The Glory of Noxus

Dusk falls.

The colors above the sky gradually changed, from golden yellow to deep purple, with distinct levels.

Huo Jixing took on his linen cloak and walked slowly on the trade road along the ruts.

Soon after, a small town built by the water appeared in view.

The river that surrounds the town originates from the mountains, meanders all the way, and finally flows from the west coast to the Sea of ​​the Conqueror.

The town of Forsbarrow.

The northern border of the Kingdom of Demacia.

It is also the starting point of Huo Jixing's secret mission.

The flat granite city walls undulate along the mountains, like sculptures of nature.

Under the setting sun, the surface of the granite shines with golden light, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding environment.

Most of the houses in Fosbello are built with stones, old wood and glazed tiles.

To the east stands the tower of the Lightbringer Temple. The brazier on the top of the tower emits warm light, as if welcoming travelers and caravans in the dusk.

Huo Jixing let out a breath, patted the snow-white Poro on the shoulder, and walked towards the giant iron-wrapped door.

Compared to the previous cities, there are very few caravans in the town of Forsbarrow.

In front of him, there were only a few merchants dragging goods, lining up to enter the city.

"Stop, traveler." The Demacia Kingdom soldiers in front of the city gate stopped Huo Jixing and asked.

"What did you come to Forsbarrow to do?"

"I am a wanderer." Huo Jixing replied. "My fleet was hit by a storm in Dornhold and the ships were shattered."

"I survived and floated down the river to the west coast and ended up here."

"Dornhold?" The Demacian Kingdom soldier frowned and looked at his companions beside him.

There are six soldiers from the Kingdom of Demacia wearing leather armor guarding the gate of the town. They wear blue cloaks with silver brooches in the shape of a unified double-winged sword.

"I seem to have heard that there have been frequent storms on the west coast recently." The soldier from the Kingdom of Demacia on the left spoke softly.

The social environment is different from that of the Noxus Empire.

Traveling within the territory of the Kingdom of Demacia requires passage credentials and qualified identity.

"Remember, wanderer, don't cause trouble in the town."

The soldiers of the Kingdom of Demacia looked at Huo Jixing warningly, indicating that he could go in.

"Thank you." Huo Jixing thanked him and walked along the flat gray road to the city gate.

He saw the taut iron chains above the iron city gate and realized that it was a city gate that opened up and down.

After entering the town, Huo Jixing found that Fosbello Town was relatively quiet at dusk.

The shops on the street were almost closed, with only a few lights flickering in the windows.

There were very few people along the way, it seemed that the people in the town were used to this peaceful lifestyle.

They live a simple and happy life in this familiar and friendly environment.

Da da! Da da!

Huo Jixing walked with light steps, a solemn look on his calm face.

Not long after he entered the town, he suddenly felt uneasy deep in his heart.

At the same time, the snow-white Poro in his arms also had his little head popping up uneasily, looking at the surrounding environment with a trembling expression, with no place for his slender claws.

Huo Jixing frowned slightly, as if he noticed something, and there was a red-gold light in his eyes.

But when he looked around, only the gray-white clouds of ordinary people emerged.

There is a golden cloud in the distance, but it is far away.

"What exactly is it?" Huo Jixing's heart was solemn.

He could confirm that there seemed to be something watching him in the corner of the shadow, but in the [Suzaku·Red Eyes of Fire Eyes] state, the target was perfectly hidden without any trace.

"Wait a minute. Their expressions!"

Huo Jixing's eyes flickered, thinking of the Demacia Kingdom soldiers at the city gate before. They looked a little listless and tired.

There were only a few pedestrians encountered on the street, but without exception, they all walked heavily and were extremely tired.

Originally, Huo Jixing thought it was life in a small town that led to such a result.

Looking back now, something seems wrong.

Huo Jixing crossed the wide town square and came to the southern street area, in front of a tavern with a blue flag.

Squeak!

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, bright yellow candlelight illuminates the well-equipped tavern.

Several tables and chairs were placed randomly in the tavern, with a candle placed on each table, giving off a faint and warm light.

These lights illuminate every corner of the tavern and the people sitting quietly at the table.

There were only one or two tables of guests in the tavern at the moment, and they were sitting there quietly, talking in low voices.

Although there are not many people, their presence adds some life to the tavern.

Huo Jixing walked to the bar and sat down, looking at the old bartender in linen clothes in front of him.

"What do you want?" the old bartender asked, with a gentle and kind smile on his wrinkled face.

"Let's have some drinks, some meat and some bread." Huo Jixing glanced at the tables of other guests.

After a cup of tea.

A jug of wine, a piece of bacon, and a plate full of bread were placed in front of them.

Huo Jixing enjoyed the quiet time while tasting the food,

The Poro in his arms smelled the aroma of food and climbed onto the bar, waiting for his feeding.

Huo Jixing pressed Poro's head, pulled off a few pieces of bacon and bread, and placed them in front of the little guy.

The old bartender stood behind the bar, slowly wiping the wine glass. When he saw Poro, he just smiled kindly.

After a while.

Huo Jixing was the last guest in the tavern. The other guests had left one after another, leaving only him and the bartender.

"Bill, please."

Huo Jixing swallowed the food in his mouth and knocked on the bar table.

The satiated Poro hugged his belly, leaned on his shoulders, and began to doze off, his little head nodding.

The old bartender heard the sound and came over. When he looked at the bar table, his eyes suddenly condensed.

"Wait a moment, my lord."

The old bartender bowed slightly and began to pack up his things in preparation for closing.

He walked outside the tavern, hung up the closure sign, and then extinguished the candles on the table one by one, making the tavern immediately dim.

Immediately afterwards, the old bartender took Huo Jixing up to the second floor.

In a dark room.

Huo Jixing and the old bartender sat on chairs next to the candlestick.

Thick curtains blocked the light outside the window, and only the faint candlelight filled the room, outlining the outlines of the objects and reflecting the shadows of the two people.

"Patapa Hani, I have met your lord."

The old bartender took off his coat. The wrinkles on his face were like mountain streams, criss-crossing his skin, and he had a neat gray beard on his chin.

"Huo Jixing, carry out this secret mission." Huo Jixing said.

"Have their people arrived in the town of Forsbarrow?"

"I have arrived a few days ago, and I asked you when you will arrive," Patapa replied.

"Then arrange a time to meet." Huo Jixing nodded lightly to Patapa, and then thought of the strange things he encountered when entering the town, and asked.

"Has anything happened to Forsbarrow recently?"

"It seems to be related to the recent strange things."

Upon hearing the inquiry, Patapa's old face could no longer hide the fatigue as he recalled the strange things in the town.

"There are magical events happening in the mountains and forests around Forsbarrow."

"A lot of people have died, even in small towns."

Patapa, as a secret agent of the Reese Garrison, is responsible for collecting intelligence information on Forsbarrow and the surrounding areas.

When rumors of black magic appeared, he immediately began to collect relevant information.

"Magic incident?" Huo Jixing frowned slightly.

Unlike other forces in Valoran, the Kingdom of Demacia prohibits magic.

At least that's the case on the surface.

For this purpose, the Kingdom of Demacia created the Forbidden Stone, a white rock that can suppress magical energy.

The Forbidden Demon Stone Hound that Huo Jixing encountered in the Knox Scalia Arena was made of Forbidden Demon Stone as its main material.

It was also because of the existence of the Forbidden Demon Stone that the Durang family, which mastered the craftsmanship of Forbidden Demon Stone carving, became one of the most prominent nobles in the Kingdom of Demacia.

In addition, the Kingdom of Demacia has also established a special demon-seeking army with the intention of completely suppressing the impact of many magical events within the kingdom.

"Although the timing of your visit is a bit wrong, the rumors of Forsbarrow's magic have spread to the capital of Demacia." Patapa said, a look of relief appeared on his tired face.

"I think someone will come to solve this magical incident soon."

"The capital of Demacia? I hope it won't interfere with my mission."

Huo Jixing's eyes flickered and he spoke slowly: "Arrange a time to meet with them as soon as possible. No surprises can occur."

"Also, help me prepare some recent intelligence information."

"Okay." Patapa stood up and left the room with a slightly bent body.