Runeterra: I really know a little bit about everything

Chapter 252 The plan has changed! Raising a queen!

After receiving the order from Tsar Azir, Zuochi embarked on the journey to Ixtar carrying Shurima's edict.

Thinking about the country where he needed to be sent as an envoy this time, Zuo Chi couldn't help but have a look of interest on his face.

There are so many empires, kingdoms, and federations in Runeterra, but none of them seem to be as unique as Ixtal.

It's not that Ixtar is not powerful enough, or that it is too powerful, but no one knows what kind of strength it has!

If it weren't for thieves from Piltover who often clashed with Ixtal's guardians, perhaps the world would have almost forgotten the existence of this country.

In the records of the ancient Shurima Empire, Ixtal is famous for its proficiency in elemental magic. It is also one of the first independent countries to join the Shurima Empire.

And unlike Icathia, which is not treated well by the Shurima Empire, Ixtar can almost be said to have the highest treatment among all the affiliated countries of the Shurima Empire.

It provided countless talents to the Ancient Shurima Empire, and the Ancient Shurima Empire also gave it enough Ascendant quotas and powerful protection.

If history could continue to develop like this, perhaps today's Ixtar would already be a powerful kingdom renowned throughout Runeterra.

Unfortunately, the Void War and the destruction of the Shurima Empire changed everything.

After the First Void War, nearly all of the Ascended Ones in Ixtar were killed. However, the few remaining Ascended Ones were also contaminated by the Void and became mentally retarded. They could only join the other infected Ascended Ones. Living in Tianshenhui under the sun's disk, I can no longer go out.

Shaking his head slightly, Zuo Chi ignored these and headed straight to the south of the jungle.

Now, after thousands of years of isolation from the rest of the world in the jungle, Ixocan's exquisite city remains virtually untouched by the outside world.

Below, Zuo Chi's expression did not change at all.

Zuo Chi did not refuse and followed the old man in front of him towards the royal palace in Isuoken City.

It is impossible to evaluate whether this is good or bad, but this isolation from the country for thousands of years has really allowed Ixtar to survive many world-destroying battles, including the Darkin War.

Banners are generally tokens brought by the diplomatic envoys of the Shurima Empire when they go to their vassal countries. Banners are used to reward people, and festivals are used to kill people. They often represent the highest military and diplomatic instructions of the Shurima Empire.

When you look closer, you can see that many miners wearing Piltover costumes are running huge machines to mine the minerals of Ixtal.

The elemental mages of Ixtal used the wilderness as a barrier to isolate themselves, completely isolating the entire country from the outside world.

I don't know how long it took, but the magic barrier in front of me heard waves of fluctuations again. At the same time, Zuo Chi also saw the old mage holding a staff.

"I am Zuo Chi, the general of the auxiliary country of the Shurima Empire. I am sending an envoy to Ixtal on behalf of the Shurima Empire. Ask your king to come out to see me!"

After passing through a period of hot and humid jungle, the front of him suddenly opened up, and a city with extremely exquisite appearance appeared in front of him. Even compared with the capital of Demacia, the city in front of him was not inferior in any way. .

"Buzz!"

Zuo Chi's hand slowly touched the magic barrier in front of him, and ripples spread out from his position. At the same time, many soldiers holding weapons and wearing strange clothes immediately appeared on the city wall in front of him.

Ever since the Shurima Empire fell and the Darkin began to wage war across Runeterra for their own territory, Ixtal has completely chosen to seclusion.

Along the way, Zuochi was able to discover that symbols of elemental magic can be seen everywhere in the buildings of Isu Oken, with emblems in the form of flames, frost, plants and other forms scattered everywhere.

They pointed their weapons at Zuo Chi and yelled:

"Stranger, this is the land of Ixtal, leave immediately!"

Although he still had some doubts about what Zuo Chi said, and he didn't even know what the Shurima Empire had become now, he couldn't afford to gamble.

Looking at the dense jungle ahead, Zuo Chi couldn't help but murmured:

"Having lived in an ivory tower for thousands of years, I don't know what Ixtal is like today."

It seems right to think about it. With the location of Pi City, it is impossible to produce enough minerals to supply itself. It can only get it by robbing or stealing from other countries.

Just as Piltover likes to go to Shurima to steal ancient relics and shell crystals, this city seems to like to plunder resources from countries that will not resist.

Zuo Chi's voice surged forward with terrifying pressure. When the leading soldier heard Zuo Chi's words, his expression changed dramatically.

These miners were all heavily armed and patrolling the surrounding area vigilantly, as if they were afraid of the sudden appearance of the Ixtar people who would attack them.

Zuo Chi said calmly: "According to the order of my king, I once again send an edict to Ixtal to become a vassal state of my Shurima Empire."

Standing in front of the city, Zuo Chi could clearly feel the strong fluctuations of elemental magic coming from the front.

Zuo Chi couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

He bowed deeply to Zuo Chi and said, "I apologize for not being able to greet you from afar. My Majesty is already waiting quietly in the palace. Please come with me, General."

A huge barrier constructed of elemental magic isolates the entire Ixoken from the outside world, protecting itself while also blocking out prying eyes from the outside world.

But what Zuo Chi found strange was that the thieves were coming, so why didn't Ixtal's top management do something?

"Please wait!"

It stands to reason that envoys must be notified in advance when traveling to their vassal countries, but it is obvious that this rule no longer applies between the Shurima Empire and Ixtal.

He stared at the soldiers indifferently, raised his right hand high, and showed the banner of the Shurima Empire in front of everyone.

The Ixtar people witnessed the destruction of Blessed Isle and the subsequent Rune Wars from afar. Since then, they have regarded other ethnic groups in Runeterra as upstarts and coveters, and are determined to use their powerful magic to keep them out.

Quickly retreating from the city wall, the leading soldiers rushed towards the interior of Isuoken.

Zuo Chi stood under the city wall of Isu Oken, waiting quietly. At the same time, he was also observing everything about Isu Oken.

Along the way, Zuo Chi would often hear the extremely harsh roar of machines coming from the jungle.

It has to be said that despite being closed to the outside world for thousands of years, Ixoken has also evolved its own social system and magic style.

The figure crashed into the jungle, and Zuo Chi's figure flashed rapidly through the jungle, heading straight towards the south of Ixtal.

On the way, the old mage hunched over and looked at Zuochi: "I wonder why the general came to Ixtal this time?"

This is the capital of Ixtal—Ixoken!

Then came the fall of the Shurima Empire.

He looked at the banner in Zuo Chi's hand, and a flash of surprise flashed across his wrinkled face.

"This"

Seeing that Zuo Chi didn't hesitate at all and his tone was extremely strong, the old man couldn't help but be slightly speechless.

After walking far forward in silence, the old man sighed: "I have read ancient books, and now thousands of years have passed since Ixtal became a subordinate of the Shuriman Empire. Over the long years and the vicissitudes of life, everything has changed. General, you may be disappointed."

Zuo Chi naturally understood what the old man said.

After all, anyone who has been free for thousands of years will resist if his former boss suddenly appears again and asks him to submit again.

But the difference in stance also destined Zuochi to be unable to put himself in Ixtal's shoes. He was a general of Shurima, not a minister of Ixtal.

"What you just said is what the Ixtar royal family meant?" Zuo Chi asked lightly.

"Of course not."

The old man shook his head quickly: "I am just an ordinary old mage, how can I represent Ixtal? Of course, the specific matters can only be decided after the general and His Majesty discuss it."

Zuo Chi nodded lightly and did not dwell on this topic any further.

"Can you explain to me? Why is Isuoken looking so lively today?"

The old man paused for a moment, and after a brief hesitation, he said:

"The ten princesses of our country are about to participate in the first trial in their lives. This is a day that every Ixtal citizen should be happy for."

Zuo Chi raised his eyebrows. He seemed to have heard relevant rumors in Shurima:

"Are you selecting the future heir to the throne? The one who wins the trial can become the crown prince?"

"of course not."

The old man quickly denied: "How can the successor to the throne be judged through a trial? Since ancient times, only the eldest royal heir can inherit the throne. Among the ten princesses, only the eldest princess is qualified to inherit the throne. "

"what?"

Zuo Chi was extremely surprised: "Inherit the throne based on seniority? Not based on ability?"

"Of course it's not based on ability."

The old man said matter-of-factly: "Since ancient times, only the eldest prince can be the crown prince. Only when an accident occurs, the next eldest prince will succeed. This is also to prevent the heirs of the royal family from killing each other. "

Zuo Chi spread his hands, a little speechless: "This is really..."

"Wouldn't those royal heirs with extraordinary abilities be dissatisfied?" The old man shook his head: "This is not important."

Zuo Chi seemed to have thought of something, and he asked: "Which princess is Qiyana?"

"General knows Princess Qiyana?"

The old man was a little surprised, but he still said: "Princess Qiyana ranks tenth among the royal daughters."

"General, we're here."

While he was talking, a palace that was not huge and luxurious, but was extremely exquisite appeared in front of Zuo Chi.

Following the old man into the palace hall, Zuo Chi frowned slightly when he saw the old man still sitting on the throne.

To be honest, the general of the Shurima Empire came in person, and as a former vassal of Ixutar, its king was going out of the city to greet him.

But not only did he not go out of the city to greet him, he didn't even have the corresponding etiquette.

Even if Zuochi didn't pay attention to these details at first, it still reflected the position of Ixtar's side.

if it is like this.

"General, I'm Ian, the thirty-second king of Ixtar. I'm ill today, so forgive me for not being able to welcome him from afar."

The old man sat on the throne with a fake smile on his lips: "General, you have come all the way to Ixtal, please stay a little longer to experience the customs and customs of Ixtal."

Obviously, Ian had already learned about Zuo Chi's purpose of coming to Ixtal from the old mage, but he did not mention it at all at this moment.

Zuo Chi crossed his arms and looked calm:

"I think your majesty should already know the purpose of my coming to Ixtal. I don't know what your majesty thinks. Please tell me so that I can report back to my king."

"hehe."

Ian waved his hand gently and pretended to cough: "General, this matter is not a trivial matter, nor is it a decision that I can make in an instant. Please give me some time, General."

"Now is the festival of Ixtar. I will order someone to take the general to have a good look at it."

Hearing this, the smile on Zuo Chi's face turned playful. He didn't even ask about matters related to the subordinate country anymore, he just asked:

"Your Majesty, on the way to Isuoken, I had a doubt in my mind. I wonder if Your Majesty can answer it for me."

"Oh?"

Ian paused slightly. Although he didn't know what Zuo Chi's problem was, since Zuo Chi no longer struggled with the issue of the subordinate country, he was naturally happy to help Zuo Chi solve his doubts.

"General, please speak."

Zuo Chi asked with a smile: "On the way here, I saw many thieves from Piltover. They were fully armed and were exploiting the mineral resources in the Ixtal territory without restraint. I don't know why Your Majesty didn't send troops. How about killing these thieves to defend the territorial majesty of Ixtar?”

"Of course not!"

The old man on the throne shook his head decisively: "General, you may not know that Ixtal has been away from the world for thousands of years, and this is the main reason why we can survive unharmed to this day."

“There are countless minerals in my Ixtar territory, and it doesn’t matter even if some are mined by those foreigners.

But if you risk sending troops, it will inevitably lead to more revenge from foreigners later!

Contact with foreigners will bring hatred, war, and disease to Ixtal, destroying what this dynasty has protected for hundreds of years. This is something I never want to see. "

Having said this, Ian stopped talking and just looked at Zuo Chi quietly.

But Zuo Chi also summed up the meaning of his words: he was afraid of revenge, afraid of trouble, and even more afraid of breaking the ivory tower life that had been maintained for thousands of years, so he allowed outsiders to invade him without any resistance!

Shaking his head slightly, Zuo Chi put away the banner representing Shurima diplomacy in his hand and walked out of the hall.

"Speaking of which, I really want to see the customs and customs of Ixtar."

It wasn't until Zuochi was surrounded by Ixtar's guards and headed to the residence arranged by Ian that Ian's eyes met with the old mage below.

"Owen, do you think I handled this the right way?"

The old mage known as Owen smiled and nodded: "Your Majesty is wise, you only need to postpone this matter indefinitely, and he will naturally leave on his own."

"only."

Ian asked hesitantly: "According to ancient records, the Shurima Empire is extremely powerful, far superior to Ixtar. What will we do if the other side invades the territory with a large army again?"

"Your Majesty, that was just the Shurima Empire."

Owen smiled lightly and said: "Today's Shurima Empire has just recovered after a thousand years of silence. How can it have the ability to take action against Ixtar?"

"What you said makes sense!"

Ian smiled too.
-

On the other side, in the luxurious manor that Ian arranged for Zuo Chi.

"General, from today on, I will be your exclusive guide. You can call me Elaine."

Looking at the beautiful girl in front of him who was wearing a cyan corset dress with wheat-colored skin, Zuo Chi lay on his back on the bench and nodded gently.

"When will the trials of the ten princesses begin?" Zuo Chi asked.

Elaine was slightly startled, but still said truthfully: "Tomorrow at noon."

"Tell me about Qiyana, the princess." Zuo Chi said again.

"Princess Qiyana?"

Elaine was a little stunned. She put the white tea cup in her hand on the table in front of Zuo Chi and asked, "Does the general still know Princess Qiyana?"

Zuo Chi shook his head: "I just heard about it, so I'm a little curious."

Speaking of Qiyana, Elaine's eyes flashed with admiration and excitement:

"Princess Qiyana can be said to be the most special existence among the ten princesses. Her elemental magic is the strongest in history. At the same time, she is also the only princess who dares to take action against foreign invaders. Although because of this incident, she Being locked up for a long time.”

"Prince Qiyana has many admirers in Ixtal. After all, she is the only one among all the royal children who is as powerful and courageous as she is. Of course, I am not saying that other princesses are not strong."

As if she was afraid of misfortune coming from her mouth, Elaine quickly added another sentence at the end.

Listening to Elaine's description of Qiyana, Zuo Chi suddenly stood up, blinked at Elaine, and asked a question that made Elaine's face change dramatically:

"Then do you think Qiyana is suitable to be the next king of Ixtal?"

"Pfft!"

Elaine knelt directly on the ground: "General, you must not say such nonsense. Princess Qiyana ranks tenth among all the princesses, that is, the tenth in order. This is what every Ixtal citizen wants. Things I know. Unless something happens to all the first nine princesses, Princess Qiyana will not be able to become the heir apparent."

Zuo Chi: "???"

Okay, okay, you are here to give me some advice, right?

Shaking his head helplessly, Zuo Chi waved his hand towards Elena: "Go down first, just call me before the trial starts tomorrow."

"Yes."

As if she was afraid that Zuo Chi would ask some shocking questions again, Elena ran away as if running away.

Zuo Chi was not afraid of her filing a complaint or anything. After all, this was just the doubt he should have as an outsider. Besides, Elena herself had just said some treacherous words.

but

Lying back on the bench again, Zuo Chi played with the banner in his hand.

Just now, Zuochi has been thinking about whether to suppress violently and make Ixtal, led by the current king of Ixtal, surrender to Shurima.

But Zuochi knew very well that in that case, even if Ixtar surrendered to Shurima, it would not be able to provide any help to Shurima at all.

After all, with such a cowardly king who pursues seclusion, what development can Ixtal have?

And since the method of violent suppression is temporarily unworkable, Zuo Chi needs to think of other ways out.

Slowly raising his hand, many magic elements began to flicker in Zuo Chi's palm.

"If this king doesn't work, then change it to another one. The queen has developed that style. It doesn't seem like it won't work."

(End of this chapter)