Under the protection of the Avarosan tribe, Li Lin, Ashe, and Tryndamere walked along the long central avenue adorned with countless intricately hand-carved statues. They continued down the path until they reached the grand statue of Avarosa at its end.
The statue of Avarosa had been erected in the second year after Ashe and Tryndamere's union. Its design was largely modeled after Ashe herself. It was hard to imagine that a group of so-called savages, relying solely on primitive tools, could carve such a magnificent and detailed statue, towering dozens of meters high, in such a harsh environment.
Li Lin and Ashe met in the war mother's tent beneath the statue to discuss matters. Li Lin explained in detail the aid he could offer the Avarosan tribe and outlined the duties and responsibilities expected of members of the League of Legends. Although a more comprehensive explanation was set to be delivered at the League's meeting in a week, Li Lin wasn't speaking solely for Ashe and Tryndamere's benefit—this was also directed at other tribal leaders who had integrated into the Avarosan faction.
The offer was enticing: in exchange for protecting their people—something they were already doing—they would receive resources that could secure the survival of their tribe. It was an irresistible opportunity, a windfall beyond imagination. Naturally, the less-cultured members of the tribes strongly supported Ashe accepting Li Lin's proposal.
However, as the war mother of her people, Ashe had to consider much more than immediate gains. She bore the responsibility of ensuring her tribe's survival in an unforgiving land, defending against the Winter's Claw in the north and guarding against trolls in the northeast. Her ultimate goal was to unite the Freljord—a vision of bringing all its peoples together under one banner.
Ashe hoped to achieve this through her own efforts, rather than relying solely on the external aid that joining the League of Legends could provide. Thus, during the meeting, she temporarily declined Li Lin's offer, explaining that she would represent the Avarosan tribe at the League's conference in a week to make a final decision.
The outcome wasn't as smooth as Li Lin had hoped, but it didn't surprise him either. After all, he hadn't publicly revealed one crucial truth: one of the three sisters they worshiped, the Frost Witch Lissandra, had murdered her two sisters and nearly plunged Runeterra into an irreversible calamity.
Lissandra, capable of walking within dreams, had gone to great lengths to bury her secret. For generations, she had erased those who could potentially be reincarnations of Avarosa and Serylda and suppressed the true history of nearly ten thousand years ago.
Revealing this truth would likely incite an attack on the Avarosans by Lissandra's Frostguard and the troll king Trundle's forces under her command. Among the Freljord tribes, only those of Iceborn descent could become war mothers, while every Frostguard warrior was also an Iceborn. Without external help, the Avarosan tribe's chances in such a conflict were slim.
Bidding farewell to Ashe, Li Lin returned to the mountain where he had first observed the north. The harsh climate of this untamed land was formidable, but as one of Runeterra's oldest regions, standing alongside Ionia as a cradle of life, the Freljord was home to many gods. Ornn, the god of fire and forging; Anivia, the goddess of winter and ice; and Volibear, the god of thunder and storms, were the most famous demigods here.
In addition to these, the Freljord was also home to other revered spirits: the Boar Spirit, the Seal Spirit, the Mammoth Spirit, the Wolf Spirit, the Walrus Spirit, and the Bone Elk Spirit. Each of these spirits was, in essence, a manifestation of the land's will.
From the moment he arrived in the Freljord, Li Lin could feel the divine presence emanating from the biting winter winds. Anivia had already returned and was watching over the Avarosan tribe from somewhere in the Freljord, her gaze particularly focused on Ashe, who prayed for peace and unity.
Li Lin stood in silence for a long time, his eyes fixed on the northern horizon where thunderclouds rolled. "AI, what's the situation with the Winter's Claw?"
[Satellite and micro-Runeterra imaging indicate that the Winter's Claw is currently near the northern coastline of the Frost Sea, north of Ornnkaal Rocks.]
[That area is closest to the Ursine territory. Target individuals Sejuani and Udyr are leading their forces across the Frost Sea toward the Ursine lands.]
"Desperation has driven Sejuani to such extremes that she's seeking an alliance with the Ursine?" Li Lin mused, shaking his head.
She could have led her people south to the warmer lowland valleys, where they could survive comfortably through herding or farming. Instead, she clung stubbornly to her beliefs, convinced that strength could only be earned through battle. She'd rather let her people freeze and starve in the icy wilderness than embrace a peaceful, pastoral life.
To Li Lin, this stubbornness seemed selfish—disregarding the lives of her own people. Yet, it was a sentiment shared by many in the Freljord, earning them the reputation of being uncivilized barbarians in the eyes of other regions.
"She's going to meet Volibear? Then there's no need for me to visit the Winter's Claw. I wouldn't accomplish anything there anyway," Li Lin muttered.
With the League of Legends summit approaching, Li Lin had no intention of provoking Volibear in the Ursine's territory. His victory against the Void Empress Bel'Veth had been possible only because of superior numbers and the mechanical army at his disposal. A prolonged battle between gods could last days, even weeks, under normal circumstances.
Although Li Lin's mech allowed him to rival a demigod, going up against Volibear—a top-tier demigod—was another story entirely. Too many factors could tip the scales in such a fight.
Not to mention, demigods were immensely stronger in their home territories, empowered by their domains and the faith of their followers. If Volibear targeted him, days of relentless combat would be inevitable.
Li Lin had no interest in jeopardizing his mechanical army or delaying his progress toward becoming a Mechanical Creator. He had more pressing priorities.
Just as Li Lin locked in Piltover's coordinates to teleport back, his AI interrupted with a suggestion:
[Master, Ryze is currently in the northeastern troll lands. You might want to meet with him.]
"He's in the Freljord?" Li Lin raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Ryze had been collecting runes far faster than in the original timeline. He had already obtained the Domination keystone rune "Electrocute" and the Sorcery keystone rune "Summon Aery," along with several rune fragments in Ionia. His presence in the Freljord meant he was about to collect the next Domination keystone.
Determining Ryze's exact location, Li Lin activated his teleportation device and arrived at his destination.
Unlike the milder southern lowlands, the northeastern troll lands were bitterly cold, with temperatures dropping an additional ten degrees. The bone-piercing winds carried heavy snowflakes, so thick they obscured vision beyond a few steps. Only the hardy natives—Freljordians, trolls, Yetis, and other cold-resistant creatures—could survive in this brutal climate.
Upon arrival, Li Lin heard the roars of trolls echoing through the valley before catching sight of Ryze trudging through the snow from the east.
When Ryze noticed the armored figure in the distance, recognition flashed across his face. Few individuals wore such distinctive, fully-enclosed armor.
"Li Lin? What are you doing here?" Ryze asked, his grim expression giving way to surprise as he approached.
Li Lin activated his energy shield to block the raging storm, removed his helmet, and stepped forward to embrace Ryze.
"Just handling some business with the Avarosan tribe… It's been a while," Li Lin said with a smile.
(End of Chapter)