With Li Lin's support, Miss Fortune, Sarah Fortune, no longer concealed her ambitions. She openly rallied her forces and seized the most prominent estate in Bilgewater, formerly owned by Gangplank. She publicly declared that Gangplank would be executed one week later.
In the meantime, Gangplank's loyal Jagged Hook Pirates attempted to rescue their leader by allying with several other factions, amassing hundreds of men. Unfortunately for them, Li Lin's drones and storm annihilated their forces before they even crossed the Butcher's Bridge. To preserve the ancient bridge, a historical relic from a bygone era, Li Lin specifically ordered his AI to use only low-powered plasma weapons. This ensured minimal structural damage while eliminating the notorious pirates as a warning to others.
The opportunistic old hands, who had refrained from direct confrontation to bide their time as "yellow sparrows" waiting to pounce, tried to seize territories amidst the chaos. However, they didn't hold out for long in the face of Li Lin's even more intimidating mechanical workers.
Though many in Bilgewater cursed Miss Fortune behind closed doors, branding her a shameless woman who used her beauty and figure to attract the rising star of Piltover, the same people secretly envied her. They wished they could be young, beautiful women themselves, as such a status might grant them control over Bilgewater.
Li Lin didn't care what these people thought, and Sarah felt the same. After talking with Li Lin, she realized he had no ulterior motives towards her. She let the rumors spread freely, knowing that as long as Li Lin supported her, the people of Bilgewater wouldn't dare defy her authority. They would have no choice but to obey her commands and revere her as the Queen of Bilgewater.
On the third day after Miss Fortune announced Gangplank's execution, the Buhru emissary finally sought out Li Lin.
The emissary was none other than Illaoi, the Truth Bearer of Nagakabouros and the Priestess of the Great Kraken. She came alone.
The estate, now under Miss Fortune's control, was built from the hull of a massive, decommissioned ship. While its area was only a third of the Kiramman estate, it was the largest residence in Bilgewater. However, Sarah had found Gangplank's belongings unsightly and unworthy of her. Enlisting her first mate, Raven, she organized a crew to clean out the junk left behind by the previous owner.
In the reception hall, Li Lin and Illaoi sat at opposite ends of a long table, facing each other. Illaoi was a towering and robust middle-aged woman, more imposing than even the barbarians from the Freljord. Despite Li Lin's height of nearly 1.9 meters and his body enhanced through advanced technology, Illaoi—standing at almost two meters—still dwarfed him in size.
Li Lin couldn't help but wonder how Gangplank had managed to maintain a relationship with such a formidable woman. His eyes briefly shifted to the heavy idol Illaoi had placed beside her, which nearly sank into the wooden floor under its weight. The idol, engraved with sea beast motifs, was a sacred relic of the Buhru faith—the Eye of God.
It was at least an artifact of epic quality, blessed by an ancient deity.
Noticing Li Lin's attention drifting, Illaoi broke the silence first. "Li Lin, Councillor of Piltover," she said.
Once his gaze returned to her, she continued, "May Nagakabouros bless you."
"And may she bless you as well," Li Lin replied, observing local customs with a polite nod.
Li Lin had already guessed the purpose of Illaoi's visit. Nagakabouros was a real entity, a god of life who safeguarded the Serpent Isles and embodied the will of Runeterra. Illaoi, capable of channeling Nagakabouros' power, was undoubtedly a reliable ally.
Whether against Viego, Mordekaiser, or the Void, the power of Nagakabouros would be invaluable. If conflict could be avoided, Li Lin had no intention of antagonizing Illaoi and risking discord between them.
"May I ask what brings you to me today, Truth Bearer?" Li Lin asked after a brief pause. Then, as if struck by a thought, he added, "Let me guess... does this have something to do with Gangplank?"
Illaoi's face darkened briefly, but she quickly composed herself, her resolve firm. "That's exactly why I'm here."
"I've heard you and Gangplank were once romantically involved, but if you're here to plead for that infamous pirate, I'd advise you to reconsider," Li Lin said bluntly. After all, Illaoi had ended things with Gangplank long before he rose to dominate Bilgewater. Their relationship, a mere youthful dalliance, was over two decades in the past.
Both had changed beyond recognition. Even if Illaoi still held some lingering affection for him, Li Lin was confident that her unwavering faith in Nagakabouros, the God of Motion, would prevent her from acting irrationally. Who would trade their devotion to a divine force for the sake of a man stained by countless crimes?
However, Illaoi's response was not what Li Lin had anticipated. "No, Speaker Li, you've misunderstood me."
"Oh?" Li Lin raised an eyebrow.
"Gangplank has long strayed from the path of Nagakabouros," Illaoi said with a deep breath, as though suppressing some inner sorrow. "He has lost his momentum, his will to move forward. He has no vision beyond ruling Bilgewater. He has stagnated." Her voice grew steadier as she continued, "Nagakabouros demands motion, not stillness. That is the core of her teachings."
Li Lin's confusion deepened. Wasn't it true that Gangplank, after surviving Miss Fortune's betrayal and the loss of his arm, had sought out Illaoi at the Buhru temple, hoping for her aid to reclaim Bilgewater? In the trials of Nagakabouros, he had reunited his fractured spirit with his body, emerged stronger, and even gained Illaoi's support. Or so it seemed.
But as Li Lin delved into his recollection of events, a realization struck him. Gangplank had only passed Nagakabouros' trial because of his unyielding determination to reclaim Bilgewater. It was his will to overcome his brokenness that earned the goddess's approval—not some pre-existing endorsement from Illaoi.
Meeting Illaoi's gaze, Li Lin asked, "So?"
"I am here today to deliver Nagakabouros' decree," Illaoi said, her expression solemn as she rose from her chair. With effortless grace, she lifted her massive idol, the Eye of God, onto her shoulder. Green light shimmered faintly from the artifact, and Li Lin noticed translucent, tentacle-like appendages writhing within.
A sacred, overwhelming aura emanated from it—a divine force far surpassing that of modern gods like Janna, whose power stemmed from human worship. This was the unshakable might of one of Runeterra's primordial deities.
"In fact," Illaoi continued, "Nagakabouros revealed your name to me three years ago and commanded me to test you when you set foot on the Serpent Isles. But now, her plans have changed. She has chosen to recognize your authority over Bilgewater. You will bring motion to humanity."
Illaoi's gaze shifted to the closed door, as faint noises could be heard from outside. Li Lin turned his head just in time to see the door swing open, revealing Miss Fortune, who had just finished issuing orders to her crew.
She hesitated when she saw both of them staring at her. "Uh... am I interrupting something?"
Illaoi continued as though Miss Fortune hadn't spoken. "And, of course, that includes recognizing Sarah Fortune's rule over Bilgewater."
(End of Chapter)