Chapter 191
Under the terms of the contract, the Raum, Demon of Secrets did not lend him all his power, but instead adopted a "reward system"—the more benefits he brought to the demon, the more power he could use.
For example, since he hasn't yet brought the benefit of "peeping on secrets" to the Spying Demon, that "farsightedness" ability is very limited—his field of vision is only about three to five kilometers.
In addition, he is unable to use [Demonic Ascension] and [Demonic Flare], which Swain used before.
It seems Swain also sacrificed many things to the demons...
What are you researching now?
Just as Chen Ce was pondering how to further unlock the power of the demon, a slightly aloof yet undeniably charming female voice rang out beside him.
Turning my head, I first saw a smooth silver color, followed by a flawless, pretty face.
Syndra hovered about ten centimeters off the ground, her slender waist slightly bent, bringing her face close.
"I'm researching the power of demons," Chen Ce replied with a smile, while reaching out to pat the top of the girl's head as she leaned out.
The latter feigned resistance while simultaneously enjoying this "way of expressing friendliness."
"Oh... you're researching how to become stronger?" Syndra guessed immediately.
Unfortunately, they only guessed half of it correctly.
Chen Ce nodded first, then shook his head. "I'm researching how to more accurately tell what color panties you're wearing today."
"...?"
"?"
"Is this how you use the power of a demon...!" Syndra angrily twirled her fingers, and the powerful magic instantly sent her flying off the chair.
Chen Ce, who had been thrown against the wall, gave a gentlemanly smile.
Syndra grew increasingly angry.
So she...
She placed her little hands on the hem of her skirt.
A slight upturn.
"If you want to see it... just say so... it's not like I'm not going to let you see it..."
"Hey... the pink one..."
"Just changed..."
For a long time.
The gentle morning sun turned into a blazing high sun.
Syndra's cute pink panties have also turned blue.
She wearily adjusted her recently changed panties, inwardly grumbling about someone's boundless energy...
"I have to take two showers during the day..."
The girl smoothed her silver hair, then sniffed it again to make sure there was no longer any strange smell on it.
It doesn't feel sticky at all.
"If you do that again... I'm not talking to you anymore...!"
"That's why I said we should just use the power of the demons to see what happens," Chen Ce chuckled.
"Snort...!"
Syndra puffed out her cheeks and burrowed into the covers.
Chen Ce didn't disturb her rest, but silently sat back down at his desk.
But instead of studying the demonic power, he pulled out the map covered in markings from the drawer.
"Miss Syndra."
"What..." The girl shifted her body on the bed, as if expressing her dissatisfaction.
"I may have to leave again for a while."
"Oh... um?"
"I need to go to Demacia."
"Then I'll go with you."
"This... I'm afraid..." Chen Ce's tone was full of apology. He didn't even dare to turn around and look the other person in the eye. "Demacia is a country that prohibits magic, and your magical aura is really difficult to... hide..."
"You mean...?" Syndra sat up in bed, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "You're not taking me with you again?"
"I'm sorry... there's nothing I can do about it..."
"You..."
"But I assure you, I will definitely come back if I have the chance." Chen Ce then took out a red rod-shaped object from the cloth bag.
Control Ward.
"Keep this in the room... I'll use it to teleport back if I get the chance."
"Teleport?" Syndra felt like she was being tricked.
"Yes, teleportation—I can use magic to teleport back here. No matter how far, it will only take a few seconds," Chen Ce explained. "Once my demonic power expands to the point where I can look directly at Great City of Demacia from here, I can come and go as I please—I can come back to see you every day without any problem."
Syndra was still a little skeptical.
But what Chen Ce said was indeed the truth.
Once he interacts with Jarvan IV, the Prince of Demacia —in a positive way—the latter will become an "ally hero," and then, as long as there is "vision," his banner can be teleported directly.
The vision will be provided by the demonic power that will grow stronger in the future.
If only we could "see" directly from Noxus to Demacia...
There are only three Control Ward. We placed one in Freljord, and another here. We absolutely cannot waste the last one in Demacia... This is the only "clumsy" method we can use.
"You're always like this..."
Syndra's tone was tinged with disappointment, and she shrank into the blankets—leaving only a wisp of her long silver hair sticking out.
Chen Ce didn't know what to say in apology.
But... he had no choice but to do it.
Normally, this ordinary life would be wonderful, but these are not normal times...
The Void could descend at any moment; we must seize the time to acquire the resources to fight it...
This is not enough... far from enough...
"Miss Syndra..." Chen Ce called out tentatively, wanting to express his apology.
Before he could utter the awkward words he had been preparing for so long, the girl's gentle, jade-like arms had already wrapped around his neck.
"Alright, I know you're busy... You have your own plans, and I believe you're thinking of the bigger picture... Go ahead, go with peace of mind."
"..." Chen Ce turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of the girl's calm expression out of the corner of his eye. "I'm really... so sorry..."
"Stop saying such useless things." Syndra lowered her head, her pearly white teeth gently brushing against the other's neck.
First a kiss, then a gentle bite.
It left behind a bright red strawberry and a row of faint teeth marks.
"Alright, you can leave if you want... I'll keep an eye on things here for you. No one can be allowed to act recklessly while you're gone."
"..." Chen Ce knew that the other party was specifically referring to Mordekaiser, LeBlanc, and others.
Those equally powerful beings might do something underhanded after I leave... Their so-called "friendship" is as fragile as a sheet of paper.
Especially Mordekaiser, who had already tasted the benefits.
"Really... too--"
"You still dare to say that?" Syndra covered Chen Ce's mouth, preventing him from saying anything more about apologizing.
"If you really feel sorry for me... then make it up to me while you still have time before you leave."
She snapped her fingers lightly.
The gradient black stockings slipped off her perfect legs and jade-like feet.
The hem of her skirt, which concealed her absolute territory (area of skin), was lifted at that moment.
"But don't go too far..."
Chapter Sixty: The Mage, But Demacia
The Noxus have withdrawn.
It was like a hazy, unreal dream.
A light drizzle fell from the gray sky, and the water flowing down the hillside diluted the bloodstains on the ground, mixing with the blood... The corpses scattered all over the mountainside emitted a nauseating stench.
Demacia won this battle.
But the Demacia did not feel joy.
They were able to hold the Gate of Mourning not because of their strength or unwavering will... their success was entirely due to the inexplicable retreat of the Noxus army.
This was a battle that seemed impossible to win. Even the Dauntless Vanguard was thwarted by the enemy's force. Everyone thought it was impossible until it actually happened.
Many have died at the Gate of Mourning, a truly fitting description.
Even... priests.
That clergyman who provided logistical support and healed the wounded.
He shouldn't have died... He wouldn't have been a chance to sacrifice himself on the battlefield...
But his kindness led him to the front lines... He wanted to save a soldier whose legs had been blown off by magic... He shouldn't have...
He was too kind... and his kindness brought him death...
This was a fatal mistake...
Why! Why!
An angry roar erupted from the general's mouth, mingling with the rain as it fell on every face filled with shame.
"Why did Mr. Barrett rush to the front lines! Why didn't anyone stop him! Why?!"
No one answered; only the sound of raindrops falling served as a silent reply.
After a long while, a sobbing voice came from the corner. "It was me... Mr. Barrett saved me..."
It was the soldier who lost both legs. He survived.
It's truly a miracle.
But miracles often come at a price.
To trade one life for another.
The commander of the guards at the Gate of Mourning glared angrily, but the harshest rebukes were stuck in his throat.
In the end, all the anger, confusion, self-blame, and hatred turned into a heavy sigh.
"Mr. Barrett was a great man... Barrett Buvelle, his family, connections, and status could have allowed him to live the most comfortable life... but he chose to become a priest, he chose to fight for Demacia, for the wounded..."
Thousands of soldiers surrounded the man lying on the ground. They bowed their heads in silent tribute.
He was no longer breathing... A sharp blade pierced his abdomen, but the real fatal wound was the mage's attack... Everyone knew it. They all saw it.
Barrett Buvelle, the leader of the Buvelle Family, was a resourceful, kind, and upright priest. He dedicated his life to Demacia, and the number of wounded he healed could circle the Great City several times over.
In his youth, he dedicated himself to reforming some of Demacia's corrupt and decadent institutions, and the results were evident—he brought His Majesty the King a better kingdom. He was a close friend of Jarvan III.
In his later years, he dedicated himself to the welfare of Demacia, donating almost all of his income to the Illuminators to provide better accommodation, food, medical care, and education for those poor orphans.
In the final moments of his life, he dedicated himself to treating the injured.
His greatness is beyond doubt.
The Gate of Mourning have been guarded.