LOL: The dark goddess covets me!

Chapter 123 Demacia's Dilemma

In the bright hall of Dawn Castle, the dinner for honored guests will start here.

The classical orchestra dedicated to the Royal Family of Light Shield played an elegant and melodious melody, and the dishes on the long table were various and delicious, but Josh didn't think too much about it.

Not only Ruiz, but Josh doesn't like political communication very much.

Even when he was in Hailiya, he had warned the Shuguang Tower Council from the beginning, and he basically didn't have much contact with Archbishop Margusa and other elders and masters.

Especially after Demacia officials heard of the name "Josh Russell" and he showed a close relationship with Ahri, countless people came to toast at the banquet.

At least in the beginning, King Jarvan III, Grand Marshal Percival Bronzi, Bishop Isabel of the Blessed Ones, and the king's good brother with a different surname, Barrett Bouvier, the biggest patron of the Blessed Ones, even It was for Ari, and Josh couldn't shirk it.

When the other six members of the Silver Council of Demacia came again, Ari knew that her lover was not happy with this kind of communication, so she took the initiative to stand by Josh's side, helped him evade, and politely declined.

As for Syndra and Ryze, who were hiding in the opposite corners of the hall and basically did not communicate with everyone, they were powerful mages, and the officials of Demacia had also heard of them.

To avoid trouble, or to be intimidated by the attitude of the two of them who refuse to be thousands of miles away.

Anyway, from the beginning of the banquet to the present, except for the serving servants who went to inquire once or twice, no one else even approached them.

But for the "crazy" Gwen, who was born with Isolde's traits, even if it was the first time she participated in this kind of political dinner, she could handle it with ease.

After a while, Josh could still hear the laughter of ministers or other officials talking with Gwen, amused by this funny little girl.

Although he failed to make a toast as he wished, Ari and Jiawen III still introduced each of the "familiar" ministers who came to greet Josh one by one.

For example, the five ministers of aristocratic management, finance minister, foreign affairs, land resources management, and political and legal affairs. They are not only the pillars of Demacia's operation under the kingship, but also members of the Silver Council, offering advice and suggestions for national development and foreign strategy.

In addition, there was a minister in charge of the Demon Seeker Association that attracted Josh's attention.

His name is Eldred Crownguard, a man who was married into the Crownguard family and married Tiana, the current captain of the sword of the Fearless Vanguard.

It wasn't the man's power and status that attracted Josh.

On the surface, Eldred is very gentle, dignified and dignified, with an aristocratic gentleman temperament, able to talk freely in front of Josh, Ahri and Jarvan III.

But the haze in his eyes couldn't escape Josh's eyes, it was the abhorrence of magic.

Josh vaguely remembered that in the future, after Prince Jarvan IV was ambushed by the Noxus mages and Barrett Bouvier died in battle, it was this guy who bewitched Jarvan III, implemented a strong anti-magic system, persecuted mages, and Demacia was pushed to the brink of crisis.

In particular, the future Demon Seeker Association seems to be in collusion with the Black Rose. Those "destroyed demon" poor people were dispatched to the border on the surface, but they were actually secretly sent to Noxus and entered the academy formed by the Black Rose.

Specifically designed to deal with Mordekaiser's secret weapon - Molten Iron Maiden Riel, is the product created by Black Rose through brutal experiments and absorbing other mages.

Josh secretly kept an eye on it.

This fellow Eldred may cause some trouble in the future.

The silver moon hangs high, pouring soft brilliance on the earth, and the bright stars form a galaxy all over the sky. On the vast and endless starry sky, constellations full of life are slowly moving.

The dinner was full, the dinner was over, all the ministers left one after another, and the mess in the Resplendent Hall was cleaned up by the servants working overtime.

Josh, Ahri, Gwen, Syndra and Ryze followed the slightly drunk Jarvan III into the parliament hall.

Jarvan III sat on the main seat facing the gate, Josh, Ari and others sat on the left hand side of the king, Barrett, the chief logistics officer, and Generalissimo Percival sat on the right hand side of the king.

Xin Zhao and Tiana stood on both sides behind the main seat, taking on the important task of protecting the king.

"Your Majesty, I wonder how many Fearless Pioneers Demacia can dispatch to support us?" Ari got straight to the point, "We have discussed this topic last time, so you should be able to give me a clear answer now, right?"

Jarvan III pondered for a moment, "The Fearless Vanguard has a total of 16 companies, each company has 16 shield formations, and each shield formation has 8 soldiers, a total of 2048 people, and it is currently fully staffed.

"And your Light Sentinel organization currently has more than [-] registered Sentinels, plus you, Grandmaster Russell, Grandmaster Ryze and Grandmaster Syndra..."

Speaking of this, Jarvan III's voice stopped abruptly.

[Ouhou, I guessed it right. 】Lunicia laughed.

Sure enough, it won't go well...

Josh sighed silently in his heart.

Ah Li frowned slightly, and said the turning point for him: "But?"

It was not Jarvan III who answered her question, but Generalissimo Percival: "The Sentinel organization's covert investigation capabilities are no less than that of war masons. I think you should have heard that Noxus is not peaceful recently."

Percival clasped his fingers together and placed them on the round table that looked like a solid shield, with a serious tone.

Ari nodded silently.

This point was discussed with the group on the way here.

Afterwards, Percival continued: "According to the intelligence sent back by the front-line spies, that old man Brown Darkwill is enlisting in the army, increasing taxes to collect food and grass, preparing to build an army, and may launch a new attack at any time.

"Miss Ari, you should be very clear that besides the Sentinel of Light, Demacia also has four allies, Abermark, Skagorn, Liinland, and Nockmurch.

"Among them, the Kingdom of Nokmerch, which is located in the Nokmerch Plain, is in the middle of the Valoran continent, just between Demacia and Noxus. If Brown Darkwill suddenly launches an attack, the first The first to suffer must be them."

Percival didn't make it too clear, but even Gwen could hear what he was trying to say, not to mention Ahri.

Immediately afterwards, Barrett, who had the same beard as Jarvan III, added: "Not only that, the barbarians from the north have also been harassing our border recently, and many villages outside the city have been attacked, especially It is especially serious near Yanjian Mountain.

"According to the forecast of the weather in previous years, this winter will be the most severe in the past ten years, and the friction between us and the barbarians has intensified.

"I estimate that by the end of this year, we are likely to have a very serious conflict that could turn into a war."

"I understand your concerns. The number of members of the Fearless Pioneer is small, and the safety of the allies needs to be taken into account...Let's just talk about it, how many people can you recruit at the moment?"

Jarvan III and Percival looked at each other, both showing a little embarrassed expression.

In the end, the king still sighed and said: "Xiongdu needs to stay with six companies to be prepared, and each of the four allies needs to station a company to calm people's hearts..."

"So the final answer is six companies?"

Ari did not show a disappointed expression, but was a little unexpected.

The fighting power of the Fearless Vanguard is far beyond the comparison of ordinary troops. It is basically the most elite army in Valoran, and no legion can match it.

Even the Chapter led by the Hand of Noxus, appointed by Darkwill himself, was far from touching the threshold of the Dauntless Vanguard.

If one compares Kamavia's powerful and powerful Knights, the Iron Squadron, who fought in all directions thousands of years ago, even if it is led by Grandmaster Hecarim himself, it is still not comparable to this elite group.

Although the six companies have less than 800 people, but these elites cooperate with each other, it is more than enough to defeat any neighboring country around Demacia.

If casualties and supplies were not taken into account, with the strength of six fearless vanguard companies, it would be enough to fight several Noxus infantry regiments of 2000 on the plain, enough to last for several days and cause the enemy to lose at least two regiments.

The reason why Noxus failed to conquer Demacia in the past hundreds of years, apart from the long distance and the fact that Debon is easy to defend and difficult to attack, is that the fearless pioneer group is shocking.

The only defeat of the Fearless Pioneer's local battle was the Battle of Valdis 100 years ago:

King Jarvan I, who was personally conquered by the emperor, was forced to break through the battle group's defense line by the Noxus warlord Sion, strangling the first generation of King Jarvan to death.

Jarvan III was actually willing to send six fearless vanguard companies to support, nearly half of the fearless vanguard army, it was his kindness.

"If you need, we can also draw an army composed of ordinary soldiers..."

As soon as Percival opened his mouth, Ahri interrupted him directly: "We have already discussed this topic last time, going to the Shadow Isles is not an ordinary war, what we need to deal with is the undead cursed undead.

"Ordinary soldiers are far inferior to the soldiers of the Fearless Vanguard in terms of strength, psychological quality, and equipment. Sending them to the Shadow Island is no different from sending them to death for nothing."

Percival pursed his lips in silence and did not speak again.

Ari continued: "However, six companies are enough... We are allies, and I will not let you fall into crisis for my own benefit."

Hearing what she said, Jarvan III, Barrett, and Percival were visibly relieved.

"You are too serious, Miss Ari." Jarvan III said sincerely, "You have taken care of Demacia for hundreds of years, but we have not been able to repay you. Even now, we cannot fully help you restore the country... I am so ashamed .”

"I should be the one to say that I am ashamed." Ari said softly, "It should be the responsibility of our Bright Sentinel to let the soldiers of your country make up for the mistakes of Fuguang Island."

"You have placed too many burdens on your shoulders, Miss Ari." Barrett couldn't help feeling, "You really deserve to be friends with Sister Feiyi."

Afterwards, Jarvan III got up and greeted the woman behind him: "Tiana."

As soon as she heard the king's call, Tiana straightened her back and stood upright, and responded in a stern voice: "Your subordinate is here!"

"Pass my order, call the first company of the fearless pioneer, the eighth to No.12 companies, led by you, and try to assemble before tomorrow evening."

"Follow the order!"

Accepting the order, Tiana walked straight out of the council hall.

Watching Tiana leave, Jarvan III quickly glanced over the people on the left, and finally settled on Ari, "Miss Ari, do you need me to send someone to take you and everyone back to the room?"

Ari turned to look at Josh, then glanced at Ruiz who had been silent all the time, "No, we still have something to do, we need to go to the Forbidden Stone Forest."

"The Forbidden Stone Forest? What are you doing there?" Percival asked puzzled, "Except for the occasional patrols by the rangers, the Forbidden Stone Forest doesn't even have any birds or animals, and there isn't a single family within a hundred miles."

Jiawen III's complexion changed slightly, he cleared his throat and stopped and said, "Ahem... Percival, Miss Ari has her own intentions, so you should not ask too much."

While speaking, he also gave Percival a warning look.

Being so warned by Jarvan III, Percival realized that this issue seemed to involve some secrets of the royal family and the Sentinels of Light, which even his own level could not touch.

There was a hint of speculation in his heart, but he hurriedly shook off this thought that made him feel trembling and uneasy.

"I see...sorry."

……

……

The night was dark, and the silver-white tulle enveloped the sleepy gray-white city, and the entire capital was extremely quiet.

There is no curfew system in Xiongdu, but in this country that can almost be described as the medieval era, the night is used to make up for the fatigue of the day, and no one will be idle and go out in the dark at midnight.

Escorted by the guards, the two carriages left through the north side door and submerged into the dim moonlit night.

Xiongdu is not far from the Forbidden Stone Forest. After all, when this city was first established, it needed a lot of materials for the Forbidden Stone Forest.

Hundreds of years ago, when the ancestors of Demacia were just a tribal system, their productivity was very scarce, and those materials were transported by themselves and with the help of the survivors of Fu Guang Island, so naturally they would not be too far apart.

In just over an hour, towering gray and white trees blocked the way of the carriage.

The gray and white stone trees covered with annual rings are 30 meters high and several meters in diameter, which are only the edges.

The closer to the center, the more exaggerated the proportion of the Forbidden Stone Tree, often more than ten meters in diameter, at least hundreds of meters high.

The trees on the edge are nothing compared to the big ones.

Josh and Ari, led by Ryze, shuttled through the densely packed stone forest.

Gwen and Syndra stayed in the carriage, which was also Ryze's request, and tried not to let more people know where the world runes were hidden.

Since magic is basically unusable here, even if it is forced to activate, it can obtain light, but the consumption is too much, and it cannot last for a long time. The three of them can only hold the grease-burning lantern for lighting.

The rustling sound of the lemon-yellow fallen leaves when your footsteps touch them adds a different tune to this silent forest accompanied by only the noisy breeze.

[Is this the Forbidden Stone Forest? 】Lunicia said, 【There is a weird feeling that I can't express...It seems to be alive but not alive, and it also limits my perception of the outside world...I hate this feeling. 】

Hearing what she said, Josh was also puzzled, and asked, "Isn't the forbidden magic stone tree a fossil tree? Why do they have leaves?"

Ari lowered his head and stared at the sparse fallen leaves on the ground, then looked up at the branches, with a little surprise on his face, "I remember when I first came here, there were no leaves growing here..."

"When I came last time, there were no branches and leaves growing here."

Ryze paused, walked to a stone tree, put his hand on the dead tree trunk, closed his eyes, and held his breath.

Not long after, he opened his eyes in astonishment, "there is actually the magic power of the world rune inside... It is the resolute power that gave birth to these lives!"

(End of this chapter)