-211- Summons

"Woah! What are those things?"

On the road to Demacia's capital, a short figure happened to glance up and caught sight of the peculiar scene in the sky.

Quickly shouldering her large hammer, she ran to a tall ancient tree and climbed up in three quick motions. 

The Yordle placed her palm against her forehead, gazing into the distance at the sky.

"Are those Demacian Sliverwing? So cool!"

After a moment, the Yordle with exceptional vision nodded. "Hm, they're Sliverwings alright. With such long necks, they can only be sliverwing raptors."

Poppy watched for a while. She saw strange blue beams suddenly appear in the sky. Each blue beam pierced through and struck it's mark, and Poppy could see injured beast falling to the ground, even the huge griffins were injured.

Seeing this, Poppy climbed down from the tree, picked up her hammer, and continued on her way to Demacia's capital.

She initially thought someone was in trouble again and wanted to see if she could help, but after climbing up the tree and seeing the situation, Poppy dismissed the idea.

One reason was that the distance from her to that place was too far, far too far. With just her legs, Poppy knew she couldn't make it back in less than half a month.

But fortunately, that place was not that far from Demacia's capital, and those griffins had picked the wrong opponent.

Demacia's Sliverwing were in action, riding their silverwing raptors, which were fierce beasts not easily subdued.

These guys respected strength and were only willing to partner with strong soldiers. But when Poppy passed by a village at the foot of a mountain, the locals were attacked by wild raptors. It took Poppy two days to climb to the mountaintop, and when she saw those beautiful raptors, she also wanted to mount one.

But even after Poppy smashed them into pulp with her Orlon Hammer, they didn't yield to her.

For this, Poppy could only think that she wasn't strong enough.

She was just an ordinary Yordle after all. Apart from being a bit stronger, she didn't look like a hero at all. Otherwise, why wouldn't the wild raptors acknowledge her until death?

"Why do I keep thinking of those unpleasant things again?"

Annoyed, she lowered her head. After shaking her beautiful twin tails, the short figure lifted her head and quickened her pace.

"No, I have to find that hero quickly."

"Hero, oh hero, please come out."

With the huge Orlon Hammer easily resting on her shoulder, Poppy imagined the scene of meeting the hero, imagining herself passing Orlon's Hammer to that hero.

Thinking of this, Poppy smiled happily, revealing a pretty little tiger tooth.

"Demacia needs you!"

---

Demacia's Capital---

Ekko swallowed hard, then looked up at the incredibly majestic scene in front of him.

To be honest, Ekko was truly impressed by Demacia's towering walls at the moment.

The soldiers nearby said it was over forty meters tall.

And now, in front of Ekko, the entrance gate of Demacia's capital made Ekko's mouth drop open.

How did the Demacians manage to do this?

Can something like this really be built by human hands?

Why was Ekko so incredulous?

As forty-some people walked side by side into Demacia, but there was still plenty of space on either side of the city gates, Ekko was feeling somewhat numb.

Tall, mighty, heroic.

That's the impression Demacian soldiers gave Ekko.

Majestic, grand, sacred.

That's how Demacia's architecture felt to Ekko.

And all along the way, the Demacians Ekko saw had a pair of eyes similar to those in Zaun and Piltover.

Those were eyes not burdened by the hardships of life.

Just as Linwin said, Demacia was a country that made ordinary people feel happy. Despite the criticisms from the outside world, it couldn't change the fact that Demacia was prosperous, and its residents lived very well.

////That is "no need to worry about your next meal" type of prosperous I guess.////

In their faces, Ekko didn't even see the suffering caused by war.

While the whole world was engulfed in the wars with Noxus, the people of Demacia were spared.

This was something even Zaun and Piltover couldn't avoid!

"Skite, this is as far as I can take you." Once inside the capital, Docrithon rode on his horse, looked down at the enforcers walking beside him, then said in a low voice, "I'll take them back to the garrison first."

Skite looked at Docrithon and nodded, saying, "Thank you."

"You're a brave warrior, and I apologize for underestimating you earlier." Docrithon dismounted, extended his hand to Skite, the tall man showing a sunny smile. "Skite, if the opportunity arises, we can spar sometime."

"Please spare me." Skite smiled wryly, extending his hand.

Spar with you?

Isn't that the same as seeking death?

Seeing Docrithon effortlessly lift the three-meter-tall griffin with one hand, Skyel knew these people were monsters.

Not only could Docrithon do it, but even those normal soldiers could.

Griffins weighing hundreds of pounds in their hands felt as light as toys! Is this reasonable? 

"I can't beat you, the only reason I can kill those beast and griffins is thanks to the weapons our city-state produces."

Docrithon listened to Skite's words, smiled even more happily, bumped his fist gently against Skite's chest, and said, "But that's also your strength, isn't it?"

Skite thought for a moment and nodded.

"Alright, from here on, I'm taking the right path. And remember, this side is the military district, and you can't just wander in."

Docrithon pointed ahead, then continued, "And through this gate, you'll see the estates of Demacia's nobles."

"Through this estate, you'll see the Dawnhold."

Skite nodded.

"Let's part ways here." After seeing a man in white robes approaching, Docrithon hurriedly said.

"Goodbye, Docrithon."

"Goodbye."

With a loud whistle as he mounted, the raptors in the air answered, flying off in another direction.

Docrithon raised his sword and shouted, "Let's move!"

Turning back, Skite saw a group of people already surrounding Ekko and Professor Mos.

"Professor Mos, Mr. Ekko, please follow me this way."

Wearing noble attire from Piltover but with a monocle on his face, a man named Mos nodded.

Mos and Ekko followed the man, and Skite followed from behind.

Just as Docrithon said, after passing through the luxurious noble estate, they saw the palace of the Lightshield royal family.

A palace standing on a silver-white mountain.

"Professor Mos, Mr. Ekko, His Majesty has summoned both of you."

"The rest of you, please wait here."

"This..." Skite looked at a group of curious students, then looked at Professor Mos and Ekko.

"It's okay, Skite, please watch over them here."

Mos nodded, and as he walked forward, he said again.

"Let's go, Ekko."

"Yes, Professor Mos."