Akali and Ahri both froze for a moment at his words.
"What's a Hexgate?"
Confusion showed in Ahri's eyes.
Akali had never heard of one either.
So Luke explained the concept of Hexgates to them.
Ionia was hardly isolated from the outside world, but the war had only just ended, and the entire region was still in turmoil. Its people simply had little time or energy to pay attention to developments elsewhere.
As for building a Hexgate here, Luke had already been thinking about it before he ever came to Ionia.
The importance of Hexgates went without saying. They were something that could genuinely connect the entire world.
Only after hearing Luke's explanation did the two finally understand.
"An invention that can transport people across huge distances in a short amount of time..." Akali lowered her head thoughtfully. After considering it for a moment, she said, "I doubt it'll be that easy. Personally, I think it sounds great, but other people might not feel the same way."
Ionia's various factions were in chaos right now. The radicals and traditionalists were constantly at each other's throats. Trying to bring something like a Hexgate into the region at a time like this, what were the odds anyone would actually agree to it?
"Not many worthwhile things in this world are easy. We still have to try."
Luke smiled.
"So what are you planning to do next?" Akali asked.
"Meet someone first," Luke replied casually.
"Who?" Akali asked, then quickly realized the answer and blurted out, "Irelia?"
"That's right."
Luke nodded.
Ionia was a land whose different regions largely governed themselves. Because of that, countless factions existed throughout the country, all supposedly working in their own ways to preserve harmony across the land.
Among the most famous powers in Navori were the Kinkou Order, the Lasting Altar, and the Order of Shadow and Navori Brotherhood, both of which had risen to prominence during the war.
There were many more besides them. Every faction had its own ideals and objectives, and the war had stirred up ambitions that had once remained dormant. Now, faint signs of division were already beginning to appear.
Setting those factions aside for the moment, Navori also had several highly respected individuals whose voices carried considerable weight.
Irelia was one of them.
She had become the defining figure of the Great Stand, and after leading the people of Ionia to drive back Noxus, her reputation had only continued to grow.
If they could convince her, then half the battle of establishing a Hexgate in Ionia would already be won.
By now, the three had entered the Placidium of Navori.
It resembled a thriving ancient city, its streets crowded with pedestrians and filled with activity. A faint fragrance drifted naturally through the air, refreshing anyone who breathed it in.
Many of the people around them were carrying luggage just like Luke and his companions. At the moment, there were arguably more visitors in the Placidium than locals.
"Come to think of it, I've never actually seen Irelia in person either."
Akali looked around as she spoke.
She had heard Irelia's name long ago, but because of everything involving the Kinkou Order, she had never gotten the opportunity to meet her.
"Let's ask around first."
Luke had no intention of wandering around aimlessly. His gaze settled on a militia patrol passing nearby, and he walked over.
"Excuse me. The three of us have come from out of town and would like to visit Irelia. Could you tell us where we might find her?"
The militiamen stopped and smiled pleasantly at the question.
"You're a little late. Irelia left this morning for Keda Village to attend a spirit-prayer ceremony."
"Thank you."
Luke politely expressed his gratitude.
"No problem. I expect she'll be back soon. If you don't mind, you could wait a few days. In the meantime, enjoying everything the Placidium has to offer wouldn't be a bad way to spend your time."
The militiaman smiled before leaving with the rest of his patrol.
They had barely gone a few steps before another group of travelers stopped them and asked the exact same question, receiving the exact same answer.
Apparently, Luke and the others were far from the first people to ask about Irelia today.
"Her reputation really is incredible. So many people come from all over just hoping to meet her every day."
Akali watched with some emotion in her eyes, becoming even more interested in meeting Irelia herself.
"If she only left this morning, we should still be able to catch up. Let's go."
After thinking for a moment, Luke decided they would head straight for Keda Village.
If he had plenty of time, he wouldn't have minded waiting several days, but time was something he didn't have much of right now.
The three only spent a short while taking in the sights of the Placidium before setting off toward Keda Village.
The village was not far from the Placidium. Even traveling at an ordinary pace on horseback, it would take no more than a day to reach it.
If the three pushed their horses, they could shorten that considerably.
The spirit-prayer ceremony was meant to honor and pray for departed souls, and such rites were usually conducted by people of considerable standing and prestige.
Along the way, they saw quite a few people also hurrying toward Keda Village, apparently unwilling to wait even a moment longer.
It was yet another sign of Irelia's extraordinary reputation.
Akali suspected there were probably only a handful of people in all of Ionia whose prestige could rival hers now.
Before long, an entire day had passed.
By the time the three reached Keda Village, night had already fallen.
Compared to the enormous crowds in the Placidium, there were far fewer people here.
Even at night, however, the village remained brightly lit, with lamps glowing everywhere. Today happened to be the village's Spirit Prayer Day, and many residents would remain awake through the night to honor those who had passed away. It was precisely because of this that the village had invited Irelia.
At the same time, many of Irelia's admirers had followed her here.
When the three arrived, they happened to find the village chief arranging accommodations for the visitors.
"I know all of you wish to meet the Blade Dancer, but she has been working hard all day, and it's already late. Please allow her to rest properly tonight."
The village chief was an elderly woman who spoke at an unhurried pace, her expression exceptionally kind.
"We have a new campsite prepared where all of you may stay."
After hearing her words, everyone accepted the arrangement. Naturally, no one caused a scene.
They had all come out of admiration, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous Blade Dancer. None of them wanted their own rudeness to disturb her.
"There really are way too many people. If she met them one at a time, she'd be here forever."
Akali watched as the villagers guided the crowd toward the campsite, then turned and walked toward the elderly village chief.
Once she reached her, Akali brought her hands together and gave a slight bow.
"We've come from the Kinkou Order and have an important matter to discuss with Irelia. Could you make an exception for us?"
"The Kinkou Order..."
The elderly woman studied Akali and Luke for a moment. After a second of thought, she said, "If it's truly important, then I shouldn't delay you. Please follow me."
She turned and led them in another direction.
Akali glanced back at the other two with a playful smile before following her.
Sometimes, the Kinkou Order's reputation really was remarkably useful.
At least it had earned them an exception.
Under the village chief's guidance, the group arrived at a secluded part of the village, where a quiet courtyard stood apart from the rest.
The courtyard gate was open.
With a single glance inside, beneath the brilliant moonlight, they saw a young woman dancing.
Her long hair flowed like water, while her graceful figure swayed with every movement. She was elegant and delicate, moving as naturally as branches stirred by a gentle breeze. Her footsteps were light and effortless, every motion graceful and mesmerizing. Her dance unfolded like vibrant flower petals drifting softly through the night, breathtakingly beautiful.
She was completely immersed in it, utterly absorbed in the dance.
Her movements were beautiful, but her face was even more striking.
She looked around eighteen years old, with fair, luminous skin and features so clear and delicate they almost seemed carved from moonlight.
Her slender face was cool and beautiful. Her brows rested naturally above a pair of clear, brilliant blue eyes, and her thin red lips curved slightly upward, as though she were thoroughly enjoying this quiet moment.
Noticing the visitors, the young woman abruptly stopped dancing and approached them with a trace of confusion in her eyes.
The moment she stopped, all three of them strangely felt a little disappointed.
The dance had truly been beautiful.
The village chief spoke first.
"These three are guests who came a long way from the Kinkou Order. They said they have an important matter to discuss with you, so I brought them here."
Understanding dawned on Irelia's face.
She gave the three a slight bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, come inside. We can talk in the courtyard."
Her voice was crisp and pleasant. Though she still looked like a young woman, there was already a sense of maturity and experience in the way she carried herself.
"Sorry for interrupting you halfway through your dance," Luke said.
He could tell that Irelia had not yet finished to her satisfaction.
"It's fine."
Irelia smiled gently, clearly not bothered at all.
She looked at Luke and found him strikingly handsome, which naturally gave her a slightly better first impression of him.
"I was only dancing casually to pass the time. If anything, I should apologize for making you watch something so informal."
"You're being far too modest," Luke said with a smile. "As far as I'm concerned, your dancing is tied for first place with another dancer I know."
The other person sharing first place was, naturally, Miss Duelist. Her elegant waltz had been stunning enough to take anyone's breath away.
"Really? Then I'm glad to receive such high praise."
Irelia smiled without the slightest hint of pretense before welcoming the three into the courtyard.
By then, the village chief had tactfully withdrawn.
She was confident that Luke and his companions were not dangerous.
Despite her age, her eyesight remained perfectly sharp, and she could tell that all three had received a Spirit's Blessing.
It wasn't because she possessed some extraordinary mystical perception. Rather, those who had been granted a Spirit's Blessing carried something that other Ionians could instinctively sense more easily.
That was why she wasn't worried about them harming Irelia, and also why she had agreed to introduce them so readily.
Likewise, Irelia had immediately sensed the Spirit's Blessing on all three of them, which was why she had not been particularly guarded.
A Spirit's Blessing was not something granted to anyone who happened to perform a few good deeds.
Normally, only those who had made truly significant contributions to the First Lands were worthy of receiving one.
Irelia herself had been granted a powerful Spirit's Blessing by Ionia, one capable of protecting her when her life was in danger.
By now, the three guests had seated themselves around a stone table in the courtyard. Irelia went inside and returned with a pot of hot tea.
After filling all four cups, she finally sat down and asked curiously, "What important matter has brought three members of the Kinkou Order all the way here to see me?"
"We're actually not from the Kinkou Order," Akali said immediately.
Irelia froze.
Even more confusion appeared on her beautiful face.
"Then the three of you are...?"
"We can answer that in a moment."
Luke stood, his gaze sweeping across their surroundings.
"We have new guests."
The others immediately understood the implication behind his words and rose as well, becoming alert.
A faint rustling came from nearby.
Realizing they had been discovered, the newcomers apparently saw no reason to remain hidden any longer.
"This opportunity is too valuable to waste. A few nuisances showed up, but we can simply eliminate them as well. Do it!"
A cold shout came from outside the courtyard.
The next instant, more than a dozen figures, nearly twenty in total, leaped through the darkness and attacked without hesitation.
"Assassins?"
Akali saw their concealing clothes and masked faces, not expecting to encounter assassins here.
They moved extremely quickly, and every one of them appeared highly capable. In the blink of an eye, they had already surrounded the courtyard, multiple killing blows converging on Irelia at once.
Irelia remained perfectly composed.
Although she did not have her weapons with her, her body was already twisting gracefully between the attacks.
She avoided strike after strike, then used nothing but her bare hands to knock back two assassins slashing at her from the front.
"You people really are pretending we don't exist!"
Annoyed at being ignored, Akali drew her kama and charged into the fight.
These assassins were no ordinary fighters. Every one of them had extensive combat experience, enough that even Akali could not defeat them immediately.
"Do you want any of them alive?"
Luke drew Snowglance, preparing to join the battle.
At his question, Irelia's mood suddenly darkened.
Her eyes flickered, and when she spoke, her voice was heavy.
"I know you're from the Navori Brotherhood. We once fought side by side for the same goal. We should never have come to this. Stop this, all of you."
"So you already figured it out. Then again, we never intended to hide who we were."
One of the attackers pulled off his mask, revealing a face marked by a long scar.
He smiled.
"Do you remember this, Irelia? I got this scar while fighting beside you."
Irelia remained silent.
Of course she remembered.
They had once fought shoulder to shoulder.
"You betrayed us, Irelia."
The man's voice gradually turned colder, filled with resentment.
"You were the one who showed us the path. Every one of us believed in you. We could have joined forces. We could have become even stronger, but now, of all times, you chose to betray us. If you refuse to lead Navori, then let the Navori Brotherhood do it!"
Irelia sighed.
"The spirits do not favor the path you've chosen. The road you're walking may not be the right one. I am simply following my own path. I never demanded that any of you live your lives a certain way, so how have I betrayed you?"
She had simply walked forward, and people had chosen to follow her.
That was all.
But somewhere along the way, some of those followers behind her had begun taking different paths.
"There's no point talking about this anymore. You won't change your mind, and we won't stop."
The man's expression became completely cold, killing intent filling his eyes.
"Irelia, you're standing in our way now. So you have to be removed."
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