Chapter 159 The formidable military might of the two nations' elite forces, Demacia's messengers."There are no shortcuts in magic." Syndra's voice was completely devoid of emotion.When Ryan heard Seraphine's question, he looked at her dejected face with a half-smile:"The growth of magic relies on accumulation. You are now an instructor at War College, which may be a bit early for you, but first you need to understand what kind of instructor you want to become.""What kind of mentor?" Seraphine asked, somewhat puzzled.Although she always wanted to help more people, she never seriously considered this issue.If the goal is simply to help and teach others, that seems somewhat inadequate.Ryan pointed to the dishes on the table and said in a flat voice:"At a grand banquet, a wide variety of exquisite dishes will be laid out. If there is no clear hierarchy, the guests will feel confused. If the hierarchy is not distinguished, the guests' interest will be greatly diminished.""What the teacher means is that I need to find a direction that I'm good at," Seraphine said, her expression suddenly understanding."You are merely a side dish at the banquet."Syndra's blunt words left Seraphine stunned.Seraphine looked at her teacher in disbelief, as if seeking confirmation that it was true."Think about your identity before you do anything," Ryan reminded him."identity?"Seraphine knew the teacher meant no harm and began to ponder the words in a daze.In terms of status, she's now nothing more than Ryan's apprentice.Does the teacher mean to have him take the stage directly?That would be a huge waste of her talent; she just wanted the first practical lesson to end perfectly.The only other option seems to be the role of a college tutor.Suddenly, she widened her eyes, as if she understood what her teacher meant.The professor is not the highest-ranking official in the department; there are people above them who are more suitable to take charge."But... will she help?" she asked hesitantly."Making you a mentor is just to help you solidify knowledge through teaching. She's the professor in the Magic Department; it's her responsibility to help students become stronger," Ryan said calmly."He's nothing but a cunning clown."Syndra savored the chilled food, a hint of disdain in his eyes."Alright. Looks like I'll have to hand the job over to the professor." Seraphine's expression relaxed.She realized that she herself was not even as old as Rell, so it was time for that lady to take over.At the time, it was all the other party's fault for saying things like "the professorship is something your teacher left for you in the future" to mislead her, which made her busy running around and always feel that she hadn't done enough.That's right, she's not strong yet; she's still in a period of rapid growth!With her worries gone, Seraphine became lively again, laughing and enjoying the food. Trickster's big eyes would occasionally glance at his two teachers.She also discovered for the first time that Ms. Syndra liked to eat cold food. Her teacher's diet, on the other hand, was extremely bland, much like that of an Ionian.Not far from Immortal Bastion, on a plain, a thousand black and red armored cavalrymen galloped across the wilderness, raising dust and making a great spectacle.Behind them was a hundred cavalrymen, clad in silver armor and imposing in appearance, led by a leader in gold armor, who charged in pursuit at full speed.Both teams had extraordinary mounts. The vanguard rode black tigers, clad in black and red armor, with several complex battle banners resembling books flying high, their imposing presence awe-inspiring.The rear guard was ridden by warhorses clad in silver armor, each horse bearing two horns and standing tall and handsome. Many men held aloft Demacia's battle banners, which fluttered and rustled in the wind.In the unobstructed sky, the loud cries of different creatures could be heard from time to time.The griffin spread its enormous wings and soared through the sky at incredible speed, at the forefront of the battle line.Behind them, four Demacia- specific dragon birds each carried a silver-armored warrior with a spiked spear, advancing at a constant speed from the four directions of the army formation, protecting the troops from all angles."Your Highness, the Immortal Bastion is not far ahead!"Laurent Old General's voice came from inside the iron helmet of a silver-armored knight leading the rear guard.The rear guard was Demacia's elite royal legion, which normally only obeyed Jarvan III. This time, they were ordered to escort His Highness Jarvan and Laurent Old General on their mission to the Immortal Bastion.Jarvan frowned slightly as he watched the black fortress, no less impressive than The Capital, draw ever closer.Even though he had only seen it once, the Floating Fortress on the horizon still secretly terrified him.He composed himself, his mind often scattered since that battle, and asked in a deep voice to the person beside him:How long did we travel?"Two days and fourteen hours, rushing all the way from the Demacia border to Immortal Bastion without a moment's rest." Laurent Old General's voice betrayed his exhaustion." We didn't lose to Trifarian Legion unjustly."Jarvan felt physically exhausted and gazed wistfully at the dust ahead.The Lightshield Bulwark was the elite royal legion of Demacia, its strength comparable to the Dauntless Vanguard. Each soldier was skilled in archery and horsemanship, and rode fine steeds.Thanks to the speed and stamina of the Silverhorn Horses, they chased after them for more than two days without sleep, but in the end they still failed to catch up with the Trifarian Legion."Line up!"Xin Zhao's high-pitched voice echoed from the sky.In an instant, the army ahead tightened its reins and halted its advance at the outermost edge of the Immortal Bastion.The well-trained soldiers of the Trifarian Legion lined up in two rows, three ranks on each side, leaving a wide avenue about ten meters wide in the middle. The thousand soldiers stretched for hundreds of meters, their formation majestic and solemn.The griffin fell from the sky, and Xin Zhao stood at the end of the road, gun in hand, standing ramrod straight.In no time, the entire battle group fell silent, and even the black tiger beneath them was unusually quiet, its head held high as if waiting for something.Jarvan led Lightshield Bulwark to the scene quickly, but upon seeing the orderly array of troops before them, they were momentarily too intimidated to proceed.The soldiers of Lightshield Bulwark tightened their reins and stopped not far from the Trifarian Legion, their faces hidden beneath their silver helmets looking unusually grim." Noxus! Welcome, Demacia envoy!"Xin Zhao's loud and solemn voice rang out again, and he was the first to raise the spear in his hand." Noxus!"All the Trifarian Legion soldiers stood in perfect unison, raising their weapons and shouting in unison.At the same time, the black tigers roared in unison.The tiger's roar and shouts mingled, shaking the heavens and the earth, even causing the ground to tremble slightly.Jarvan's expression darkened further upon seeing such imposing military might.This was his first time visiting Noxus, but given his previous experiences, it was hard for him not to feel conflicted."Your Highness," Laurent Old General whispered.Jarvan nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.He raised his right hand, signaling to the soldiers behind him not to follow. He then gently pulled on the reins and rode alone towards Xin Zhao.Walking through the center of the Trifarian Legion, an invisible pressure felt like shackles, making Jarvan feel breathless.The soldiers on both sides were eerily silent, their eyes fixed straight ahead, as if waiting for him to pass through.Before long, he arrived in front of Xin Zhao.Jarvan dismounted and solemnly proclaimed in a loud voice:" Demacia messenger, Jarvan" Lightshield!Noxus Trifarian Legion Lieutenant General, Xin Zhao! "Xin Zhao and Jarvan's eyes met in mid-air, revealing each other's unwavering resolve and fearless courage."please!"Xin Zhao remained expressionless and gestured "please" towards the Immortal Bastion." Lightshield Bulwark! Form ranks! Forward!"Jarvan shouted, mounted his horse, and slowly moved forward.Beside him, Xin Zhao also rode a griffin, letting it slowly stroll into the Immortal Bastion.Upon hearing Jarvan's message, Lightshield Bulwark did not hesitate at all. Led by Laurent Old General, four riders rode in a row, advancing in an orderly fashion.The silver-horned steeds moved in perfect unison and with impeccable order. The knights, lances raised high, stood tall and imposing, displaying the might of Demacia.Not a single mistake, not a single song, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single 6-9 book, not a single bar, take a look!The dragon birds in the sky also slowly flew down, two flying to the front of the formation and two flying to the back.Faced with Noxus's welcoming ceremony, Demacia's army proceeded in perfect order, slowly passing by under the watchful eyes of the Trifarian Legion soldiers on both sides.The soldiers' eyes met, then quickly looked away, but each had already sensed the other's thoughts.There was a sense of solemnity mixed with a touch of respect.After Lightshield Bulwark passed by, the soldiers of the Trifarian Legion slowly withdrew and followed behind him. Their ranks were orderly and quiet, unlike any of the Noxus army.The army's entry into the outer perimeter of Immortal Bastion quickly attracted the attention of the Noxus." Demacia? This army is not bad!""They are all elite riders, and their physical condition is no worse than ours.""Are they our opponents? I really want to challenge them to a match in Arena.""The army's formation is so well-organized; no wonder they were able to hold out against us for so long.""Our soldiers are no less capable.""Hahaha, Trifarian Legion is invincible!"" Noxus!!!""."As Jarvan walked along the main road of Immortal Bastion, his expression grew increasingly solemn as he listened to the conversations coming from both sides.Among these words praising their country's military, he even heard a great deal of affirmation towards them.But this recognition did not stem from their demonstrations, but merely from their ability to rival their own empire.The people here have an unparalleled reverence for their country.A fearless and confident populace, an elite and valiant army, an enterprising and powerful leader, and a vibrant and prosperous empire.How could Noxus not be powerful?This was Jarvan's first impression upon arriving here." Noxus is very different from what I imagined," Jarvan said in a deep voice."Stay a few more days, and you'll understand our empire better," Xin Zhao said calmly."Let's wait and see!"Jarvan walked down the street, glancing around as he tried to learn and understand the place.He had a feeling that what was missing in Demacia might be found here.After passing through the surrounding buildings that featured ethnic characteristics, Lightshield Bulwark was settled in the designated accommodation.Jarvan and Laurent Old General continued on, following Xin Zhao into the Immortal Bastion."You are among the first foreign envoys to come to Noxus in recent decades," Xin Zhao, who was walking in front, suddenly said."Not before?" Jarvan frowned slightly.As far as he knew, the Valoran continent was dotted with kingdoms and duchies, many of which had been destroyed by the Noxus, but some still remained."The Empire does not accept the pleas of the weak. We will sweep everything away. There are only two choices: submission or destruction," Xin Zhao said calmly."Perhaps we have other options," Jarvan said calmly.He knew that what Xin Zhao said was true.In his view, Noxus had the strength to do so. Based on the strength it displayed that day, it could not only wage war on all sides, but even unify the continent.But he felt that since Noxus had allowed him to come, there was an opportunity to build another kind of relationship and give Demacia time to resolve its internal problems.However, no matter what, they also have their own principles to uphold.Upon returning to The Capital, he strongly agreed with his father's views.They may back down due to insufficient strength or internal conflicts, but they cannot lose their bottom line because of it.We would rather perish as a nation and be exterminated than lose the spirit of Germany!With mixed feelings, Jarvan and his two companions arrived at White Stone Square.Seeing the sword of justice with its handle stuck in the center of the square, Jarvan and General Laurent looked rather grim."The general said that this place will be filled with weapons of the gods in the future," Xin Zhao casually remarked, noticing their expressions."Should it be filled?"Jarvan looked around the spacious, empty white stone square and couldn't help but admire the other person's boldness. He asked curiously:"Did Darius say this?"He knew that Darius was the commander of the Trifarian Legion, while Xin Zhao was the vice commander.Xin Zhao's expression turned solemn, and he said in a deep, serious voice:"I have only one general, the Council President!"It's him.Jarvan recalled that night when the man's water surged into the sky, and he wielded the power of magic.Demacia's Winged Protector was ultimately defeated when it was stabbed in the heart by him."Your leaders are too weak. Every member of the Trifarix Council with a seat could sweep through your legion," Xin Zhao said seriously." The Trifarix councilors... how exciting!"Jarvan didn't want to deny Xin Zhao's idea; the Lightshield Family had never been known for its bravery, and they had their own principles.Standing before the doors of Council Hall, a strange light flickered in his eyes—a mixture of anticipation, fear, and determination.He had personally experienced the power of Noxus, but other aspects of it remained unknown to him.For the sake of the future Demacia, he must understand them better.SqueakAfter a heavy scraping sound, the doors of Council Hall were slowly pulled open from the outside in.