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

The soldiers scattered, most of them returning to their quarters, packing a few changes of clothes, and leaving the camp.

Only a few soldiers remained here, feeling lost, including Riven.

Ato breathed a sigh of relief. Amistan truly lived up to his reputation as a leader; his ability to manipulate emotions was indeed remarkable.

"Riven, do you really believe Noxus won't hold those deserters accountable?" Ato recalled Darius's description: on the battlefield, what he hated most wasn't the enemy, but the deserters.

"It's true that the Empire only severely punishes deserters on the battlefield, and doesn't hold them accountable before they go to war. Haven't you noticed? When you join the army, they only ask which city you're from, not which street or house you live on."

"If I desert now, wouldn't I have been eating and drinking for free in the army for a long time?" Ato was a little confused about what that old woman LeBlanc was up to.

"Do you know how many out of a hundred soldiers, when they could desert, actually did?" Riven countered.

"I don't know... but if you ask me, it would be good if half of them came back. After all, anyone with a bit of inside information would know that the military is implementing this model, leaving before the war starts. Nobody wants to go to the battlefield and die."

“You really aren’t a Noxian.” Riven said with amusement. “The royal family has statistics showing that, on average, only three out of every hundred soldiers desert before the start of each war, so the Empire doesn’t care about that.”

"How could this be?" Atto was completely baffled.

"Because in the eyes of the Noxians, desertion is a worse thing than death."

“Since he has joined the army to serve the empire, even if the empire doesn’t punish him, he will never be able to hold his head up high when he returns to his hometown. The empire will also publish the list of deserters to the public,” Riven said matter-of-factly.

"Is that what you think too?" Atto asked.

“It has nothing to do with what I think. I saw what happened to deserters when I was a child. His wife left with the children, his parents cut off ties with him, his friends all abandoned him, and he soon died of guilt.”

"Hiss..." A chill ran down Ator's spine. Only now did he truly realize LeBlanc's methods.

She not only controlled the emperor, but also almost everyone here!

I'd rather take a few of his dark magic attacks head-on on the battlefield than have her stab me in the back. Unfortunately, she only knows how to play dirty tricks!

"Gil's already home?" Atto couldn't find him anywhere. "He has his own family too?"

“He told me he has a five-year-old daughter,” Riven said with an envious expression.

“His wife is a Besilico, from the same place as General Darius, but that place is now badly damaged. Fortunately, Jill brought her out before that.”

"...a happy family."

Ato didn't ask about Riven's family again. The only people who could stay here were orphans.

"Let's go, Ato. Put the weapons back, and then it'll be dinner time. I didn't eat enough at noon."

Just then, Atto noticed Amistan's approach.

"Sir!" Riven straightened up and saluted Amystein.

Atto was a beat slower than her, and also bowed to Amistan.

“It’s been a long time, Riven,” Amistan said with a smile. “You don’t need to be so formal with me. With the Runeblade personally bestowed by His Majesty, your status in the army is far higher than your rank.”

Then he looked Ato over and said, "He is..."

“He’s my second-in-command, sir!” Riven subtly stepped in front of Atto. “He’s quite capable, so I kept him around to help me with some minor tasks.”

"Not bad?" Amistan became interested. "I've never heard of anyone being rated as 'not bad' by the Valkyrie before."

"Oops, I said the wrong thing..." Riven's heart tightened; she had just forgotten her special status in the army.

"Why don't you have a simple sparring session now? Perhaps our empire will have a new war god besides the Valkyrie."

“…Yes, sir!” Riven agreed after a slight hesitation.

No Riven, don't agree to his request!

Atto wanted to say that, but they didn't have the ability to communicate telepathically.

Riven had broken several bones that morning, and Atto wanted to take her to see a doctor first, but she was too hungry and insisted on eating meat first. Atto was touched by Riven's spirit of eating.

On the way back to the military camp, Riven, half-asleep, warned Atto, "Don't...find the doctor...it'll expose us..."

How can I repay this kindness...?

Ato suddenly felt an urge; now, drawing his sword and killing Amistan would be as easy as kicking a stray dog ​​to death.

What Noxian general? He's the one who brought Singed to slaughter everyone in Wuji Village!

But this would also make it impossible for Riven to survive in Noxus, and would also cause cracks in the friendships that had been built up with difficulty.

"As you command, sir."

Riven definitely wants to do this.

Amistan stepped back a few paces, watching with interest as the two gradually distanced themselves from each other.

Ato felt that he and Riven had a tacit understanding, and this duel had to be a real fight!

Having spent so many years in the military, Amistan's acting skills were not easily detected.

Ato recalled the intensity of his first battle with Riven and lowered it again.

Once a certain distance had been created, Atto launched the first attack, demonstrating his lack of combat experience and eagerness to launch an offensive.

when!

Ato controlled the force perfectly, and Riven was able to block it even though she was injured, but the sharp pain in her chest made her turn pale.

She bit her lip, deflected Atto's sword, and took advantage of Atto's stagger to unleash a series of slashes. Atto dealt with Riven's barrage of attacks with a serious expression.

After parrying more than ten times in a row, Atto dropped his greatsword, and Riven's greatsword stopped a few centimeters in front of Atto, declaring Riven's victory.

“Indeed impressive.” Amistan gave his approval. “If Riven were using Runeblade, she could take down a soldier with a single strike. It’s commendable that you were able to hold out against her for so long.”

"Sir, is there something you need from me alone?" Riven suppressed her pain and tried her best to remain normal, while diverting Amestan's attention from Ator to herself.

"Yes, His Majesty's military order has been issued."

Amistan indeed stopped looking at Ator; a soldier who could go toe-to-toe with Riven wasn't worth his attention.

"His Majesty has ordered you to lead a small squad to continue following my battle group. You have a special mission; we'll discuss the details once you get there."

"Also, your squad will be accompanying General Darius to Freljord this time, while the squad you will be leading is a different one."

"You can take him along if you want. There are no specific tasks assigned to him. It's a good thing to have someone helping you."

Riven concealed all her emotions, braced herself on her greatsword, and said firmly, "I obey!"