went to the mountains to awaken Anaakca. I haven't had a chance to tour Frost Guard Fortress yet. Resting for a night is a good choice."

He then took the initiative to order Anaakca to guard the Howling Abyss outside the fortress, but Anaakca showed no reaction.

Ato: "..."

Do you have to be so rigid! I can completely control the Demonic Sword of the Dark... how can I not even command a subordinate of a demonic sword!

Aatrox, within the Sword Sheath, spoke, "Mm, Anaakca, you stay here and watch the Abyss. Report any developments to the Frostguard or Lissandra at any time."

Anaakca lowered her head deeply, "Yes... General..."

Ato: "..."

Who exactly was still questioning the weight of General Aatrox's identity...

Lissandra, that old fossil, had guarded secrets for ten thousand years, only to develop a suspicious habit like Mengde... Ato grumbled inwardly.

Lissandra secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This development was exactly what she wanted.

Communicating with intelligent people was indeed easy. It seemed Ato not only possessed powerful combat strength but also possessed other qualities that matched his abilities, proving he wasn't just a reckless fighter who only knew how to fight.

In the future, besides the Void, perhaps she could also seek his cooperation on other matters...

The two, each with their own agenda, walked through the fortress gates under the watchful eyes of the silent Frostguard.

Anaakca, meanwhile, stood on the Stone Bridge, gazing into the Abyss like a statue.

The Noxian Imperial Capital, the Immortal Fortress, the Royal Hall.

Brawn Darkwill, clad in magnificent robes and with a stern face, sat on the emperor's throne, his gaze calm. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, he looked towards the east.

Below the throne steps, many ministers waited, none daring to disturb the emperor's thoughts.

Outside the fortress, passing imperial citizens marveled at the building every time they saw it.

The Immortal Fortress stood in the very center of the capital and was also the tallest structure in the entire city.

It was composed of three massive triangular stone pillars, entirely gray and white, exuding a solemn texture.

There was a popular saying that the Immortal Fortress existed before the founding of the nation. The ancestors of the Noxians hid there to escape disaster. Those who survived emerged from the fortress and, step by step, established the Noxus of today.

The Immortal Fortress was originally just the name of that magnificent structure. As the city gradually expanded, the Noxian ancestors decided to make it the capital of the empire and named it after the fortress.

Any citizen with a bit of knowledge could see that the Immortal Fortress was located in the heartland of the Valoran continent, a strategic location.

Three large rivers converged here, and the sea mouth was not far to the east. These convenient conditions allowed Noxus to quickly transport troops to the front lines.

Coupled with a relatively enlightened talent policy, almost no country on the Valoran continent could contend with it.

Darkwill withdrew his gaze and looked at the ministers below. He asked the second minister on his right, a burly man, "Du Kuor, how are the preparations for the navy coming along?"

"This is an oceanic operation. I have reviewed the documents from the warship factories. Two more large warships will be launched soon, and personnel replenishment must keep pace."

The general, known as Du Kuor, stepped out from the ranks of ministers, placing his right hand on his chest, and replied, "Your Majesty, our army has undergone two and a half years of training and has adapted to the sea."

"The recruitment drives in various regions have also never stopped. Because the conditions we offer are very generous, many people are willing to join the army."

"After another month or two when the weather warms up, the training for the new recruits will be completed. That will be an opportune time to set off."

"Very good." Darkwill nodded slightly. "I now appoint you as the Supreme Commander for this Eastern Expedition. Set off with the army in two months."

"May Your Majesty's radiance shine upon the world." Du Kuor bowed deeply to Darkwill, accepting the appointment.

"Oh, right. Is there any news from Zaun? With the expedition imminent, if we can find that 'Alchemist' again, it will be another powerful guarantee for our victory." Darkwill asked casually.