Abulis waited on the steps of a glittering temple, feeling like he had knots in his stomach. In front of the temple stands a statue of a protective deity. The setting sun outlines the silhouette of its face, casting a dazzling halo around the top of its hunched head. The white stone statue is shimmering with gold spots. Huge wings rested over his shoulders, and two long swords were raised in front of his chest. The expression under the statue's helmet was indifferent and grim, more perfect than any human. Hundreds of candles covered the pedestal at its feet.

Abulis leaned his sword and shield against the statue's pedestal. The equipment was brand new and showed no signs of use, just like the pair of stone swords above his head. He was told that the Protector would bless the upright Demacian soldiers, so he felt a sense of unexplained peace of mind in front of the stone statue.

An old woman in a white cloak stepped out of the temple door.

"Excuse me, can I take a moment of your time?" called out to Abulis.

She opened her legs and walked slowly towards him.

"The Illuminator will always stop for those in need. Tell me, what are you looking for here" The wrinkles on her face deepened as she spoke, but her eyes were full of love.

"I'm going to battle tomorrow," Abulis nervously stretched out his palms and clenched his fists. "My sword-wielding arm is strong, and I am proud to be able to protect the honor of Demacia. But I wonder how I am different from them if we go on a killing spree like the barbarians who come to us, and if the white walls and the splendid banners are only to bear witness to our bloodthirstiness as they are."

"Ah," said the illuminator. "Yes. Killing is not child's play, even soldiers hesitate. Let me tell you a story. She looked up at the statue. Can you light a candle for her?"

Abulis got down on one knee, picked one from the prayer candle at the foot of the statue, and lit the other.

The Illuminator's voice was full of vicissitudes, and Abulis remembered his recently deceased grandmother, who had often recounted ancient myths and history. He never knew which stories were true and which were made up by her whims.

"Once upon a time, in a place now swallowed up by time and decay, a cruel king led his people into an age of abject poverty. During a great famine, the king gathered everyone in the kingdom within the walls of the castle. In order to put an end to the era of poverty and want, he announced on the spot that he would exercise the king's power and abolish the old laws. He threw the golden code on the ground and named himself the law. As long as it is an order issued by him, it is an iron law of Jinke, and there is no doubt about it.

"In the name of protecting the people, he announced the first order. Because there were so many mouths that needed to eat, the king said that the old man had no right to eat. They will be put to death, and there is no other way.

The hungry people had no strength left to resist, so the king's guards forced the old men to line up and wait for the massacre.

The old man, who was in first place, had snow-white hair, and he staggered forward. He prayed to the king, I am a baker, let me bake bread for you and your people, and he cried out, "Please spare my life."

But the king replied, "Can you be rejuvenated, can you knead flour into muscle, and mix it into your old and weak hands and feet, no, you are guilty of no mercy." With that, he gestured to the executioner. The knife fell, and the baker's head rolled to the ground. ”

"It's tragic," Abulis interrupted the Illuminator. "Isn't there anyone who rebels against the king's new law?"

The Illuminator smiled. "Thank Heaven that there is a man who stands up against this unconscionable injustice."

"Our immortal protector has not appeared on this land for hundreds of years. But perhaps extreme injustice has ripples that echo far beyond the unknown. In short, this time she showed up. The sky opened its doors and shone brightly, like stars bringing all the light together. The Protector appeared, her body magnificent and terrifying at the same time. When the king saw her, he stood still. She began to question the cruel king.

"No king is above the statutes of law. She announced loudly, called her name, and was ready to stand trial

"I'm not just above the law, I'm the winged monster, I'm the law. He nodded and let the guards move forward. The guards advanced in unison, pointing their spears into the sky. Because of me, my people have purpose. My people know their place. And they are grateful to me for that.

"Law is the concrete form of justice, and law is a just ruling in black and white. No one can destroy it. Said the protector.

She drew her twin swords, their bodies burning with flames that smelled of truth and punishment. She spread her wings and beat them vigorously, and soon the flames were ignited on the wings. The scene was awe-inspiring.

"You say that the people are the only ones who look to you. Then it is up to you to take the lead and accept the judgment of my sword. Said the protector.

"The cruel king looked up at the fiery twin swords of the protector god, and her flaming wings. But the most terrifying thing was her burning eyes, which shone with uncompromising rage. He felt that he was looking directly at the sun, and her glory was both beautiful and terrifying, and the king shed tears of fear. He pleaded with the Protector for mercy, and he fell to his knees and begged at her feet.

"I can change," pleaded the king, and I now know what I did wrong. I am selfish, rotten, and unworthy. But please let me live, I will follow the rules of the law.

The Protector looked at him grimly. When he finished, she took a breath. It is said that at that time, her voice was like the deity of all the gods using her as an incarnation.

"Can you undo your injustice," asked the King's Protector. Can your lies be treated as never spoken, can your unfair and unjust laws be treated as never enacted, and you are guilty of unforgivable crimes.

In an instant, the protector pierced the king's heart with her flaming blade, and he screamed, nailed to the ground along with the golden codex.

"The Codex burns violently under the blazing heat of the Celestial Realm. It is the fire of the Divine that burns away the evil of the earth, and helps the righteous so that they are unscathed.

"The cruel king screamed, and the flames of the protector burned his guards and ministers, his executioners and servants. The flames continued to spread throughout the land, and the lies of the hypocritical king and his evil followers were the fuel of the flames. The survivors will always remember this glorious day, because above the ashes of the old society, they were given a new opportunity to rebuild their homes with justice and honor.

"And if the land is once again plunged into lawless chaos, they will be sure that the protector will once again fall from heaven."

The Lighter smiled and looked down at Abulis.

"We are all to act with virtue and honor," she said, "from the king to the baker, from the servant to the soldier." Because no one is above the law, and no one is above justice. The marauders who invade our southern borders are lawless thugs. Every step they take, every breath they take, threatens the security of our land. The duty of the shield of Demacia is a great honor and a righteous endeavor. The protector will favor those who have righteousness in their hearts. ”

"Yes." Ablis said. He glanced at his sword, which had not been baptized by war. He swore that from the first sword he swung to the end of the last, every sword would be in the name of justice.

"Soldiers, whenever you feel hesitant, think about how the protector will behave. As long as you act in righteousness and truth, as a protector, then She will guide you by the sword. Even if you have to make it bloody. ”。

The Illuminator bowed and returned to the temple.

Abulis looked at the candle he had lit in the darkness. He stood up and prepared to return to the camp for the night. He glanced back at the statue one last time, and he felt that in the depths of the Protector Stone Helm, he seemed to see another kind of fire.