After the speech, Riven followed Emistan to the banquet at Bluewind Manor.
Having changed into an evening gown with not a bit of comfort to speak of, Riven complained to Emistan with a face full of disgust: "Do I really have to tag along? This outfit is incredibly uncomfortable."
While speaking, Riven twisted her body a few times. The indigo evening gown was elegant and deep, hugging her skin with an obvious drape. But to Riven, this was worse than killing her—although the high heels had been shortened as much as possible considering Riven's feelings, to Riven, who was used to combat boots, it was still like walking on stilts.
The evening gown fit the curves of her body very loosely. Although her upper body's movement wasn't affected, her lower body—the buttocks were fine, a bit tight but the fabric had excellent elasticity. But reaching the legs, to better show off the body's curves, she could clearly feel it was somewhat tight.
"Can't walk away, can't run. I wasn't even this uncomfortable when I met His Majesty Emperor Darkwill... Just a bunch of merchants in Piltover, is this really necessary?"
Hearing this, Emistan couldn't help but chuckle a few times. Then she picked up the wine glass handed over by a waiter on the side, and while taking small sips, she said unhurriedly: "Who made our Riven the poster child of the Runic Blade Legion? It's just that the current occasion isn't very convenient, otherwise I would have wanted you to come carrying the black stone giant sword. With war imminent, this could pull in quite a lot of supplies for the legion."
Hearing Emistan's words, although knowing the other party's intention was to let the legion have more foundation, Riven still grunted twice in displeasure.
Upon entering the venue, even having personally entered the Immortal Bastion to meet Emperor Darkwill, seeing the resplendence of Bluewind Manor, Riven still couldn't help but click her tongue secretly.
Although the Immortal Bastion was the emperor's palace, its existence was actually older than the entire Noxus. And it inherited Noxus's consistent style; although solemn, it stressed pragmatism more, without too many ostentatious decorations. The main colors were all black and blood red, which could be said to manifest the iron blood of the warring empire everywhere.
In contrast, the magnificence and jewel-like brilliance of Bluewind Manor literally made people feel how prosperous and wealthy Piltover was.
"Oh, the main characters of this banquet are here!" Shortly after entering the hall, someone quickly noticed the arriving Emistan and Riven.
As the initiator of this banquet, and also the contact person for Piltover to communicate with the Runic Blade Legion, Jago Medarda smiled and raised the wine glass in his hand: "Let us welcome Legion Commander Emistan from the Noxian Runic Blade Legion, and the warrior exemplar who was personally received by His Majesty Emperor Darkwill of Noxus and granted the runic black stone giant sword to commend outstanding military exploits, Miss Riven!"
Hearing Jago Medarda's words, everyone also turned their gaze to the two, applauding to welcome them. To this, Emistan appeared like a fish in water, responding with a face full of smiles. In contrast, the smile on Riven's face was slightly forced. And amidst this, Riven seemingly felt pairs of eyes sizing her up wantonly, seemingly curious what the warrior who could be received by Emperor Darkwill exactly looked like.
And upon discovering Riven's distinctive warrior demeanor even when wearing an evening gown, curiosity also appeared in their gazes one after another.
After a brief welcome ceremony, the orchestra in the distance began to play a melodious tune. In the soft song, people walked towards the two one after another, smiling and chatting, asking about the purpose of the Runic Blade Legion coming here, and the next plans—in the public speech Emistan talked a bunch of flashy empty words, the trade nobles didn't have any opinion about this.
After all, how could true plans be confessed to those commoners? If they really let them all know, let alone whether the plan could be effectively executed, just with so many people knowing, it would make them unable to benefit and make money from it.
Although Emistan handled this with ease, Riven, after a brief discomfort, simply kept a cold face without saying a word. This made Emistan somewhat helpless, but considering Riven indeed fought her way out from the battlefield abruptly, having not much experience and interest in these social interactions, she didn't care too much.
Facing everyone asking how to deal with Zaun, a smile also appeared at the corner of Emistan's mouth, then she said loudly: "The Zaun problem is no longer something to fear!"
Hearing Emistan's words, everyone was in an uproar. Then Stevan Ferros in the crowd coughed lightly twice, attracting everyone's attention. Under people's gaze, Stevan asked with a gentle and refined look:
"Zaun's leader Faen is a tricky monster! Although we have deep faith in the power of Legion Commander Emistan and the authority of Noxus, that guy named Faen just caused serious harm to Piltover not long ago. I wonder what method the Legion Commander plans to use to deal with that group of Zaun thugs?"
Hearing Stevan's words, a smile also curled up at the corner of Emistan's mouth, then she said: "Before coming here, I already knew about the things happening in Piltover. And even under such circumstances, the Runic Blade Legion still came, naturally we have the relevant confidence."
"Since everyone already knows Zaun's state and Piltover's current encounters both originate from Faen, then similarly, to solve this problem, we only need to solve Faen who created this problem, and that will be enough."
Saying this, Emistan also fell into a brief silence to leave enough reaction time for everyone. And when the curiosity in people's hearts gradually began to ferment, Emistan said: "About nearly six thousand years ago from today, the most powerful empire in this world was Shurima across the sea. In that era, Shurima was the center of the world. The ancient kings of the Valoran continent traveled thousands of miles to Shurima, just to catch a glimpse of the grace of the center of the world."
"And does everyone know how Shurima rose from the yellow sand and dominated Runeterra for nearly four thousand years?"
Hearing Emistan's inquiry, many trade nobles looked at each other suspiciously, not knowing why Emistan suddenly mentioned the ancient Shuriman Empire.
And making his fortune through archaeological tomb raiding, after hearing Emistan's words, Stevan Ferros hesitated for a moment and said: "Do you mean... God-Warriors?"