Twin Cities: I am the man of many myths

Chapter 272 Leaders from Various Countries Gather
At dawn, dozens of Hextech airships docked one after another on Piltover’s huge circular platform, with Piltover’s law enforcement officers standing on both sides of the platform.

Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, Marcos, stood solemnly in the middle of the line in his uniform. For the past three days, the Hextech airships had been shut down to the public, and ordinary citizens and businesses could no longer use them.

This naturally caused considerable opposition, since most merchants now rely on Hextech airships to sell their goods, and for them to lose access to these devices for even a day would be a huge loss.

Not only merchants, but also the noble class of Piltover, and even in cities outside the Twin Cities, many people now rely on Hextech airships for their livelihood.

The local guides in Freljord and Shurima certainly had a lot of complaints, but what could they do about it?

What can we do then?

When Twin Cities announced the reason for discontinuing the Hextech airships today, all dissenting voices vanished. Some people wisely chose to keep quiet in the face of the prevailing trend, while others continued to voice their grievances against Twin Cities, but their voices were drowned out by even more dissenting voices.

Thinking about it carefully, the Hextech Airship originally belonged to the Twin Cities. The Twin Cities could give it to whomever they wanted to use it. The Talis family controlled this huge gold-making machine. The nobles of Piltover kept quiet even though they didn't get to use it. They watched the Hextech Airship run for three days without making any money. So how could outsiders be allowed to criticize them?

"Line up!"

A Hextech zeppelin was parked in front of Marcos. The zeppelin was painted white, depicting a majestic white lion. It was a Hextech zeppelin exclusively for Demacia, which Demacia had purchased for over 300 kilograms of anti-magic stones.

Mel and Jarvan III made a deal: Mel bought an anti-magic stone from Demacia and gave Demacia the right to use a Hextech airship. Of course, the airship was operated by technicians from both cities. After all, Demacians are good at fighting, but they need time to learn how to operate sophisticated instruments.

"Clap!"

With their hands behind their backs, all the law enforcement officers stood straight, legs apart, eyes looking straight ahead, chests out and heads held high. The officers were of varying heights, so unlike Noxus and Demacia, they couldn't select soldiers of the same height and build.

However, the aura emanating from these law enforcement officers was in no way inferior to that of the elite troops of the two great empires.

The Twin Cities' status in Runeterra has instilled confidence in the enforcers. The Twin Cities now surpass any empire or city-state, and the spirit of the enforcers in the Twin Cities is naturally different from before.

The current law enforcement officers do not consider themselves inferior to anyone.

You're really good at fighting?

Can you break the Hextech Shield that Ekko created?
You're really good at fighting?

Can you withstand a headshot from a fully charged Hextech Spear?

cannot,

and you,

Are you kidding me?

As a result, the law enforcement officers in both cities seem somewhat arrogant at the moment.

Until Marcos shouted, "Welcome to His Majesty King Jarvan III of Demacia on his visit to Piltover and Zaun!"

The officers followed immediately, repeating Marcos's words and shouting loudly.

As the outer magical barrier of the Hextech airship closed, a tall man with white hair tied back and wearing golden armor appeared on the airship.

Jarvan III, clad in armor, though aged in appearance, was strong and robust. His lips, visible beneath his white beard, moved as he spoke in a clear voice: “Thank you for your warm hospitality, everyone in Piltover.”

As soon as the voice faded, Jarvan III took a step forward, and two figures immediately followed him on the left and right. They were Tiana and Xin Zhao.

Behind Tiana and Zhao Xin was a man with a resolute face, a burly build, and a crew cut. If you only look at his eyes, they are very similar to those of a blonde girl who was playing in Zaun. However, his expression was indifferent, and his eyes did not have the girl's liveliness.

“Please come this way, Your Majesty Jarvan III.” Marcus stepped forward to greet him, and after a brief self-introduction, he calmly said, “The councilors are currently waiting for you in the conference building.”

Upon hearing this, Tiana frowned but said nothing.

Zhao Xin remained silent, ignoring all diplomatic affairs. He was only responsible for the safety of Jarvan III and some internal royal matters.

The old emperor nodded with a smile in response to Marcos's words. He was completely different from the man in the Demacian royal garden. In the back garden, Jarvan III was unkempt and looked old, but now, traveling between the two cities, his eyes were clear and bright, and his beard and hair were carefully groomed, revealing a face with wrinkles, yet very naturally handsome.

Calling him an old man is less accurate than describing him as a middle-aged man, and Jarvan III's actions at this moment are just like those of a friendly neighbor.

He patted Director Marcus on the shoulder with a friendly gesture and said, "Then I won't disturb your work any longer. Just have a little guy show us the way. The Noxian airships are right behind us; you'll have to entertain them."

Marcus paused for a moment. He had originally planned to greet Jarvan III himself and take him to the conference building.

After all, he couldn't quite understand why the councilors didn't personally come to greet Jarvan III; after all, the man before him was one of the most noble people on the continent of Valoran.

Seeing Marcus in a daze, Jarvan III joked, "Commander Swain isn't as easy to talk to as I am. He's a tough soldier, and his style is different from mine."

Jarvan III patted Marcus on the shoulder again and led the group toward the elevator. Although he appeared calm, Jarvan III was actually experiencing great inner turmoil.

This was his first time in the Twin Cities. While waiting in line to land on the Hextech zeppelin, Jarvan III looked out over Piltover and Zaun from the deck. The shock he felt was indescribable.

That continent that stretches from Zaun to Shurima
Twin Cities truly spanned the ocean, connecting two continents and creating a new land!
Those strange buildings and the densely packed, ant-like processions also shocked Jarvan III.

The Twin Cities have indeed taken the lead in the world. While Jarvan III was shocked, he also felt that his choice was wise.

Having abandoned old ideas and conservative choices, this Demacian, who is often criticized by outsiders for being old-fashioned and conservative, actually sees things further ahead than Noxus.

“Take a good look, Garen. You will be stationed here permanently as Demacia’s diplomatic ambassador to the Twin Cities.”

At the front of the procession, a burly young man who had been silently following along heard the old emperor's voice, took two steps forward, and bowed respectfully.

“Yes, I will.” Garen Crownguard answered seriously, his body tense.

Upon seeing this, Jarvan III laughed and shook his head, saying, "No need to be so nervous."

“I heard from Fiona that Lux is doing very well in Zaun and has made many new friends. It’s not that I don’t value you anymore. I know very well your relationship with my son. You will be his sword and shield, just like I am with your aunt.”

Tiana smiled slightly, her fingers lightly stroking the hilt of the sword.

She rarely smiled, but Tiana felt honored to hear the old emperor say that.

She joined the army in her teens and became Jarvan III's bodyguard before she was even twenty. Despite her youthful appearance and beauty, Tiana is actually approaching fifty.

Garen and Jarvan IV are the next generation of Tiana and Jarvan III, and the Crownguard family will be the confidants of the Lightshield family for generations.

Although what happened with Lux was indeed a pity.
“Let’s go see Rick.” Jarvan III walked at the front, unconcerned about the stares of passersby, and said loudly with a smile, “I’ve only ever heard of him, but this is the first time I’ve ever met him.”

When Jarvan III arrived at the Piltover Conference Building, many leaders of small countries were already there, as were the Freljords.

To Jarvan III's surprise, the Freljord seated at the head of the table was someone he did not recognize; it was neither Ashe, the leader of Avarosan, nor Sejuani, the Warmother of Winter's Claw.

Instead, she was a woman with soft white hair, tied in a knot at the back of her head, and her eyes were closed.

Her face was small, her skin was as white as snow, and a scar around her eye added a unique charm to her.

At the very front, seated was a young man with black hair. Behind him stood a woman with short red hair, dressed in the gray-black uniform of an enforcer, and another Vastayan wearing the same uniform.

"Welcome to Twin Cities, Your Majesty Jarvan III." The black-haired youth smiled upon seeing Jarvan III, rose, and waved.

With just one glance, Jarvan III recognized him. Although he had never met Rick before, rumors about him were everywhere in Runeterra, and his footprints had covered the entire Runeterra.

Shurima, Ionia, Freljord, Noxus, and Bilgewater all have his stories. According to legend, he was handsome, slender, and had black hair, a typical Ionian appearance.

And now it seems that the rumors about Jarvan III were not wrong.

He did look very thin; any soldier you randomly picked from the Demacian army camp would be stronger than him. He had a gentle demeanor that made people unconsciously want to get close to him, which surprised Jarvan III.

Having lived half his life as the ruler of a nation and experienced many trials and tribulations, Jarvan III no longer judged a person based on their appearance, much less developed any goodwill towards them because of their image.

But he has to admit that he now does have a favorable impression of Li Ke.
As for black-haired people, they are everywhere. There are many Ionians in the Twin Cities now. Is there a possibility of mistaking one for the other?

Ha, what a joke! Look at who's sitting in these seats.

To Li Ke's left is Shirk, the person in charge of Zaun's external affairs, and to his right is Jayce Talisman, the most powerful person in Piltover. Mugs with his portrait are selling like hotcakes in Demacia right now, after all, Jayce is considered very handsome by Demacians.

Talented, wealthy, physically imposing, and handsome—many noblewomen in Demacia admired such a man. Next to him stood Mel, who frequently corresponded with Jarvan III; then Lissandra; and behind her stood two women: a tall, white-haired woman exuding wild beauty, and a shorter, more delicate woman with an oval face, also with white hair.

Jarvan III's eyes flickered; he seemed to have realized something.

Are they Sejuani and Ashe?
But why are the two of them standing?

Isn't Freljord ruled by these two sisters?
"Come, please sit down. Wait a moment, Swain will be here soon. After he arrives, we'll have to wait for one more person," Rick said with a smile, extending his hand.

Jarvan III nodded with a smile and said, "We arrived around the same time; he should be on his way now."

The old emperor didn't ask who would come after Swain, since at the moment, Freljord, Noxus, and Demacia were enough.

As he spoke, Jarvan III sat down opposite the unfamiliar white-haired woman with her eyes closed. Although his gaze did not fall on her, Jarvan III's attention remained fixed on her.

He wasn't interested in women, so what attracted Jarvan III was her mysterious identity.

Then, Jarvan III casually asked, "Li Ke, may I ask who this gentleman is?"

"Lissandra, a Freljordite."

"I don't recognize that name. If I'm not mistaken, the two behind her should be Sejuani and Ashe, the two War Mothers, right?"

Li Ke smiled and nodded, saying, "It's definitely them."

“I know what you want to ask, but as you can see, the real person in charge of Freljord is Ms. Lissandra, who is sitting right here,” Hilko said quietly from the side.

His understanding of Lissandra came from Rick and Janna; the former said that Lissandra had lived for tens of thousands of years, and the latter said that he was far weaker than Lissandra.

Therefore, Hilcone had great respect for Lissandra, especially since he had heard many stories about her from Jinx.

This is Li Ke's capable assistant, who has done a lot for Li Ke and has also saved and helped Jinx.

Naturally, even disregarding the other party's strength and status, Jinx alone was enough for Hilk to respect Lissandra.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Behind Li Ke, Wei and Scarface exchanged a glance. Scarface pouted and turned his head to look to the side.

Wei sighed and said loudly, "Come in!"

As soon as the voice faded, the door was pushed open, and a tall, thin man in a black trench coat walked in.

Military boots, gloves, meticulously combed white hair, and spotless clothes—Swain was followed by only one person, an old acquaintance from Twin Cities.

She winked at Vi when she came in, and then, when she saw Garen standing behind Jarvan III, she raised an eyebrow and smiled.

It's Katarina.

“I think I’ve arrived at just the right time,” Swain said calmly as he walked in.

“Indeed, come, please sit beside His Majesty the King.” Li Ke smiled and nodded, gesturing with his hand.

Swain didn't stand on ceremony and led Katarina to the old emperor's side, where they sat down.

"There's one more person missing. Oh, she's already here."

As Li Ke spoke, his expression turned strange.

Everyone looked at Li Ke, wondering what he meant. The door was open, but Jarvan III didn't see anyone.

But Swain suddenly caught his breath, and then instantly let his guard down.

"Wei, could you please open the window?"

"Fine, fine, you can boss me around then." Wei complained, walked past Scarface, went to the window, and pressed a button.

With a click, the window opened upwards, followed by the visible dissolution of the blue magical barrier.

As everyone looked, a rainbow-colored bridge suddenly appeared.

The next moment, a strange green light flashed, and two figures appeared on the rainbow bridge.

In just a moment, the two figures entered the room.

A young woman with black hair, wearing red leather armor and a spirit blade floating behind her, stood beside a dark-skinned woman in green priestly robes with two spirit dragons on her back.

“Irelia, thank you for coming,” Rick said, rising to greet her.

As soon as he finished speaking, Jarvan III's expression turned strange, as did Zhao Xin and Tiana.

Jarvan III looked at the girl, who was about the same age as Lux, with a look of shock in his eyes, as did Tiana.

Irelia
A few years ago, in a military report that passed through Tiana's hands, there was a detailed account of an event from the War of Noah. After learning about it, Tiana specifically informed Jarvan III.

And what was recorded in that report was—

A fourteen-year-old Ionian girl fought against a hundred men on the battlefield, personally severing the arm of the Noxian officer leader and leading the resistance to end the Noxian War.

How old is she?

Tiana's life story is legendary enough. She became the Sword Captain of the Fearless Vanguard at a young age and the Grand Marshal of Demacia before she was even middle-aged, in charge of the military camp. But what was she doing when she was fourteen?
Practicing swordsmanship, learning to ride a horse
What was Lux doing when she was fourteen?

No, we're all human, so why is there such a big difference?

Of course, Rick had no idea what Jarvan III was thinking, but seeing Irelia and Swain appearing in the same place did make him quite happy.

Right now, Swain is mimicking Lissandra by closing his eyes and pretending not to hear anything, sitting there quietly, which is really funny.

You know, if he really didn't care, given Swain's personality and character, he wouldn't have acted this way at all, because it would have been impolite.

As for Irelia, she's in an awkward situation right now.

At once.
Irelia: Can anyone tell me what to say when I sit down and talk to the person whose arm I cut off? I need an answer urgently!
"Alright, everyone's here. Now I'll tell you why I called you all here."

"Besides what I mentioned in the secret letter about the federal seats and witnessing the birth of the new Zaun, there is something else I want to tell you, but let's not rush to talk about it yet."

Li Ke stood up, placed his hands on the table, and leaned down to look at the leaders of various countries sitting in their seats.

The people from the small country sat at the end of the long table, including Sarah, the sea empress of Bilgewater, and the head of the Zaun navy. At the front were—

Jarvan III of Demacia.

Swain of Noxus.

Irelia of Ionia.

Lissandra of Freljord.

And
Li Ke of Shuangcheng.

From then on, leaders from various countries gathered together.

Yes, it's time to begin.
Opposite Swain, beside Irelia, Lissandra, radiating coldness, slowly opened her eyes.

Her pale eyes were lifeless as she sat there quietly, feeling fortunate for her decision.

是 的
This time, Lissandra will not be fighting alone.

She knew about the other thing Li Ke was going to say because she had already discussed it with him beforehand.

That is.
Kill the Frost Watcher!
(End of this chapter)