CHAPTER 490 - Gods and Mortals
In Kiramman's workshop, Li Lin meticulously reviewed his mechanical army, conducting a final check before the critical confrontation. Tomorrow marked his "appointment" with the Void Empress, Bel'Veth, and everything had to be flawless.
Currently, a standard mechanical battle group consisted of one unmanned aerial carrier outfitted with an additional 600 combat drones and 500 Storm aerial combat mechs, forming an aerial combat fleet. On the ground, the forces included 400 Battlecast Skarners, 300 Battlecast Kog'Maws, 100 Battlecast Zacs, 50 Battlecast Cho'Gaths, 50 Battlecast Urgots, and 10 Battlecast Nasus. Altogether, the units comprised roughly 2,000 combat drones and mechs, following the standard battle formation of Runeterra.
Li Lin commanded no fewer than 400 such formations, comprising a nearly million-strong mechanical army. In addition, 100 medium-sized Titan Soldiers, standing 100 meters tall, and 60-meter-tall War Lords served as Battlecast titans. Battlecast Xerath, along with the prototype Battlecast Cho'Gath—left in Icathia to devour Void creatures and evolve continuously—would also join the battle. Even the normally non-combatant mechanical engineers were to play a role, primarily tasked with maintaining order and protecting civilians in Bilgewater, Shurima, and towns near Bel'Veth's presence.
Although many villages had been evacuated with the assistance of Azir's Sand Warriors and Golden Legion, some settlements—particularly in the southern coastal regions—refused to heed the Emperor of the Sands for various reasons. Mechanical engineers were deployed to safeguard these individuals. If Bel'Veth's Void incursion spread, any living beings would serve as sources of energy for the Void, as demonstrated by the port city already consumed.
Within the workshop, Li Lin repeatedly swiped through the holographic interface with his fingers, meticulously examining the composition of his forces. As he worked, a gentle breeze unexpectedly swept across his face, soft and comforting, like a mother's hand soothing her child. His anxiety and tension eased considerably.
A familiar, ethereal female voice soon followed, resonating softly in his ears. "I can feel the worry in your heart."
A small, nimble bluebird appeared out of nowhere, perching on Li Lin's shoulder.
"Tomorrow's meeting with the Void Empress—it would be a lie to say I'm not anxious," he admitted with a bitter smile.
The bluebird flapped its wings and flew in front of Li Lin, tilting its head slightly. "But haven't you already prepared for this?"
According to Aatrox, facing Bel'Veth would require at least ten divine warriors. However, Azir, Nasus, Aatrox, Rhaast, Varus, and Valeeva—six divine warriors—along with dozens of Overlord mechs, already equated to more than twenty beings with semi-divine power, counting both deities and mechanical gods.
Furthermore, Atreus, whose celestial power had been reignited, as well as the Winged Sisters, Kayle and Morgana, would join the fray. Janna had also pledged her support, and there was Zoe, perfectly fused with the Twilight Aspect. By all accounts, this battle should have been an assured victory.
And yet... Li Lin took in a breath of the cool air, but an inexplicable shadow lingered in his heart.
"What about Kai'Sa?" he asked.
"That young girl is with her father, your girlfriend Caitlyn, and the Aspect," replied Janna, followed by the AI.
[She is currently in her room with Miss Caitlyn, Miss Zoe, and Mr. Kassadin.]
Frustrated, Li Lin ruffled his slightly messy hair. As a gust of cool wind brushed past, the worry gnawing at him dissipated a little.
"Thank you, Janna."
"It's what I'm here for," the bluebird responded. After a brief pause, she added in a comforting tone, "You really don't need to be so anxious. Not only have Shurima's deities returned in force, but you also have your mechs and the Aspect on your side. With so much help, why be concerned about an intelligent lifeform born of the Void?
"My divine power has grown far beyond what it was in the past—I can hear whispers even beyond the twin cities. The wind has told me there are other terrifying Void entities in Freljord and Icathia, some no less frightening than this so-called 'Void Empress.'
"Besides, you once told me that when the Void Empress sought you out, it seemed she wanted to negotiate with you and Kai'Sa. If she intended to consume the world, she could have done so rather than granting you a year's reprieve."
Janna's words calmed Li Lin considerably. "You're right—I overreacted," he said, taking a deep breath. Rising from his chair, he headed toward the door. The bluebird perched on his shoulder once more.
Janna assumed he was going to check on Caitlyn and Kai'Sa, who were likely just as anxious. But to her surprise, his attire transformed into battle armor.
"Where are you going?" Janna asked curiously.
"To Demacia's Petricite Forest."
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The next morning, at dawn, Li Lin and the others refrained from sharing too much about Bel'Veth with Kiramman's family to avoid causing worry. The group used Zoe's portal to travel to the Sun Disc.
Outside the desert capital, Azir stood on the God-Emperor's dais, elevated by the sands. Beneath him stretched an endless expanse of Sand Warriors, their numbers impossible to discern at a glance.
At the forefront, Nasus, Aatrox, and the other divine warriors were flanked by Golden Warriors and Azir's God-Emperor Guard. Meanwhile, Malphite remained concealed beneath the sands. The Winged Sisters and Atreus stood at the edge of the Shuriman forces, separate from the main assembly.
Sivir had also wished to join the battle, but Azir had firmly refused. He had learned the hard lessons of Shurima's downfall: the royal bloodline must be preserved at all costs. It was the link binding Shurima's people and the key to unifying the empire. If Azir, the Emperor, were to fall, Sivir would have to bear the responsibility of Shurima's restoration.
At the forefront, Li Lin strode forward, clad in the eighth-generation *Project Genesis: Infinite Armor*. This suit replaced its nano-energy core with a magical energy cube and incorporated gamma laser technology. Behind him, Caitlyn, Kai'Sa, and Kassadin, all wearing the latest battle armor, followed. A bluebird perched on his shoulder, and Zoe floated lazily beside the group, munching on a lollipop with a nonchalant expression.
As soon as the divine warriors spotted Li Lin, they nodded in acknowledgment. Azir descended from the God-Emperor's dais to meet him. At the same time, the Winged Sisters and Pantheon approached, offering their greetings.
This was a gathering of gods and mortals.
Azir, holding his spear-like staff of authority, cast a quick glance at the group, his gaze lingering on the bluebird for a moment before locking eyes with Li Lin.
"Are you ready?"
"Of course," Li Lin replied, inhaling deeply. His face was tense, his expression resolute. "Let's move out."
(End of Chapter)
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