General Manager of Demacia

On this day, everyone living in Xiongdu, whether nobles in the manor or commoners in the streets, heard a loud horn sound.

Many people were confused; they had never heard such a voice before.

Some more knowledgeable nobles could distinguish the sound of the horn, but they were equally puzzled... Xiongdu was so far from the border, who would sound the horn here?

The Noxians have attacked?

Everyone looked in the direction from which the sound came, and there they saw a tall figure, faintly visible among the clouds, looking down over Xiongdu.

But the figure was like a ripple, seemingly there and then gone, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye, making one wonder if they had seen it wrong.

The instigator, Heron, had already dissipated the flames on his body and voluntarily withdrew his divine power.

Because he had already seen that a group of people from the palace were rapidly approaching.

He had achieved his goal; attracting the real person in charge was enough... In Demacia, a country where magic was forbidden, recklessly displaying his divine power was not a friendly act and did not align with Heron's objectives... So he decided to stop while he was ahead.

The troops that arrived quickly were all burly and armed with sharp weapons; they were clearly the elite of the imperial guards.

However, what was somewhat incongruous was that their leader was not as burly and tall as these soldiers.

He was equally strong, but his physique was well-proportioned, and the well-fitting armor accentuated his streamlined figure, giving him a unique aesthetic appeal.

His Asian features stood out among a group of "white people."

Herren's eyes lit up, and he immediately recognized the person who had come... and the long spear in his hand.

"Yo! Lord Xin!"

"Um?"

Zhao Xin rushed over with the mindset that he was about to encounter a formidable enemy.

He was the most trusted steward of His Majesty, in charge of the Imperial Guard, and therefore, he was fully aware of His Majesty's recent distress over the Noxian threat.

So, the moment he heard the horn, although he was equally puzzled, he immediately picked up his spear and charged out.

However, when he arrived at the location, Herren had already dissipated his divine power... Therefore, all Zhao Xin saw was a group of dumbfounded demon hunters and mages, and he did not see any obviously threatening figures.

But Herren's advances made him take a second look.

"Was it you who made that commotion just now?"

"That's right, if I hadn't pulled this stunt, I probably would have been locked up in jail."

"Ha...you'll be locked up in jail too."

Now, Zhao Xin had a somewhat clearer understanding: it was just a mage with powerful magical talent who caused a commotion during his capture...

Such things are rare, especially with such a huge commotion... It would be hard for Zhao Xin not to see the enormous figure in the clouds, but he had seen similar events before during his years as chief steward.

However, Zhao Xin did not rebuke them. As an Ionian, he naturally felt a certain sympathy for these "innocent mages".

However, the laws were strict, and Zhao Xin could not show favoritism.

"Accept your arrest with peace of mind, young man... Don't worry, you will receive a fair trial."

Zhao Xin knew that such a thing was impossible, but he didn't know how to comfort this young man who looked quite young and was always smiling.

After saying that, he prepared to leave.

At this moment, Herren quickly called out to him.

"You still haven't answered me. You're Grand Steward Zhao Xin?"

"..."

Zhao Xin turned around and looked at the young and unfamiliar face with some confusion.

I don't know you.

"But I know you... Let me introduce myself. I am not a criminal. On the contrary, I am an envoy from Freljord, wishing to meet with your King... However, there seems to have been a slight misunderstanding with your people on the way..."

"Freljord?"

Zhao Xin turned around and found that Herren's face was indeed not Demacian.

"Does Freljord even have a country?"

"Uh, to be precise, it's the tribe. I come from the Claws of Winter."

"Sorry, I've never heard of it..."

At this moment, the demon hunters responsible for guarding Heron finally realized what was happening.

"Steward! I think this guy is just making excuses... He's clearly a dangerous element!"

"Heh, I think you Demacians are a bit neurotic... I should clarify, I don't know any magic at all."

"You're talking nonsense! You just..."

"alright!"

Zhao Xin interrupted the argument, looked at Helen's face, pondered for a moment, and then spoke calmly.

"In any case, it's possible that you really are an envoy from some... unknown tribe. So, the demon hunters don't need to worry about this matter. Leave it to me, and let His Majesty decide."

"But...but he's in danger!"

Zhao Xin walked forward, squatted down, and picked up the magic-suppressing stone chain from the ground. The marks of violent struggle were clearly visible on it.

Yes, he is indeed a dangerous person... at least, the anti-magic stone is ineffective against him.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xin said.

"I will not allow him to approach His Majesty until His Majesty makes a decision... Young man, if you are honest enough, I will personally guard you, how about that? I will guarantee your safety, provided you do not deceive me."

"Of course! That suits me perfectly!"

Herren wore a warm smile, and his completely unfriendly demeanor reassured Zhao Xin.

After instructing his subordinates to inform the king, Zhao Xin then notified the demon hunters again.

Although the demon hunters were powerful figures in Demacia, they dared not act recklessly in the face of this Grand Steward, who was deeply trusted by the King. They could only silently lead the remaining mages to the prison.

"Hey, wait a minute, buddy, give me back my bag... Also, keep an eye on Juvask for me."

"..."

……

"You live in a place like this, Master Xin?"

Heron was not bound by chains, imprisoned in a cage, or guarded by a group of elites as he had expected.

He just sat there on the bed... This was Zhao Xin's residence in the imperial city. Looking at the surrounding household items, it was probably not a temporary residence; he likely lived here most of the time.

This place is exactly the same as the soldiers' quarters that Herren had imagined, except that it's a single room, with a slight touch of the gravitas that belongs to the steward.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xin boiled water in the old kettle, brewed tea himself, and handed one cup to Helen.

"Freljordian, I don't know if you're used to drinking tea... but I never drink alcohol in the palace, so you'll have to make do with this."

Tea?!

Herren eagerly took the simple cup. The rich aroma of tea wafted over him, making him feel an urge to cry.

He carefully took a sip, and the rich, delicate fragrance made him squint his eyes.

When he opened his eyes, he couldn't help but sigh.

"This is the best tea I've ever had..."

"Yeah?"

Zhao Xin simply replied casually and then fell silent; he clearly wasn't a very talkative person.

"Ha... I thought you would keep a close watch on me, but it turns out there are only the two of us in this house? I feel like I was invited here as a guest."

"It would be best if you thought that way... I don't want you to feel anxious, young man. If you haven't lied to me, you will be safe and sound. Demacia will treat its friends well... And even if you have lied to me, since you are a foreigner, His Majesty will release you with His mercy. You don't need to worry about being imprisoned anymore."