At the Emperor's question, Du Kuor continued, "That 'Alchemist' once served Emistan. He can tell you the details."
"Emistan."
Darkwill's emotionless voice rang out. From the back of the line of ministers on the left, an old man with thinning hair and a thick white beard stepped forward.
He came to stand beside Du Kuor, pressed his right hand to his chest in salute, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty."
"When you went to Zaun, did you find the 'Alchemist' we need?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. When he left my legion five years ago, he told me where his secret base in Zaun was. His alchemy has made great strides over the years."
"Forgive me for speaking frankly, Your Majesty, but no one in Noxus can match him in alchemy. I'll find a way to make him join the Empire for real."
Emistan was a legion commander.
He was skilled at disguises, infiltration, and assassination. Though advanced in years, his abilities had not waned. He also had many connections in Zaun, so Du Kuor had sent him there to seek out the former "Alchemist."
"Good. The Empire will be proud of you both."
The two men saluted again and returned to their places.
Darkwill turned his gaze to the minister at the head of the line on the right. The man seemed to blend into the shadows, and had remained silent throughout.
Curiously, he asked, "Darius, I didn't send you to fight in Ionia. Instead, I sent you to Freljord. As our Hand of Noxus, don't you have anything to say?"
Darius was even more powerfully built than Du Kuor. A scar ran from his forehead across his left eye and down to his cheek.
His steel armor was covered in cracks, and the red cloak on his back was in tatters.
If an outsider had been present, they would surely have been shocked that someone would neglect his appearance on such a solemn occasion. Was that not disrespectful to the Emperor?
Yet no one present, not even the Emperor himself, seemed to care that Darius was dressed so poorly. He even stood closer to the Emperor than anyone else.
Darius stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows, then saluted the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, my only goal is to bring victory to the Empire, no matter where the battlefield lies." Darius's voice was unwavering.
"You're still the same, wanting nothing but victory. Given Freljord's climate, I approved extra funds for cold-weather supplies. I trust you put every coin to good use."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Darius replied gravely.
Darkwill turned to the minister at the head of the line on the left. "Jericho, your Swain Family has done much to make our Empire as powerful as it is today. We need your strategic mind in this war as well. Use your wisdom to demonstrate the Empire's strength."
Jericho Swain wore a plain overcoat over his armor. His gray-and-white hair was neatly combed, and his eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.
He walked to the center of the hall and stood beside Darius, bowing slightly. "Your will is my will. But, Your Majesty, I must remind you to beware of the Black Rose."
Darkwill's expression immediately darkened. His tone turned hostile. "I don't need you to remind me. I know what I'm doing. Once you reach Ionia, you'll follow Commander Du Kuor's orders. You are not to act on your own. Understood?"
"...As you command, Your Majesty."
Jericho Swain suppressed every emotion and said no more. He returned to his original place.
"That's all for this meeting. Du Kuor, stay behind. The rest of you may leave."
Darkwill brought the meeting to a close.
Once the ministers had left the hall, with only Du Kuor remaining, a figure emerged from behind Darkwill's throne.
The figure was cloaked from head to toe in black robes. Only her build gave any hint that she was a woman.
"That's right, just like that..." The black-robed figure spoke in a mature female voice. "Ionia hides the secret of eternal life... Only the flames of war can reveal it..."
"Yes, yes... Eternal life... I'm so close to obtaining it... the secret of eternal life... Hahahaha!"
The Emperor, Braum Darkwill, was clearly not himself, as if he were muttering in a dream.
Du Kuor saw everything from below the throne, but made no reaction.
"Pale Lady, do you have any other advice regarding this war?" Du Kuor ignored Darkwill and spoke directly to the figure behind the throne.
"Advice? Heh..." The black-robed figure laughed. "I've told you many times. There's only one thing to remember: don't underestimate the enemy."
"Indeed, the Empire is powerful now, while Ionia has remained primitive and undeveloped."
"But this world holds things beyond the imagination of you humans. If your overconfidence gets in the way of my plans, you know what will happen to you."
Du Kuor broke into a cold sweat and hurried to answer, "Yes, yes... We won't underestimate them. I'll treat them as another powerful nation and crush them with the Empire's strongest forces. Lady, do you have any other orders?"
"Why do you think I kept you here alone? Listen carefully. Find a way to make that young Swain Family member, Jericho, die on the battlefield," the black-robed figure said coldly.
"Jericho Swain?"
He was an old acquaintance of Du Kuor's. Before Emperor Braum Darkwill had become the Pale Lady's complete puppet, Jericho had already been highly favored. He had earned great merit time and again, and enjoyed considerable prestige in the military.
If Du Kuor hadn't become commander-in-chief of the legions through this war, he would usually have been taking orders from Jericho Swain.
Deep down, Du Kuor admired Jericho Swain to some extent. With Jericho directing the army and planning every move, Du Kuor could lie back and collect the fruits of victory.
"Lady, we need his wisdom in this war. The Empire needs men like him..."
"Silence!" The black-robed figure cut off Du Kuor's protest. "The Swain Family has never been beyond my control, but he's grown a little too clever. He's noticed something is wrong with the Emperor—and realized I exist!"
"If it weren't necessary, why would I move against him? I've tried every method at my disposal. I had originally intended to cultivate him into my servant. I never expected..."
"He used me to have me executed, gained the Emperor's attention and favor, then refused the people I sent to approach him—and even figured out that I wasn't dead!"
"Hmph. He's impossible to control! In that case, a battlefield grave is where he belongs!"
"I understand..." Du Kuor raised a hand to wipe the cold sweat from his face.
"I'll find a reason to leave Jericho isolated and without support. Thanks to your careful arrangements, Lady, the nobles already know His Majesty is searching for a way to attain eternal life..."
"Good." The black-robed figure nodded in satisfaction. "Use the search for a magical holy artifact that grants eternal life as your excuse. I'll have the Emperor sign the military orders when the time comes."
"As you command, Lady..."
Du Kuor bowed to receive his orders. A purple gleam flashed in his eyes.