Departing for Zu'an

As Viktor was led away by soldiers to change clothes, Katarina couldn't help asking:

"I don't recall you having plans to meet anyone in Zaun this afternoon."

"I didn't before. But now I do. The biggest gang leader in Zaun right now is Silco?" Ryan asked casually.

"That's the one. Imperial Intelligence recently gathered intel on him, and they all agree Silco is preparing something behind the scenes," Katarina said.

"Oh? I've read his file too, but why would Imperial Intelligence give such an assessment?" Ryan seemed somewhat surprised.

Katarina spread her hands indifferently. "In their view, Silco was originally a dangerous man who plans before acting—that's the main reason he replaced the former Zaun boss, Vander. But he's been too quiet these past few years."

"Is being quiet a crime?"

"I actually agree with Imperial Intelligence's analysis on this. They think someone like Silco must be plotting something in the shadows, and the Air Dock and yesterday's building explosion might be part of it," Katarina said with mock seriousness.

Ryan chuckled and shook his head. "I have a different opinion. Those people in Imperial Intelligence have no idea what it feels like to have something—or someone—to hold onto."

"Someone like Silco, who killed his own brother? You think he has someone to hold onto?" Katarina questioned.

"Precisely because the matter between him and Vander was such a tangled mess, it left a void in his heart. And now, that void has been filled."

"He's in love?" Katarina's expression shifted to surprise.

She didn't think Ryan was wrong—precisely because she trusted his analysis that she couldn't understand Silco. Emotions only slowed the speed of the blade. Why didn't someone like him understand that?

"Remember the blue-haired girl from last night?" Ryan reminded her.

"The blue-haired girl. The one who blew up the building yesterday. I reviewed the intel last night—she seems to be called Jinx, Silco's most indulged subordinate."

Katarina seemed to be heading down the wrong track, a look of odd distaste on her face.

Ryan found it amusing but didn't bother correcting her, just shaking his head with a smile.

Seeing a servant in the distance make a gesture toward him, he gave his orders: "I've decided to meet him today. Help me pick a place with a view overlooking all of Zaun, and send him an invitation."

"As you will, Your Excellency."

Katarina nodded obediently, glanced at Viktor being helped toward them from afar, then vanished from the restaurant in a flicker.

Ryan stood up and walked to meet Viktor: "Viktor, that suit suits you well."

Viktor had changed into a red-and-black butler uniform. His fluffy hair had been tidied, and paired with his expressionless face, he perfectly embodied the image of a Noxian noble's butler.

"I have a gift for you—a welcome present from a Noxian friend."

Ryan didn't allow Viktor to refuse, signaling to the waiting servant beside him to bring up the tray.

Viktor instinctively looked over. On the tray lay an exquisite monocle, engraved with some kind of rune—a rune he had never seen before, one that captivated him.

Seeing him so absorbed, Ryan smiled and stepped forward to pat Viktor on the shoulder: "Alright, this thing is yours now. You can study it however you like later."

"Sorry, it's just that this gift... is too precious and unique." Viktor's face showed apology as he scratched his head awkwardly.

He hesitated no longer and put on the monocle. A strange light seemed to sweep across his face, causing subtle changes to his features: "I feel... strange."

"A disguise monocle—a little invention of mine. It can subtly adjust your face. Unless someone knows you extremely well, it'll be hard to recognize you. Of course, you can think of it as aligning with Noxian aesthetics," Ryan explained.

"Noxian aesthetics? Feels quite a bit better than Piltover's."

Viktor stared blankly at the mirror the servant held. In it reflected a stern-faced man wearing a monocle, his tall frame making him look like a handsome noble.

Even though he didn't care much about his appearance, he was still taken aback by his own reflection.

"Let's go. We'll talk on the way. I might need you as a guide," Ryan said with a smile.

Viktor snapped back to reality and bowed his head slightly in gratitude. "My honor, Your Excellency."

As he followed Ryan out the door and into the mechanical car, Viktor asked curiously: "That lady isn't coming today?"

As he spoke, he seemed to understand something and laughed self-deprecatingly: "Right, Zaun—a place filled with industrial fumes—is hardly suitable for a noble lady to visit."

The mechanical car started, and the loyal Noxian soldier maneuvered it skillfully toward the bridge that marked the border between Piltover and Zaun.

Hearing Viktor's words, Ryan's expression turned odd: "You think Katarina is a proper noble lady?"

Viktor nodded slightly. "Though her outfit today matched Zaun's style, she was your companion last night, so her status must be considerable."

"She's from the Du Couteau family," Ryan said with a smile.

"Du Couteau... a familiar name. Seems to hold considerable status in Noxus." Viktor scratched his head in frustration.

He had crammed on Noxian politics before coming, but he had focused more on Ryan's information. He didn't have deep memories of other factions, but he did have some impression of the Du Couteau family. At the very least, this family shouldn't be weaker than the Medarda family.

"The Du Couteau family is an assassin family. Every head of the family has been Noxus's finest assassin. Katarina is the eldest daughter," Ryan said.

"An assassin?"

Viktor's face showed surprise. He hadn't expected that seemingly cold, aloof girl to be so extraordinary.

He wouldn't dare dismiss the strongest assassin of Noxus as lacking substance. Just the Noxian soldiers who had received him earlier could, under equal conditions, take on three to five Piltover Enforcers.

"She'll be waiting for us at the Bridge of Progress. You can guess who we're meeting today."

"It should be the current leader of Zaun, but I don't know exactly who that is." Viktor shook his head with a sigh. "Ever since Vander died, Zaun hasn't been the same. It's become... well, more radical. A lot of people I knew have died for various reasons, and the rest have all drunk that stuff called 'Shimmer,' their bodies twisted by it. To be honest, there aren't many people left in Zaun that I still recognize."

"Have you heard any rumors about the one in power in Zaun?" Ryan asked with a smile.

"Seems like an ambitious man with great strength? I've been completely absorbed in Hextech research. I haven't paid attention to these matters in a long time." Viktor's tone was uncertain.

"Other people dream of changing their homeland and can't help paying a little more attention every day. You're completely different from them."

Ryan had never thought there was anything wrong with Viktor's approach. In his eyes, Viktor was better off focusing his energy on new technological research rather than becoming a manager or politician.

Moreover, Noxus didn't lack administrators or reformers, but it was in dire need of top-tier scientific researchers—whether in magic or science.

According to the information from his old superior, it seemed Noxus didn't have much time left.

Thank you to "Peach Who Loves Foxes" for the tip. The book is now signed. Thanks for the support, everyone!!!