According to the laws of Demacia, those sentenced to Stone Crown Punishment must climb Targon with their bare hands.
However, because Targon is too dangerous, there is no one to specifically supervise this process—the supervisor would likely also perish.
Therefore, in many cases, the Stone Crown Punishment is closer to "permanent exile with deprivation of political rights"; anyway, no one knows if the condemned actually went to climb the mountain, and as long as they don't openly return to Demacia and appear before everyone, no one will care about the outcome of the climb.
In a sense, this can be considered a loophole opened by the Demacian nobles in the law, transforming the death penalty into Stone Crown Punishment, and then actually handling it as permanent exile.
Considering Miss Lux's immense contributions to the Demacian nobles, her Stone Crown Punishment was even more lenient than normal exile when it was actually carried out.
The several executioners responsible for escorting her and Ino to the foot of Targon were all very understanding; shortly after leaving Demacia Capital, they proactively disembarked at the port of Dorn Hold.
They left nothing behind except two large boxes of supplies and initial equipment.
They would spend a wonderful holiday on the Golden Coast of Dorn Hold before returning to report, and as for where Lux truly went, they wouldn't ask a single word.
Just like that, with the disembarkation of these executioners, Lux finally gained true freedom.
After taking a long breath, Lux quickly met up with Ino and then dragged the two large boxes back to her room.
Then, the two of them spent a great deal of effort to tally all the supplies in the boxes.
The first box contained eight full sets of Rune Steel Armor—four for Lux, four for Ino; considering they were still growing, the eight sets of armor came in various sizes.
Although, to cover their tracks, these armors no longer bore the Crownguard family crest, such quality armor was still an absolute contraband in Demacia's trade.
It's no exaggeration to say that any one of them, if placed on the black market in Zaun or Bilgewater, would fetch a high price of thousands of gold hex or Golden Krakens.
In addition to the armor and matching helmets, there were also many items used in the Demacian army, such as ropes and hooks, filling the entire box to the brim.
The second box contained a large number of daily necessities and common outdoor equipment, including but not limited to blankets, water bottles, and barding saddles, among other specialized equipment.
Taking up most of the weight in this box was a pile of blank Petricite slabs, which Lux herself had requested.
Additionally, in a corner of the box was a small box filled with gold—this part came from Sona's "private sponsorship," her pocket money saved over many years.
Adding in other miscellaneous trinkets, it's no exaggeration to say that Lux's current assets were already enough to form a small commercial team.
Having provided so many supplies, Augatha clearly did not want Lux to set off lightly and climb Targon.
From the looks of it, she hoped Lux could live stably in Kalamanda—even if she didn't return to Demacia, she could still live a comfortable life, free from worries about food and clothing.
"Lux! We're really out!" Ino said happily as she tidied the boxes after counting, "With these things, we can totally buy a manor in Kalamanda and operate there for a while…"
"And then change our names and return to Demacia, right?" Looking at the cheerful Ino, Lux shook her head helplessly, "Are you really planning to do what my aunt said?"
"Ah? Isn't it? Wasn't that Miss Tianna's plan?" Ino asked, a bit confused, "Anyway, we're only twelve or thirteen; if we return to Demacia after ten years, once we've grown up, no one will know who we are."
"I never planned to sneak back to Demacia!" Lux laughed upon hearing this, "The Stone Crown Punishment is a punishment for others, but for me, it's a good opportunity."
"Are you really going to climb Targon?" Ino's eyes widened, "How can you do that? It's too dangerous—"
"I will climb Targon, but not now—only after I've made all the preparations. Only then can I return to Demacia openly." Lux smiled and shook her head, "Don't be nervous, Ino, Klein actually planned all of this for me long ago."
"Ah, is it Confessor's Relic?" Ino blinked, "Does he really talk?"
"Of course." Lux handed the broken sword to Ino, "Coincidentally, he also wants to chat with you!"
Although she had already heard Lux tell Klein's story, Ino was still a bit nervous when she held the sword hilt.
Mister Klein, he is Miss Lux's teacher—he must be a learned and wise person, right?
"You're very good at judging people." Just as Ino was secretly guessing Klein's appearance, Klein's voice appeared in her mind, "Truly worthy of being a descendant of the Iceborn Subjugation."
"Iceborn Subjugation? Are you talking about me?" Ino said aloud, "Um, wait, are you Mister Klein?"
"No need to speak it out, just think it is enough; maintain the flow of magic, and I will know your thoughts." Klein was genuinely kind for once, "Don't be nervous, little girl, I don't eat people."
"Ah, esteemed Mister Klein!" Ino sprang to her feet, "I am Ino, Miss Lux's… uh, secretary!"
"Alright, little secretary!" Klein teased in a pleasant tone, "However, your heart tells me that you seem to consider yourself her maid?"
"Ah? Uh—" Ino instantly lowered her head, her whole face seeming to blush, "Mister Klein, don't say it out loud!"
"Don't worry, I haven't told Lux." Klein did not continue to tease but spoke in a sincere and earnest tone, "However… don't think of becoming a servant from the start, Ino. I remember Lux also told you many times that no one is nobler than anyone else."
"But Miss Lux is so dazzling." Ino seemed a bit flustered, "There's not much I can do."
"No, your potential is astonishing." Klein denied Ino's self-negation, "The potential of the Iceborn Subjugation is simply boundless—so, little girl, would you like to learn magic with me? That way you can be classmates with Lux."
"R-r-really—really?" Ino's eyes widened, "I can learn magic too?"
"Of course!" Klein's tone was pleasant, "Only by learning magic well can you better fulfill your duties as a secretary—"
"Thank you so much, Mister Klein!" Ino clenched her fists, "Thank you, Mister Klein!"
"Still calling me Mister Klein?" Klein said cheerfully, "Call me teacher!"
"Thank you, teacher!"
Because she had not undergone professional "acting training" and her personality was not as steady as Sona's, Ino's emotions were clearly visible throughout her conversation with Klein.
From Lux's perspective, she saw Ino sometimes nervous, sometimes excited, and sometimes flushed, all these strange emotional changes leaving Lux utterly confused, completely unable to understand what Klein had said to Ino.
She just felt… something seemed off.
Before, when she and Sona talked to him, they didn't seem to act like this, did they?
However, out of trust in Klein and respect for Ino's privacy, she ultimately did not ask for the reason.
Just like that, under Lux's subtle gaze, Klein gained another student.
And it was precisely when Klein took on a new student that this armed merchant ship, the [Blue Crystal], finally raised its anchor and unfurled its sails, departing Dorn Hold.
In the howling northeast wind, the ship finally moved away from Dorn Hold port, away from the coast of Demacia, slowly sailing towards the vast and boundless deep blue sea.
Klein's small class · Demacia to Shurima:
Departing from Demacia Capital for the Stone Crown Punishment usually involves two routes.
One is to take a ship from Dorn Hold, crossing the Conquest Sea, passing through the Merman Sea, eventually arriving at Kalamanda, and then heading south along the shaded side of Targon.
The other is to travel eastward by land, first crossing the Demacia Plains, then traversing the Silverglade Mountains, boarding a ship at White Cliff City to cross the Valoran Strait, eventually arriving at Urzeris, and then walking along the edge of the Great Sai Desert to reach Targon.
Because the latter route passes through a large amount of Noxus territory, for safety's sake, Lux was arranged to take the first route.