Li Lin's words stirred deep contemplation in King Jarvan III.
The former king of Demacia had initially banned magic due to the conflicts between the Winged Protectors and their followers, which had inflicted great harm on Demacia. His intent had been to safeguard his people from the dangers of magic.
Yet, over centuries, the Mage Seekers' organization had twisted the purpose of the anti-magic decree. What was meant to protect the people had become a source of their fear.
This was not how it was supposed to be.
Among those present, only Tiyana reacted with overt dissatisfaction toward Li Lin's provocative statements. Challenging Demacia's established system was something she could not tolerate.
However, the others—Prince Jarvan IV, Jarvan III, Barrett, and Xin Zhao—were all reflecting on Li Lin's perspective.
The king did indeed harbor intentions to abolish the anti-magic law and disband the Mage Seekers. He also had the authority to enact these changes. But hesitation lingered.
A system that had governed Demacia for centuries could not be abolished overnight. The subsequent ripple effects and the question of how to manage the nation's mages were critical considerations. If mishandled, repealing the anti-magic law could destabilize Demacia rather than improve it.
In short, it was not a decision to be made lightly or swiftly.
After some deliberation, the king instructed Prince Jarvan IV to spend the following days exploring the capital with Li Lin before dismissing him from the Hall of Valor. The issue of the anti-magic law required further thought.
Coincidentally, Morgana's willingness to return to Demacia was fortuitous. As one of the Winged Protectors, her support could significantly ease the resistance to recognizing mages as equals.
After leaving the king, Li Lin returned to his quarters and knocked on Morgana's door.
"Come in."
With her permission, he turned the unlocked doorknob and entered the room. Morgana stood on the balcony of the small sitting area, gazing into the distance.
Without turning around, she sensed his presence and asked, "Where's Zoe? Didn't she come back with you?"
"You knew I made up with her?"
"Her lingering presence on you is unmistakable," Morgana said with an emotionless tone. "Didn't I tell you last night? Be prepared for the consequences of your actions."
She glanced at him briefly, then shook her head in exasperation. "At the very least, you should have removed another woman's scent before meeting someone who has feelings for you."
Li Lin offered an awkward laugh, avoiding her reproach. Despite traveling across the ocean breeze, tinkering with machines in Zaun, and visiting a satellite base, Zoe's presence still clung to him.
Clearing his throat, he attempted a clumsy segue. "So... did you sleep well last night?"
"I don't require sleep. You didn't come here just to ask that, did you?"
Morgana stared at him for a moment before sitting on the couch inside, her snow-white legs partially exposed to the cool air. "Sit down. I can tell you have a lot on your mind."
Not bothering with formalities, Li Lin sat on the sofa opposite her. Before he could speak, Morgana interjected, "You met with the king just now, didn't you?"
"King Jarvan III sought my views on the anti-magic law."
A glimmer of surprise crossed Morgana's face. After a brief pause, she said, "He asked me about the same thing last night."
Li Lin's curiosity was piqued. "How did you respond?"
"I imagine my thoughts align with yours."
Morgana, well aware of Li Lin's stance on magic, understood why he had brought her to Demacia in the first place. He had shown her how many magically gifted Demacians lived under oppressive conditions.
After a moment's hesitation, she shook her head. "This king is far too indecisive—unlike his son, who acts decisively."
"That's the difference between youth and age," Li Lin replied. "Prince Jarvan IV doesn't yet bear the burden of rule, so his decisions come with fewer reservations. It makes him seem bolder."
"True enough..."
Morgana turned her gaze southward toward the balcony, her expression tinged with hesitation. She said nothing further, and silence fell between them.
Following her gaze, Li Lin could guess her thoughts. "You're worried about Kayle, aren't you?"
"I'm not the only one who should be concerned," Morgana sighed. "I have a feeling Kayle will return soon."
Li Lin raised an eyebrow. "How soon are we talking?"
In the original timeline, even when Demacia was ravaged by the Black Mist, Kayle had remained on Mount Targon, ascending the 'Stairway to Divinity' without fully receiving the Aspect of Justice's enlightenment.
Now, however, Morgana's early return to Demacia and her awareness of her sister's potential return could accelerate Kayle's timeline.
Li Lin had anticipated this but worried about the timing—particularly if Kayle returned just before the king issued a decree repealing the anti-magic law.
"I don't know," Morgana said, shaking her head. "It could be days, months, or even years."
Great. That's as good as saying nothing.
Li Lin rubbed his temples, frustrated. He'd forgotten that beings empowered by celestial forces often had as poor a sense of time as Yordles.
"We need to prepare," he suggested. "At the very least, we should focus on earning the people's acceptance of you. In a week, the king plans to announce your return to the public. What's your plan for then?"
"Most people have already forgotten me. Those who remember only recall the malicious rumors spread about me," Morgana said calmly. "When that day comes, I doubt anyone will..."
Before she could finish, her expression shifted dramatically.
"What's wrong?" Li Lin asked, noticing the sudden change in her demeanor.
Morgana pursed her lips and frowned, walking straight into the bedroom. She opened the window and looked westward.
Li Lin quickly followed, straining his eyes to see what she was focused on.
The grand plaza was now crowded with people, and someone stood in front of the four-sided statue of soldiers, facing the cardinal directions, delivering a passionate speech.
Noticing Morgana's dark and stormy expression, Li Lin immediately dispatched a drone to the scene.
It was a plain-looking man, approximately in his thirties.
He was dressed in an old gray-brown cotton jacket and warm trousers, with deerskin boots on his feet. A noble-style dueling rapier hung at his waist.
At a glance, he looked like a once-wealthy noble who had fallen on hard times.
Li Lin's face showed confusion as a nanomaterial from his collar climbed up his neck, transforming into a single earpiece fixed to his ear. The sounds from the drone on-site transmitted to him with clarity.
"And so, she is nothing but a fallen angel! Our Winged Protector has always been the divine Kayle! We must uphold her glory and truth, executing the law without hesitation!"
The man clenched his fist, his face full of righteous indignation, easily stirring the emotions of the dozens gathered around him.
Before long, excited citizens began to echo his sentiments:
"Yes! We don't need a fallen leader!"
"Law and justice will burn away all evil!"
"We need a Just Angel, not a Fallen one!"
The drone did not transmit all of the man's speech, but from the crowd's reaction, Li Lin could easily piece together what had been said.
It was nothing more than opposition to Morgana, "the fallen one," returning to prominence. They had gathered at the grand plaza, hoping to convey this "public grievance" to the king.
To Li Lin, however, this sudden incident seemed far too suspicious.
"Those are Kayle's followers. After hundreds of years, it's surprising anyone still worships her," Morgana said, her voice unusually cold.
Li Lin's confusion shifted to a more serious expression as he narrowed his eyes, gazing again at the central statue in the plaza.
Although the guards of Dawnkeep quickly arrested the man who had incited the crowd and dispersed the angry citizens, bad news travels fast. In a few hours, word of this incident—and especially the defamation of Morgana's name—would spread across the capital.
Li Lin glanced at Morgana's silent profile and added, "From what I know, those who still revere Kayle and sing her praises are mostly Illuminators. But that man clearly wasn't one."
"Not to mention, Kayle hasn't appeared in centuries, save for some fabricated legends about her return. I can't believe someone could still hold such 'devotion' and know so much about the Winged Protector—especially details about you.
"And we only arrived in the capital yesterday. Last night, you made your debut before the nobles. By today, someone is already opposing you. Your name has practically vanished from written records, so how did that man even know of your so-called 'Fallen' title?"
Morgana hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Are you saying there's already a noble conspiracy in the works?"
"Quite obviously."
"But our primary goal is to repeal the Anti-Magic Edict. Why would they use me as…"
Before Morgana could finish, realization dawned on her. "They're trying to use me as a scapegoat to distract the public?"
Or worse.
Li Lin rubbed his chin, speculating aloud. "That's likely the case. If they openly stated their opposition to abolishing the Anti-Magic Edict, they'd lose credibility."
His mind flashed to the peculiar behavior of Eldred at last night's gathering, and his brows furrowed.
The timeline of the original Demacian Mage Rebellion was still far off. Yet, with his and Morgana's involvement, it seemed that nobles opposing the king's plans had lost their patience—particularly Eldred.
After a brief pause, Li Lin redirected the cloaked drone hovering above the plaza to the Crownguard estate.
From now on, he would need to monitor Eldred's movements closely to ensure the man didn't act beyond his expectations.
He couldn't help but recall reports of Mage Seekers consorting with Noxians. Tightening his fists, Li Lin muttered to himself:
"A storm is brewing…"
(End of Chapter)]