First, take down the Sword Demon, then save Runeterra.

Outside the Immortal Fortress, in Swain's manor.

"You saw Sion? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" When Swain mentioned Sion, Ator wondered if he had misheard.

Seeing Ato's seriousness, Swain asked, "Is this really such an important matter? I've made some progress in my research on the Secret Demon, so I haven't paid attention to this."

“Sion is placed in a very obvious position in the lower class, which every noble can see. We have become accustomed to it.”

Ato twitched the corner of his mouth: "LeBlanc has a really big heart."

LeBlanc brazenly left Sion there; isn't she afraid that someone will figure him out and steal him?

Recently, Swain went to the lower levels of the Immortal Bastion to study the notes left by his parents, while Ator followed Draven to contact the forces he was secretly cultivating. The two sides had a clear division of labor.

Every evening they would return to the manor to report on their progress, and Atto was moved by his own diligent attitude.

Swain recalled: "Sion was the previous Hand of Noxus, killed by the Demacians a hundred years ago, and resurrected by the Empire in an unknown way fifty years ago."

“The resurrected Sion is extremely bloodthirsty. In addition to killing enemies, he will occasionally turn on his own people. Hundreds of soldiers died trying to restrain him when I was just born.”

"For many years after his death, the title of Hand of Noxus remained unclaimed until Darius appeared."

"Hehe! I didn't even know Sion was the Hand of Noxus!" Draven lay casually on the sofa, his hands behind his head.

Swain glanced at him: "You'll find out if you read a few more books; it's not a secret."

Draven clicked his tongue: "Tsk, do you think if my brother died on the battlefield, would he also be turned into something like Sion by the Empire?"

That's your brother! How could a younger brother think like that? But then again, Zombie Darius seems kind of interesting...

Putting aside his inner grumbling, Ator said, "As long as you can get Swain into power before then, that's fine."

“I don’t entirely agree with the Empire’s approach either; soldiers need to rest.” Swain nodded, then looked at Ator, “Why do you value Sion so much?”

Ato waved his hand: "Sion isn't someone who wants to rest in peace; all he thinks about is the thrill of battle. Jericho, do you think the outcome would have been different if you had Sion's support in your plan?"

"puff!"

Swain spat out a mouthful of red tea, making Draven laugh so hard he almost fell over.

Draven clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Brother Atto, you have great potential as an actor!"

“Mr. Atto, please don’t joke.” Swain put down his teacup and wiped his mouth with a towel.

“I don’t joke about things like this,” Ato said seriously. “Do you know how Noxus resurrected Sion?”

Swain shook his head: "I can't find it anywhere."

Atto continued, "Then do you know Count Vladimir?"

“He comes from a very famous family, just like our Swain family. The Vladimir family has also been passed down for many generations.”

“Hey, a guy who loves to throw parties,” Draven chimed in. “He invites us brothers all the time. I’ve been a few times, but Darius never goes. He’s always busy fighting!”

Atto smiled slightly: "Didn't you all sense that something was amiss with the Vladimir family?"

“This…” Swain frowned, thought carefully for a moment, and said uncertainly, “I have never met his family, such as his parents, wife, and children.”

"You got it right!" Atto snapped his fingers.

For the first time, Swain felt his brain wasn't working properly: "But what does this have to do with Sion?"

Ato cleared his throat: "The people behind the Black Rose are not just LeBlanc."

As soon as he finished speaking, Draven stood up abruptly, while the disabled Swain was a step slower, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Is there something wrong with Count Vladimir? Is he one of the leaders of the Black Rose?" Swain's voice was already tinged with urgency.

“That’s right.” Ato raised his hand and pressed down. “Please sit down, both of you. Don’t get so agitated.”

Ato then told them about the connection between Vladimir, LeBlanc, and Sion.

"Vladimir, like LeBlanc, is an ancient being who has lived from thousands of years ago to the present day, but he may be even older than LeBlanc."

Draven couldn't help but swallow hard. Swain's expression was grave. One ancient being manipulating things behind the scenes was enough to give him a headache, but he didn't expect there to be a second one.

"He comes from an earlier period and was once a slave of a Darkin who taught him blood magic. After the Darkin was sealed away at Mount Targon, he ruled over a primitive tribe."

"Huh?" Aatrox's voice echoed in Athos's mind. "Which brother does he serve under?"

"Wait a minute, you old man, we have important business to attend to!"

Ato suppressed the agitated Aatrox and continued, "Because Vladimir has mastered blood magic, he can infuse his consciousness into a young body when his own body ages."

"In fact, every Count Vladimir is the same person! The same person who has changed bodies!"

"And what motivates Sion to act is blood magic!"

Draven scratched his head. He hadn't understood anything since Ator's second sentence. He turned to look at Swain and found him standing there, stunned.

Swain had read about the Darkin in some ancient books and knew about their existence in ancient times, so he understood everything Ator said!

He recalled how Ator had healed him and the true nature of the demonic sword, finally connecting everything together.

Ato is very likely connected to the Dark Ones, just like Count Vladimir!

Swain asked expectantly, "Mr. Ator, do you know blood magic?"

"I... do know a little." Ato, who was about to say something, suddenly choked up.

As expected of Swain, he deduced my connection with the Darkin from such minute details.

Swain's eyes lit up. If what Ator said was true, his chances of success would be much higher if he used blood magic to activate Sion and incorporate it into his plan!

“Excellent.” Swain stood up with his cane. “Starting tomorrow, in addition to studying the Secret Demon’s notes, we should also begin research on Sion.”

"According to records, when Sion last appeared fifty years ago, his condition was very unstable, and by the end his attacks were indiscriminate."

"We can't be too happy yet. It's not too late to use this plan after I figure out a way to stabilize Sion."

Draven was about to lose it: "What is all this nonsense? Are you guys taking advantage of my lack of education?"