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Spring of Noxus 996
At the foot of the Ironthorn Mountains near Fort Driller, the air seemed to be torn open by an invisible hand, distorting the light and forming a portal invisible to ordinary humans. Two figures, one after the other, staggered as they stepped into the material realm.
Kree rode atop his lizard Skaarl, his single eye scanning the jagged rocks around him warily, as if every stone concealed a scumbag plotting against him. Close behind him rode Alice, a young lizard named "Chirp Chirp." Her silver hair gleamed almost blindingly in the normal sunlight of the material realm, yet her face wore a bewildered expression that seemed utterly out of place amidst the perilous surroundings.
"Damn it, finally back!" Kree spat, patting Skaarl's neck covered in hard scales. "This damn portal made me almost throw up my dinner from last night! Hey, you dizzy girl, where exactly is your hometown? Give me a straight answer!"
Alice tried hard to recall, her brow furrowing slightly: "I...I don't remember where it was. I only remember...there was sea, a big ship, and a beach..."
"The sea?! The beach?!" Kled's voice instantly rose eight octaves, his one eye bulging like a copper bell. "Valoran's coastline could circle the entire continent from the Howling Abyss to Mount Targon! Do you expect me to walk on every single inch of sand with you?! Do you think I'm some kind of pack animal pulling your cart?!"
Alice shrank back, startled by his loud voice, but still whispered, "And...and cows! And lots and lots of fields!"
"Fields?! What rural place doesn't have fields?!" Kree felt his blood pressure soaring. He struggled to control himself from drawing his gun. "You don't remember the place? What about the person who raised you? You must remember their name, right? Don't tell me you've forgotten even that!"
At this, Alice's eyes lit up, as if she had grasped a lifeline: "I remember! Little De! And Big De! Sister Quai! And Aunt Winnie and Sister Laurie!"
“Little De, Big De, Sister Kui, Winnie Laurie?? What the hell are these names?! Kree grabbed his already messy hair in frustration. “Forget it! I’ve had the worst luck ever! I’m going back to the Immortal Fortress to report! You, stick close! If you get lost, I won’t have time to look for you!”
He decided to stop arguing with this seemingly dim-witted girl, pulled on the reins, and Skaarl reluctantly grumbled as she started walking southeast. Kled planned to take this troublesome girl back to the Noxian capital, dump her somewhere random, and then issue a bounty, letting those idle bastards rack their brains searching for her.
The easiest route from Fort Nutford to the Immortal Fortress is along a large river that runs across the Dalmau Plain. The journey started out peacefully, with nothing major going wrong except for Kree's occasional complaints about Skaar's speed, direction, and even the sound of his farts, and Alice's occasional exclamations of wonder at the wildflowers or small animals by the roadside.
However, trouble soon came knocking.
The two walked along the river and saw Knoxtorra, the city of Druney, in the distance.
Noxtora—meaning "Gateway to Noxus." Whether a city was forcibly taken by Noxus or voluntarily swore allegiance to Noxus, its war stonemasons would immediately mark the newly conquered territory with the Imperial mark. Every road leading to the city would be marked with a gate forged from black stone quarried from the mountains surrounding the capital.
As Knoxtorra spreads across Valoran, these towering structures make it clear to travelers who the true ruler is.
Just as they passed through Knoxtora and arrived at the gates of Drune, the city guards stopped them.
"Halt!" A guard's gaze fell on "Chirp," the young dragon lizard Alice was riding. "What's going on with this dragon lizard?"
Alice hugged Chirp's neck: "It chirps! It's my friend!"
Kree's temper flared up instantly. He rode Skar forward, his lance almost pointing at the guard's face: "What's going on?! What? Do you have to pay a pet tax to enter the city now? Or are you blind as a bat, trying to steal my stuff?!"
The guard took a half step back and beckoned his companions to surround him: "It's not about the tax! You two aren't leaving now! Tell me honestly, where are the remaining dragon lizard hatchlings?!"
"Bullshit!" Kree was furious, his one eye instantly turning bloodshot. "You dare to steal from your master?! You're all tired of living!" Before he finished speaking, he leaped off Skaar's back like a lit powder keg, charging directly at the nearest guard.
Fists, boots, even heads became his weapons! In no time, he had several guards on the ground, groaning in pain. Kree wasn't satisfied. He grabbed a guard trying to get up by the collar, pulled out his gun, and roughly shoved it into the guard's terrified mouth, spitting and cursing all over his face: "You little bastard! You dare mess with me! Believe me or not, I'll blast your brains out and set them off like fireworks?! Didn't your mother teach you who you shouldn't mess with?!"
In this chaotic moment, Drune's orderly rushed over upon hearing the news. A seasoned veteran, he immediately recognized Kree's unique dragon-lizard mount, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly forced a smile and stepped forward to smooth things over: "Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! Sir... please calm down! Give me some face, put your weapon away, and let's talk this out!"
"Face?!" Kree turned his head, gun still pressed against the guard's mouth, and roared, "I'm still Major General Sir Kree of the Second Army's Vanguard Artillery Cavalry Support Unit! You're talking to me about face?! Dare to touch my dragon lizard, believe me or not I'll blow this damn city gate to smithereens?!"
The officer was inwardly groaning, but dared not show it on his face. He could only wave his hands repeatedly, saying, "It's a misunderstanding, Lord Kree! We didn't want to steal your dragon lizard! Look, look closely at the horns of this cub!"
Following the direction the officer pointed, Kree squinted his one eye and looked closely, spotting a blurry brand with numbers at the base of Chacha's horn.
"See that? Number 371!" the order officer explained. "This '3' represents the 3rd Regiment of the Dragon Lizard Cavalry! Last year, the entire 3rd Regiment's reserve of juvenile dragon lizards was wiped out by some damned bastard! It almost caused the 3rd Regiment to collapse! It was a great effort to recover a few! Now, a strict order has been issued throughout the country: any dragon lizard hatchlings found to be of unknown origin must be detained and investigated! The wanted posters for that thief are still posted on every city gate!"
Kree: "..."
Kled instantly recalled Teemo's sneaky appearance; no one but him could do something so despicable and outrageous.
Damn it! Teemo, you bastard! You knew I was going back to Noxus, yet you deliberately targeted the Noxian army's equipment?! You're trying to push me into a fire pit!
A surge of anger, feeling cheated, rushed to his head, but now was clearly not the time to settle scores with Teemo. Kled suppressed his rage, his neck stiffening as he roared, "Then...then I'll pay! I'll buy it, okay?! How much?! Name your price!"
The officer looked troubled: "Sir, this isn't about money. Dragon lizards are valuable imperial property, subject to strict regulations; every single one is registered. Even if I turn a blind eye and let you pass, at the next checkpoint, in the town after that, as long as you're still within Noxus territory, you'll definitely be stopped with it. Last year's incident was too big a deal; the higher-ups are furious, and no one dares to take that responsibility!"
Kled was so angry that he jumped up and down, unleashing all the foul language he had ever learned, spitting as he cursed, the content of which was so rich that even the most vulgar Noxian sailor would blush.
Ultimately, under the insistence of the officer on "fair enforcement" and the growing watchful eyes of the soldiers around him, Kree could only grit his teeth and compromise. As Chacha was led away by the guards, Alice clung to the dragon lizard's back, refusing to get down, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, crying so hard she could barely breathe, constantly calling out "Chacha."
"Cry, cry, cry! All you do is cry!" Kree cursed in frustration, but seeing Alice's heartbroken appearance, he scratched his hair in frustration.
"Damn it! What bad luck!" He cursed again in the direction of the orderly, then reluctantly reached out his hand to Alice, who was crying her eyes out. "Get on! I'll let you ride the Skaarl! If you cry again, I'll leave you here to feed the wolves!"
He couldn't refuse to let her ride him anymore; this little girl's tearful onslaught was more damn effective than Noxian battering rams. Kled listened to Alice sobbing behind him while mentally cursing Teemo's ancestors again.
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Late summer of Noxus calendar 996
Kled grumbled and tugged at Skaarl's reins. The dragon-like creature, equally impatient in the crowded throng, snorted and swatted away passersby who got too close with its tail. Unlike the salty, chaotic, dilapidated, and oppressive atmosphere of Bilgewater, Noxus's capital was filled with an ambitious clamor. Towering black stone buildings, like giant ramparts, cleaved the gray sky. The streets were wide, filled with the rumble of carriages and horses, the clanging of soldiers' armor, the cries of merchants, the hammering of craftsmen... all sounds blended into a powerful and orderly torrent, revealing the steely pulse of the empire.
Alice sat in front of Kree, her red eyes wide open, almost unable to see enough. She pointed to a juggler performing fire-breathing on the roadside, and then tugged at Kree's tattered coat, making him look at the incredibly brightly colored Sindorei rugs hanging on the stall next to them.
"Kree! Look! That one can breathe fire!"
"Kree! That blanket is so pretty!"
"Kree! What's that smell? It smells so good!"
Kree's head was throbbing from her noise, and he cursed under his breath, "Shut up! You little brat! If you keep making noise, I'll throw you to feed Skaarl! Damn it, I'm really having the worst luck..."
However, when Alice excitedly pointed forward and her overly developed breasts inadvertently pressed against Kled's bald head, the irritable Yordle's body stiffened abruptly, his struggling movements stopped instantly, and his cursing strangely subsided, leaving only a few indistinct mutterings. In the end, he resignedly allowed Skaarl to be dragged by Alice in the direction she pointed, wandering aimlessly through half of the main city.
As they approached the central square, a wave of heat unlike that of a market swept over them. It wasn't the bustle of commerce, but rather a restless energy... a mixture of fervor, excitement, and bloodthirsty anticipation. Suppressed voices, like thunder, emanated from a massive, fortress-like circular building, their fervor palpable even through the thick walls.
"Kree! There! There are so many people there! Is it a performance? I want to go see!" Alice shouted, pointing to the heavily guarded building with a long line at the entrance.
"Damn it! What a troublesome woman!" Kree cursed, urging Skaar to push his way towards the entrance. "Get out of the way! All of you, get out of my way! I don't care if you trample me to death!"
After finally squeezing his way to the ticket window with the "Ticket Office" sign, Kree yelled gruffly, "Hey! Two tickets! I need them for a view where you can see brains flying everywhere!"
Without even looking up, the ticket seller said irritably, "Sold out! All tickets for today's shows are sold out!"
"What?!" Kree's one eye bulged as if it were spitting fire. "Say that again, you fucking idiot?!"
"The 'Liquidators' are the grand finale performance today! Tickets are all sold out!" The ticket seller waved impatiently. "Come back tomorrow!"
Kree turned around and saw Alice's face instantly fall and her eyes beginning to redden. Frustrated, he scratched his head. Just as he was about to coax Alice into buying tickets for tomorrow, the ticket seller looked up and noticed Alice's unusual silver hair. He paused, then softened his tone:
"...Is this silver-haired lady yours...?"
"None of your business!" Kree was furious.
The ticket seller hesitated for a moment, but still said, "According to the regulations, ladies with silver hair can bring their mounts and pets and enter the exclusive viewing platform for free."
"A pet?!" Kree exploded instantly, leaping off Skaar's back, his gun almost poking the ticket seller's nose. "Who the hell are you calling a pet? Say it again and see what happens?!"
Skaar also let out a threatening growl, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
The ticket seller turned pale with fright and waved his hands repeatedly: "Calm down! It was a slip of the tongue! A slip of the tongue! It was a distinguished guest! A distinguished guest! You, your mount, and this silver-haired lady can all go directly through the VIP passage over there!" He almost cried as he pointed to a passage guarded by soldiers and covered with a dark red carpet.
"Hmph! That's more like it!" Kree's anger subsided slightly, and he snorted heavily, retracting his gun. Free entry, no waiting in line—only a fool wouldn't pass up such a bargain. He waved his hand dismissively, "Let's go, Skaarl!!"
They were led by a well-dressed greeter to a prime viewing spot. It was closest to the central execution platform, offering a superb view, and was covered in thick carpets. The seats were fully upholstered leather sofas, a stark contrast to the rough wooden benches of the other stands. This private section had about ten seats, but only two people were scattered around—an elderly woman with equally silver hair, not the natural gray of old age, but a naturally silver-white hair like Alice's; and a simply dressed, middle-aged woman with striking silver hair.
Kree didn't care about anything else, plopped down on the soft sofa, grabbed the free roast meat on the table and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing loudly. Skaar also got a bowl of fresh meat and leaned over the railing, devouring it with gusto.
Alice stood on Skaar's back to make herself taller, then leaned over the carved stone railing, half of her body sticking out, curiously looking towards the center of the arena.
In the center of the execution ground, a muscular man dressed in incredibly ornate and extravagant clothing was putting on his "performance." His eyes were sharp and mocking, and his muscular physique and numerous scars were visible beneath his fur armor. He twirled two enormous, gleaming spinning axes, their handles adorned with elaborate weights.
He is none other than the "Glorious Executioner"—Draven.
Now thirty-two, he has long since shed the naiveté and wretchedness of his days in the Besilico slums. Under Swain's new order, he has found the place that best suits him. He transforms death into a boisterous, stylistically unique performance, executing prisoners with precise and flashy axe throwing skills, each hit igniting a frenzied cheer from the crowd.
"Draven! Draven! Draven!" The audience chanted rhythmically.
Draven was enjoying it all. He danced flamboyantly, blowing kisses to the surrounding stands. The axe seemed to come alive in his hands, tracing dazzling trajectories before whistling as it flew toward its target.
Alice leaned against the fence, her red eyes fixed intently on the most dazzling and eye-catching person in the arena. The clamor of the crowd, the whirling shadows of axes, that arrogant smile…
She tilted her head, her small eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if trying to make out a blurry reflection.
The name floated from her lips, as soft as a sigh:
“…Little…De…?”
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