Pale Lady

Faced with the Emperor's inquiry, Du Kuor continued, "That 'Alchemist' once served Emistan. He can explain the specifics."

"Emistan."

Darkwill's emotionless voice rang out. From the rear of the ministers on the left, an elder with thinning hair and a thick white beard emerged.

He arrived at a position parallel to Du Kuor, also placing his right hand over his chest in salute, and respectfully said, "Your Majesty."

"Did you find the 'Alchemist' we need in Zaun?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. Five years ago, when he left my legion, he told me his secret base in Zaun. His alchemy has made great progress over the years."

"Forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty, but in Noxus, no one can match him in the field of alchemy. I will find an opportunity to have him truly join the Empire."

Emistan was a legion commander.

He was skilled in disguise, infiltration, and assassination. Although he was older, his abilities had not diminished, and he had many connections in Zaun. Therefore, Du Kuor sent him to Zaun to find the "Alchemist" from the past.

"Good. The Empire will be proud of you."

The two bowed again and returned to their positions.

Darkwill then looked at the minister standing first on the right. This minister seemed to blend into the shadows, remaining silent throughout.

He asked curiously, "Darius, you weren't assigned to the war in Ionia, but instead sent to Freljord. Our 'Hand of Noxus,' do you have anything to say about that?"

Darius was even more robust than Du Kuor. A scar ran from his forehead across his left eye all the way to his cheek.

His steel armor was covered in cracks, and the red cape behind him was tattered.

If an outsider were present, they would surely be surprised that someone would neglect their attire in such a solemn occasion. Was this not disrespectful to the Emperor?

However, everyone present, including the Emperor himself, paid no mind to Darius's improper attire. He even stood in the position closest to the Emperor.

Darius stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight cast by the floor-to-ceiling window, bowing to the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, my only goal is to bring victory to the Empire, no matter where the battlefield is," Darius's voice was exceptionally firm.

"You are still the same, with only a thirst for victory. Considering the environment of Freljord, the additional imperial funds approved for cold weather protection, I trust you have used them all in the right places."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Darius said in a deep voice.

Darkwill then addressed the first minister on the left, "Jericho, our Empire's current strength owes much to your Swain family. Your wisdom is also needed in war. You must display the Empire's power with your intellect."

Jericho Swain wore a simple coat over his armor. His salt-and-pepper hair was meticulously combed, and his eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything.

He walked to the center of the hall, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Darius, and bowed slightly. "Your will is my will. However, Your Majesty, I must remind you, beware of the 'Black Rose'."

Darkwill's expression immediately darkened, and he said with displeasure, "You don't need to remind me. I know what I'm doing. Upon arrival in Ionia, you will obey Commander Du Kuor's orders and are not permitted to act on your own. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Jericho Swain suppressed all emotion and returned to his original position without further comment.

"This meeting is adjourned. Du Kuor, stay behind. The rest of you may leave."

Darkwill concluded the meeting.

After the ministers had exited the grand hall, leaving only Du Kuor, a figure emerged from behind Darkwill's throne.

The figure was entirely shrouded in a black robe, and only their build suggested they were female.

"That's right, just like this..." the robed figure's mature female voice said. "Ionia hides the secret of eternal life... it can only be found through war..."

"Yes, yes... eternal life... I'm almost there... the mystery of everlasting life... Hahahaha!"

Emperor Bron Darkwill's state was clearly abnormal, as if he were sleep-talking.

Du Kuor, standing below the throne, observed this but made no move.

"Esteemed Pale Lady, do you have any further suggestions regarding this war?" Du Kuor ignored Darkwill and spoke directly to the figure behind the throne.

"Suggestions? Heh..." the robed figure replied with a laugh. "I've told you many times, there is only one suggestion: do not underestimate your enemy."

"Indeed, the empire is powerful now, and Ionia remains in its primitive state with no development."

"But there are always things in this world that your human minds cannot comprehend. If underestimating them hinders my plans, you know your fate."

Du Kuor broke out in a cold sweat and quickly responded, "Yes, yes... we will absolutely not underestimate them. I will treat them as another powerful nation and crush them with the empire's strongest might. My Lady, do you have any other instructions?"

"Do you think I kept you behind for no reason? Listen, find a way to have that young descendant of the Swain family, Jericho, die on the battlefield," the robed figure said coldly.

"Jericho Swain?"

He was an acquaintance of Du Kuor. Before Emperor Bron Darkwill completely became the Pale Lady's puppet, he had been deeply trusted, had achieved significant merits multiple times, and held high prestige within the military.

If not for this war, which allowed him to become the commander of the army, Du Kuor would typically have to obey Jericho Swain's orders.

Deep down, Du Kuor held a degree of admiration for Jericho Swain. With him in charge of the army and devising strategies, Du Kuor could have reaped the fruits of victory with minimal effort.

"My Lady, this war requires his wisdom, and the empire needs such talent..."

"Silence!" the robed figure interrupted Du Kuor's plea. "The Swain family has never been outside my control, and he has become a bit too clever. He has sensed the Emperor's condition and my existence!"

"If it weren't necessary, why would I act against him? I've used all the means available. I originally intended to cultivate him to serve me, but I never expected..."

"Back then, I used him to execute me, allowing him to enter the Emperor's sight and be highly regarded. And then he refused the people I sent to contact him, and he could even discern that I wasn't dead!"

"Hmph, he is an uncontrollable person! Since that's the case, his destiny is to become a soul lost on the battlefield!"

"I understand..." Du Kuor raised a hand to wipe the cold sweat from his face.

"I will find a reason to leave Jericho isolated and helpless. During this time, with Madam's reasonable groundwork, the nobles all know His Majesty is searching for a method of Eternal Life..."

"Very good." The figure in the black robe nodded in satisfaction. "We'll use the excuse of searching for a Magic Holy Artifact for Eternal Life. At that time, I will have the Emperor sign the military order."

"As you command, Madam..."

Du Kuor bowed his head to receive the order, a purple light flashing in his eyes.