Time passed slowly.
As their spar continued, Fiora instructed Luke through both explanation and demonstration. Before long, another system notification sounded in his mind.
[Peerless Swordsmanship has advanced to Level 6.]
Luke felt his understanding of Peerless Swordsmanship deepen once again. He could not help marveling at how powerful his aptitude had become after reaching the peerless level.
Naturally, the higher a skill's level climbed, the harder further improvement would become. It would not remain as effortless as it had been during the early stages.
Whether it was effortless or not did not matter much to Luke, however.
After all, the entire point was to gain everything without working for it.
Once they finished sparring, Luke carried a lounge chair into the front courtyard and lay down.
For Fiora, meanwhile, the day's training had only just begun.
The sunlight after the rain felt crisp and refreshing. A faint dampness lingered in the air, and the temperature during this season was exceptionally comfortable.
Luke had not been lying there for long before drowsiness began creeping over him.
Just as his eyes closed, however, approaching footsteps made him slowly open them again.
"Your Highness, a letter has arrived for you."
Quinn entered through the courtyard gate at a brisk pace, carrying a white envelope in her hand. She walked over and handed it to Luke.
Luke accepted it and gave it a quick glance. He immediately recognized the emblem stamped upon it.
The Sentinels of Light.
That surprised him slightly, and he slowly opened the envelope.
He did not know many Sentinels of Light. Aside from Vayne, there was only the man with the twin pistols.
Vayne was currently leading her demon-hunting team across the land, continuously hunting the evil forces preying upon ordinary people. She had earned an excellent reputation among the public.
Of course, she had not abandoned her pursuit of Evelynn. She was still searching for the demon.
Evelynn was exceptionally skilled at concealment and disguise. If she sincerely intended to remain hidden forever, finding her would naturally be extremely difficult.
Even with Evelynn's blood to guide her, Vayne had still failed to complete her revenge after all this time.
Besides, Vayne possessed a Secret Key. She had no need to contact Luke through an ordinary letter.
That left only the other possibility.
When Luke opened the letter and saw the sender's name, Lucian, a faint smile of recognition appeared on his face. He began reading.
"Your Highness,
"It seems some time has passed since I last wrote to you, and even longer since we last said goodbye.
"During that time, I traveled from Shurima's western coast all the way to its eastern reaches, investigating every clue connected to the Harrowing.
"I have now made a disturbing discovery.
"Over the years, the influence of the Harrowing has expanded across the whole of Runeterra. During the past two years in particular, it has seemed extraordinarily unstable.
"I have a feeling that the Harrowing is nurturing the return of something terrible. Recently, I have frequently awakened from sleep in alarm.
"After careful consideration, I decided to write this letter to you. Although we have been apart for a long time, I continue to hear stories about you wherever I travel.
"I congratulate Demacia on its alliance with the twin cities, and I also congratulate Demacia on finally opening itself to the wider world of Runeterra.
"Returning to the matter at hand, I cannot allow the Harrowing's influence to continue spreading unchecked. I intend to travel to Bilgewater next and investigate it from closer range.
"I am writing so that you can prepare yourself. Should the Harrowing truly spiral out of control one day, I believe it will affect all of Runeterra.
"Lucian."
After finishing the letter, Luke slowly folded it away. His gaze darkened slightly as he fell silent and began thinking.
At a fixed time each year, the Harrowing spread outward from a place known as the Shadow Isles.
After they repelled Hecarim two years ago, Demacia's western coast had not been affected by the Harrowing the following year.
That did not mean Luke had lowered his guard.
He understood perfectly well that everything so far had merely been the opening act. The true source of the Harrowing remained completely unresolved.
That was why Luke had never been able to settle peacefully in Demacia and laze around as much as he pleased.
This whole mess was to blame.
As a personal progress reporter, Lucian was remarkably dependable.
If he had begun sensing that something was wrong with the Harrowing, then something was probably very wrong indeed.
"The Harrowing? What is that?"
Janna's curious voice sounded in Luke's mind. She had naturally read the contents of the letter as well.
She did not know much about the Harrowing, perhaps because she had been asleep for so long.
"Nothing good, that's for sure," Luke replied through their mental connection.
He could no longer remain comfortably reclined. He rose from the chair and sighed softly.
"Yurna, pack our things. We're going to Piltover."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Yurna's reply came from nearby.
Luke headed into the rear courtyard and briefly informed Fiora that he was preparing to leave.
Fiora was not surprised.
She had always considered Luke a man who was somehow both extremely idle and constantly busy, as though he carried some important responsibility on his shoulders despite always wearing such a relaxed and carefree expression.
Miss Duelist's cool eyes remained fixed upon Luke from across the courtyard.
"Should something truly happen, I hope you will tell me. We can face it together…"
"Don't worry. Nothing is wrong."
Luke walked over and took her hand. He gently kissed her lips, interrupting what she had been about to say.
Some things would only create needless anxiety, panic, and worry if spoken aloud.
"All right. Contact me at any time."
Fiora did not press him further. She rose slightly onto her toes and returned his kiss.
Yurna had nearly finished packing by then.
There was not much to prepare in the first place, only a few changes of clothes and some money.
Anything else could be arranged after they reached Piltover.
Before long, the two of them passed through the Hexgate and teleported directly to Piltover.
Luke intended to act quickly this time, and his destination was already clear.
Bilgewater.
The infamous pirate island, a land beyond the law.
The place was occupied by pirates who lived without fear of justice. It was also home to more black-market dealings than almost anywhere else. Arson, murder, robbery, and plunder were practically synonymous with the region.
Of course, it was not quite as dangerous as people imagined.
Much like Zaun, even a lawless place had people who maintained a certain kind of order.
The only requirement was possessing fists powerful enough to enforce it.
This time, Luke intended to travel with Yurna alone.
Lux and the others had their band to manage. Now that Demacia and the twin cities had established regular contact, their concerts could no longer be held exclusively within the twin cities.
Jan'ahrem's reputation had already spread throughout Demacia's capital, and both Lux and Sona had gained enormous followings.
They had already enjoyed considerable popularity before forming the band. Now their fame was virtually unrivaled.
That very afternoon, Luke was already aboard a ship bound for Bilgewater.
Even he felt that he had acted with unusual decisiveness.
Once he remembered that they still had a lengthy voyage ahead of them, however, he saw little reason to remain in a hurry.
Luke was currently reclining in a rocking chair, leisurely enjoying the ocean breeze.
He had purchased the ship outright. It was fairly fast, and he had hired several experienced sailors to operate it. Even so, reaching Bilgewater would still take some time.
Not far away, Yurna stood near the railing, seemingly gazing across the water.
The sea breeze stirred her beautiful hair, briefly revealing her breathtaking profile and distant, thoughtful eyes.
Luke watched her for a moment before speaking.
"Yurna, have you really decided to remain beside me as a maid forever? Don't you have any other plans?"
Yurna lifted her eyes and turned toward Luke. Her expression remained mostly unchanged, but a trace of confusion appeared in her gaze.
"What kind of other plans?"
"For example, what would you want to do if you stopped being a maid? Have you ever considered opening a bakery or perhaps running a tavern? Working for yourself would surely be better than following me into dangerous situations all the time."
Luke spoke in a casual tone.
"Is Your Highness testing me?"
Yurna tilted her head slightly, uncertain about the meaning behind his words.
"Of course not. I genuinely want to know."
Luke laughed and shook his head.
Without his realizing it, Yurna had already remained at his side for a very long time.
Throughout all those years, she had never asked him for anything. She had simply served him quietly and faithfully.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that she had accompanied him longer than almost anyone else.
"I have no other plans at the moment," Yurna said softly. "I believe things are already quite good as they are."
Her eyes flickered gently as she spoke, shining like beautiful amethysts.
"Is that so?"
Luke smiled.
"I would actually be rather troubled if you had other plans. Finding another maid as perfect as you would not be easy."
"So Your Highness really was testing me?"
Yurna's attention settled on an unexpected part of his answer.
The fact that she delivered the question with a completely expressionless but beautiful face gave her an oddly captivating charm.
"I really wasn't," Luke denied again.
"If you truly wished to leave, I would not stop you. But speaking from my own selfish perspective, I would naturally prefer to keep you tied to my side for the rest of your life. I only asked because I struggled with the question for quite some time."
That part was true.
As a maid, Yurna was exceptionally capable.
She never disobeyed an order and always carried out Luke's requests immediately. She was also remarkably considerate. After spending so long with him, she often understood what Luke needed without him saying a word.
She would have been absolutely flawless if her expressions were occasionally a little more varied.
Then again, an aloof, expressionless maid possessed a charm all her own.
Yurna seemed to consider Luke's words seriously before speaking again.
"I have no other plans. Unless something unexpected occurs, I will remain for as long as Your Highness does not send me away."
"Then it's settled."
A soft smile appeared on Luke's face.
"I will never send you away, so you have to remain with me."
A hint of selfishness showed in his words.
After hearing them, however, Yurna merely nodded gently.
"All right."
Had they just made some sort of promise to each other?
Luke wondered about it for a moment before lying back properly and gazing up at the clear blue sky.
Yurna turned her attention toward the sea once again.
The corners of her lips quietly curved upward into a breathtaking smile, beautiful enough to stop anyone in their tracks.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
After the long voyage across the sea, Bilgewater was finally drawing closer.
Bilgewater, also known as the Blue Flame Isles, lay far from all three great continents. It was a unique port city unlike any other in the world.
Sea-monster hunters, dock gangs, smugglers, and traffickers came from every corner of the known world to settle there.
In Bilgewater, someone could acquire wealth rivaling a kingdom or lose everything they possessed in the span of a single moment.
For those fleeing justice, debt, or persecution, the city offered a chance to begin life anew.
Even so, Bilgewater had always been a place where fortune and disaster went hand in hand.
"Your Highness, we are approaching Bilgewater."
Yurna's soft voice sounded beside him.
Luke opened his eyes.
In the distance, he saw a large island rising from the surface of the sea. Its outline was partially obscured by a faint blue mist, yet the island itself remained spectacular.
Viewed from afar, it resembled several gigantic serpents intertwined across the ocean.
The locals also referred to the Blue Flame Isles as the Serpent Isles.
Most of the people there worshiped a deity known as Nagakabouros, the god of life, growth, and perpetual motion.
They also called her the Mother Serpent, the Great Kraken, or the Bearded Lady.
Her usual symbol was an enormous sea-monster head surrounded by curling tentacles.
"I can sense that the god here is not someone to take lightly. Unless you have a good reason, you should avoid provoking her."
Janna's voice sounded in Luke's mind.
Perhaps because she had entered another god's territory, even her tone had become somewhat cautious.
"How dangerous is she? Could she possibly be stronger than you?"
Luke immediately responded through their mental connection.
The prideful spirit goddess naturally refused to back down. The moment she heard his question, her tone became firm.
"Of course she isn't stronger than me. Have you forgotten who I am?"
Then her tone changed.
"Still, we have entered someone else's territory. She has been here for a very long time, so we should at least show her a little respect."
Her words somehow managed to sound both defiant and timid at the same time, making Luke want to laugh.
Still, she was right.
Unless there was a reason to do so, Luke truly had no intention of provoking Nagakabouros.
Her divine standing alone demanded respect. She was a deity revered by countless worshipers.
Luke was not overly afraid of her, however.
He was certain that Nagakabouros belonged to the same kind of deity as Janna. Both had been born from the faith of countless mortals.
That meant she likewise could not interfere too extensively in the mortal world.
Should they truly enrage her, Luke could always make the spirit goddess stand in front of him.
Bilgewater continued drawing closer.
Due to the weather, layers of mist began drifting across the sea. Bilgewater appeared and disappeared within the fog, giving it a mysterious air.
As the ship continued forward, a pirate vessel emerged from the mist and rapidly approached Luke's ship.
It seemed to have been waiting in ambush.
Within moments, the two vessels were sailing side by side.
Pirates began appearing along the other ship's railing. Their gazes locked onto Luke's vessel, and their eyes immediately lit up like starving men spotting a feast.
"Boys, we've got a ship I've never seen before!"
"Fresh faces. That kid's pretty handsome too."
"Look at that maid. She's gorgeous."
"What noble family let its young master sail out here alone with his maid?"
"Who cares? They've fallen right into our hands! Looks like there are only a few people aboard. We'll take the whole ship. Be careful not to damage it! That vessel looks valuable. We can sell it for a good price afterward!"
"Let's agree now, the woman belongs to me! You don't find beauties like that every day!"
"You always try to claim the best prize for yourself!"
The pirates chatted excitedly and even began dividing the spoils in advance, as though Luke and his companions were not worth taking seriously.
They looked at Luke and Yurna as though they were two helpless lambs awaiting slaughter.
Through a few casual words, they had seemingly already decided their victims' fate.
That was the nature of a lawless land.
Anyone without sufficient strength would never willingly approach such a dangerous place.
The moment someone came near, they had to be prepared for situations like this.
Luke watched as grappling lines flew from the pirate vessel and caught against his ship.
His face remained expressionless as he swept a cold glance across the pirates.
"Yurna, deal with them."
"Yes."
Yurna's expression was equally blank, but murderous intent had already appeared in her cold eyes.
The next instant, she rushed forward and leaped directly onto the neighboring pirate vessel.
Seeing Yurna apparently deliver herself into their hands, the pirates drew their weapons.
None of them showed the slightest fear. Instead, they became even more excited.
They surrounded Yurna and looked contemptuously at the black dagger in her hand.
Yurna swept her gaze across them and immediately locked onto one man.
He was the pirate who had loudly demanded ownership of her moments earlier.
She lowered her body and surged forward, vanishing from where she stood.
A flash of blood appeared the next second.
The pirate clutched his throat in astonishment as blood sprayed continuously between his fingers.
He soon collapsed, the light fading from his eyes.
"Damn it, she's dangerous! Get her together!"
The pirates broke into cold sweats after witnessing the scene.
Realizing that they had provoked a formidable enemy, they charged forward as a group.
Some rushed toward Yurna, while the others went after Luke.
Their battle cries soon transformed into desperate pleas for mercy.
The pirates might have been outlaws who gambled with their lives, but only a small number of them were truly unafraid of death.
When they saw their companions dropping almost every second, the remaining pirates nearly lost their minds with terror.
"Spare us!"
"Please, we know we were wrong!"
"Please! I don't want to die!"
Faced with Luke and Yurna's overwhelming strength, the pirates had completely lost the will to resist.
Luke did not even blink at their pleas.
He simply brought down his sword.
Yurna did the same.
Several more lives disappeared in an instant.
Sometimes, admitting they were wrong did not mean people had truly understood their mistake.
It only meant they had realized they were about to die.
Before long, only a few of the more than twenty pirates remained alive.
After attempting another futile resistance, one pirate collapsed onto the deck and stared fiercely at Luke.
"We serve Borika! If you kill us, he'll never let you get away with it!"
Luke looked at him in surprise.
"I never expected you to betray your own captain when you were already moments from death. Don't worry. I'll send him down to meet you soon."
The pirate's pupils contracted.
The next second, the world began spinning around him.
Only then did he realize that his head had fallen to the deck.
After killing the final pirate, Luke's emotions remained completely undisturbed.
He raised his eyes and looked toward the distant city of Bilgewater.
It seemed this was Bilgewater's welcome gift.
How imaginative.
Luke was not particularly satisfied with it, however.
He was not someone who enjoyed indiscriminate killing, so he hoped fewer suicidal pirates would come looking for him from now on.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810