He arrived at the camp just before the start of the tactical meeting. He was accompanied by a handful of honorary guards, each of whom had been selected from the Trifali Legion. The guards stopped at the entrance, and I watched him walk in.

Some cast shadows larger than their bodies, but few bring such darkness. The darkness hovers over us, and the crows of hunger crow. The ravens seemed to follow him, mercilessly reminding each warrior of their fate. The rags hanging from the beak of the bird resemble our mournful military flag. But when he walked into the tattered field tent, I realized that I hadn't expected him to look so close to a mortal.

His hairline was mixed with gray strands, which were evident against the dusty blood-colored sky. The battle-hardened armor was draped over a modest coat, and both hands were tightly tucked into the hem of the garment—just as I imagined the dignitaries to be. I smiled because he was still a gentleman at heart. He wore no insignia of rank, the only insignia being the scars that bear witness to a soldier's bloody experience. Many of those who were convened at this meeting were eager to gain greater awe, so they drew their legions to show off their might. Any one of these people seems to be able to easily crush the person in front of us,

But all of us are to be at the mercy of this man. Commander of Noxus.

As I looked at him, I could feel something inexplicable, but no matter how closely I looked at it, I couldn't see the clues. Maybe this is some kind of real unknown? Perhaps it is precisely because of this indescribable state that so many people are summoned to come. Regardless of what is drawn this time, Jericho Svein is now standing in front of us, and I can't turn back.

Five legions had already marched into the plains of Locrond, but within a few weeks the natives had broken our ground. Our hastily built berm was easily blasted open by their gunpowder, which was mined beneath a hill even more barren than our homeland. The army was defeated until Svein had to choose to intervene in person. This is my elaborate design.

I've been preparing for months. I sent war stonemasons deep into the mines. I thought through all the details, the subtle ups and downs of each piece of land...... There is also the fate of Noxus, and the whispered prophecies of the moments......

My ears tingled, and I remembered the pale lady's words. Think back to the first time she ordered me, the first time she told us about our conspiracy.

Everything was already in place, as I expected. Here, the cracked earth forms an inescapable labyrinth, from which I, and alone, can decide the future of the Empire.

After all, isn't that what Svein convened this meeting for?

"My trusty generals," Svein finally spoke, his voice like a sword unsheathed. He paused, as if to give us time to get used to the sharp blade. "Tell me how Noxus will win."

"There are twelve land-based ships here, in the mountains." Leto pointed to a location on the map and spoke first. The map had faded and turned white as he flipped through it. "Each one is led by a dragon lizard, leading the way in front of the warband, and we will step over the dead bodies of our enemies. At the slightest command, the beasts could plough the land out of broken copper and iron. ”

He smiled, smug at his plan. But Svein cared more about his own glass—someone was pouring him wine.

Is it toxic? His eyes scanned the people at the table, as if questioning them. I stared at my own reflection on his armor. I will never reveal my intentions.

"It's hard for us to keep the dragon lizard under control," Svein finally whispered, staring at the fine Ionian wine in his glass. "Imagine a random tunnelman throwing explosives with a single explosion — tell me, in your imagination, who would run first — a dragon lizard with its tail between its legs, or your terrified legion?

"Then we'll burn this place to the ground," Mera said as she proposed her plan before Leto could speak. "Before marching, they set fire to the pit where they were hiding. Get them out of the damn pit. ”

Svein sighed. "We're here to get the land you're going to burn. It seems like I'm overestimating your knowledge of the nature of saltpeter, though. He shook the wine in his glass, showing a hint of disappointment. You're giving your own men a funeral with your own hands. ”

"The red blade is still sharp," Jonat said impatiently in the shadows, the shadows around him brightening against the contrast of his Shurima skin. "We sneak into the mines after sunset and take out their leader. It doesn't matter if it's clean or not, if it's beautiful or not. ”

"Admirable tactics," Svein laughed out loud. "But those who take the lead are not soldiers. Not yet. Our enemies are just following the loudest ones. Kill one, and three louder voices will stand up early the next morning. ”

I laughed and nodded to the redblade leader with a frown. "I did worry for a moment, afraid that you really found a way to win, Jonat."

There was a sudden dead silence at the conference table. The candle next to the map is almost burning to the bottom.

This is my moment. The Pale Lady will be delighted in this. I will chant her name as I send the Archon to annihilation.

"The truth is, you can't win this battle." I continued. "You can't fight death. Even the rulers of Noxus were no exception. Darkwell has proven it. ”

Svein and the others watched silently, and I carefully pulled the flint out of my coat, the fuse already in my other hand. Leto, the old hero of the siege of Finras, was furious.

"What are you going to do, Gurans?" He roared angrily, catching a glimpse of the explosives I had piled under the conference table an hour earlier. "Are you going to threaten the Archon? You are treason. ”

But none of them dared to approach me. I put the flint on the lead and everything was ready.

But...... Someone is laughing. It took me a while to realize who was laughing.

"Look, General Grunse is the only sensible man," Svein chuckled, smoothing out the wrinkles in his coat. "He's the only one who understands. All the rest of you, when the battle comes, you ask how not to be defeated. But there are some battles that cannot be won. Sometimes, the only tactic is to go to the fire. Rush into the flames with the belief that you will die, but tens of thousands will follow behind you. And behind them, there is an even greater force. ”

He opened his coat and revealed his ...... Exposed......

"Gurans and I," he said with a cruel smile, "we are always looking for what we need to sacrifice in order to win. ”

Mera rushed at my trembling hands. Leto too. But it was Svein's inhuman grip that grabbed me by the throat, lifting me up, my feet off the ground, and the imminent lead was forgotten.

"I wish you could recount your failures to her personally." The Commander whispered to me. There was an eternal anger in his voice. "I wish she could hear the repentance of the dead."

I want to scream hard and confess everything. Hopelessly begging for forgiveness.

But now there was nothing left but soft whispers. I confided my secret. This story is told to you to listen to. Like a flapping wing, the scavenging raven is wailing......