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

In response to the emperor's question, Dukur continued, "That 'alchemist' once served Amystein; he can tell you the details."

"Emistan".

Darkville’s emotionless voice rang out, and an old man with thinning hair and a thick white beard stepped out from behind the ministers on the left.

He approached Dukur and, in the same gesture, placed his right hand on his chest and respectfully said, "Your Majesty."

"Did you find the 'alchemist' we need in Zaun?"

“Of course, Your Majesty. When he left my legion five years ago, he told me about his secret stronghold in Zaun, and his alchemy has made great progress over the years.”

"Please forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty, but in the field of alchemy, no one in Noxus can compare to him. I will find an opportunity to truly bring him into the Empire."

Emistan is a legion commander.

He was skilled in disguise, infiltration, and assassination. Although he was older, his abilities were undiminished, and he had many connections with Zaun. Therefore, Dukur sent him to Zaun to find the "alchemist" from the past.

"Indeed, the Empire will be proud of you."

The two bowed again and returned to their seats.

Darkville then looked at the minister who was first in line on the right. This minister seemed to blend into the shadows and remained silent.

He asked curiously, "Darius, instead of having you participate in the war against Ionia, we're sending you to Freljord, our 'Hand of Noxus.' Don't you have anything to say about that?"

Darius was a bit stronger than Duguel, with a scar running from his forehead across his left eye down to his cheek.

His steel armor was riddled with cracks, and his red cloak was tattered.

If there were outsiders here, they would be surprised that someone would not pay attention to their attire in such a solemn occasion. Isn't this disrespectful to the emperor?

However, no one present, including the emperor himself, paid any attention to Darius's inappropriate attire; he was even standing closest to the emperor.

Darius stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight streaming through the French windows, where he bowed to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, my only goal is to bring victory to the Empire, no matter where the battlefield is.” Darius’s voice was unusually firm.

"You're still the same as ever, only hungry for victory. Considering the environment in Freljord, I approved extra funds for winter protection, and I believe you've used them all in the right places."

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Darius said in a deep voice.

Darkville then addressed the minister at the head of the left, saying, "Jellicoe, the Swain family has played an indispensable role in making our empire so powerful today. Your wisdom is equally needed in war; you must use your intelligence to demonstrate the empire's strength."

Jericho Swain wore a simple coat over his armor, his gray hair was neatly combed, and his eyes seemed to see through everything.

He walked to the center of the hall and stood beside Darius, bowing slightly: "Your will is my will. But Your Majesty, I must remind you, beware of the 'Black Rose'."

Darkville's expression immediately darkened, and he said in an unfriendly tone, "I know what I'm doing without you reminding me. Once we arrive in Ionia, you will follow Commander Dukur's orders and will not act on your own, understand?"

"...Yes, Your Majesty."

Jericho Swingin composed himself, said nothing, and returned to his original position.

"The meeting is adjourned. Dukur, you may stay. The rest of you may leave."

Darkville concluded the meeting.

After the ministers left the hall, leaving only Dukur, a figure emerged from behind Darkville's throne.

The figure was completely shrouded in a black robe, and could only be barely identified as a woman by her body shape.

“That’s right, that’s exactly it…” the black-robed figure spoke in a mature female voice, “Ionia holds the secret to immortality… which can only be found through war…”

"Yes, yes... immortality... I'm almost there... the secret to eternal life... hahahaha!"

Emperor Brown Darkville was clearly not in a good state; he seemed to be talking in his sleep.

Dukur, sitting on the throne, saw everything but made no comment.

"Your Excellency Pale Lady, do you have any further suggestions regarding this war?" Dukur ignored Darkville and spoke directly to the figure behind the throne.

"Advice? Ha..." The figure in black robes replied with a smile, "I've told you many times, I only have one piece of advice, and that is not to underestimate our enemy."

"Indeed, the Empire is very powerful now, while Ionia still retains its primitive appearance and has not developed at all."

"But there are always things in this world that you humans cannot imagine. If you hinder my plans because you underestimate me, you know what will happen to you."

Dukur broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes... We will never underestimate them. I will treat them as another powerful nation and crush them with the Empire's strongest forces. Madam, is there anything else you need?"

"Why do you think I kept you here alone? Listen, that Swain family junior named Jericho, find a way to kill him on the battlefield," the black-robed figure said coldly.

"Jericho Swain?"

He was an acquaintance of Dukur and had been highly valued by the emperor, Browne Darkville, before he became a complete puppet of the "Pale Lady." He had made many significant contributions and enjoyed a high reputation in the army.

If he hadn't become the commander-in-chief of the legion through this war, Dukur would normally have had to take orders from Jericho Swain.

Deep down, Dukur admired Jericho Swain to some extent. With Swain in charge of the army and strategizing, Dukur could reap the rewards of victory effortlessly.

"Madam, this war needs his wisdom, and the empire needs such talent..."

"Shut up!" The figure in black robes interrupted Dukur's explanation. "The Swain family has never been out of my control, and he's been too clever for his own good. He's noticed the Emperor's problems, and my presence!"

"Why would I have attacked him if it weren't absolutely necessary? I've used every means I could. Originally, I wanted to train him to serve me, but I never expected this..."

"Back then, I used him to kill me so that he would come into the emperor's sights and be given an important position. Then he actually refused the person I sent to contact him, and he could even tell that I was not dead at all!"

"Hmph, he's an uncontrollable person! In that case, becoming a dead soul on the battlefield is his destiny!"

“I understand…” Dukur raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his face.

"I will find a reason to isolate Jericho. Thanks to your careful groundwork, Madam, the nobles all know that His Majesty is searching for a way to achieve immortality..."

“Very good.” The figure in black robes nodded in satisfaction. “Use the excuse of searching for the magical artifact of immortality. I will have the emperor sign the military order.”

"Yes, madam..."

Dukur bowed his head and accepted the order, a purple glint flashing in his eyes.