Deal Reached

Ato pushed open the gates of Frost Guard Fortress, and the icy air of Freljord rushed at him.

"This Old Hag, she hasn't lived for ten thousand years for nothing. She lured me in, then disappeared the moment the banquet started, leaving others to drag me around Frost Guard Fortress all day..." Ato grumbled in his heart.

"Be content. Food is scarce here. It's not like you were mistreated if the Iceborn prepared a banquet for you with their stored prey, taught you traditional dances, and told you ancient legends," Aatrox said dismissively.

As Ornn's Divine Sword Sheath continued to exert its effect, more of Aatrox's corruption was expelled.

Coupled with the deepening connection with Ato, Aatrox and Ato were no longer communicating solely through voices on a spiritual level. They could now manifest images, though it was Aatrox's appearance from his time as a Darkin.

"We are staying in a warm fortress, but poor Anaakca, she has truly stood in the ice and snow for a day and a night..."

Anaakca stood not far away, her posture unchanged from yesterday before Ato entered the fortress.

Aatrox sighed and said helplessly, "Actually, there's no need to worry at all. The temperature has no effect on Darkin. She could stand there for a hundred years and be fine. This is purely due to her lack of reason and the absence of orders."

"Now that Lissandra has initially trusted Anaakca, only the last step remains."

Just then, Lissandra, who had been missing for a long time, appeared behind Ato.

"Go. This time, you give her the order." Ato didn't turn to look at Lissandra. He naturally understood what the "last step" referred to. "Neither this guy nor I will participate. You can order her to explore the Howling Abyss again."

Lissandra silently walked past Ato.

"Old Hag, disappearing for so long, I don't even need to guess. She must have been observing Anaakca from some corner of the fortress," Ato couldn't help but think.

Lissandra arrived beside Anaakca. Her voice was masked by the distance and the cold wind, but the statue-like Anaakca finally reacted.

She leaped over the edge of the stone bridge, jumped into the Howling Abyss, and quickly disappeared from sight.

"Even though I knew the outcome, seeing it with my own eyes still feels unreal," Ato sighed. "Even I, the wielder of the demon sword, couldn't command Anaakca, but Lissandra did it first."

"Anaakca has to stay here to monitor the abyss. What's the point of you ordering her? You could consider it if you encountered other brothers."

"I was just saying..." Ato pouted.

"When Anaakca comes up, we'll leave here. Noxus's conscription should not be over yet. We'll take the opportunity to sneak into the army and reach Ionia on their warship."

Aatrox analyzed from a general's perspective: "If their commander is smart enough, they will wait for the severe winter to pass before sending troops, and won't make the foolish mistake of dividing their forces."

"When that Purple-skinned Mage disembarks, I could feel the uniqueness of that land across the sea. There are existences that even I cannot underestimate. I also sensed a few familiar auras."

Ato rubbed his chin, recalling the story development he saw in the real world: "I remember that tyrannical emperor did divide his forces, sending Darius, the strongest combatant, to Freljord. What kind of emperor is that..."

"Is it LeBlanc playing tricks? It seems she's only good at schemes and tricks, and doesn't understand warfare yet gives blind orders..."

"LeBlanc? Who is that? Some acrobat from a theater?"

Ato and Aatrox chatted idly. Two hours later, Anaakca jumped onto the stone bridge from the abyss.

She didn't salute Lissandra, only reported in a hoarse female voice about the situation at the bottom of the Abyss: "The seal... intact... True Ice state... same as last time..."

Anaakca's current state was like a computer program... there was a highest-level command, and only when this command was agreed to and executed would the next-level commands continue to run...

"It's over." Ato exhaled a cold breath and came to Lissandra's side.

"We've proven everything. Anaakca will help you monitor the Abyss, and you will no longer instigate conflict between the Avarosa Tribe and the Winter's Claw Tribe. I believe you remember, right?"

He controlled the Demonic Sword of the Dark to release a trace of power to enhance his aura. By the time he spoke the last sentence, there was a hint of threat in his voice.

He had gone to such great lengths precisely to gain the Old Hag's trust. If she still remained wary, Ato wouldn't mind letting her witness the power of a "stat monster."

Not wanting to conflict with her was one thing, but it didn't mean Ato was truly afraid.

"...I will fulfill my promise." This was the first sentence Lissandra said to Ato today. "Those two tribes that inherit the will of my sisters, I will no longer interfere with their development."

"I hope so," Ato said indifferently. "Anaakca will stay here for now. When the Watcher beneath the ice breaks the seal, we will come. If there's nothing else, we should head to the next location."

Without waiting for Lissandra to speak, Ato walked towards the other end of the Stone Bridge.

Anaakca's gaze followed the Demonic Sword of the Dark the entire time, but she remained standing in place, making no move and saying nothing.

"Wait." Lissandra suddenly called out to Ato.

"Is there something else?" Ato didn't turn around.

"Are you going to that empire in the south?"

"That's right, but that's none of your business now."

"I've set up a magic coordinate at the border that can transport you there, bypassing the journey through Freljord. I apologize for testing you; consider this my compensation."

Ato, who was about to walk off the Stone Bridge, finally turned around.

"...Alright."

Lissandra said no more. Her blue arm emanated cold air. After a few hand gestures, a layer of True Ice appeared beneath Ato's feet, but the preparation time was significantly longer than the last time she teleported him to a nearby mountain range.

"Condense!"

Lissandra raised her right hand, and a transparent beam of light shot from her body into the sky. After reaching a certain height, it curved and gradually descended, enveloping Ato.

True Ice grew from beneath Ato's feet, sealing him in.

"Freeze!"

With a flash of blue light, Ato disappeared from his spot.

Lissandra slowly lowered her arm, her chest heaving slightly. Long-distance teleportation consumed a great deal of her energy.

Anaakca cast one last glance at the spot where Ato had disappeared, then turned her gaze toward the Abyss.

The True Ice dissipated, and Ato surveyed his surroundings.

He stood atop a high mountain.

This place seemed to be the dividing line for the polar climate. The north was dominated by white as far as the eye could see, while to the south, green shoots could already be seen emerging from the mountain cliffs.

"Guess she's sincere," Ato said, shaking off the remaining ice on his body. "Next, I need to figure out how to infiltrate the Noxian army."

The mountain path posed no obstacle for Ato, and before long, he reached the foot of the mountain.

Ahead lay a city of considerable size, with three main roads extending from it and all the way into the mountains.

On his way down, Ato saw many caves and mining carts. A sign at the foot of the mountain clearly displayed the city's name.

"Jue Wuo Fortress."