Chapter 198

"I am also from Ionia." Under the girl's uneasy gaze, Chen Ce slowly extended a hand to her. "I am from Ionia, just like you—I recognize you, Sona. It's just that you may have forgotten me."

[...] Sona did not shake hands with the other person, still nervous.

Chen Ce continued, "We met before—at the Hirana Monastery. You were only about ten years old then? You were sent to Demacia by the monks, while I stayed in Ionia."

[...]

"I come from the Shojin... Lee Sin, do you still remember that name?"

Not quite...

"Hmm... alright, maybe you don't quite believe me." Chen Ce shook his head and took out a shard of blade from the bag.

Those were fragments of Irelia's blade. She gave them to him as a parting gift.

"This was given to me by Irelia of the Xan House... She is now the leader of the Ionia Resistance Army. If you don't believe me, you can write to Ionia later to verify—my name is Chen Ce."

[Hmm...] Sona still looked doubtful.

Until Chen Ce smiled and said, "I know you have magic and magical power; you're what people call a 'magician'."

Upon hearing this, Sona like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, almost standing on end in fear.

"But I won't expose you," Chen Ce continued with a smile. "We are both Ionia, and I know your magic is innate... You are not evil. On the contrary, I have heard of your deeds; you are a kind person."

[I... I don't understand...] Sona was still very scared, but she visibly relaxed a little after hearing that the other party would not capture her.

She gradually began to believe what the other person said.

But we'll have to wait until she writes to Ionia to confirm for sure.

"I'm here to remind you." Chen Ce extended his hand to the girl again. This time, the girl did not refuse. "Your music has attracted the attention of the Mageseekers. Please don't play today—or perhaps use a regular zither, would that be alright?"

Upon hearing this, Sona shook her head firmly.

[Father... I hope he can hear my piano playing...]

"Please accept my condolences... but these are special circumstances. I don't think Mr. Barrett would want to see you arrested either."

No... I must finish playing...

"Miss Sona..."

If you're going to arrest me... I won't blame you...

"This..." Chen Ce frowned.

After a moment, he sighed, "Alright, alright..."

[After this is over... I can go with you...] Sona's expression turned tragic.

But Chen Ce smiled and said, "Who said I was going to arrest you? I meant... 'Alright, looks like I'll have to find a way to get you out of here today.'"

[Huh...?]

Sona was confused.

Before she could figure it out, Chen Ce had already gathered an extremely rich magical power in his palm.

Ordinary magic couldn't do this, and Mordekaiser's Death Realm power wasn't this rampant either; only...

Only the power of a demon could accomplish this.

"Your favorite chaos is here, Raum..."

Chapter Sixty-Five: The Devilish Big Sister is Here!

A loud bang rang out outside the manor.

Those mourning Mr. Barrett at the manor turned their heads in disbelief, bewildered and frightened by the smoke and dust that resembled artillery shells falling.

Lestara Buvelle, not wanting her husband's memorial service to be disturbed, immediately tried to go and check on things, but guests concerned for her safety stopped her.

Soon, the guards of the manor and the patrolling soldiers on the street surrounded the dusty area, and everyone seemed a little tense—such a commotion could not have been made by an ordinary human.

There couldn't possibly be a cannonball exploding in Great City, so there's only one possibility... a magician.

Only evil Black Mage possess such powerful and uncontrollable strength.

"What happened!" Jonathan, the leader of the Mageseekers squad, immediately stepped forward to check, while glancing warily in the direction of the manor's lounge.

He wasn't sure if it was Buvelle's adopted daughter who did it... Could her piano playing really have that kind of power...?

And Chen Ce... he can't afford to have anything go wrong...

If he returns injured on his very first day in office, the Crownguard family will likely hold him accountable...

"Leave this to me, you guys go check on Chen Ce!" Jonathan decisively ordered.

"Yes!" The other two Mageseekers hurried towards the rest room.

Before they could even cross the open space of the manor, that familiar figure stepped out first.

"What's wrong?" Chen Ce looked at his two colleagues rushing towards him with a puzzled expression.

"Are you... are you alright?" One of them asked, somewhat puzzled, but mostly relieved.

"Oh—no, that exceptional musician, is there something wrong with her?" another person asked. "She shouldn't be in any danger, right?"

On the surface, he was worried about Sona's safety, but in reality, he was asking Chen Ce if Sona was alright.

"No suspicion..." Chen Ce lowered his voice, "I went in and investigated, and confirmed that she didn't have any magical aura on her..."

"Is that so..." The Mageseekers first noticed the magical energy in Sona's music stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then decisively looked at the crowd behind him. "That should be over there... We've got the wrong target."

"But at least it wasn't a wasted trip—the guy we're looking for is here." The other person shrugged. "And he looks rather dangerous. The magical aura from before was probably caused by him."

"Hmm." Chen Ce nodded slightly in agreement.

At the same time, continue to mobilize the demonic power within your body.

[You, as a human, actually use the power of demons to create chaos... You are truly an evil being...] Raum's hoarse voice echoed in my mind, carrying a hint of mockery.

Chen Ce remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he thought, "Just tell me if you're going to do it or not?"

[Of course... fear breeds suspicion, and suspicion will bring the truth... the secrets in their hearts...]

"Then go ahead and cause trouble. Go ahead and cause trouble without worry."

[Hehehehe...]

"Of course, I have two conditions—first, don't cause any deaths; second, try to make the scene as far away from here as possible, to draw people's attention away from the manor and elsewhere."

[As you wish... humanity...]

The demon's power is growing stronger.

Great City... These creatures, symbols of misfortune, are not usually found here. They perched on rooftops, beams, and beside wooden fences, their scarlet eyes gleaming as they emitted mournful cries...

More and more ravens... hundreds and thousands, then tens of thousands... black and red almost covered the entire sky, their swirling wings slowly descending, like a large net about to fall.

This scene is too eerie.

People started screaming and running away, scrambling into houses.

The remaining soldiers and Mageseekers, deliberately guided by the flock of ravens, headed in another direction.

Chen Ce originally wanted to pretend to follow them for a bit, but Captain Jonathan specifically instructed him to stay behind and calm the Buvelle Family's fears.

So he stayed.

The flock of ravens gradually flew away, and the noise and eeriness outside the manor gradually dissipated, leaving the manor quiet for a while.

Until Sona came out from behind the curtain again, carrying her harp.

She couldn't speak, but she could attract everyone's attention with just one finger and one string.

Ta-da!

As the distinctive string music began, everyone in the manor refocused on the stage.

Sona resumed her performance, and the beautiful melody was captivating.

That kind of magical music is so captivating.

The music brought back many memories for people.

Some poignant memories... tears well up... the deeds and words of hero Barrett Buvelle... will always be remembered...

Chen Ce gradually became immersed in the world of music.

Even though Sona's magic wouldn't have much of an effect on him.

It was the beautiful sound of the harp. Even without magic, its melodies were renowned throughout Runeterra.

Chen Ce gradually became engrossed.

Until a gentle and melodious voice suddenly rang out:

Thank you, Mr. Chen Ce...

"Hmm?" Chen Ce subconsciously looked to the other side.

I didn't see anything.

He tried to look in the direction the sound came from, but found that the gentle voice seemed to be echoing in his mind... just like the way Rhaast and the demon Raum had spoken to him.

But those two guys' voices definitely weren't that pleasant.

And it's clearly a young girl's voice...

Chen Ce was somewhat puzzled.

Then he looked up and saw Sona's eyes.

The beautiful young woman was watching him with a smile.

He then realized... that the voice was "said" by Sona.

Through music, through magic, like the "Sona" in the Rift...

[Only you can hear my voice, Mr. Chen Ce.]

Chen Ce looked at the girl's gentle eyes and smile, and nodded in response.

The latter nodded as well.

Sona was much relieved.

She was certain... Chen Ce was also a person with magic powers.

Otherwise, her voice wouldn't be able to travel.

We are both Ionia, both born with magical powers...

Sona felt a sense of relief.

[Hero [Sona, the Sona of the Strings] Affinity Increases!]

[Hero [Sona, the Sona of the Strings]'s gratitude level has increased!]

The interaction system for the hero [Sona of the Sona] is now available!

[Hero [Sona, the Sona Strings] Current Interaction Level: 20!]

Demacia was still brightly lit even under the night sky.

A stunningly beautiful woman crept through the bustling street, her shadow blending seamlessly with the night. Her eyes gleamed Shimmer in the darkness, but only the most discerning eyes could possibly notice them.

Groups of drunkards, sailors, and prostitutes chatted on the street not far away, naively unaware that they were being watched by a demon in the darkness. This demon saw them clearly and was scrutinizing them with the sharpest eyes.

Evelynn

That's her name. The devil's name.

Evelynn was not a naturally skilled huntress. She originated from an incredibly ancient era, a primordial life form without form, possessing only the most vague self-awareness.

These spirits born of the shadows existed in simple ignorance, remaining numb and unresponsive to any external stimuli for centuries. They could have continued in this way, but the world was turned upside down by a conflict. This catastrophe, later known Rune Wars, plunged the world into an era of unprecedented suffering.

At that time, the people of Runeterra were experiencing all sorts of hardships, pain, and loss, and so the shadow was stirred. The nothingness it had long known was filled with the frenzy and throbbing of this world of suffering. The creature trembled with excitement.