Chapter 6, Maple Leaf Snow
The ordinary ferocious beasts in the forest, along with the presence of various powerful high-level magical beasts, make this treasure trove akin to a ticking time bomb. In the history of the establishment of the Debang Empire, there have been two instances where the magical beasts of the Wintery Forest launched a beast tide that ravaged the empire. This forest has caused generations of emperors great concern, and there have indeed been attempts to reach an agreement with the beast kings within the forest.
On both sides of the street stand rows of tall snow maple trees, a species unique to Debang, swaying gently in the breeze as if warmly greeting the young girl who has come rushing from afar
The crowd on both sides of the road spontaneously dispersed, clearing a sufficiently wide passage for traffic
However, the world of Warcraft is different from human society, as it is filled with the ancient law of the jungle. Few beasts can remain in the position of king for more than thirty years before being defeated by newly risen stars. Naturally, the new king cannot acknowledge the agreements made by the previous king. Therefore, although there have only been two recorded instances of large-scale beast tides ravaging the empire, small-scale incursions by beasts have almost never ceased.
"It is as follows, Your Majesty," Lux slowly recounted what she had witnessed during this journey, without any superfluous details, nor any concealment, and her words contained no speculation, narrating everything that had transpired from the perspective of an observer.
Ah... I see, said the red-haired woman named Shyvana, shaking her head in disappointment. So, you still can't find it? By the way, is there any new development in Noxus that prompted your sudden return to the royal city?
Haha... the girl laughed mischievously. Indeed, the most interesting thing in the world is to make Sister Shyvana blush, transforming her from an ice-cold beauty into a shy little girl. "Don't worry, don't worry, I have actually found the Crown of the Ancient Golem, but I have yet to negotiate the terms of the exchange with the other party. However, I estimate it will be soon. Right now, I am planning to consult with His Majesty."
He is a tall middle-aged man, whose journey of military service in his youth, his exploits on the battlefield in his young adulthood, and his campaigns in his prime have left a profound imprint of a soldier on him
"It should be so," the young girl analyzed. "After all, the entire Winterhold Forest is within the territory of the Debang, and the Lord of Winterhold has his own concerns. He is also afraid that if he provokes us, it will bring trouble upon himself. Moreover, my subordinate once discovered a sealed young girl beneath that dilapidated temple, and it is initially estimated that she should have a significant relationship with the Lord of Winterhold. Therefore, it is we who occupy the temple that are being attacked by those magical beasts."
On that day, after parting from the Winter Embrace Forest, the young girl led her troops back to the camp. Without taking the time to deal with the aftermath, she hastily instructed on several matters that required attention, and then set off with the most elite fifteen riders under her command, traveling through the night towards the imperial capital. Her purpose was to report everything to King Garwen III as soon as possible, to make a decision regarding the curse on Prince Garwen. Moreover, for certain considerations, she did not send the news ahead to the imperial capital.
In the dawn light, the grand gates of the imperial city slowly opened. Just as Lux dismounted and entered the vast imperial city, a voice rang in her ears, "You have returned? What was the outcome?"
Sixty years ago, the venerable war god Zhao Xin, aged three hundred and fifty-seven, rode alone into the Winterhold Forest. What transpired thereafter remains unknown to all, and the war god himself has not spoken of it. However, since that time, the magical beasts within the Winterhold Forest have behaved themselves, with the exception of occasional low-level magical beasts straying out to disturb the nearby villages. The entire Winterhold Forest has since been almost completely isolated from the outside world
The Lord of Winter's Embrace is a peculiar existence for the high-ranking officials of Demacia. The Forest of Winter's Embrace, one of the few major habitats of high-level magical beasts on the Valoran continent, boasts a vast coverage of woodland. Such an immense forest is a tremendous treasure trove for humanity; however, Demacia, being the only one among the top empires to possess such a treasure within its territory, has not reaped significant benefits from it. Instead, it has been plagued by this very fact.
The king decisively issued orders, as if the so-called Night Demon Crystal was merely an ordinary item, unworthy of mention, unworthy of a sneer
Shaking her head, Lux secretly smiled to herself, realizing that she had indeed been a bit too fatigued lately, as images of everything in the Winter's Claw forest kept flashing through her mind. "I apologize, Sister Shyvana, but time is of the essence. Let's discuss this as we walk. I have activated all my informants, yet there is still not a single clue."
After listening to Lux's speech, the King slightly closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, "So, as long as we are willing to offer the Night Demon Crystal, the current Lord of Winter's Embrace will agree to give us the Golem Crown?"
Uncertain of what it was, as she gazed upon the charming face before her, Lux could not help but recall another expressionless face that flashed through her mind. However, the difference was that Sister Shyvana had moments of thawing from her frozen state, while that fellow seemed to possess a perpetual expression of indifference.
"Lux... you tricked me again," the woman, realizing the situation, smiled helplessly. "Is it really that amusing to deceive me?"
Lux turned her head and saw a woman standing in front of her, clad in heavy armor. The armor was crafted from the rare metal Golan gold, which is renowned not only for its sturdy texture but also for its lightness and softness. Although it was a suit of heavy armor, it perfectly outlined the woman's exquisite curves as if it were a form-fitting garment. Her long, fiery red hair billowed in the wind, yet in stark contrast to her passionate hair was the woman's indifferent and delicate face. Although it was a suit of heavy armor, it perfectly outlined the woman's exquisite curves as if it were a form-fitting garment. Her long, fiery red hair billowed in the wind, yet in stark contrast to her passionate hair was the woman's indifferent and delicate face
The pure white maple leaves drift down gently, making one feel as if they have entered a charming snowy landscape. Yet, a ray of bright sunlight flickers among the delicate "snowflakes," casting a faint golden glow on the glazed tiles of the street-side tavern.
It is interesting, until Lux and the other person left, the king slowly closed his eyes, "It is truly unexpected that the ruler of winter in this generation is actually a human."
"I humbly obey your command, my king." The young girl knelt on one knee and performed a knightly salute
As the two individuals exchanged greetings, the supporting character, Shyvana, quietly stepped aside, leaving the stage to Lux
A young girl in a sky-blue magic robe took the lead, standing out remarkably among the soldiers in their orderly golden armor. The fitted sky-blue robe accentuated her enchanting curves, and the slightly raised dust could not obscure the captivating beauty of her delicate face.
"Who told you to be so easy to deceive, sister?" Lux laughed and said, "Usually, my sister is very clever, but when it comes to matters concerning His Highness the Prince, she becomes clumsy. It's truly—helpless, isn't it?"
As the whispers of the king echoed through the silent hall, the morning sunlight finally arrived, gathering through the window into a beam that illuminated the somewhat desolate throne.
Even though he is now eighty years old and has entered middle age, the iron-blooded spirit of a soldier and the vast aura of a king still emanate from him like an unfathomable ocean, commanding utmost respect and caution.
At this moment, the owner of this charming face was looking at Lux with a hint of nervousness
The sealed ... ... girl? Is there a deep connection with the Lord of Winter's Embrace?'' This led to a realization for the king, as he recalled that the primary function of the Night Demon Crystal is to construct various large-scale magic circles
They traversed through the palace and courtyards, brushing past countless busy attendants. The two arrived in front of a grand castle, and after announcing their identities to the attendants, they stepped into the castle hall, where the Emperor of the Empire, Gavin III, was already seated upon the throne.
"Then, my dear intelligence officer, it seems I must trouble you to make another trip. Hmm... this time, let Captain Shyvana accompany you. Be sure to retrieve the Crown of the Ancient Golem," murmured Jarvan III. "Just take my hand order and go to the royal treasury to find Mr. Nethersoul for the Night Demon Crystal."
Under the guidance of the young girl, the knights surged through the gates of the imperial capital, galloping along the central avenue in the morning light of the rising sun, their sights set directly on the towering structures—the imperial city
Subsequently, under the governance of three generations of kings, this city, established for less than five hundred years, became the most renowned city of charm on the entire Valoran continent
I..." Shyvana's face flushed, and she stamped her foot, "What time is it, and you still have the mood to joke around?"
Is there any good news this time? My intelligence officer? Wang asked淡淡, her tone distinctly different from Xiao Mu Yu's coldness and darkness, filled with a confidence that suggested everything was under control
The gracefully falling snow maple leaves, bathed in bright yet gentle golden sunlight, represent the most renowned scene of the capital's maple leaf snow, and this is also the origin of the name "maple leaf snow"
Demacia is one of the more powerful nations on the continent of Valoran. In the midst of the chaotic situation on the Valoran continent, Demacia's legal system is relatively sound. Its long-standing distance from war has resulted in a predominantly peaceful scene in most cities, except for a few border cities near its arch-enemy, Noxus.
Do not adopt the tone of such unscrupulous middle-aged men. In response to the mockery directed at the young girl, Shivana said weakly
Hehe... Is there any news from Noxus that I am unaware of?" The girl chuckled teasingly, "I only know that if there are no updates regarding the Crown of the Ancient Golem, the main party might still be fine, but someone is probably worried to death.
However, the young girls of today are destined to have no time to appreciate the enchanting scene before them. Under the escort of the city guards who received the news, a total of sixteen riders cut through the intricate streets, heading straight for the royal city.
In the early morning, as the morning sun spreads its rays, the massive city gates slowly open. The crowd, which had long been waiting outside the city, rushes in. At that moment, the sound of hooves is heard, and a group of fierce soldiers gallops in from the distance. Their distinctive golden-yellow armor, characteristic of the De Bang, shines brilliantly in the sunlight. Even before they arrive, a fierce aura of long-standing battle and slaughter rushes towards us with the rhythmic sound of their hooves.
Among these cities, which are like gems embedded between mountains, river valleys, and plains, the imperial capital of Maple Leaf Snow can be considered the most famous and distinctive city
Even though the legendary military god of Debang has long since laid down his armor and returned to the fields, the Lord of Winter has changed several times, yet the beasts in the Forest of Winter still do not dare to cross the threshold of the thunderous pool.
Since Emperor Jiawen I of the Debang Empire established the empire here, Maple Snow has a history of over four hundred years. The head of state at that time once ascended to overlook the area and pointed to what was once a forest, saying, "Here will be the capital of the empire established by me, Jiawen I!"