I, Folyago, am the most devoted lover in Runeterra.

"What do you need me to do?"

Since Fojego has already made up his mind, Vladimir should simply cooperate and there is no need for him to interfere further.

“It’s simple. I think LeBlanc has already come to see you before.”

"Her purpose in coming to you is simply to ask for help."

"Of course, I also know that you did not agree to her request."

Foygo looked at the wine glass in his hand, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

Although this was just his guess before, based on Vladimir's performance, Foygo felt that his guess was probably correct.

Upon hearing Fojego's words, a hint of surprise flashed in Vladimir's eyes.

He never expected that Foygo already knew all of this.

Vladimir looked at the wine glass in Foygo's hand, and a sense of understanding flashed through his mind.

So that's where the flaw was.

Even a cunning old fox who had lived for thousands of years couldn't help but admire Voyego's observation and deductive abilities at this moment.

"good."

Vladimir responded with some emotion.

"very good."

"I want you to say yes to her!"

“Provide her with some assistance to get her involved.”

"Once she gets to Ionia, she won't have a choice."

Foygo continued with a light laugh.

This strategy of feigning indifference to lure the prey is not a particularly sophisticated method.

But at this moment, LeBlanc could not possibly avoid this scheme.

In a sense, this is an open conspiracy.

Even though LeBlanc saw through the deception, she couldn't avoid the "sugar-coated poison pill" provided by Vladimir.

"no problem."

Vladimir was also aware of the cunning nature of Foyego's plan.

After thinking it over for a while, he agreed.

With the complete fusion of Shadow and Crimson, their combined power had already established a significant presence within the Empire.

LeBlanc was like a large fish caught in a giant net; even though she sensed the danger, she was powerless to struggle...

................

Another week later, another shocking piece of news spread from within the empire.

Grand General Darkwell signed the "Mobilization Order," announcing that in addition to the Empire's own standing army, the private armies of nobles and the city defense legions of various cities would be conscripted to support the Ionian battlefield.

Upon hearing this news, the entire empire was greatly shocked.

This "mobilization order" is only issued when the empire is in dire need of survival.

From a broader perspective, even if the Empire suffers a defeat in Ionia, it will not actually have any substantial impact on the Empire.

After all, Ionia was certainly powerless to retaliate against the Empire.

The public angrily denounced Darkwell for being out of his mind.

However, only those with discerning eyes can see that there are many problems involved.

The empire's standing army numbered between 200,000 and 300,000, all of whom were skilled warriors used for conquest and expansion.

Right now, all these soldiers are fighting on various battlefields.

In addition, the Empire also has city defense legions for urban defense and maintaining order.

The so-called "urban defense corps" is actually an organization similar to a "militia".

These militia members were poorly equipped and lacked combat effectiveness.

It is only used for daily urban management and maintaining public order.

The fighting capabilities of these militiamen were nowhere near those of the Noxian regular army.

The fact that the city's defensive legions were being diverted to fight in Ionia indicates that the Empire had completely run out of troops.

The most surprising thing was that the empire recruited "private soldiers" from the nobles.

These nobles' private armies consisted of their own private forces, ranging from several hundred to several dozen.

They were generally used to guard the homes of nobles and protect their personal safety.

Although Darkwell was a general, he could not possibly draw upon the private armies of nobles.

These private soldiers are usually the "lifeblood" of the imperial nobles. Given Darkwell's current prestige, if he were to try to force them, it would likely provoke a backlash from the nobles.

Strangely, the nobles behaved unusually docile.

He handed over command of his private army without any resistance.

This makes one wonder if the sun has risen in the west.

In reality, all of this was orchestrated by Vladimir in secret.

Most of these nobles were members of the "Crimson Society," and the city defense legions were also largely controlled by the nobles.

Even among the black roses.

LeBlanc and Vladimir each control different factions.

LeBlanc's influence is mainly concentrated in the Imperial Magicians' Cabinet and the Imperial Commanders' Council.

Vladimir's power, on the other hand, was concentrated among the imperial nobles and the Crimson Society.

LeBlanc's strength has already been largely depleted following Dukur's defeat.

The deaths of Amyst and Dukur dealt a significant blow to LeBlanc.

This aid from Vladimir gave LeBlanc the opportunity to continue her "life extension plan".

After a month of mobilization, troop deployment, and logistical arrangements, the final victory was achieved.

An "army" of up to 50,000 people was assembled.

However, the combat effectiveness of this army of 50,000 men is truly worrisome.

In actual combat, they would probably only be able to utilize one-fifth of the Noxian regular army's combat power.

Even so, this is LeBlanc's last chance to turn things around.

She could no longer be allowed to be picky.

Of course, such "rumors" also circulated among the people of the empire.

It is said that General Darkwell also issued an order to transfer the remaining seven or eight chapters on the Eastern Front, including the famous "Shadow Chapter," to Ionia.

But to everyone's surprise, he was rejected without hesitation by General Leon Gurez of the Eastern Front.

The excuse was: "A general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders!"

It is said that General Darkwell was immediately enraged, but at this critical juncture, he dared not do anything to General Leon.

However, this rumor has not been confirmed, and it is unknown whether it is true or false.

The public was just there for the spectacle.

Chapter 258, A Rendezvous at Dusk

Compared to the large army that set out to conquer Noxus last time, this time the support force appears much more meager.

At first glance, the soldiers' armor and weapons were a chaotic mix of styles, and some of the militiamen even had graying temples and hunched backs.

He was clearly an elderly man nearing sixty.

Such an army would naturally have a very worrying combat effectiveness.

On the other side, the line of people stood out clearly from those on this side.

Dressed in gleaming armor, they freely discussed the empire's situation aboard the warship, occasionally bursting into loud laughter.

These soldiers looked arrogant, pointing and gesturing loudly as they spoke, giving off an air of commanding authority.

The soldiers gathered with people they knew.

The smallest teams consisted of a dozen or so people, while the largest had gathered nearly a hundred.

The team, which consisted of less than a thousand people, had more than forty commanders.

Needless to say, these two distinct groups were naturally the Noxian city defense legion and the nobles' private soldiers who had been drawn from the area.

..........

At the bow of the warship, the general looked down at the army being pieced together as it moved forward, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.