Beyond the Sun City, the scorching sun finally set over the burning land.
Li Lin and Kassadin tethered Skallashi's reins behind a partially collapsed wall, concealing them perfectly.
Then, Li Lin set Dawnlight in stealth mode in place and switched a Storm into combat mode.
If anyone approached, attempting to make off with Skallashi, the Storm would sound a warning shot.
If they persisted, they would face lethal force from the Storm.
With supplies settled, Li Lin and Kassadin, accompanied by two more Storm, quietly ventured into the ruins of the Sun City to trace the expedition's trail.
They hid behind a pillar near some sand dunes in the distance, waiting until everyone from the expedition descended into the tomb through the enormous triangular metal gate before approaching.
Just as they reached the entrance, Li Lin noticed something amiss. "Hmm? What's this?"
By the triangular marbled doorframe lay several corpses with skin turned black and purple, unmistakably mercenaries under Sivir's command.
However, their weapons, food, and water had all been taken, leaving only ill-fitting attire.
"How did they end up like this?" Li Lin exclaimed softly. Hearing this, Kassadin hurried over from the entrance, crouching down to inspect the bodies.
"Have you seen anything like this before?" Li Lin inquired.
Judging by their skin, it seems to be poison or some curse," Kassadin's mechanical voice sounded weighty, "I've roamed the desert for many years and haven't encountered such a situation."
Li Lin frowned and accessed the Data-Mind to examine the bodies.
According to the system panel, these individuals fell victim to a curse, having their life force drained in an instant.
[Baccai's Curse (Weakened): With each grain of sand shed, their lives diminished by a second, slowly eroding like the wind (due to the prolonged curse on the gate, its effect has significantly weakened).]
Baccai...
Seeing this title on the system panel, Li Lin almost gasped in shock.
The ascension ritual in Shurima was not a guaranteed success. Even those qualified had a high chance of failing due to various reasons.
Baccais were supposed to join the ranks of the ascended, but they turned into monstrous beings, neither human nor divine.
Similar to regular ascended warriors, failed Baccais also possessed eternal life and more dangerous, uncontrollable magic that couldn't be terminated by conventional means.
Burdened by the shame of failed ascension, most were assigned by the Emperor of Shurima to various tombs or ruins, dwelling in darkness, enduring prolonged loneliness.
The curse on the entrance gate was left by a Baccai capable of manipulating sand to drain life force.
Had the empire not fallen, the curse would have easily wiped out the entire expedition party.
"It seems their exploration of the ancient tomb didn't go smoothly," Kassadin shook his head, standing up to gaze at Li Lin lost in thought.
"Do you still want to go down? This Imperial Tomb seems more dangerous than the tomb of the ascended warrior Holoc I excavated in the past."
"I predict that even with Sivir's leadership, this expedition is highly likely to end in failure... I don't know why they are so eager to excavate this tomb, but they might face total annihilation."
Truly, a desert guide with over thirty years of experience, you are quite the prophet...
Li Lin felt quite moved.
From what he knew, Sivir's mercenaries were likely wiped out.
However, Cassiopeia's underlings survived in considerable numbers, escorting her back to the port of Uzeris, occupied by the Du Couteau family.
Seeing Li Lin silent, Kassadin spoke again, "If you're thinking about treasures in the tomb, I can help you find the tombs of other ascended beings, relatively safer."
Li Lin shook his head, not directly responding to the proposal. "Let's wait a while and go down to assess the situation. If there's any danger, we'll retreat immediately."
...
...
Meanwhile, in the tomb of the Emperor and the Ascended.
Fear etched across Sivir's face, she gasped for breath, sprinting through the expansive corridor, frequently glancing backward.
Behind her, a series of screams echoed through the deserted hallway, especially in the direction leading to the tomb.
Moments ago, a colossal monster, covered in royal-style golden metal armor and engulfed in vibrant blue magical flames on its chest and abdomen, emerged abruptly from a corner.
With two dog-like heads resembling stone carvings, colossal human arms measuring over ten meters each supported its broken torso. The beast's short, sturdy hind legs, and serpent-like tail combined, emanated a terrifying aura.
In an instant, the blue magical flames on its chest consumed four of Sivir's subordinates, turning everything on them, including clothes and weapons, into fleshy grains sucked into its body.
Fortunately, its attention was diverted by a group of mercenaries on the other side, searching for mechanisms, allowing Sivir and Cassiopeia to escape.
The survivors continued to run deep into the tomb, with many discarding their heavy bags, containing only essentials, to avoid being burdens.
Only when the commotion behind them was completely inaudible did they gasp for breath, stopping with throats and lungs affected by the dry air, seemingly sliced by sharp blades.
Cassiopeia, still disoriented, grabbed a water flask from her subordinates, gulping down a mouthful, and breathlessly looked at Sivir. "What... what was that creature?"
"Baccai, a product of a failed ascension ritual, assigned to guard the tomb," Sivir replied, her expression returning to a calm but gloomy demeanor.
She counted the surviving members on the scene.
Cassiopeia originally had 15 Noxian guards; now, only 9 remained, not a substantial loss.
As for the 47 mercenaries she brought, only 18 survived...
Encountering that monster just now, a few might have gone missing during the escape, including her deputy, Arthur.
But in such a perilous tomb, separated from the main force, Sivir had already sentenced them to death.
With so many lives at stake, the Siharo Mercenary Corps was on the verge of collapse.
Sivir bit her bloodless lower lip, a trace of rusty blood seeping out, filling her mouth with a metallic taste.
She clenched the Crossblade in her hand, seemingly ready to throw it at any moment.
Taking a deep breath to calm her emotions, Sivir, with an icy expression, looked at Cassiopeia.
"I warned you long ago! Exploring ancient tombs is not to be rushed! Why do you repeatedly insist on moving forward without giving us any time to adjust?!"
She questioned sharply.
However, Cassiopeia still maintained her aloof, disdainful demeanor.
"Achieving great things requires sacrificing some inconsequential people. What's the big deal?" She sneered, continuing, "Besides, if we really find the treasure, won't you benefit even more? You can divide it as you please."
"You!" Sivir, provoked by Cassiopeia's attitude, couldn't take it anymore.
Chalicar spun in her hand, and the sharp blade cut through the air, producing a "swoosh" sound.
Seeing this, Cassiopeia's guards immediately secured her in the center, drawing their weapons, their eyes sharp, vigilantly watching Sivir and her subordinates.
"Is this where it ends, Sivir? Do you want to give up now?" Cassiopeia squinted at Sivir, her face showing no redundant emotion.
"If you care about your mercenary corps, after returning to Nashramae, I'll finance you to hire and train new recruits... this money won't be counted in our contract. What do you think?"
"Tch..." Sivir's eyebrows tightly knit, quietly spitting out a breath.
Cassiopeia made sense.
Sacrificing so many to reach this point, they were only a step away from opening the final gate of the Emperor's Tomb.
If she turned against Cassiopeia now, even if she led her subordinates to pry open the tomb, there might not be any treasure inside.
Such incidents had happened before.
By then, they would not only return empty-handed but also be unable to collect their hired fees.
No, in this case, my mercenary corps would directly plummet in rankings in Nashramae, making it impossible for anyone to hire us again.
But if there really is treasure inside...
Sivir contemplated for a long time, finally relaxing her tense muscles, stopping the spinning Crossblade in her hand.
She didn't want to take this risk.
Then, Sivir glared fiercely at Cassiopeia, threatening coldly:
"I hope you keep your promise... Otherwise, I don't care which noble family you belong to, even if you escape back to Noxus, I will hunt you down and use this Crossblade to sever your neck!"
(End of this chapter)
=========================================================
DROP THEM POWER STONES AND KINDLY LEAVE REVIEWS AS WELL!
SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS
PAT REON.COM/TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).