Ornn, the Chosen One, a treasure from ancient times!

"Helen..."

"Okay, okay! I know..."

Herren impatiently interrupted Jarvan and said...

"Consider the coins you gave me as a deposit. Now, take the sword and all your belongings back with you. You can return them when you've saved enough money."

Jarvan only saw Laurent's current state of disrepair, but Herren was different. He knew that Fiona could truly restore Laurent's reputation on her own.

Now is her most awkward moment; could there be a better time to express goodwill?

However, Fiona did not seem to appreciate Herren's goodwill. She remained silent for a moment, then took off her rapier and handed it back with both hands.

"Then please allow me to save up enough money before I come to collect it."

"Damn it, why are you so stubborn?"

Herren couldn't quite understand Fiona's rigidity, but Fiona was very insistent.

"This is about honor."

"Alright, honor, is that it? You can keep the sword, but I'll be leaving Demacia soon. Settle the debt before then, or return the sword, okay?"

"..."

Fiona frowned and pondered for a moment before finally nodding and accepting this expedient measure.

……

……

A few more days passed, and Herren was busy every day. He couldn't remember exactly how many days had passed, but it was probably another week or two...

He had been in Xiongdu for almost a month, but he still hadn't gotten the turning point he was looking for.

However, some other things happened. For example, Garen's fierce aunt, Tiana, was officially appointed Grand Marshal of Demacia last week. She is the youngest Grand Marshal in history and the only female Grand Marshal.

She was originally a Grand Marshal, but because of her identity as a woman, she only actually controlled the Fearless Vanguard and did not receive a medal from the King himself... Now she has made up for it.

Originally a member of a prestigious family, the Crown Guard has now become second only to the emperor, holding a position of immense power.

Furthermore, Fiona has sent money sporadically, but the debt remains far from being settled.

It wasn't that the valuables she brought weren't worth enough; it was because she couldn't sell them to commoners for the price she wanted, and as for selling them to nobles... not only was the Laurent family unpopular, but no noble would want secondhand goods either.

Herren could see Fiona's anxiety, but there was nothing he could do about it.

With fewer orders lately, Herren can finally relax a bit, and the blacksmith shop also keeps refreshing its inventory with new gadgets.

Lux tentatively touched the Entropy with her finger, the cold, piercing sensation stinging her finger, but she still kept tapping it mischievously.

The Crown Guard family, also known as the Crown Guard, naturally bears the responsibility of protecting the royal family, and their family residence is located near the palace.

After what happened last time, Lux is no longer allowed to go out at the Crown Guard's house, especially not into the palace... However, the blacksmith shop where Herren works is located on the edge of the palace, and the sneaky Lux can still sneak over.

After all, her aunt was busy with her new job change and had no time to take care of her, which gave her an opportunity.

Harren didn't know why Lux was so enthusiastic; perhaps it was because she had discovered a sense of closeness with someone of her own kind...

Demacia has plenty of people who know magic, but these people are either in prison or hiding it and dare not show it.

Lux doesn't have many friends. Because of her magic, her family didn't send her to a prestigious school, but instead hired a tutor. She also had her older brother with her when she was young, but Garen has already joined the Dreadnoughts.

Lux has finally found someone like Heron, a rare find among them.

"How do you control your fire-breathing magic so well? Can you teach me?"

"I've already said, I don't know magic, and I can't control it... This is divine power, it belongs to someone else."

Herren answered patiently, even though Lux had asked about it many times before.

Lux was only eleven or twelve years old at the time, a time when she loved to play. Herren had no shortage of toys, and all sorts of weapons and equipment were on display.

Lux brandished an unsharpened, exquisite dagger as a longsword, treating the shield as her imaginary enemy.

When he got tired of playing, he would jump onto the high blacksmith's table, swing his legs, and watch Helen busy at work, occasionally bothering him with a word.

"Does your place really not reject magic?"

"Yes, people with magic can become shamans or priests."

"Shaman? Priest? What's that?"

"Hmm... I don't know how to explain it. Do you remember the event His Majesty presided over a few days ago? The priest was equivalent to His Majesty at that time."

Lux's eyes lit up with excitement, filled with longing.

"That must be very respectable! Can magic be respected?"

"Of course, those who can forge are respected, those who can swords are respected, it's just that they have a skill... In my opinion, magic is also a skill, and it's even rarer."

"I've never heard anything like that before..."

After her daydreaming, Lux held her face in her hands in distress.

"Sometimes, I can't control my magic, like when it shows at the dinner table. My aunt will scold me very harshly and then punish me by not allowing me to eat for several days..."

"Several days?!"

"Yeah... if my brother hadn't secretly given me food, I probably would have starved to death..."

"Oh……"

It seems Garen was instructed to do this, so that Lux would learn a lesson without actually starving herself.

After all, she's her own aunt; she couldn't possibly be that cruel.

"This approach isn't quite right, is it? Lux, I feel that magic is part of your body, and they shouldn't be teaching you to reject it... Are you afraid of your own hands?"

"You're right... but I don't dare talk to my aunt like that..."

Lux couldn't help but shrink back at the thought of her aunt.

At that moment, Lux heard the commotion outside. Instinctively, she jumped off the table and slipped into an empty box with fluid movements.

His appearance, like a rat crossing the street, was somewhat comical, making Herren unable to help but laugh.

Just then, the blacksmith's shop door was pushed open, and Jarvan walked in with an unusually serious expression.

"What's wrong, Jarvan?"

"Something big has happened, Herren... I don't know if it's good or bad, but I think it should be a good thing for you."

"Could it be...?"

Herren had already guessed this, and Jarvan's words confirmed it.

"Just now, we received news that a few days ago, the Noxians launched a surprise attack on the town of Navori in Ionia, and war has broken out... Father has convened a high council, and it should be almost over by now. He wants to see you, so please come with me quickly!"