Chapter 224

He fought the enemy almost entirely on instinct, or was killed.

Day after day, day after day... it seems like nothing will ever change.

But this "seemingly" was shattered at a seemingly ordinary moment --

As he once again severed a tentacle at the cost of losing half his body, he suddenly caught a glimpse of light out of the corner of his eye.

Yes, a glimmer of light... something almost impossible to see in the depths of this abyss...

A glimmer of... golden light...

Then came a voice filled with laughter:

"Isn't this Brother Tuo? Haven't seen him for days, he looks so disheveled."

"..." Aatrox was silent for a moment—his mind went blank for a split second, unable to think of anything.

But after that moment of silence came an endless rage and resentment from the depths of his heart.

"Mortal! Fraudster!!"

Thump--!

The enormous Darkin Blade suddenly changed direction and slashed at the impenetrable wall of True Ice.

That smiling face... that cowardly and insignificant body... that nauseating tone... he knew it all too well!

"Chen Ce...! That damned fraudster--!"

Aatrox slashed at the ice wall again and again, but to no avail. This gave the Watchers behind him an opening—a splitting ray and several tentacles struck simultaneously, shattering the Darkin's body into pieces.

Even so, Aatrox still roared in his decaying voice within the frozen tomb:

"You have imprisoned me with despicable means and schemes! You damned mortal!!"

"Now, you hide behind the walls and ice like a coward, mocking my loneliness!"

"If one day I can regain my freedom... if one day I can break free of this damned cage...!"

"I will never let you go!"

"Chen Ce--!!"

Splat!

The moment he finished speaking, Aatrox's mouth was slapped open by the Watchers.

Chen Ce watched this scene and shrugged dismissively. "Who's looking at you? I was just passing by. Who are you...?"

Aatrox suffered both physical and psychological trauma.

Chen Ce silently climbed upwards...

The Lissandra does not need sleep.

In those countless long, quiet, and tedious nights, she used to choose to enter other people's dreams—to consolidate her rule over Freljord through various means—but now she doesn't.

The establishment and rise of the Freljord Alliance allowed her to rediscover the glory of the Three Sisters... She believed the rumors—and had even verified them herself—that Ashe and Sejuani were the reincarnations of Avarosa and Serylda.

More and more small tribes began migrating south, joining this great alliance and family with the highest praise and anticipation. Ashe warmly welcomed everyone.

Whether they are powerful Iceborn or "useless" Hearthblood, she is willing to accept them all.

Spring has arrived in the south, the permafrost is gradually thawing, and agriculture and animal husbandry are beginning to develop... They will have enough food. They have built many houses and stone walls to protect them from the wind and snow, and they will live peacefully there.

No one will rebel anymore.

As the "Dream Thief," the Lissandra naturally no longer needs to enter other people's dreams.

So she regained control of the nighttime.

Those long periods of time finally belonged to her.

But... most of the time, she didn't know what she should do.

There's no need to worry about the development of the Freljord Alliance, the Frostguard tribes are as strong as ever, and the threat of the Freljord demigods has long since disappeared... Her only task now is to guard the monsters beneath the abyss.

But most of the time, the following balance doesn't require her intervention—taking any rash or unnecessary actions could disrupt the balance and lead to disaster.

She really didn't know what she could do anymore.

And when people have free time, they easily drift into memories... She remembered things from tens of thousands of years ago. Avarosa and Serylda, she remembered the happy times she spent with them, and she also remembered...

Her betrayal of them.

That made her feel extremely guilty and blush with embarrassment.

So she forced herself to think about other things... She pulled the timeline of her memories from one end to the other, and then she remembered everything that had happened recently.

She thought of a young man who was always smiling.

A man... he's never quite right. But... well, he's reliable when it counts. She couldn't deny that.

The Lissandra cannot see anything.

So it's easier to conjure up images of memories in the eternal darkness... She suddenly remembered all the images she had never "seen".

From their first disguise as a nun, to their battle against the demigod Volibear of the Ursine... and then an even more terrifying demon... together they sealed it away in the abyss, and fought against the one-eyed monster...

Those memories rekindled in Lissandra a long-lost... passion? Perhaps that's not quite the right word, but it's pretty close.

That young man Chen Ce... is truly remarkable...

In their early twenties...

"When I was in my twenties..."

Inside the spacious and empty Frost Castle, the Lissandra, leaning against her throne, gently stroked her pale face.

"Hehe, it feels like just yesterday I was growing up..."

The chill of the True Ice traveled down her back, but Lissandra only felt comfortable. She was over ten thousand years old, yet her appearance remained unchanged from when she was in her twenties. She couldn't even remember what she was doing in her twenties.

Learning magic from the Void is only one part...

A sigh of lament for the passing of time fell, and the old woman, while reminiscing about Chen Ce, also recalled her own long-lost youth.

Okay, although she doesn't look too far from being "pubescent".

She started missing that young man again.

Then...

A soft sound of footsteps suddenly rang out.

At this time when it's impossible for anyone to enter or leave the castle... in this kind of place.

The thought of "thief" flashed through Lissandra's mind. She was certain that no fool in Freljord would think of stealing from the Lissandra's castle.

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she began to unleash an extremely cold magical power.

But the instant a sound rang out, all the magical ice spikes she was about to launch stopped abruptly—

"Hi, long time no see, Miss Lissandra... Did you miss me?" A very uncouth joke.

It is foolish to call an old woman who is over 10,000 years old "Miss".

It is both ridiculous and impolite to ask if the cruel, heartless, and opposite-sex Lissandra ever thought of him.

In short, this statement is shameless.

"Who misses you? You should ask Ashe and Sejuani; that might be more helpful."

Lissandra wanted to reply in her usual queen-like, icy tone, but her voice unconsciously rose after uttering the first few words.

What she didn't notice was...

The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.

"But... welcome back to Freljord, Chen Ce."

As night deepened, Sona curled up alone by the bed, clutching her beloved magic harp, Etwahl, in her arms.

Chen Ce has disappeared... He said he was going out for a while, and then he hasn't come back for a long time...

She was alone in the house, and the darkness outside made her feel extremely uneasy... as if something was shrouding the town...

Anxiety, fear, restlessness...

Sona wanted to alleviate her discomfort by playing the piano, but she was also wary of the other Mageseekers in Fossbarrow... She could only curl up alone by the bed, hoping that Chen Ce would return soon.

She waited for a very, very long time.

It may have been two or three hours already.

Fortunately, Chen Ce would never break his promise to her—he said he would protect her tonight, and he would never leave her behind.

Finally, after a long wait, Sona suddenly noticed that Etwahl in her arms was glowing with golden light.

At first, it was a barely perceptible glimmer of light... then it grew more and more obvious, eventually turning into a golden light even brighter than a campfire... as if a treasure chest full of gold coins had been opened.

Then, a familiar figure replaced the shimmering golden light.

[Mr. Chen Ce!] Sona immediately used her magic to speak.

The other party's reply proved that she had indeed recognized the figure, "I'm back."

Sona almost instinctively wanted to hug him—just like she always did when she waited for her sister Kahina to come home. But she suppressed the urge— Chen Ce was a boy, she had to be more reserved...!

Hugs and such... a hug every morning is enough...

Besides, Mr. Chen Ce seems to have... some strange little thoughts...

[You're finally back...] Sona resisted the urge to hug her, but her tone was full of joy and a little bit of grievance.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting," Chen Ce comforted her. "I've taken care of everything; you won't have nightmares tonight."

[Huh? Really?]

"Of course, would I lie to you?"

[That's great...] Sona breathed a sigh of relief.

After two days of arduous travel, she was already exhausted and wanted to sleep, but she was a little hesitant—and a little unable to.

The eerie atmosphere and oppressive feeling in Fossbarrow made her feel uneasy all over, and she couldn't fall asleep even though she was very tired... not to mention that she knew she would have nightmares if she fell asleep.

But now, with Chen Ce's promise, she can try to fall asleep with peace of mind.

"You can go to sleep now." Chen Ce patted the girl's restless little hand. "I know you're very tired."

[Um... thank you, Mr. Chen Ce.] Sona smiled and nodded, her body gradually relaxing.

She gradually lay on her side in bed.

Chen Ce then offered a timely reminder: "Aren't you uncomfortable sleeping like this?"

[Huh? Feeling unwell? What is it?] Sona blinked, seemingly unaware that there was a problem.

It wasn't until Chen Ce pointed to the tight strap around her chest that he noticed.

"Don't you feel uncomfortable holding it in?"

[Oh... I almost forgot.] Sona stuck out half of her pink tongue, as if blaming her own stupid brain.

Then, she simply crossed her arms and grabbed the bottom edge of her clothes.

Then gently pull it upwards.

The outermost coat, which was connected by a belt, was instantly taken off.

The seal inside was finally broken.

Then...

Duang~duang~

A sound like a water balloon shaking rang out.

The up-and-down bouncing trajectory made Chen Ce feel a little... well, you know.

Vast expanses of snow-white... a bouncy, swaying texture... like a delicate, easily broken jelly, yet also like two lively, adorable little—oh no, big white rabbits...

Before coming to Demacia, the most voluptuous creature he had ever seen was Ahri.