"I swear—if you dare deceive me, I'll hunt you down for all eternity!!"
Taliyah's voice rang again.
Duke nodded. "Good. Then later, I'll take my time studying you properly."
"For now, you'll partner with my son — the one who just pinned you to the ground a moment ago."
Duke opened his eyes, cutting the link before Taliyah could respond. He left a thread of his own magic behind—just in case she tried to pull anything.
"He's yours for now, Pride."
He gestured for Pride to stand. "If nothing unexpected happens, this weapon will be with you for a very long time."
"Yes, Father!"
"Mm, looks like we need to have a proper discussion."
Duke walked to the center of the hall, dragged a chair over, and sat down.
Kai'Sa, Sivir, and Taliyah all turned to look at him—everyone except Varus, who was staring intensely at Kai'Sa like some perverted creep on a crowded train.
Duke noticed Varus's reaction and sighed helplessly. He had to find a way to get this guy out of the group, or else he'd be a walking hazard.
If Varus kept staring at Kai'Sa all day, what if he suddenly shot an arrow at her? Would Duke roast him alive, or salt-bake him?
He could control Varus's armor—but he absolutely did not want to waste mental energy on babysitting him.
Three beautiful girls were right here before him—why would he waste time staring at some crusty, thousands-year-old dude?
And he had two ghost husbands inside him.
Disgusting.
"What do we need to discuss?" Sivir asked, running her fingers along Chakram's blade with an indifferent expression. "You're the one who always decides anyway."
"I have no objections," Kai'Sa said softly. "As long as I can find clues about my father."
Taliyah remained silent—she had already decided to go to Dawn Oasis and enter the capital to search for her tribe. She would not be traveling with Duke's group anymore.
"For now, Taliyah is heading to Dawn Oasis. I think that's our chance," Duke said in Sivir's mind.
Sivir raised an eyebrow. "Chance for what?"
"She'll definitely enter the capital. She can help you gather information."
"Find out exactly what your ancestor thinks of you."
"Tch." Sivir clicked her tongue irritably. "Honestly, ancestors should stay quietly in their coffins and turn to dust. Why the hell is he jumping out now?"
"Who knows? He's your ancestor, not mine."
Duke didn't indulge her irritation at all. "That's settled. We'll have Taliyah ask around."
"Fine. Whatever you say."
Sivir didn't argue further and agreed directly.
"Next… I plan to send Varus to Nareima."
"Why send him there?" Sivir frowned. "Isn't it better to keep him here as muscle?"
"I have my reasons," Duke replied. "I'll tell you the specifics later. Just help me distract him."
"Fine, fine."
Their mental exchange lasted only moments. Duke then turned to Taliyah.
"Little Sparrow, since you're heading to Dawn Oasis, I'll prepare supplies and travel goods for you."
"Mr. Duke, there's no need, I—"
"No need to refuse," Duke cut her off. "I told you outside Bel'Gueron: anyone willing to guide me, I would cover all their return expenses."
"You've done well."
"So this is final."
"…All right. Thank you, Mr. Duke."
"It's nothing." Duke waved a hand, then looked at Kai'Sa. "Kai'Sa, Taliyah can help you ask around for news about your father on the road."
"I'll also use my own connections to look into it."
"No problem, Duke."
"And next—Varus."
Varus finally realized it concerned him. "My duty is clear: to protect the Solar bloodline and ensure the Princess's safety."
"There's something more important," Duke said without giving him time to object. He briefly explained Xerath's interest in Sivir.
"Xerath, the traitor who betrayed his own honor, betrayed Shurima, and stole ascension. Now he wants to wipe out the Solar bloodline."
"I need you to assassinate him," Duke said, staring into Varus's visor. "For you, that should be nothing unusual."
Back in the Darkin War, Varus was frequently assigned to eliminate enemy commanders—an absolutely terrifying sniper in a world without firearms.
"Xerath?" Varus muttered. "That slave-born sorcerer?"
"Correct. Shurima's fall is partly his fault. He disrupted Azir's ascension and stole the ascension power meant for Azir. That indirectly triggered the Darkin War."
"Where is he?"
Varus's armor began radiating heat—clearly provoked by Duke's words.
If Xerath hadn't interfered in that ancient ceremony… his sisters wouldn't have vanished.
"Near Nareima," Duke replied.
"You can find a three-headed hound there—my creation. It'll assist you."
"I don't need help."
Varus's tone was stone-hard. Duke didn't bother arguing; he would turn Varus into a tracking beacon later anyway.
"All right, that's settled. I'll prepare. We leave soon."
Duke stood and went to gather supplies.
Two hours later
Outside the workshop, Taliyah and the others watched Duke shrink the entire building and store it away.
He tossed her the keys to their vehicle—now loaded with supplies and a few… extras.
"Be safe on the road."
He patted the Little Sparrow's shoulder before turning to Varus.
"This is your transport."
Duke threw out a heavy-duty three-wheeled motorcycle—one of his spare toys.
Varus stared at it with disdain. "A mortal's carriage? Shurima's levitating war chariots once crossed continents."
"You'll understand once you ride it."
Duke patted his shoulder. This modified bike could amplify signals—basically turning Varus into a walking satellite.
"Hmph. I'll hold you to that."
Duke ignored him and summoned his floating airship.
"We'll take this to Zaunsa."
The ramp descended. Duke called to Sivir and Kai'Sa.
"Travel safe, Taliyah."
Sivir ruffled Taliyah's hair affectionately. "Take care, kid."
"I will."
After saying goodbye, Kai'Sa and Sivir boarded the airship with Duke.
"You two, stay safe on the road."
"We're leaving."
Midday, the next day
Several colossal beasts marched across the desert — Shurima's own forerunner giants: the Doman behemoths.
If camels were ships of the desert, then the Doman behemoths were aircraft carriers — silently carrying countless lives across endless sands.
They were the size of skyscrapers, armored in thick chitin that even the fiercest sandstorms couldn't scratch. Two inward-curving tusks hung from their mouths — intimidating but mostly symbolic.
On their backs rose structures connected by rope nets, where behemoth riders—wrapped tightly against the sand—climbed with hooked hands and feet.
These nomads lived their entire lives atop these giants, cleaning them and driving away parasites, while the Doman behemoths located hidden freshwater sources with their unknown senses.
Countless hanging ropes dangled along their flanks, many used like swings—passengers paying for a ride across the desert.
On one such rope swing sat a blue-skinned, bald man. One hand gripped the rope; a sand-cloth wrapped his head. His face was firm, his gaze steady.
"I bet he's carrying way more gold," one rider whispered greedily from the net above.
"Look at that scroll on him — must be filled with coins!"
A third suggested, "Let's slit his throat and split the loot."
They spoke loudly, openly malicious, standing not far from the blue-skinned stranger.
"Back off, you little brats!"
A muscular woman slid down a rope and glared at the trio.
"Stain your hands with a mage's blood and your clan will suffer seven generations of turmoil!"
The boys shrank away in embarrassment.
Once they left, the woman bowed to the stranger. "My apologies, traveler."
"It's fine. If anything, I should thank you."
The man turned his head — his eyes carried centuries of experience and quiet sorrow.
"You saved me the trouble of killing them."
"I'm Kala. What's your name?"
"Ryze."
Before Kala could ask more, startled cries interrupted them.
"Look—what is that in the sky?!"
"By the heavens—is that a ship?"
"A ship that flies!"
"I've never seen one!"
"It's higher than the behemoths!"
Ryze and Kala looked up. A shadow passed overhead—an airship drifted across the sky.
"Looks like Piltover tech," Ryze murmured.
"Piltover?" Kala asked curiously.
"A city far to the northeast. Young, but full of energy."
He chatted as he always did—sharing stories freely.
Meanwhile, inside the airship
Kai'Sa leaned against the window, staring downward.
"What a huge beast!"
"That's a Doman behemoth," Duke explained as he walked to her side. "The nomads on its back live there from birth until old age."
Kai'Sa pointed at one figure.
"Duke, why is that man's skin blue?"
End of chapter....
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