Noxus Supreme Council
"Are you saying we need to launch a full-scale attack on Ionia?"
Swain frowned, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.
"Yes, I've already made myself very clear: I'm launching a full-scale invasion of Ionia, and I want to turn all of Ionia into scorched earth."
"I don't oppose war; it would be a good thing for me and for all of you."
Xu Xiao leaned back in his chair, his attitude leaving no room for doubt.
"An invasion is a major undertaking. A full-scale attack on Ionia would take even the Empire some time, not to mention the ancient beings there..."
"I'll handle that. You just need to mobilize the army and prepare for a full-scale invasion."
"This time, not only mortals, but also the ancients, Demigod, and all the supernatural life in Ionia will feel my wrath."
Swain looked up at Xu Xiao, and finally nodded. "I understand. I'll start making the arrangements immediately."
Although I don't know what happened in Ionia, it seems that the Archmage suffered a loss there.
However, conquering Ionia has always been part of Swain's plans; the empire wants to expand, Ionia is a good territory for them.
Besides, he still remembered the girl who cut off his arm; it was time to avenge that.
"Prepare quickly, and let the world know the power of Noxus this time. I will give you another batch of Arcane Potion; you can arrange some vanguard troops to deal with those sect masters."
Xu Xiao would not fight a battle unprepared. Since it was a full-scale invasion, he naturally had to go all out in one go.
Ionia has numerous monasteries and sects, as well as heroes he knows well, but all will bow down to the iron heel of the empire.
"Rest assured, the Noxus army never disappoints."
Swain full of assurance; he was quite confident in this regard.
After his brief conversation with Swain, Xu Xiao returned to his magic laboratory.
He also needed to rush out a batch of potions and prepare a trump card to deal with the Spirit of Ionia.
This thing is a collective consciousness of a region, capable not only of mobilizing the power of the entire Ionia, but also of controlling the creatures within it to a certain extent.
Most importantly, conventional attack methods cannot directly harm it.
This collective consciousness, resembling the will of a planet, can only be harmed by a few methods, except for the complete destruction of the region it inhabits.
"Just you wait, you ambushed me, I'll show you what the price is."
Fortunately, Xu Xiao was no pushover either. His experience as a Golden Immortal gave him many ways to directly harm his opponent.
They immersed themselves in magical experiments, and a large number of precious magical materials were continuously transported from Noxus's treasury to the laboratory.
At the same time, Noxus received a mobilization order from top to bottom, and this terrifying War Machine began to operate at full capacity.
Twenty days later, in Basilich, a port city in Noxus, the massive Imperial fleet is about to set sail.
Xu Xiao and Darius, dressed in heavy armor, stood at the highest point of the city, surveying the town that was filled with the spirit of battle.
Beneath them, squads of Noxus soldiers clad in various armors slowly boarded the warships docked in the harbor.
Along the coast, the people of Noxus were filled with fervor, cheering on the warriors and sending them their blessings. Every Noxus longed for a new territory to be incorporated into the empire.
"It's a very nice city, full of vitality, I like it very much. I heard it's your hometown."
Xu Xiao turned to look at Darius, the Noxus general, who was even more imposing than before.
After taking the Arcane Potion, Darius's body underwent a second growth spurt, reaching a height of two and a half meters, and his muscles expanded significantly, transforming him into a miniature giant.
Combined with the newly crafted enchanted armor and the massive axe that reeked of blood, his overall intimidating presence was greatly amplified.
When Xu Xiao questioned this symbol of Noxus's military might, a hint of nostalgia flashed in his eyes.
"Yes, my brother, a few friends, and I were all born here. After Noxus conquered us, we joined the Empire."
"Many cities have been incorporated into the empire in this way, just like the ones we are about to do."
"That's good. Destroying those old and corrupt kingdoms and unifying them under one banner will make life better for everyone, from the bottom to the top."
Xu Xiao nodded, approving of Noxus's actions.
In truth, Noxus was not the violent and barbaric country he had originally imagined.
On the contrary, it is precisely because this country glorifies violence that it is more aware of the horrors of violence spiraling out of control, and strictly controls such violence outside of the military.
An empire under militarism, where everyone becomes a cog in a machine, is still far better than the more rigid rule of a feudal kingdom.
Harsh punishments, coupled with a rigid class system, ensured that while everyone was ruled by power, they were also bound by it.
"I agree. In the past, kings and nobles used hereditary rights and titles to make people kneel and submit, while Noxus made people fight for everything they had through their own efforts."
"I like this feeling, and I like this country, so I'm willing to fight for it."
Darius spoke his mind, which could be considered a farewell before his departure.
Next, he will lead an elite force of 50,000 to land in Ionia as the vanguard and establish a foothold Ionia.
They had done the same before, but were eventually driven back by the indigenous people who looked down on them.
This time, he had gained even greater power, and his legion now included many Arcane Warrior. He was confident that he could achieve a magnificent victory.
"Go ahead, I won't keep you any longer. Remember what I told you: be quick and accurate, and make sure you protect all those anchor points."
Xu Xiao made the final arrangements.
"I understand. For the sake of the empire, I will certainly do it."
Darius nodded and leaped off the tower.
At a height of tens of meters, in the past, he would have needed to perform some deceleration maneuvers in mid-air to dissipate the force.
Now, as he leaped down, the magical runes beneath his armor shimmered, and a layer of Arcane Energy surged from his body, immediately affecting the surrounding environment.
Its enormous body did not land directly, but instead hovered and flew towards the port outside the city.
Flight is the most basic ability granted to him by Arcane Runes.
"Let things begin slowly, let the world change dramatically."