Zhao Xin nodded, and Jiawen let out a wry smile. "It's too much like him," he said, "and it's always about the community." You know, on my fourteenth birthday, he didn't come to my sword ceremony because he was going to meet the Council of Strongshields. Negotiate taxes. ”

"Of course." Zhao Xin said.

"I'm guessing you've already delivered the letter."

"No," Zhao Xin shook his head, "I immediately turned around when I heard the bell and returned to the palace as fast as I could." ”

"As a result, you got into trouble on the street, just look at the way you look." Gavin said, gesturing to his mottled coat.

"No worries."

"Mage" Gawen asked.

Zhao Xin nodded. "There are also those who are complicit."

"We should have executed them all a long time ago." Gavin said fiercely.

Zhao Xin looked at the prince vigilantly. He had never heard him say such vicious words. Of course, he knew that Demacia's attitude towards mages had always troubled the prince. But that's already in the past.

"I think your father might have had a different opinion on that." Zhao Xin pinched his tone.

"And they killed him." Jiawen snapped.

Zhao Xin said that nothing would help, so he chose to remain silent. The anger that had just burst out of Jiawen's heart was extinguished almost immediately. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he tried desperately not to let them flow.

"I don't know what to do." He said. At that moment, he became a child again, frightened and lonely.

Zhao Xin took a few steps forward, put down his spear, opened his arms, and hugged Jiawen tightly. "Good boy." He said.

Then Gavin burst into tears, and the unstoppable sobbing made his whole body tremble. The tears that he had never shed were also flowing on Zhao Xin's face at this time.

They hugged each other tightly for a moment, and a shared grief bound them together, and then they separated. Zhao Xin turned around and picked up the spear he had dropped on the ground, giving them both time to tidy up a bit.

When he turned around, Garvin had replaced his sweat-soaked shirt with a white linen robe with the coat of arms of the blue-winged sword. He looked like he had calmed down.

"Now, you have to be the person you are destined to be," Mr. Zhao said, "and you have to be a leader." ”

"I don't feel like I'm ready." Jiawen said.

"No leader is ready. At least, the Maven is all the same. ”

"But you'll be with me, uncle. You will assist me. ”

Zhao Xin's bottom was cold. "I'm afraid, there is no such possibility." He said.

Zhao Xin was in a dilemma. He had sworn allegiance to King Gavin and had never disobeyed a single order since, as he had done for twenty years.

"My duty is here, and I want to protect you, Your Majesty." He said.

Gavin rubbed his eyes, and suddenly looked tired.

"Your duty is to protect Demacia." The king said.

"You are the king," said Zhao Xin, "and you are Demacia." ”

"Demacia is greater than any king," said Gavin sharply, "and it is useless to say more." I've made up my mind. ”

Zhao Xin's instincts were screaming, warning of danger, but his sense of responsibility made his heart silent.

"Yes." He said.

He bowed, turned and walked out of the room.

"A long time ago, I made a promise," Zhao Xin said, "that if anything happens to your father, I will die to apologize." ”

"So, how many times have you saved the driver," Jiawen suddenly became resolute. At that moment, Zhao Xin's eyes looked at him so much like his father. "I've seen you save the car no less than three times. But I know it must be more than that. ”

Zhao Xin frowned.

"Honor is my life." He said, "I can't live with the shame of treachery. ”

"To whom do you make such promises"

"Tiana Marshal of the Crown."

Gavin frowned.

"When you started serving your father, you swore to defend Demacia, didn't you?" he said.

"Of course."

"It is Demacia who accepts your vow," said Garvin, "not my father." Not anyone. Your duty to Demacia trumps anything else. ”

Zhao Xin's eyes lit up as he stared at the prince. It's really a tiger father without a dog.

"But what about the marshal"

"I'll tell Tiana," said Gavin, "but for now, I need you to do your duty. ”

Zhao Nobunaga sighed, and only then did he realize that he had been breathing.

"Will you be my ruler and guide me as an assistant to my father?" asked Gavin.

Zhao Xin blinked. A moment ago, he was pretty sure that Gavin wanted to execute him, and he didn't feel wronged.

He hesitated, his expression complicated, and his heart rolled.

"Uncle Zhao Xin," said Jiawen, "our kingdom needs you. I need you. Come on, just think it's for me."

Slowly, as if to give Jiawen time to regret at any time, Zhao Xin knelt on one knee.

"It's an honor to Your Majesty the King."

Jiawen and Zhao Xin walked through the palace and walked towards the council chamber. His father's advisers no, Zhao Xin corrected himself, it was his advisers who were waiting there.

There were soldiers everywhere. The intrepid vanguards, the elite troops of Demacia, have been sent to the palace to assist in the defense. They are scattered at every doorway, highly alert and disciplined.

Jiawen's expression was resolute, and his kingly bearing was fully revealed. Only Zhao Xin saw his pathos in the training hall. Now, in the presence of servants, nobles, and guards, he had reined in his thoughts.

Very good, Zhao Xinxin thought. The people of Demacia need to see him strong.

Everywhere they passed, everyone fell to one knee and bowed their heads. They did not slow down and moved forward firmly.

Gavin paused briefly in front of the door of the council chamber.

"One more thing, uncle," he said, turning to Zhao Xin.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"The letter that the Father asked you to send," he said, "where is it now?"

"It's still there." Zhao Xin said, untying the crusty tube from his belt and presenting it.

Gavin took it, opened the lid, and flattened the brown paper inside. His gaze jumped between the lines of his father's words.

Zhao Xin saw that Jiawen's expression became cold and hard. He crumpled the letter with both hands, as if he was going to strangle someone to death, and finally handed the letter back to Zhao Xin.

"Ruined it." Jiawen said.

Zhao Xin looked at him in surprise, but Jiawen had already turned to leave. He nodded to the guards standing on either side, and the door to the council chamber opened. At the long conference table, all the seated people stood up in unison, then bowed deeply. In the magnificent fireplace on the south side of the hall, the fire is blazing.

There were a few empty seats at the table. The king was not the only one killed in yesterday's attack.

Zhao Xin held a crumpled oracle in his hand, standing in place at a loss. Jiawen walked to the head of the conference table. He glanced back at Zhao Xin, who was stunned at the door.

"Steward" said Gavin.

Zhao Xin blinked. On Gavin's right, Tiana's crown guard was staring at him with a grim look in his eyes. On Gavin's other side, equally chilling, was Tiana's husband, the head of the Demon Seeker Regiment, the recipient of the King's secret letter. Zhao Xin's gaze wandered between them, and finally looked at Jiawen, seeing his raised eyebrows, as if asking questions.

Zhao Xin didn't delay too long, strode into the council hall, and threw the letter into the fire.

Then he came to his place and stood behind the king. He hoped that his expression did not betray the worry that had suddenly surged up in his heart.

"Let's get started." Jiawen said.