Given the production speed of the workshop assembly line, it would take at least another month to produce several hundred battlefield mechs.
This estimate takes into account Li Lin's skill enhancement in "Assembly Algorithms," which had been upgraded from level 12 to level 20. This improvement had effectively doubled the assembly speed to 210%.
Having completed these tasks, Li Lin prepared to head to Demacia.
He had already delayed for over a week. Although he had instructed the AI to inform Jarvan IV of the situation, prolonged delays were not ideal.
After all, a lone heir to the throne, the future king of Demacia, could not remain in the dangerous borderlands indefinitely.
Moreover, Jarvan IV had been away for several months. Upon learning of his predicament, Jarvan III had immediately dispatched a company of the Vanguard, comprising 16 shield formations and 128 soldiers, to provide assistance and escort him back to the capital, Demacia.
It should be noted that the Vanguard only had 16 companies in total, amounting to 2048 men.
Li Lin instructed the AI to prepare collapsible, compressed portable genetic engineering tools and then went to Caitlyn's detective agency to inform her.
This trip to Demacia would mean he couldn't return at any time. He planned to accompany Jarvan IV to the capital city of Demacia.
Out of respect for Demacia's rules and the royal family, he could not simply teleport back to Piltover.
At least not before Demacia's legal reforms regarding mages were enacted.
This journey would be a long one.
After spending some tender moments with Caitlyn, Li Lin refrained from disturbing her, as she was still very busy.
Kai'Sa was spending time with Seraphine and Orianna today, currently practicing singing on the outskirts of Piltover.
With friends around and having shed her second layer of living skin, Kai'Sa was home much less frequently. She had even given up her "internet addiction" and no longer played computer games.
Li Lin teleported to the three girls, spent some time with them, and enjoyed the wonderful performance arranged by Seraphine, featuring the trio's harmonious singing.
During this time, he couldn't help but fantasize about creating an "idol group" for Runeterra once the Void crisis was fully resolved.
After all, in the parallel universe's KDA group, he had already gathered Kai'Sa and Seraphine.
Akali might be invited, but Ahri and Evelynn were unlikely, though there were alternative options.
Zoe, who had joined them for singing practice, and Orianna, who excelled in dancing and had studied it extensively as a child, were potential replacements.
But fantasies were just that—fantasies. Li Lin hadn't given it much thought.
He didn't want to make any promises about winning the future Void wars.
After all, he might not even win against Bel'Veth a year from now...
As the day grew late, Li Lin bade farewell to the three girls and visited the Piltover Enforcers' Academy and Piltover University to see Vi, Claggor, Powder, and Milo.
He also discussed with Heimerdinger the recent exceptional talent shown by Zeri after professional training, which far exceeded the academy's expectations.
This child had a promising future!
With the remaining time, Li Lin visited Vander and Silco to discuss the recent developments in Zaun.
As night fell, his final destination was the temple of the Wind Goddess.
As soon as Li Lin stepped into the quiet church hall, before the nuns and priests could greet him, a sudden gust of wind brought a blue bird to his side. It transformed into a graceful woman.
The Wind Goddess Janna had manifested.
"Goddess!"
A stir of excitement filled the previously tranquil hall.
With the Wind Goddess enjoying a steady influx of faith, her appearances before her followers had become more frequent than legend suggested.
Thus, while the devotees were thrilled, their reaction was not overly "fanatic."
Janna smiled and nodded at her devout followers, exchanged a few words with them, and then led Li Lin to her private room at the innermost part of the church.
"How have you been?" Janna asked, indicating a chair with a smile.
"There's no need to sit, thank you," Li Lin declined politely with a smile. "I just came to check on the church's operations recently. I'll be away for a while."
"It feels like we haven't seen each other for some time, though for me, it's like the blink of an eye."
Janna paused for a moment, a hint of hesitation on her face. "By the way, about the underground... The lava beast hasn't returned since our last sparring session."
"You mean Malphite?" Li Lin raised an eyebrow. "That's to be expected, given the increased Void activity at the Shuriman and Ixtal borders."
"But recently, the Void creature presence in the underground lair where it used to stay is much more intense than before."
At this, Li Lin's brow furrowed, and his deep gaze met Janna's azure eyes. "What's going on? Malphite clearly told me he had dealt with the Void abyssal fish."
Just then, a thought struck him, and his expression changed. "It must be Bel'Veth... I didn't expect it to act so soon."
"Bel'Veth?" Janna looked puzzled. "Isn't that a former port city in the southeast of Shurima?"
As an ancient deity, Janna had witnessed several eras of Shurima and was well-acquainted with its history.
"There is a powerful Void creature there, far exceeding the celestial warriors in strength," Li Lin explained gravely. "It claims to be Bel'Veth, the 'successor' of the Bel'Veth city."
"What?!" Even Janna, usually calm, couldn't control her emotions. "Could these underground abyssal fish have come from it?"
Li Lin nodded solemnly. "Kai'Sa, you're aware, right?"
"That girl who is with you, living in symbiosis with the Void—I know her."
"I removed the Void shell from her... which caught the attention of that entity, Bel'Veth."
Upon hearing Li Lin's words, Janna's face registered shock, her mouth opening as if struggling to find a response.
"That you managed to address the effects of the Void is impressive, something even the Celestial Warriors could not achieve. This..."
"That's not the point," Li Lin said, glancing at Janna with a hint of frustration. "The key issue is that although Kai'Sa was possessed by the Void years ago, her will remained untainted. I suspect it's related to this 'Bel'Veth.'"
Janna, floating in the air, blurred momentarily. "So you're suggesting that Kai'Sa might be a pawn of Bel'Veth, and your intervention disrupted its plans?"
She shook her head. "But the Void should not contain beings with such high intelligence."
"Well, this brings us to discussing the value of Vel'Koz, the Eye of the Void," Li Lin thought to himself, sighing outwardly. "If you hadn't mentioned the Void in the Undercity, I wouldn't have anticipated that it's already making preparations."
"Preparations? For what?" Janna asked, puzzled. "Have you had contact with it before?"
"When I removed the Void shell from Kai'Sa, it used a very peculiar method to cross space from the distant Bel'Veth, briefly controlling Kai'Sa through the link between Void creatures..."
Li Lin recounted the event to Janna in detail, including the scenes Kai'Sa had seen in her "dreams."
"A year... for you to delve into its domain with Kai'Sa—doesn't that mean it's trying to kill you both?!"
Janna's mood darkened, and a fierce wind surged around her, causing her clothes and hair to flutter, yet it did not affect anyone else.
"But if we don't act, it will consume Piltover, just as it is currently preparing to do."
Li Lin took a deep breath. "And it does have the capability."
"Then seek help from Azir. Aren't you well-acquainted with him?" Janna suggested urgently. "Regardless of the outcome, I will help you... I won't let you perish in the Void and become part of those corrupt, foul beings!"
It sounds easy, but we're talking about an entity more powerful than Ascendants...
Li Lin couldn't help but smile bitterly, then quickly composed himself. "You're right; we should indeed prepare for the Void war. After all, Void creatures are not to be trusted. But..."
Before he could finish, a refreshing breeze swept through, instantly lifting his spirits, as if the weight on his shoulders had vanished.
This was Janna's "Tranquility" spell.
"Don't belittle yourself, Li Lin."
She approached Li Lin, extending her flawless, cool right hand as a tender mother might to her child, gently caressing his face.
"No matter what, you should believe in yourself, for you are the true hope of Piltover, its great leader, not me... I am truly powerless against the Void."
Janna's red lips parted as she spoke in a soothing tone. "I see your efforts; your mechanical creations are also intended to counter future Void threats, aren't they?"
"..."
Li Lin lowered his gaze in silence for a long moment.
"So, you must pull yourself together. If even you fall into despair, what hope will we have?"
With Janna's counsel, the blockage in Li Lin's heart cleared instantly.
His anxiety stemmed from believing that the Void war was still far off, only to have Bel'Veth emerge now with just a year left. But if Bel'Veth truly wanted to kill them, why send them to the ruins of Bel'Veth?
In other words, they might not necessarily have to be enemies with this powerful Void entity...
Furthermore, if he were already so distressed by facing Bel'Veth alone, how would he cope with the final battle?
Nevertheless, necessary preparations still had to be made.
"I understand... Thank you, Janna."
Li Lin clenched his fists, reaffirming his resolve. "We must prepare for the coming war."
(End of Chapter)
=========================================================
DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE
SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS
PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).