43 · Heading Out Ahead

Chapter 43 · Heading Out Ahead

Once they were inside the carriage, Qiyana didn't try anything fancy. Instead, she seriously asked about the Dragon Hunt.

In response to Qiyana's questions, Yuan Chen answered in as much detail as he could. However, he still chose to conceal the truth about Azure Starfire, attributing its effects to Nedeli instead.

"A lion that gives off the light of dawn? How come I've never heard of a magical beast like that before..."

Qiyana thought it over, puzzled.

Ixialia was far removed from the secular world. Though it was only half the size of Demacia, its natural environment was home to nearly seventy percent of the Elemental Drakes known to exist in the world.

And that was without even mentioning the Elemental Sacred Beasts—beings whose strength surpassed even that of Elemental Drakes, and who were like demigods...

Though Ixialia had been established long ago, even now it could only venture into the outskirts of the Miasma Jungle. Why couldn't it go deeper? Because the Miasma Jungle was simply too dangerous, even for Ixialia.

At first glance, Runeterra seemed unremarkable. Besides the reclusive demigods and sacred beasts, it appeared to be no more than a fantasy medieval world. But in truth, there had never been a shortage of hidden things.

"The lion took human form, then pierced the dragon's chest with a javelin. That gave Mordas and me the chance to drive our spears into the dragon's heart."

Yuan Chen made no special effort to distinguish between an Elemental Drake and a dragon, and Qiyana didn't bring it up either. To ordinary people, there was no difference between a dragon and a drake. Both were powerful and seemingly unbeatable.

For that reason, claiming they had killed a dragon would boost morale far more than saying they had killed a drake. After all, if you emphasized that it was only a drake, someone might think you meant a Dragonkin Subspecies like a Dragon Blood Hound or a Dragon Blood Horse.

After hearing Yuan Chen's account, Qiyana fell silent for a long while. At last, she sighed. "It sounds like a hero's tale..."

"Fate is always full of irony."

Yuan Chen paused, then added, "We'll present the dragon in your name."

"..." Qiyana didn't seem excited. Pressing her lips together, she asked, puzzled, "Why would you do that? For me? Or for yourself?"

"Both."

Yuan Chen said, "My Precognition Magic is excellent. I've seen many disasters in the future that will give us trouble. If Ixialia can integrate with the world and communicate with outsiders, Runeterra will have more strength to face those disasters."

"Of course, I won't yield the title of Dragon Slayer."

Yuan Chen spoke frankly. "That title will make my future actions much easier."

"No problem, but I think you've got one thing wrong." Qiyana looked uneasy as she said, "Ixialia is isolated from the rest of the world. Even if I help spread the story, it'll only get around within Ixialia's borders. To spread it outside... we'd need close ties with the Outside World."

"I have a way."

"What way?" Qiyana asked curiously.

Yuan Chen replied, "Piltover... They should have started trying to develop Ixialia's borders already, right?"

At the mention of Piltover, a trace of disgust flickered in Qiyana's eyes. It wasn't directed at Yuan Chen, but at Piltover itself.

"Mm... Those people who use filthy machines to harness magic really are destroying the forests. Why bring them up? Are you suggesting we let them flatten the vine curtain? That would certainly connect Ixialia and Piltover."

"Ixialia will destroy them at any cost!"

"Don't get so worked up. Your feelings are too intense." Yuan Chen wasn't surprised by Qiyana's disgust toward Piltover.

Piltover, in Valoran's fifth telecommunications district, was a thriving, progressive city built on the coast. It controlled the only trade route between the Valoran Continent and Shurima. The wealth brought in by maritime trade had once driven the city's growth like never before.

And with the advent of the Hextech Gates, it had risen to become the world's trade hub.

Trade brought wealth, wealth brought prosperity, and prosperity brought art. Piltover was also the cultural center of the Valoran Continent. There, art, craftsmanship, trade, and innovation went hand in hand.

More and more inventors hungered to pursue the latest Hextech Knowledge. By now, Piltover had become a natural magnet for skilled artisans from all over the world.

The resources needed for research came not only from trade with every corner of the world, but also from mining in the surrounding regions.

Shurima was rich in mineral resources, especially the mountains to its east. In the past, Piltover's workers had only mined the Kumungu Mountains. But as resources dwindled, they had begun moving toward Ixialia.

In Ixialia, where people revered nature, Piltover's reckless extraction of natural resources and deforestation were simply beyond comprehension.

Qiyana, in particular, felt as if they were encroaching on her territory. She wanted to fight back, but unfortunately, Ixialia's traditions of isolationism and seclusion had a deep influence on the country.

So Ixialia had only sabotaged the Piltovans' machinery in secret using Elemental Magic, doing everything it could to avoid direct contact and communication.

With the advent of Hextech, Piltover's demand for resources had grown enormously. Its mining equipment had also been upgraded and improved by its inventors.

"Since you plan to become Ixialia's queen, you'd better rein in your personality and temper."

"Why?"

Qiyana asked indignantly.

"Because you aren't strong enough yet, and you haven't gained an advantage in the Heir Competition." Yuan Chen explained, "Since we're currently at a low point in the Heir Competition, we should unite with anyone we can. We need to make more friends and fewer enemies, show the neutral parties our value, and get them to invest in us, creating shared interests."

He paused, then added with a strange look, "You were born into the royal family. Shouldn't you have known these rules of the game already?"

Qiyana had been listening, but as soon as she heard Yuan Chen's question, she wanted to argue back. Then she thought of her Father King's appointment during the Elemental Festival.

And not just the appointment...

Besides the appointment, her Father King had said more than once that she was the one breaking the rules...

No... She hadn't broken any rules. If her older sister wasn't as good as her, then she simply wasn't as good! It had nothing to do with the rules!

With that thought, Qiyana's gaze grew stubborn.

"Tch, I just can't be bothered with those kinds of tricks..."

She really was a child.

Watching Qiyana stubbornly refuse to admit that she hadn't realized this, Yuan Chen rubbed his brow in frustration...

When it came to politics, he was a complete amateur. He could talk about the big picture, but as for putting it into practice... Well, he'd find a few allies like Lupe later.

Yuan Chen said, "I can only offer some simple advice and general principles on that front. But when it comes to Piltover, I do have some of my own thoughts and experience."

"You want to use them?" Qiyana asked hesitantly. "That wouldn't be a good idea. The Yuentars hate those shallow nouveau riche."

"Neither the Yuentars nor the people of Ixialia have had direct contact with outsiders. Their supposed likes and dislikes are just preconceived notions based on stereotypes."

Yuan Chen said, "Piltover is the closest outside civilization to Ixialia, and the trade hub of the entire world. No matter how you look at it, there's a need to communicate."

"And the eventual outcome of that communication depends on how we guide it..."

"..."

After hearing Yuan Chen's words, Qiyana didn't answer. She fell silent for a moment, then asked, confused, "Why are you so confident? You can't be sure either, can you?"

Qiyana didn't understand how Yuan Chen could be so confident.

Even she could tell this was a risky undertaking.

"If nobody believes, then believe in yourself." Yuan Chen replied bluntly. "Isn't that what you do? Or do you only say you can do it, while deep down you don't..."

"Enough! Stop lecturing me!" Realizing that Yuan Chen was trying to use this as an opportunity to make a point, Qiyana pressed her brow in exasperation and said, "There's nothing wrong with me! I, Qiyana, am perfect! I've never doubted myself!"

Though she said that, she lowered her head, her gaze full of conflicted emotions.

Yuan Chen didn't interrupt. He simply let Qiyana sit quietly and work through her feelings.

After a moment, Qiyana took a deep breath, raised her head, and closed her eyes. "How long until the caravan reaches Yishuaoken?"

"About four days. We'll arrive just in time for the opening of the Elemental Festival."

"Four days? That's too slow. Can't we move faster?"

"There's no way. The wagon carrying the dragon isn't sturdy; it was hastily converted from a Dragon Hunt ballista. If we go too fast, the terrain in Ixialia could easily cause an accident. Besides, the villagers' supplies are behind us. Four days is already the fastest we can manage, thanks to the Road Protectors smoothing the path."

Only then did Qiyana understand. She nodded, then said, "In that case... let's head to Yishuaoken first."

"Hmm?"

Yuan Chen looked puzzled at Qiyana's words.

In response, Qiyana eagerly jumped down from the carriage.

She tossed a Ring Blade into the woods beside them. As the blade spun, the shrubs in the forest began to bend. With each rotation, they sank a little lower.

As if alive, the shrubs parted to either side. Roots and stems sprang from the ground, carrying clumps of dirt with them and revealing a narrow, level path.

"Follow me, my subjects! This is my first appearance! I need to go back and get ready!"