A glimmer of hope flickered in Kassadin's eyes.
But the next moment, Azir's words shattered his fantasies: "Unfortunately, her condition is too unique. Even Nasus can't solve it, and I can't think of a solution either."
The Water of Life in the Dawn Oasis could heal all things. As long as the injured still breathed, they could be saved, even reshaping their souls into flesh.
But it couldn't heal the scars and corruption brought by the Void.
Thousands of years ago, hundreds of Ascended perished in the Void War, and most survivors, despite the Water of Life's help, still suffered torment from Void erosion.
Nasus had closed himself off in the Great Library for decades, researching this phenomenon but hadn't found a solution.
Azir was naturally powerless in this matter.
"Oh... " Kassadin hung his head in disappointment, his gaze towards his daughter filled with compassion.
"It's okay, Dad. Now that we're reunited, whether this skin can be removed is no longer important." Kai'sa comforted, "And Li Lin said he would research and help me, right?"
She turned her head and blinked her watery eyes at Li Lin.
Understanding Kai'sa's meaning, Li Lin immediately said, "Of course, I will do my best."
Kassadin felt his eyes welling up with tears, a thousand words condensed into a single word: "Thank you..."
Azir subtly shook his head, not holding out any hope for this.
Even the Empire's finest mage-tech researcher, Ne'Zuk, couldn't comprehend the secrets of the Void.
For a mere human scholar, it was simply wishful thinking.
"The danger of the Void far exceeds your imagination. I don't advise you to research it." Azir reminded.
"In Piltover, there is a pool of alchemical bio-venom that has formed a sentient being. His existence has some similarities to the living skin on Kai'sa. I think we can start from there." Li Lin quickly explained his idea.
"If that's the case, it's not bad..." Azir nodded. The flickering flames in his eyes suddenly turned to the hunched figure who had been silent all along, Sivir.
Oh no, I've already lowered my presence so much...
She reluctantly lifted her face and met Azir's gaze. "Um, may you have water and shade?"
Azir gazed at Sivir, silent for a long time, his thoughts inscrutable.
After a while, Azir finally spoke slowly, with the solemnity and dignity befitting a king: "Why did you flee the Sun City in the first place?"
Sivir's breath hitched, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her throat.
She had forgotten that she had sneaked away from the Sun City in secret, and now she had foolishly run back.
If she could travel back in time, Sivir would definitely go back to the eve of stepping into the gates of the Sun City and give her past self a few good slaps.
"This is our reign, Sivir... Do you feel ashamed to have my bloodline?" Azir's voice was hoarse and low, but it didn't contain any hint of blame or anger.
On the contrary, an inexplicable sense of loneliness and melancholy enveloped the hearts of those present, evoking a feeling of sadness within them.
Sivir had intended to show a more resolute attitude, but Azir's short sentence instantly disarmed her. "I... I've never thought of it that way."
She shook her head.
For some reason, memories of her long-deceased parents' voices and smiles floated into her mind.
"I just... I'm used to freedom, I don't like feeling constrained..."
"I've never restricted your freedom." Azir said, "But now is not the time. There are too many threats that need my attention."
The tip of his spear-scepter slammed heavily into the golden-paved tiles beneath, emitting a crisp collision sound.
"During the battle of Vekaura, you witnessed it yourself, a traitor... a demigod wanted your life, just to end my bloodline."
"I told you not to leave the Sun City because only here, under the protection of the Sun Disc, can Xerath dare not invade, and I can ensure your safety."
"You are my only bloodline, my only family now. Do you think I would harm you?"
Sivir lowered her eyes, speechless for a moment.
Li Lin, Kassadin, and Kai'sa remained silent, not daring to speak up for Sivir.
This was a matter of the royal family, and Azir discussing it in front of them was already a sign of great trust.
Interrupting and speaking up at this point would be a bit disrespectful.
After a long silence, Sivir took a deep breath and uttered a word she hadn't said since her parents' death: "Sorry..."
It wasn't just the awe-inspiring murals of the Void War she had seen at Azir's tomb that stirred her blood.
It was also the countless battles alongside Li Lin and Kassadin against the Void, her mentality had unconsciously changed.
Icathia was just a microcosm of the Void's invasion of this world.
If it weren't for the Ascended warriors sacrificing themselves, fearlessly fighting against them, the whole world would have been consumed, becoming part of the void.
And she happened to be the inheritor of the Ascended bloodline...
Why did you run away, Sivir?
Are you afraid of death?
Or perhaps, unwilling to bear the responsibility that should have been yours to lead Shurima to glory?
Sivir couldn't help but ask herself.
Azir saw Sivir's inner conflict and knew that she was just having a hard time accepting her royal identity.
She needed time...
Azir shook his head, not intending to delve deeper into the topic, "Let's go to the Treasure Vault."
...
...
Shurima's Treasure Vault was located underground in the Inner City of the Sun City.
Azir led Li Lin and the others to the palace, took many turns, and stopped in a vast hall.
A golden platform with the imprint of a sun-wrapped eagle stood in the center of the hall, shimmering with golden light.
In fact, this platform was just an elevator, powered not by electricity, but by magic.
After about 30 seconds of descent, the surroundings gradually changed from hot to cool.
The platform finally stopped, revealing a vast underground space hundreds of meters high in Li Lin's view.
Looking around, giant golden warriors carved from pure gold stood on both sides of the hall, countless layers of bookshelves, treasure chests, and display tables filled with all sorts of oddities extended deep into the hall, out of sight.
Li Lin, Kassadin, Kai'sa, and Sivir were all stunned.
They had thought that over the millennia, the treasures in this city submerged beneath the Sands had long been plundered by treasure hunters, tomb raiders, and adventurers.
But the scene before them made them doubt whether those people had ever found the right place.
Or perhaps, these items were all inside the unopened tombs of the emperors...
Azir noticed their expressions and reactions and felt quite satisfied.
"Each of you can freely choose two items here as a reward from me... The function of each item is explained on the signboard on the display table.
But you are all ordinary people, so be cautious. There are no ordinary things here, so don't choose dangerous magical items that you can't control.
I have many other things to attend to, so I won't wait for you here."
Azir summoned a yellow sand soldier casually.
"After you've made your selections, show the items to him, and he will take you to Nasus."
(End of Chapter)
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