This is the Hextech Rune Base — the opening chapter of a brand-new era!"
A bright smile spread across Duke's face. Since they had shown interest in the Rune Base, the rest of the discussion would be much easier.
Although Ixtal was a nation of mages where magic was accessible to all, it had been closed off from the world for far too long. That was precisely the weak point Duke intended to exploit.
He wasn't afraid of them refusing to talk — he only feared they would lack curiosity.
And curiosity… that was Duke's wedge in these diplomatic negotiations.
"Rune Base?"
One of the Yuental elders snorted. "A trifling trick, hardly worthy of serious attention."
"Our Primordial Axiom can reveal the essence of all things. A mere 'Rune Base' is laughable in comparison — don't embarrass yourself by bringing it here."
"That's right!" another elder chimed in.
"I never claimed the Rune Base could match your Primordial Axiom," Duke replied smoothly, "but it can allow ordinary people to wield the power of magic."
His eyes locked on the current Yuen — the ruler upon the throne. This king, at least, might understand him. The other Yuental elders were mired in the glories of the past, unable to see beyond their own well.
"Ordinary people using magic?"
"Ridiculous!"
"In Ixtal, you can pluck any child off the street and they'll know magic!"
"What you've brought us is nothing but a tasteless trinket."
…
"Continue," the king said suddenly, raising a hand to silence the others. His expression had grown serious. "Ignore them. I am very interested in this Hextech Rune Base of yours. Speak in detail."
At the king's request, Duke activated the Rune Base. The Hextech crystal within began to radiate magic as the device spun rapidly, releasing a brilliance of magical light that ordinary eyes could scarcely fathom.
Magical nodes flared like stars across the sky, filling the royal hall in an instant.
"Your country is indeed a land of magic, where all are mages," Duke said as he stood within the glittering nodes, hands clasped behind his back. "But the outside world is different. Those with an innate magical gift are rare — one in ten thousand, if that."
"But the Hextech Rune Base shatters the monopoly that the gifted have held over magic for all of history. It allows this wondrous force to be used by anyone."
"When the Rune Base is widely adopted, every ordinary person in the world will be able to wield magic."
"I've seen your Primordial Axiom. It is indeed remarkable — but the skill level among your mages varies wildly. And tell me, how long does it take to train a truly exceptional mage?"
Duke met the king's eyes directly. "Please, Your Majesty, enlighten me."
"It depends on one's talent. A prodigy, like my daughter Qiyana, might learn in a tenth the time it takes an ordinary student. But for someone of mediocre ability… a lifetime might barely carry them past the first steps on the magical path."
The king closed his eyes briefly, his expression thoughtful. "It seems raising a powerful mage is far more arduous than I imagined."
Duke shrugged, then shifted the conversation sharply. "Yet with the Hextech Rune Base, even someone without a shred of magical talent can learn to wield magic fluently in a single day — or even less."
"That's impossible!"
"Absurd!"
"The path of magic demands dedication and discipline — your device is a perversion of the art!"
"Magic is infinite in its scope. A crude machine cannot possibly contain it all!"
"An outrageous notion!"
…
Duke ignored the chorus of protests. The Yuental Elders certainly wielded great influence in Ixtal, but the true authority here was the king before him.
The king opened his eyes again, gazing at Duke with a complex expression. This young man was clearly well-prepared. Perhaps today, Ixtal's thousand-year tradition would be broken.
And the one to break it… might be this very youth.
"Enough," the king said softly, cutting through the elders' jeers. "Let us hear him out…"
"Duke," the young man said promptly, "Duke Sánchez, representing the Ferros family of Piltover."
The king gave a small nod. "Then let us listen to Ambassador Duke."
Once the king had spoken, the elders fell silent. By tradition, the king's word was final.
"It is true," Duke continued, "that magic is vast and limitless, and no single device can encompass it all."
A few elders nodded slightly in agreement — until Duke's tone sharpened again. "But we don't need all of it. Just one or two applications are enough."
He clapped his hands, and attendants brought forward a new gift, covered in crimson silk. Duke whipped away the cloth, revealing a Hextech sniper rifle.
"This Hextech sniper rifle has a range of one kilometer. It requires no ammunition — it's powered entirely by an internal Hextech crystal. Its scope can let you see the veins on a mosquito's wings from a kilometer away."
Cradling the rifle, Duke said evenly, "With this, an ordinary person could hunt eagles… or other targets."
His gaze swept the Yuental Elders meaningfully. Those he looked at stiffened. The implication was obvious even to a fool — no one could survive an assassination attempt from a kilometer away, not even with the protective garb woven by Vitalian magic.
And if the first attempt failed… there would be a second.
As the elders shifted uncomfortably, Duke set the rifle down and pulled the silk from another device.
"A Hextech bombardier," he announced, hefting a shoulder-mounted cannon. "Its principle is the same as the rifle's, but its destructive power is far greater. Within three kilometers, it can annihilate any structure or target."
"At maximum output, it could shatter a hill a hundred meters high."
"It destroys itself in the process, of course… but it can be mass-produced."
The king's face changed slightly. "Mass-produced?"
"Just like swords or armor," Duke confirmed. "With a little training, any ordinary person could master this weapon, and with enough numbers, you could field an army."
Gasps rippled through the elders. One spoke up. "So you people of the outside world… you turn magic entirely into tools of war?"
"Barbaric!"
"In Ixtal, magic serves life. Hunters use the Primordial Axiom to track prey, fishermen to work the seas, smiths to forge metal. But you?"
"You abuse it for destruction!"
"An evil path!"
…
The accusations rang out again, but Duke calmly waved for the next items to be brought forward. This time, the crimson cloths revealed objects the elders could not even recognize.
"What are these, Ambassador Duke?"
"These," Duke said, "are inventions that bring magic into every home."
He pointed to a standing Hextech air conditioner. "Your jungles are hot and humid. But with this, you can enjoy cool comfort even in the height of summer."
He switched it on. A cool breeze spread instantly through the hall, easing the oppressive heat.
"It's cooler than the clouds my servants gather for me!" one Yuental Ale exclaimed in delight.
"If I had this in my room, I'd never wake up drenched in sweat again," another said.
Duke moved to the next item. "A Hextech refrigerator — it keeps food fresh even in the hottest weather." He opened it, producing pre-chilled ice cream for the attendants to distribute. The king's daughters were delighted — they had never tasted such a treat.
"This is a smelting furnace — no charcoal or bellows needed. Just press a button, and you can melt steel."
"This is a transport vehicle, able to cross any terrain."
"This is a weaving machine — feed in raw material, and it produces fine garments."
One by one, Duke demonstrated each invention.
The king remained silent, watching closely. The young man had begun by showing force, then turned to comforts and tools that improved daily life. Power and wisdom — nothing left out.
Even the king's daughters, and the attendants, looked on with longing.
"Hmph! All clever trinkets," one elder scoffed, slamming his staff. "True power should come from within!"
"But even ants can kill an elephant," Duke countered smoothly. "With enough numbers, even the strongest fall. And the Rune Base can do far more than you've seen today."
His eyes turned to the First Princess — the one Qiyana had crippled.
"My technology can give people new life. Even those who can no longer walk… I can help them stand again."
"Truly?" Inessa blurted out, drawing the king's gaze.
Duke bowed slightly. "Technology changes everything, my honored Yuental Ale."
Thankyou everyone!!
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We've come a long way together, but the real storm is still ahead. ⚡ The journey isn't over yet, and I'd be honored to have you with me right up to the final chapter.
Let's see this through, side by side, all the way to the end of their epic story. 💥
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