Legends of Runeterra

"Please take a seat, both of you."

"Thank you."

The two men sat opposite Azir. The last emperor looked at the capital city in the distance. Although he said nothing, his whole body exuded a sense of conflict and hesitation.

In response, Lien and Sivir did not immediately ask for the answer, but remained silent, waiting for Azir to adjust his emotions.

"Hoo~!"

He breathed a sigh of relief. As an ascended body, Azir had long gotten rid of the need for air. It was just a habit left over from his mortal days.

Turning his head to look across, his eyes fell on Li En and Sivir.

"You two, the Amumu you brought here is most likely my brother."

"Your Majesty Azir..."

"Don't worry, Sivir. Now that I've promised you, I'll tell you everything I know."

Azir raised his hand to signal Sivir to listen attentively, and then continued to tell the history that had long been buried under the yellow sand.

He did not hide his past and told how he came into contact with Zerath and how they came to trust each other.

"So, why is Amumu your brother?"

“This… Actually, the day my mother was assassinated was the day she was due to give birth.

Mage assassins attacked the palace and killed my father and the guards who came to the palace..."

"How could the Emperor and Queen of Shurima be killed by a wizard, or a group of wizards, with such precise timing?"

"Yes, I once suspected so, but..."

When Azir said this, it was as if something was blocking his throat and he couldn't speak for a long time.

"Your Majesty Azir?"

"I'm sorry, kid. After this, I, the only one with the legitimate right of succession, became the new emperor, and my...that Zelas, became my most trusted assistant.

He also told me the result of his investigation, that it was an assassination secretly planned by a group of mages in a surrendered area..."

"So you killed everyone in that area?"

"..."

"Yes..."

"Ah!"

Xiweier sneered, not hiding the coldness in her eyes at all.

Li En squeezed Xiweier's palm to calm her down a little.

"So, Your Majesty Azir, how did you initially guess that Amumu was your brother?"

“First of all, his bloodline generation is very close to mine.

This is a secret confirmation from the Shurima Empire. The secret method was developed specifically to confirm and protect the 'Ascension Bloodline'. It has been tested countless times, so you can rest assured.

Secondly, during my lifetime, all my descendants, whether they are princes and princesses with inheritance rights or illegitimate children..."

Azir paused, and Li En and the others saw that the golden armor on his chest rose and fell noticeably.

"They all died in the ascension ceremony called 'betrayal' and were turned into ashes by the uncontrolled energy."

"So the brother you mentioned who was just born and died in the attack of the mage assassin is the only one who could be Amumu?"

"That's right. Xerath deceived me. He was the one who actually did it. In the energy of the Ascension Ceremony, our souls and memories partially merged with each other, and the truth of this matter was among them."

"After meeting Amumu today, I can be sure that the prince is not dead, but was secretly kept by Xerath, but..."

"Just what?"

"But if you hadn't brought him to the capital in person, I would never have found him. Amumu's 'Ascension Bloodline' is too thin, just like..."

"It's like the remains of a body after the 'Ascension Bloodline' has been extracted, right?"

"...Um."

"Your Majesty Azir, do you think it is possible that Xerath forcibly plundered Amumu's bloodline in order to ensure the success of his plan?

After all, everyone knows the significance of 'Ascension Bloodline' to the Ascension Ceremony."

"Did he plan this betrayal so long ago?!"

"Who knows? But the dark magic in Amumu can't be faked, right?"

"..."

"Hoo~!"

Without hiding his emotions, Azir breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sorry, you two, I'd like to be quiet for a while. How about we discuss things tomorrow?"

"No problem, Your Majesty Azir, we will take our leave now."

"Well, I have asked the Grand Secretary to wait for you outside the hall."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li En bowed slightly and gracefully, then left the balcony with Sivir.

Azir looked far into the west. The setting sun had already sunk most of the way into the horizon, casting a bright red mark on the yellow sand, like blood flowing on gold, just like this glorious city.

...

In the luxurious and elegant palace, Li En leaned back on the soft sofa, quietly flipping through the ancient books in his hands.

Sivir on the side looked at the various fresh fruits and vegetables placed beside her, with a hint of confusion between her brows.

She turned her head to look at Li En beside her, and finally she moved closer.

"Honey..."

"What's wrong Sivir?"

"You said... before Azir took the throne, did he really not know about Xerath's actions?"

Li En had already set up many barriers in the palace. Knowing this, Xiweier naturally had no worries and directly expressed her doubts, which actually offended the emperor.

"So, dear, is this what has been bothering you for so long?"

Li En put down the book with a smile, and gently pinched Sivir's cheeks with both hands.

"Hmm~!"

"Hold it... don't make trouble... I'm serious!"

Holding Li En's wrist and taking his hand away from rubbing her cheek, Shiver looked at Li En seriously.

"Haha~!"

"Li En, I'm really serious!"

"I'm sorry, honey, I'm just so happy."

"Are you happy to see me struggling?"

"No, it's because even though thousands of years have passed, you will still be angry about the deaths of those innocent people, and this anger is directed at the strong, not the weak!"

"..."

Facing Li En's dark eyes full of sincerity and undisguised admiration, the annoyance on Shiver's face suddenly disappeared, and a faint blush quickly appeared on her cheeks.

"Hey, you're blushing, let me see."

"Crack~!"

Xiweier slapped away Li En's hand that was extended again.

"What are you looking at? Didn't you just pinch them out?"

"Really? Don't be shy, dear. We are an old married couple."

"What do you mean old married couple, Li En, you bastard..."

After repeated teasing, the embarrassed and angry Sivir finally reacted.

Faced with Li En who was slowly approaching, the unwillingness to admit defeat that she had cultivated since childhood made her take the initiative to move closer.