章 67: The Budding in the Shadows
The warm spring breeze stirred the snow-white leaves of the snow maple, which shimmered softly under the magical lights lining the midnight street, their purity reminiscent of feathers that angels had inadvertently dropped upon the earth.
A group of inebriated men, arms linked, swayed unsteadily past the tranquil glow, their slurred voices humming a popular tune of the moment.
Their garments, once heavy and cumbersome months ago, had now grown lighter in the early March breeze. Stumbling along the nearly deserted street, the drunken revelers eventually succumbed, one after another, collapsing collectively onto the pavement in a disheveled heap, lost to slumber.
Meanwhile, several taverns and nightclubs remained ablaze with light; although the hour was not late, it marked the waning of the peak business period for such establishments. Yet, in most parts of the city, an enveloping silence prevailed, as if the world were in deep slumber.
A few hunting dogs, kept at the grand estates of the nobility, lounged lazily in their kennels near the gates, occasionally barking furiously at passersby. In this serene and peaceful night, the exuberant barks of these dogs could carry far and wide.
The entire city was shrouded in an atmosphere of tranquility.
However, contrasting sharply with the calm outside, the ambiance within was tinged with an eerie oppression.
The opulent carpet was soft and luxurious, while a square table crafted from three-century-old ebony bore a neatly stacked collection of books. Behind the desk sat a silent and stoic ruler, the flickering candlelight casting shadows on his profile, leaving the other side obscured in profound darkness, making his expression inscrutable.
A golden-haired maiden, serving as the empire's intelligence officer, stood respectfully in the center of the study, meticulously detailing her findings one by one.
After listening quietly to the report from the golden-haired girl, the ruler gently closed his eyes, massaging his temple with a hint of distress. After a moment of silence, he slowly inquired, "So... can we now confirm that the destruction of Tianxin City was orchestrated by the Lord of Winter's Embrace? Such power, capable of rivaling a saintly strike…"
With a soft sigh, the ruler murmured, "What a predicament…"
Yet, this was not the only trouble at hand.
Whether it was the ancient relic map that had recently been disseminated by certain individuals to several major nations of the continent, heralding impending bloodshed and strife, or the catastrophic devastation that had reduced the provincial capital of Tiannan to rubble overnight, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands, all these calamities were somehow linked to this generation's Lord of Winter's Embrace—this was what truly troubled the ruler's heart.
The girl named Lux remained silent in response to the ruler's musing, standing obediently as she awaited his final decision.
"Well then, according to the girl Freya, the Lord of Winter's Embrace possesses the map of the ancient relic as well? Ha... Noxus and the Lord of Winter's Embrace, it seems the Shurima Desert is in for quite a stir," the ruler pondered aloud for a moment before reaching a conclusion, addressing the girl before him, "You should... summon Chimu."
"Your... Highness?" In an instant, the girl's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, struggling to comprehend that these words had come from the ruler himself. She understood the profound implications of his decision in the current circumstances, leading her to unwittingly retort, "But... this is against protocol."
Immediately regretting her words, she recognized that while the traditions of Demacia dictated that the king could not interfere in the disputes among princes, such admonitions were not hers to voice.
Her position as an intelligence officer was a sensitive one, and matters concerning the throne should have been approached with utmost caution.
However, the ruler did not chastise her for her indiscretion; he merely waved his hand dismissively, "No matter, I shall decide freely."
Thus, the girl could only retreat, her heart heavy with apprehension.
The study fell into a temporary silence once more, the ruler seated behind the desk, lost in contemplation, his demeanor both solemn and authoritative amidst the enveloping darkness.
After approximately ten minutes, the door to the study was gently pushed open.
"Father, you summoned me?" A handsome young man with a scar across his cheek approached the desk respectfully, smiling as he slightly bowed in greeting.
He was a strikingly handsome youth; despite the scar that traversed his right cheek, it did not diminish his allure. Dressed elegantly, he moved with grace, his demeanor humble and poised.
Were he to appear at a midsummer ball, he would undoubtedly be the center of attention, the prince whom countless noble maidens secretly admired—yet, that was where his distinction ended.
In the martial realm of Demacia, as the second prince, he was not held in high regard by the citizens or courtiers. In their eyes, he was overshadowed by his elder brother, who had fought in wars at thirteen and commanded armies by eighteen; the younger prince appeared more as a gentle and courteous artist than a ruler capable of leading a nation against Noxus.
Thus, it was his elder brother who became the heir apparent, inheriting the name "Jarvan," while he remained merely the second prince, Chimu.
Gazing at his son, who seemed to have strayed from the expectations placed upon him since childhood, the ruler's expression was complex, yet certain words needed to be spoken.
With a deep sigh, the ruler's tone carried an inexplicable sadness, "Chimu, deliver the Crown of the Ancient Golem to your brother."
The prince's smile froze.
For a moment, he almost believed he had misheard, his eyes widening in disbelief, his expression contorted in shock, resembling a hapless jester, "Father... what did you say?"
"Take the Crown of the Ancient Golem to your brother," the ruler sighed softly, "We cannot abandon the ancient relics of the Shurima Desert, yet we cannot send an army there. Demacia needs a peerless ninth-tier warrior capable of standing alone. However, General Garen must defend Fort Courage, and General Laurent is currently on a mission to Ionia. At this moment, only your brother can undertake this journey, Chimu, my dear son, I trust you understand this reasoning."
The prince lowered his head in silence, the darkness obscuring his face, rendering his expression unreadable. Only his voice, now tinged with a somber tone, reached out, as if grappling with a final struggle, "But Father, this... is against protocol."
"Yet, this aligns with the interests of Demacia," the ruler replied somewhat indifferently, opening his mouth as if to say more, but ultimately, he merely waved his hand wearily, "You... should reflect on this yourself."
"Yes... Father," though it seemed he had more to say, the prince respectfully bowed his head and withdrew, his tone reverting to its usual humility.
In the shadows, his expression remained concealed, but it seemed...
Something dark was beginning to silently take root in the depths of obscurity.
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