Li Lin opened the door and asked, "Does His Highness or Lord Buvelle need me for something?"
Since returning to Wrenwall, Li Lin had secluded himself under the guise of studying new technologies. He had even specifically instructed Jarvan IV not to let anyone disturb him, except to deliver meals.
With his upcoming journey to Demacia, Li Lin seized the opportunity to secretly teleport back to Piltover multiple times, each visit brief. This left him with no time to meet with Barrett Buvelle, who had arrived shortly after.
On his last visit, to avoid complications, Li Lin made all necessary arrangements for his work in Piltover and didn't plan to return anytime soon.
That day, as he managed the production line, Li Lin merely transmitted the data to his AI via satellite and didn't need to return to the Kiramman estate. This allowed him to meet Jarvan IV's summons without issue.
"My apologies, I've been preoccupied with handling the prisoners. After briefing His Highness and Lord Buvelle today, His Highness ordered me to seek you out," said Alberk.
Since Li Lin had helped Jarvan IV defeat Noxus, Alberk's previous suspicion toward him had vanished entirely.
"I'm not entirely sure of His Highness's exact request… but when I entered the meeting room, I saw a middle-aged man dressed like a farmer speaking with His Highness. It might have something to do with him."
"I understand. Thank you."
After bidding Alberk farewell, who had more matters to attend to, Li Lin headed straight for the castle's war room, temporarily repurposed by Jarvan IV as his office.
As he approached an intersection, he ran into Shyvana, who looked flustered.
She had recently helped Jarvan IV subdue the last of the Noxian forces that had invaded Demacia's borders. Despite Demacia's anti-magic stance, Jarvan had personally pleaded with her to stay by his side, promising her a permanent place in his court.
Shyvana had hesitated at first, fully aware of Demacia's disdain for magic. But Jarvan's rare warmth and acceptance swayed her, and she eventually agreed with a sense of gratitude.
"Good afternoon, Shyvana," Li Lin greeted her politely with a smile.
"Afternoon..." Shyvana replied, slightly surprised by his approach, as they rarely spoke, and her unusual appearance often caused discomfort among humans.
"Are you heading to meet His Highness as well?" Li Lin asked.
Shyvana nodded lightly. "Yes, His Highness sent someone to tell me there's an urgent matter, most likely requiring my assistance."
"Urgent matter..." Li Lin raised an eyebrow. Alberk hadn't mentioned anything of the sort.
"But I don't know the specifics yet. I'll find out when I see His Highness," she said, her voice trailing off as they walked in silence through the corridor.
Shyvana glanced occasionally at Li Lin, her eyes filled with hesitation.
As they turned another corner, Li Lin noticed her troubled expression. "Shyvana, is there something on your mind? Why do you keep staring at me like that?"
After a moment of silence, Shyvana gathered her courage and asked, "I've heard from His Highness… that you killed the Flame Dragon. Is that true?"
"Yes," Li Lin replied with a smile, not hiding anything. "The dragon's name was Yvva. I piloted a large mech and defeated the dragon that had been terrorizing the borders. That's part of why I came to Demacia..."
He mentally added, 'one of the reasons.'
"It really was you..." Shyvana murmured, her voice filled with disbelief.
"My battle with Yvva attracted the attention of the Gryphon scouts. To avoid unnecessary conflict, I left in my mech afterward," Li Lin continued.
"What exactly is this... 'mech'?" Shyvana asked, struggling with the unfamiliar Demacian term. "You actually defeated an elemental dragon with it?"
"It's a two-hundred-meter-tall machine, somewhat similar to the armor I'm wearing now. It's Piltover's latest research."
Shyvana's eyes widened in shock.
"Even my mother could be defeated by such a machine... Just how powerful is this... mech?"
The thought terrified her.
After all, it was her fear of Yvva's power that had driven Shyvana into hiding ever since her foster father was killed in one of the dragon's attacks. She knew she couldn't defeat her mother on her own and had already resigned herself to a battle to the death.
Yet, now her mother was dead…
Shyvana sighed, catching Li Lin's gaze. She shook her head. "I assume you've figured it out by now..."
"Yvva flew from Shurima to Demacia... She was after you, wasn't she?" Li Lin said frankly, piercing through her thoughts.
"Yes... Yvva was my mother," Shyvana admitted, her eyes fixed on Li Lin, expecting to see shock, but his face remained composed.
"You truly are someone worthy of His Highness's trust," she murmured. "You even knew that."
"In fact, one of Piltover's Yordle professors had met your father. He feared for your safety, as well as that of those threatened by the dragon. That's why he sent me to kill her," Li Lin said, cleverly adjusting Heimerdinger's actual intent to something more palatable.
It wasn't entirely untrue. Protecting Shyvana had been part of Heimerdinger's reasoning.
"Is that so..." Shyvana smiled bitterly. They were approaching the war room now, and she took a deep breath, steeling herself.
"In any case, thank you. Not only for putting an end to Yvva but also for giving me a chance to prove myself to His Highness. Thanks to you, I've earned his trust."
She paused, then added, "I owe you for that."
"Actually, at that time, I simply didn't think it was necessary to intervene..."
Just as Shyvana finished speaking, they arrived at the door of the meeting room. Li Lin didn't get a chance to explain further, nor did he intend to.
The door was slightly ajar, and inside, voices could be heard — Jarvan IV and Barrett were in conversation.
Shyvana didn't give Li Lin any time to speak, knocking twice on the wooden door before stepping in upon receiving permission.
The first person to catch Li Lin's eye was an elderly man, his sideburns and beard streaked with gray. He wore golden shoulder armor and bracers, with a purple ceremonial cloak draped across his front and back, embroidered with a fierce golden war beast. It appeared to be the crest of the Buvelle family.
The other figure, huddled timidly in the corner, was a middle-aged man dressed in tattered, coarse linen. His eyes were bloodshot, his face marred with a mix of sorrow and anxiety. This must be the farmer Alberk had mentioned.
"Haha, you've finally arrived. I believe this old man has been waiting impatiently."
Jarvan IV rose from his chair the moment he saw them, walking over to introduce Barrett to Li Lin.
"This is Lord Barrett Buvelle, the one I mentioned before. He was as close to my father as a blood brother."
"Cough, cough... Your Highness, you're too kind," Barrett smiled warmly. "And you must be Li Lin? May the Winged Protector watch over you. You've achieved so much at such a young age!"
"May the Winged Protector watch over you as well, Lord Buvelle. Your praise humbles me," Li Lin responded with a modest smile.
"Hahaha... You're impressive indeed. No wonder young Jarvan has been singing your praises these past days."
Li Lin and Barrett exchanged polite smiles and nodded in acknowledgment.
Since Sona's adoptive father hadn't died in the skirmish during Jarvan IV's rescue, her fate would likely take a very different path...
But if her destiny changes, what will become of Ryze's search for the World Runes in Ionia? Li Lin sighed inwardly, recalling that Sona had once helped Ryze.
If it's only a group of bandits, he should be able to handle it...
After the pleasantries, Jarvan IV continued, "Actually, the reason I've gathered you here today is because of this man, Andel."
He gestured towards the man sitting nervously in the corner. "Would you mind telling your story again?"
Andel quickly stood up, casting a brief glance at Li Lin and Shyvana, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer, revealing a flicker of fear.
"Don't be afraid. Shyvana is on our side. In fact, she may be the one to help with your situation."
Hearing this, Li Lin's curiosity deepened. What could this matter be that required Shyvana's assistance?
"Your... Your Highness..." Andel pressed his rough, calloused hand to his chest, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
But in the next instant, tears welled up in his eyes, spilling down his weathered face, etched with the trials of time.
"My wife and daughter... A few nights ago, they went out to inspect the wheat fields. They... they never came back. They just... vanished into thin air..."
(End of Chapter)
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