327 -320- Everyone can be king
Noxus, end of December, 985—
In the Immortal Bastion, in a room engraved with runic iron, Swain, clad in a robe, sat on the floor, deep in thought.
In front of him was a low table with a paper on it, covered with names. Different names were written in different colors of glyphs.
Swain reached out and made another stroke on one of the names.
It was a stroke made with blood, as if crossing out the name.
"Master, there are rumors circulating outside that the leader of the Black Rose organization is called LeBlanc," a mage beside Swain said, bowing his head.
In recent days, Noxus had experienced a strange phenomenon: a powerful masked mage was flying around Noxus territory and shouting the name "LeBlanc" wherever he went. At first, no one knew who LeBlanc was, but slowly, it spread that LeBlanc was the Pale Lady, her real name being unknown.
As soon as this news came out, it spread immediately. Some nobles tried to investigate, but when their people mysteriously died, with wilted roses placed on their bodies, no one dared to pursue the matter further.
"Hmm, I see," Swain responded, waving his hand to signal the mage not to speak.
He was contemplating, thinking about the next steps and their feasibility.
And after a dozen minutes, Swain pinched his brow and looked at the mage.
The mage immediately poured tea for Swain.
Swain silently looked at the tabletop, then took the tea and spoke, "Inform the others. Seven days from now, we act promptly."
There was a fleeting fervor in his eyes as he nodded firmly and looked at the mage, saying, "Yes, I understand."
"Go, and also warn Medarda," Swain's tone was devoid of emotion, eerily calm.
"I know Midarda comes from a merchant background and may not be accustomed to putting all his chips on one side, but I believe he will adapt in the future."
"Yes, I'll go now."
The mage stood up, bowed to Swain, and was about to leave.
But Swain raised an eyebrow, lifted his hand, and said in a surprised tone, "Bring two more cups."
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"I said, bring two more cups."
"Yes."
Two minutes later, when the mage returned with two clean cups and descended into the basement, two more people were present there.
They sat opposite Swain, a man and a woman.
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"Put down the cups, you can leave," Swain said to the mage.
The mage kept his head down, trying not to look at the faces of the two people, and after placing the cups down, he immediately exited the room.
But he also saw the attire of the two people—
The one with black hair was male, wearing long sleeves and pants, with a white mask without a face hanging diagonally on his head, it's the rumored powerful mage.
While the other, with beautiful blue shoulder-length hair, wore a robe and had a beautiful staff placed beside her, was LeBlanc.
These two had come to find their leader!
---
"I've brought her here," Linwin pointed to LeBlanc beside Swain and spoke to him.
Calculating carefully, Linwin realized he had been in Noxus for three months already!
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Swain first looked at Linwin expressionlessly, then turned to look at LeBlanc, who was also sizing him up.
LeBlanc couldn't understand how someone she had played with and worn out managed to win over Linwin Lorant.
How did Swain do it?
What did he offer Linwin to keep him entangled with her for over two months?
During these two months, LeBlanc had gone from dismissing it as trivial, to becoming impatient, then igniting with anger, and finally, reluctantly compromising.
Continuing like this with Linwin Lorant was not a solution. She still had to deal with Mordekaiser.
"I only wanted you to keep her occupied, not bring her back," Swain looked at LeBlanc for a long time before he believed Linwin's words.
This woman in front of him was indeed LeBlanc.
The person who made him kill his parents with his own hands, and plunged Noxus into darkness.
But Swain also understood why LeBlanc did this.
Because of Mordekaiser.
Raum was imprisoned by Mordekaiser, and that demon knew how powerful Mordekaiser was and had witnessed firsthand what Noxus was like under his tyranny.
For this reason, if Swain were LeBlanc, he believed he would do the same as LeBlanc.
"I've told her everything about you, you can talk to her," Linwin said seriously. "Swain, time is running out. Now, more than half of the countries on the Runeterra have participated in the Twin Cities Games, only Noxus has not. The countries and tribes oppressed by you on Valoran have all signed peace agreements, and Noxus's name must also be on it."
"This is something you can talk to me about. Clearly, Darkwill is under my control. Why did you go to him?" LeBlanc interjected.
Because of this, she had been thwarted by Linwin in many things!
And she was chased for several months!
That was being chased in front of many mages and people in Noxus!
Ah, LeBlanc felt like she was being driven crazy by Linwin!
Now the name "LeBlanc" was almost becoming a legendary story in Noxus. On her way back to the Immortal Bastion today, LeBlanc heard all kinds of people discussing who LeBlanc was.
And her subordinates also knew who "LeBlanc" was.
The Black Rose which had stayed hidden for thousands of years was now exposed!
All her aliases were gone!
Damn it, why did Linwin Lorant go to Swain? Wouldn't it be much easier to make a deal with her? And much more convenient!
After all, Darkwill is just her puppet; whatever she wants Darkwill to do, he will do.
"Because you can't outplay him," Linwin said.
"Heheh," LeBlanc responded with a smirk.
Crossing her arms, this coquettish and beautiful mature woman leaned back, revealing her exquisite figure.
Beneath her perky peaks lay enticing valleys.
Her fair skin emitted a slight blush, and LeBlanc threw a glance at Swain.
However, Swain didn't even look at her.
While Linwin was trying hard not to look, thinking, "I have Powder, I have Kai'Sa...."
LeBlanc was not easy to get along with. She was showing weakness now because she hadn't found a way to deal with Linwin yet. If she really did, Linwin would be in deep trouble.
After all, Kai'Sa was a mature woman, Powder was a young girl, and LeBlanc was a queen.
"And besides, you both have a common enemy, don't you? LeBlanc, you're doing all this to stop Mordekaiser's return, and Swain, you're doing this to strengthen Noxus," Linwin leaned forward and continued, "But we all know that when Mordekaiser returns with his undead army to Runeterra, the first thing he will do is reclaim Noxus. Can you agree to that, Swain? You can't, so Mordekaiser is also your enemy."
"In essence, you two can sit down and have a good talk."
"Heh." LeBlanc let out another light laugh. "I made him kill his own parents and made him a cripple. With such great hatred, would he agree?"
"No, I agree," Swain looked at LeBlanc. This was not the first time he and the Pale Lady had clashed, but it was definitely the first time they had spoken face to face.
"In the future, there will be a place for you in Noxus, and you will jointly guide the future of Noxus with me."
"Kid, a country can't have two emperors. Either you be the emperor, or my people will be the emperor," LeBlanc faced Swain squarely.
"Then, seven days later, there will be no emperor in Noxus," Swain smiled faintly.
A glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, a light called conviction.
Swain looked at LeBlanc sincerely and said:
"In the future, strength will be above all. Everyone in Noxus can be king!"
