Chapter 90: Quite a Show Right Upon Arrival

Over the past month, Raven and Susan had been responsible for developing the company, so Orion Cross naturally had not simply sat around waiting for missions to refresh. He had summoned Yuumi several times and used the Book of Thresholds nearly ten times before finally arriving in a small coastal country very close to Ionia. That place was his destination this time. According to the locals, as long as he went to the port and boarded a ship, he could reach Ionia in less than an hour.

"Orion, it’s almost time. We can leave now!"

Orion Cross had said to gather at one o’clock, but Natasha and Skye knocked on his bedroom door at twelve-thirty and started urging him. Orion Cross opened the door and found that both of them were fully armed, dressed in tight combat suits and equipped with all kinds of agent devices.

"Natasha is one thing, but why are you dressed like this too?"

Orion Cross looked Skye up and down. Dressed like this, she did somewhat resemble her appearance as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

"I’m worried I’ll drag you down, so I asked for some things to defend myself."

Skye patted the special pistol and micro-shock grenades at her waist.

Seeing that the two of them had prepared so thoroughly, Orion Cross nodded. "Let me remind you two. The place we’re going is called Ionia. Its culture is very similar to the Asian cultures of our world. The people there have their own beliefs and traditions. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t destroy anything, and don’t provoke trouble. I have something to do this time. I’m not taking you there for sightseeing."

The two of them listened seriously to Orion Cross’s words, committed them to memory, and nodded at the same time. "We understand. Watch more and talk less, right?"

Just as the two of them tensed up and stared at Orion Cross, waiting for him to start the teleportation, Orion Cross suddenly remembered something else and stopped. "The coordinates I’m teleporting to are inside the royal palace of a small country. Be careful when we arrive. If we get discovered, we’ll just rush straight out."

Every time Orion Cross teleported with the Book of Thresholds, he had to confirm his own location. If it was a large city, he could immediately know the exact direction. But if it was a small city like this time, he either had to ask someone or find a local map. In that small kingdom, most ordinary civilians were illiterate, so he had simply broken into the palace, found a map to confirm his location, and even happened to meet a maid who told him how to get to Ionia.

"A kingdom? What did you do there last time?"

Natasha looked at Orion Cross in surprise. Had he gone there to steal treasure? Or to steal a queen? Surely not...

"Get ready."

Orion Cross did not answer Natasha’s question. After glancing at the two of them, he activated hyperdimensional teleportation.

The towering castle gate at the center of the kingdom was smashed open by a tall swordsman in full armor. After stepping inside, the swordsman stood to the side of the entrance and made way. Behind him, the general of this war, Darius, the Hand of Noxus, strode in with the Black Cleaver resting on his shoulder.

"It’s over. Hand over the crown, and there’s no need for any more killing."

Darius walked under the light and looked at the aged king on the throne, along with the few guards he had left, as he spoke.

"The crown was mine from birth. Noble royal blood flows through my veins..."

The king looked at the soldiers walking toward him, his voice growing softer and softer until the crown was finally taken from him. He could only watch helplessly as the symbol of royal authority was about to be thrown into the furnace.

Thud.

"Why is it so hot here? Is it summer already?"

The moment Orion Cross landed, he tugged at his collar in confusion.

"A mage capable of group teleportation? Who are you?"

Darius looked at the three people who had suddenly appeared in surprise and tightened his grip on his massive axe.

"Huh?"

Orion Cross turned his head and glanced at the furnace. Only then did he understand why it was so hot. They had almost fallen into it. Orion Cross hurriedly pushed Natasha and Skye two steps forward.

"You can use magic, so you’re not Demacian... Judging from your appearance, could you be Ionian?"

Darius planted his great axe on the ground. "Noxus and Ionia have already ceased hostilities. For now, we are not enemies."

"I’m just a traveler passing by. Can I leave?"

Orion Cross glanced at the old king on the distant throne and immediately understood the cause and course of the situation. However, he did not want to waste time here. After all, he only had twelve hours. After deducting the time needed to take a boat and travel, he estimated that he would only have around ten hours left.

"Wait a moment. We..."

"Ah!"

Everyone’s attention was on Orion Cross and the two women who had suddenly appeared. A maid who looked to be in her teens rushed out, picked up a freshly forged iron sword, and slashed at the soldier who had taken the crown.

The soldier was struck at the least-armored joint and dropped to one knee. The maid seized the chance to pick up the crown and return it to the king.

"A little girl really is hard to free from servility."

Orion Cross watched as the little maid who had explained how to get to Ionia last time recklessly courted death, and he could not help shaking his head, preparing to act.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Darius, as the commander, stopped the other soldiers from counterattacking and calmly watched everything unfold.

"My crown! It was retrieved by my slave!"

The aged king excitedly snatched the crown with one hand, placed it on his head, and stood up. "Do you see? This is my kingdom! Otherwise, it will be buried with me! Go! My slave, offer your life for your king!"

The maid stared blankly at the crazed king, then glanced at Orion Cross. Remembering some of the things he had casually said to her last time, she gritted her teeth and refused. "No!"

"How dare you!"

Seeing that even a mere slave dared disobey his order, the king widened his eyes in rage, drew the sword behind him, and slashed at the maid.

"Ah."

The maid looked at the sharp sword, her legs going weak with fear as she collapsed to the ground.

When Darius saw this scene, he lifted his axe. But before he could act, Orion Cross was already one step ahead.

The chains of the Blades of Chaos were flung out by Orion Cross. One blade stabbed into the king’s forehead, while the other beheaded him. With a pull of the chains, the king’s head, along with the crown, flew into the furnace.

"Can we leave now?"

Orion Cross turned to the stunned Darius and asked.

"Go ahead."

Darius waved his hand, making the soldiers clear a path. Then he walked over to the young girl, who was staring at the king’s corpse in confusion, and extended his hand.

"The king used inherited authority and an empty title to force you to kneel. Noxus wants you to stand."

Half an hour later, Darius returned to the military tent and summoned a scout.

"That mage really did go to Ionia. But who exactly is he? Why have I never heard of him before?"

Darius placed his crossed hands on the table, pondering with a heavy expression. A mage had teleported here with two ordinary people, then taken out two chained short blades and beheaded the king in a single strike. The strength Orion Cross had displayed in that instant alone was enough to leave him amazed.

"This matter must be recorded and submitted to Swain... No, he probably won’t know either. Have Commander Swain contact the Faceless."

Darius gave the scout his order. Noxus was currently ruled by the Trifarix, a council of three: Swain, who represented vision; Darius, who represented might; and the Faceless, who represented guile. As for why the third person was called the Faceless, it was because no one knew her true identity, not even the two of them.

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