With Li Lin's impassioned speech and the timely broadcast of compelling visuals, the first League of Legends Summit proceeded seamlessly.
Upon learning about the numerous threats still lurking in Runeterra, even those harboring grudges against one another had no choice but to set their differences aside. After all, when the very planet faces annihilation, what meaning remains in nations, tribes, or personal agendas?
By unanimous decision, Li Lin was appointed as the first Speaker of the League of Legends, with the heads of various nations and organizations serving as council members. Other individuals joined the league in a personal capacity.
AI technology outlined the fundamental agreements that every nation, organization, or individual must abide by to join the League of Legends. These included, but were not limited to, refraining from acts of slander, provocation, declarations of war, or attacks against fellow members. In times of crisis, members were required to assist one another to the best of their ability. Larger nations or organizations bore the additional responsibility of cultivating talent, with gifted individuals required to register with the League and train at the War Academy.
These were just a portion of the protocols designed to address impending global dangers. Obligations, of course, were met with substantial benefits. Personal networks and goodwill alone could not sustain such an alliance for long.
In addition to offering trade incentives to every region, Piltover and Zaun generously sponsored technological infrastructure to ensure other areas could achieve a level of development akin to their own. Li Lin personally provided access to basic matter conversion technology and instructions for building mechanized armies, enabling nations to manufacture their own machines.
To address food shortages, Li Lin also supplied super-gene-enhanced crop seeds free of charge, particularly benefiting resource-scarce areas like Noxus and the harsh, extreme climates of the Freljord.
Now that they had formed an alliance, there was no need to withhold essential technologies.
While the threats posed by the Ruinous Curse and the army of the undead were concerning, the true danger lay in the eventual arrival of the Void Watchers from the Void dimension.
Li Lin's goal was to protect Runeterra for as long as possible. It was not only his second home but also a shared sanctuary for all humanity and creatures alike. Should they ultimately fail to stop the Void Watchers, Li Lin's contingency plan involved the activation of fourth-phase space stations and starships for a mass planetary exodus—leaving the battle against the Void to Aurelion Sol and the Starborn.
However, Li Lin hoped it would never come to that.
Under Li Lin's leadership, tensions among nations and regions began to ease.
King Jarvan III signed a non-aggression treaty on behalf of Demacia. From Noxus, Swain and Darius represented the Trifarix Council, passing an emergency law to uphold the treaty.
In Ionia, Zed, representing the Shadow Order, declared an end to the pursuit of Kinkou Order ninjas. However, negotiations with the Navori Brotherhood remained pending, to be mediated by Li Lin and various regulators.
Miss Fortune announced that Bilgewater would shed its image as a haven for pirates and criminals, striving to transform the city into a hub for sea monster hunting and trade.
Ashe sought peaceful unification with the Winter's Claw but knew that if Sejuani, her childhood friend, refused to compromise, Li Lin's mechanized army would intervene. Should any demigods interfere, Azir promised assistance from the Shuriman Empire. With six ascended god-warriors, excluding the still-recovering Renekton, Shurima boasted a force rivaling the demigods. If they could unseal more Darkin, that number would grow further.
The natural spirits of the Freljord? Shurima had enough Ascended to counter any demigods, not to mention Li Lin's formidable mechs. Even Volibear, a god of war stuck in archaic beliefs, would find no advantage.
As much as Ashe wished to avoid conflict with Sejuani, some matters were beyond her control.
The League of Legends Summit concluded with most eligible individuals registering their names.
In Demacia, Sona was already listed in the system. The Winged Sisters registered as Demacians, joined by Garen, Jarvan IV, Fiora, Xin Zhao, and others. Even King Jarvan III registered as an individual member, setting aside his role as monarch.
Barrett, whose strength had been enhanced by experimental serums, also became a founding member at Sona and Kahina's request. High Marshal Tiyana, as always, followed the king's orders.
In Noxus, Swain and Darius were indispensable. Darius even ensured his brother Draven's name was added. Members also included the likes of Kled, Du Couteau, Katarina, and Talon. However, LeBlanc and all Black Rose affiliates were explicitly banned from joining—a condition Li Lin personally insisted upon.
In Ionia, Akali became the first true representative to join, followed by Shen, Kennen, Zed, and Kayn. Mayym, having stepped down as the Fist of Shadow, was not included despite Akali's demands. As it stood, Ionia had relatively few members. Others, such as Karma, Yi, Lee Sin, and Yasuo, still needed to be persuaded to join—a responsibility shared by Shen and Zed, who were obligated to rally support through their respective orders.
Freljord and Bilgewater had even fewer representatives.
Currently, only Miss Fortune and Illaoi from Bilgewater met the criteria, though Li Lin allowed Miss Fortune to include her first mate, Rafen. Legends such as Fizz, Nautilus, Pyke, and Tahm Kench were excluded, deemed ineligible for membership. Graves remained locked in a Piltover prison under advanced mechanical guard, with no hope of escape, while Twisted Fate's whereabouts were unknown. Li Lin simply did not want these rogues tarnishing the League's environment.
Ashe registered herself and Tryndamere first, along with several brave warriors of the Frostblood lineage. For others like Braum and Gragas, additional effort would be required—a task Ashe willingly took on.
Aurelion Sol, Zoe, and Janna were recorded under Piltover and Zaun's allocation, given their direct affiliations with Li Lin.
Unsurprisingly, Shurima boasted the largest and most powerful contingent. Azir, Nasus, Aatrox, Rhaast, Varus, and Valeeva—six Ascended—along with Sivir, Taliyah, and the recovering Renekton were all added to the system.
Kai'Sa and Kassadin, as close allies of Li Lin, were also listed under Piltover and Zaun.
With its foundation established, the League of Legends was ready to grow and thrive.
By evening, all arrangements had been completed. Li Lin invited the leaders to a banquet at the Kiramman estate in Piltover before ensuring their safe return home. He then returned to his office in Piltover's administrative building.
"AI," Li Lin commanded, "deploy the mechanized army. It's time to head to the Shadow Isles."
(End of Chapter)