I, Folyago, am the most devoted lover in Runeterra.

Having narrowly escaped, Rowan, after much reflection, understood the situation.

The Noxian Empire's appetite is certainly not limited to just the province of Philol. This barbaric and greedy nation must have even greater ambitions!

They certainly won't be satisfied with just one island, Philol!

Rowan immediately understood that the current situation was extremely dangerous; Noxus's iron hooves could return at any moment, and he had to quickly go to Presidium to explain the situation.

Let the Ionians abandon their unrealistic fantasies and prepare for war with Noxus.

..........

By the time Rowan arrived in Presidium without stopping, nearly a week had passed.

By this time, the entire province of Philor had fallen, and the empire was planning its next offensive strategy.

Seven days of non-stop travel left Rowan feeling extremely exhausted, but fortunately, his Gold Rank strength prevented him from collapsing.

Rowan quickly used his status as an elder to find the council of elders in Presidium and explained to them everything that had happened in Philol.

Rowan's account brought the Presidium's elders to the attention of Philoll.

Then, what happened next was the last thing Rowan wanted to see.

The elders of Presidium informed Rowan that the matter would need to be discussed further before a decision could be reached.

Then report it to the Council of Elders of Ionia, which will discuss it again, arrive at a final answer, and implement it.

Yes, this is how Ionia has always handled problems.

Minor matters are left to the elders to decide.

Important matters are discussed by a group of elders sitting together.

Particularly serious matters are discussed by the elders of the province, and if necessary, reported to the Council of Elders of Ionia for further discussion.

The so-called "elders" are actually people of high moral character and prestige.

The "elders" also have their own corresponding ranks. For example, Rowan himself is an elder chosen from a village.

In addition to making decisions about matters in the village, he also served as a member of the provincial elders' council.

The Council of Elders of Ionia is, in fact, a council composed of all the most respected people in the entire Ionia.

The elders can be exceptionally powerful individuals, sages who have devoted themselves to profound wisdom, or even long-lived elders...

However, in such a bloated and massive organization, it is not an easy task to reach a clear conclusion on a matter.

At this moment, the attitude of the Presidian elders made Rowan's face turn pale with anger.

What kind of time is this? The enemy has already reached our doorstep, and these people aren't thinking about how to defend themselves and fight back.

Instead, we should find someone to "discuss" this matter with.

Precious time was wasted little by little, and Rowan, a mere peripheral elder, was powerless to change anything.

However, in reality, no one can really be blamed for this.

Because this has been the way Ionia has been for thousands of years.

Deep-seated problems are hard to change; it's nothing more than this...

...........

Good morning, Elder Rowan.

Good morning, Elder Emma.

Today, Rowan rushed to the council of elders in Presidium early in the morning, hoping to urge them to make a decision quickly.

The sun had just risen, and among the elders present was only one female elder named Emma.

Clearly, the other elders had not yet "come to work".

Elder Emma was a sorcerer who possessed ancient secret arts and enjoyed great prestige in the villages and towns surrounding Presidium.

Rowan stared at the empty seats around him with bloodshot eyes, feeling utterly powerless.

"What did they come up with yesterday?"

Rowan asked instinctively, a glimmer of hope appearing in his bloodshot eyes.

Seemingly noticing Rowan's unusual behavior, Emma put on a gentle smile.

"Elder Luo Wen, I understand how you feel."

"But please trust the Presidian Council of Elders, and trust the Council of Elders of Warnerly."

Elder Emma spoke gently, which made Rowan's expression grow even more unpleasant.

understand?

If you could understand how I feel right now, why would you be wasting your precious time here?!

Rowan smiled wryly, thinking to himself.

He also understood that Emma meant well, and given the current situation, he couldn't blame her.

·· ······Requesting flowers··· ····

"Yesterday, the elders discussed whether sending troops would violate the doctrines of the Spirit of Ionia."

“Some elders insist that we don’t need to worry too much, as the spirits of Ionia will protect us.”

“Especially Master Kusho of Jungyun Temple, I think you should have heard of his name.”

"He was the most steadfast opponent who took the initiative to confront them."

Emma calmly informed Rowan of the elders' discussion from the previous day.

Master Kusho of the Temple of Balance, a legendary strongman who believes in the Way of Balance, enjoys a high reputation throughout Ionia.

The "way of balance" he believed in was an absolute way of peace that relinquished interference with worldly affairs and never affected the workings of the mortal world.

In short, it means that "everything has its own balance, and human beings cannot interfere with this balance."

Under this theory, Noxus's invasion of Ionia can also be considered a form of "equilibrium".

Master Kushu believed that there was no need to artificially interfere with this "balance," and that Noxus would naturally incur the corresponding punishment when its actions caused the balance to tip.

Based on this, Master Kushuo was naturally a staunch opponent of sending troops.

.... 0 ...

Upon hearing this, Rowan's face turned pale.

He had long heard of the great master's name.

Although both are "elders," compared to the master Ku Shuo, Luo Wen is like a grain of rice compared to the bright moon.

"But you don't need to worry."

"The discussion did not end in unison; some elders advocated sending troops to participate in the war and resist."

"For example, Elder Suma, Elder Zan..."

Emma offered words of comfort to Rowan, which eased Rowan's expression somewhat.

Although these two elders were not as famous as Master Kushuo, they were still renowned and powerful figures.

Rowan had heard of them before, especially Elder Suma of the Path of Gale.

"The elders' discussions are still quite intense."

"But I think everything depends on the Noxians' next move."

Emma gave Rowan a meaningful look.

Upon hearing this, Rowan's face instantly turned pale, because he understood the deeper meaning behind Emma's words.

It seems that a considerable number of the elders still harbor a sense of侥幸 (a sense of侥幸, or a feeling of getting away with something).

They might think that Noxus would extinguish its flames after conquering Philorne.

Therefore, they were unwilling to sacrifice their own interests to help Rowan reclaim the province of Filol.

The conflict between beliefs and consciousness is a secondary factor; tangible interests are the key.

Ionia's loose alliance system meant that these "members" had no intention of standing up for others until the fire reached them.

"That......."

Rowan's mouth was a little dry, and a hint of despair flashed in his eyes.

He hesitated, looking at Elder Emma before him.

The smile on Elder Emma's face gradually faded, replaced by a peaceful expression.

Are you asking me that?

Elder Emma asked casually.

Rowan nodded slightly, looking at the seemingly kind female elder, wanting to know what her attitude was.

"I neither support nor oppose it."

"I am merely the most devout believer of the spirits of Ionia."

Elder Emma answered Rowan's questions, but it left Rowan feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cave.