This world was ultimately one where people could only survive through connections.
People needed relationships to bind them together.
The same could be true between gods.
Janna had been alone for so long. Finding connections for her was effectively the same as finding allies for himself.
Luke quickly made up his mind. There was no need to become enemies with Illaoi, and building a good relationship would be ideal.
That was simply the truth of the matter.
They were not sworn enemies who flew into a rage the moment they saw each other.
Luke offered a warm smile.
"There's no reason to hide why I came here. Why don't we find somewhere to sit and talk?"
Illaoi nodded slightly.
"In that case, let us return to the Buhru Temple."
Sarah had not expected to return to the temple she had just left in disgust.
Although she was extremely reluctant, she saw Luke looking toward her and snorted.
"I'm coming too."
She was also quite interested in what the two of them intended to discuss.
After all, it involved matters she would rarely have the opportunity to encounter.
The group soon returned to the Buhru Temple. Under Illaoi's guidance, they entered one of its halls.
The enormous golden idol known as the Eye of God rested upon a wooden table.
Fragrant incense drifted through the hall, naturally calming the mind.
A junior priestess brought them tea, then quietly withdrew and closed the door behind her.
Luke took a sip of the Buhru Temple's tea and released a long breath.
"I'll get straight to the point. I came to Bilgewater because I want to build a Hexgate here."
"A Hexgate?"
Illaoi and Sarah's eyes shifted simultaneously as they both recalled something.
"Do you mean the portal that caused such an uproar in Piltover recently?" Sarah asked.
As a bounty hunter, she could not afford to fall behind when it came to gathering information. She had naturally heard some details about the major news coming from Piltover.
Supposedly, it was a portal that ignored distance and could transport someone from one location to another in an instant.
The description alone was astonishing.
Illaoi was not ignorant of outside affairs either and had also heard something about the Hexgates.
"That's right." Luke nodded.
"Why?" Illaoi studied Luke, having already guessed his identity. "Since ancient times, the Serpent Isles have never needed interference from any nation."
She had possessed extraordinary wisdom since birth. Otherwise, the Mother Serpent would never have chosen her.
Although she knew little about Luke, the various clues had already allowed her to reach a conclusion.
He was most likely the rumored second prince of Demacia.
"No nation will interfere with this place," Luke said softly. "In fact, very few people will be allowed to use the Hexgate. I only want to prepare for a possible disaster."
Illaoi's expression remained unchanged. She continued watching him, waiting for a more detailed explanation.
Sarah appeared thoughtful, as though something had occurred to her.
Luke wasted no more time.
"I assume both of you are familiar with the Harrowing."
Sarah stopped thinking and nodded.
"Of course. The Harrowing has been coming more frequently in recent years. I've personally experienced it five times."
She had lived in Bilgewater for fifteen years.
During those fifteen years, she had endured five Harrowings, with the greatest frequency occurring during the past three years.
In the past, the Harrowing had not appeared every year.
For the past three years, however, it had come without fail.
Even now, Sarah felt a chill whenever she remembered experiencing it firsthand.
No one had traced the true cause of its appearance. Most people simply regarded it as a punishment.
During that period each year, the dead returned to take revenge.
Illaoi knew that was not truly the case.
Although her expression remained as calm as water, a sharper light had appeared in her eyes.
Luke continued.
"Bilgewater is not the only place affected by the Harrowing. It has also appeared in the western waters of Demacia."
"It reaches that far?"
Sarah paused in surprise.
She had seen maps before.
Demacia's western waters were extremely far from Bilgewater.
She suddenly understood that the Harrowing was not solely targeting the Blue Flame Isles.
Now she wanted even more desperately to know the true source of that ghostly Black Mist.
"I understand what you mean."
Illaoi released a heavy breath.
"There was another reason I came to speak with you. I can allow you to build a Hexgate in Bilgewater, but you must agree to something in return."
Luke considered it briefly.
"Is it also related to the Harrowing?"
"That is correct."
Illaoi nodded.
"The great Nagakabouros has governed life and motion since the beginning of creation. That is the doctrine we have always followed. The meaning of life lies in constant motion. To stop is to die.
"The Harrowing has created countless undying creatures, or spirits of the dead. This clearly contradicts our teachings and is an affront to the Bearded Lady.
"From ancient times, Buhru priests and Truth Bearers have always fought against the Harrowing. That was one of the original reasons for our existence. In the past, the Black Mist was weak and could be driven away without much effort.
"At first, the Bearded Lady paid little attention to it. As the ages passed, however, the Black Mist appeared endless and continued growing stronger.
"A century ago, the Black Mist finally provoked the Bearded Lady's wrath. She emerged from the ocean depths and forcibly suppressed the mist that had come upon us. However, she suffered a backlash and has needed to enter dormancy periodically ever since.
"Over the years, the power she left within the Black Mist has gradually weakened. Perhaps the mist itself has also become stronger. Whatever the reason, the Harrowing has appeared with increasing frequency.
"Now that I am the Truth Bearer, my duty should be to drive the Harrowing back whenever it arrives. But I do not want to continue doing only that. I want to find the source of the Black Mist and eliminate it completely."
Illaoi finished her lengthy explanation and opened her eyes wide. They were as large as bells and radiated natural authority.
The continued existence of the Black Mist had clearly become an intolerable nuisance to her.
"I understand."
Luke nodded slightly.
"It appears we share the same goal. I also intend to resolve the Harrowing permanently. Another reason I came to Bilgewater was to find a companion. He is an expert at fighting the undead."
Illaoi sighed softly.
"The greatest difficulty in fighting the Harrowing is that I do not know where it comes from. Even the Bearded Lady has been unable to locate its source."
"According to what I know, the Black Mist comes from a place called the Shadow Isles," Luke explained. "They are hidden somewhere upon the sea and are indeed extremely difficult to find."
"It must involve something far more sophisticated than serpent calling," Illaoi said thoughtfully.
The Blue Flame Isles were frequently attacked by sea monsters. One might say that the inhabitants and the monsters had been harming one another for generations.
Among those creatures were inevitably some extremely powerful sea monsters.
To prevent them from locating Bilgewater, the ancient role of the Serpent Caller had emerged.
Serpent Callers used specially crafted horns. Half of each horn was submerged beneath the water, then blown in different rhythms.
This disturbed the waves and caused the sea monsters to lose their sense of direction.
If the Shadow Isles truly existed but could evade even the Bearded Lady's sight, then they were clearly concealed by methods far beyond serpent calling.
Alternatively, perhaps the very nature of the islands made them impossible to perceive.
"The temple's ancient records do contain descriptions of an island inhabited by the dead," Illaoi recalled. "However, no one has ever returned alive from that place, so people came to regard it as nothing more than a legend."
Sarah also appeared thoughtful.
"Many sailors claim to have seen a similar island. It appears upon the sea, surrounded by ghostly mist, then vanishes the moment they look away."
She had always assumed it was an intentionally fabricated story.
She had never imagined it might be real.
"My friend noticed that the Shadow Isles have become increasingly unstable. I came here partly to meet him, but I haven't found him yet."
Luke took another sip of tea.
He was not surprised by the legends they mentioned.
The Serpent Isles were already relatively close to the Shadow Isles, which was why the Harrowing attacked this region so frequently.
According to Illaoi, the Bearded Lady had even personally manifested to suppress the Black Mist, but the result had been far from ideal.
That demonstrated the Shadow Isles' terrifying power from another angle.
Even a god had been unable to deal with them completely.
"Does this friend have any distinguishing features?" Sarah asked.
"Dark skin, cold and brooding, always wearing a stern expression like the entire world owes him money."
Luke imagined Lucian's appearance and gave a rough description.
Sarah stared at him speechlessly.
"Isn't half of Bilgewater like that?"
At that moment, the crystal on Luke's wrist suddenly reacted, beginning to glow and radiate heat.
He looked down at it.
"It seems I'll meet him tonight after all. Unless something unexpected happened, he has already reached the island."
Even Illaoi and Sarah were momentarily surprised.
Upon the sea, a small boat illuminated by candlelight quietly approached the shore and slowly docked in a sparsely populated area.
Lucian frowned.
Bilgewater was clearly different from when he had last visited.
The Blue Flame Isles before him now resembled a city where all order had collapsed. Chaos filled every street, and gangs were openly fighting one another.
Robbery, arson, and murder could be seen everywhere.
"What happened here?"
Lucian muttered in confusion.
He moved toward an even quieter area, hoping to avoid attracting attention.
However, he had forgotten that in a place where the law held little power, the emptier streets were often where the most vicious and treacherous people concealed themselves.
Several figures emerged from the shadows, openly staring at Lucian with greed in their eyes.
"Hand over everything valuable you're carrying, and we might let you live."
The man leading them spoke menacingly while raising the gleaming cutlass in his hand as a threat.
Lucian wore a cloak, making it impossible to tell whether he was wealthy or poor.
He glanced across the group.
"I'm not carrying anything valuable."
Another man immediately sneered.
"Then you're out of luck. We've already butchered several penniless fools like you tonight."
"Are you certain you don't want to reconsider?"
Lucian sighed.
He was not someone who enjoyed causing trouble.
Trouble simply had a habit of knocking on his door.
"Listen to that arrogant bastard."
"Try not to beg for mercy when you're dying."
"Enough talking. Kill him!"
The group immediately prepared to attack.
Human life had become worthless tonight.
Gangplank's death had shaken all Bilgewater.
Everyone knew the existing order was about to collapse, and the ambitions in countless hearts had erupted at once.
The men had barely taken a step when Lucian moved faster.
Both his hands emerged from beneath his cloak, each gripping a pistol.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The guns fired in rapid succession.
Bullets flashing with white light shot forward instantly and pierced several bodies.
The two pistols possessed unusual designs and exquisite craftsmanship.
Several men collapsed immediately, frightening the others.
One of them shouted, "This bastard's dangerous! Everyone, get over here!"
He hurriedly ran toward cover.
A bullet followed him mercilessly and tore through his chest.
More men came rushing from the distance, their footsteps pounding across the street. They appeared to belong to the same gang.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire erupted at the same time, bullets flying toward Lucian.
He had already prepared himself.
Lucian dodged swiftly, his movements smooth and controlled. It was almost as though the bullets themselves could not keep up with him.
At the same time, shots of sacred light flew from his pistols, every one of them striking an enemy with perfect accuracy.
The undead were far faster than these men.
If his aim were not at least this good, he would never have survived his battles against them.
"Damn it, he's only one man!"
"Shoot him!"
"Open fire!"
"Help! I've been hit! I don't want to die!"
Shouts, furious roars, and agonized screams instantly filled the area.
The gang had many members attacking from multiple directions. Quite a few carried firearms, making them considerably more troublesome for Lucian to handle.
He sighed again.
He could not understand why Bilgewater had become a place where people robbed and murdered others openly in the street.
His weapons were meant to be aimed at the undead.
Now he had no choice but to turn them against fellow human beings.
Lucian single-handedly fought against the assault of dozens of men, taking them down one after another.
His strength began to frighten the gang members.
Some considered retreating, while others threw caution aside and attacked even more recklessly.
No one here was stupid.
Many had already noticed that the two pistols capable of firing white bullets were clearly worth a fortune.
Lucian was forced behind a piece of cover.
Bullets struck the obstacle protecting him as he released a breath and waited for an opportunity to leap out.
The cover would not hold much longer.
At that moment, a third party appeared to join the battle.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
A rapid series of gunshots rang out.
Bullets mercilessly struck one man after another.
An enormous translucent blue-green tentacle erupted from the ground and slammed downward.
Boom!
The impact shook the area.
The tentacle then swept sideways and sent several more men flying.
The arrival of the two women rapidly brought the battle to an end.
The remaining gang members fled in panic.
The sight of that enormous tentacle alone had already terrified them beyond reason.
"It seems Bilgewater will rid itself of quite a few parasites tonight."
Lucian saw a red-haired woman slowly emerge.
Her cool gaze swept across the bodies scattered over the ground.
A tall, heavily built woman appeared beside her. She held a golden idol that looked incredibly heavy, her expression calm.
Lucian felt considerable pressure from her presence.
This powerfully built woman was strong.
Very strong.
"Lucian, it's been a long time."
Luke walked out from behind them with a smile.
"Your Highness!"
Lucian exclaimed in delight.
Seeing Luke brought him the joy of unexpectedly encountering an old friend.
He stepped out from behind his cover and looked at Luke, countless emotions rising within him.
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