Setting Out for Zaun

While Viktor was led away by the soldiers to change clothes, Katarina could not help asking:

"I didn't know you were going to Zaun this afternoon to meet someone."

"There wasn't anyone before, but there is now. Silco is Zaun's biggest gang leader, right?" Ryan asked indifferently.

"That's him. The Empire has recently gathered intelligence on him, and they all believe Silco is preparing something behind the scenes," Katarina said.

"Oh? I've read his file too, but why did Imperial Intelligence give him that assessment?" Ryan seemed somewhat surprised.

Katarina spread her hands and said nonchalantly, "In their view, Silco was originally a dangerous man who planned before he acted. That was the biggest reason he replaced Vander, Zaun's previous boss. But he's been too quiet these past few years."

"Is being quiet a crime too?"

"On this point, I agree with the Imperial Intelligence Department's analysis. They think someone like Silco must be plotting something in secret. The Air Dock and yesterday's building explosion might be part of it," Katarina said solemnly.

Ryan laughed soundlessly and shook his head. "I see it differently. Those people in the Empire simply don't understand what it feels like to have someone to care for."

"Someone like Silco, who even got rid of his former brother, seems like the type to care about someone?" Katarina questioned.

"It is precisely because things between him and Vander are such a tangled mess that he has regrets in his heart. And now, that empty place in his heart has been filled."

"He has someone he likes?" Katarina's expression turned astonished.

She did not think Ryan's analysis was wrong. It was precisely because she trusted his judgment that she found Silco so difficult to understand.

Emotions only slowed the hand that drew the blade. Why did someone like him not understand such a simple truth?

"Do you remember that blue-haired girl from last night?" Ryan reminded her.

"The blue-haired girl... the one who blew up the building yesterday? I reviewed the intelligence last night. Her name seems to be Jinx, and she's Silco's most indulged subordinate."

Katarina seemed to have misunderstood something, her face carrying a strange expression of disgust.

Ryan looked at her with amusement. He had no intention of correcting her and merely shook his head with a smile.

When he saw an attendant in the distance gesture to him, he instructed:

"I've decided to meet him today. Help me choose a place that overlooks all of Zaun and send him an invitation."

"As you wish, sir."

Katarina nodded obediently. She glanced from afar at Viktor, who was being supported as he approached, then vanished from the dining hall in a blur.

Ryan rose and walked toward Viktor.

"Viktor, that outfit suits you very well."

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

"I have a gift for you, a meeting gift from a Noxian friend."

Without allowing Viktor to refuse, Ryan gestured to the attendant waiting nearby and had him bring over the tray in his hands.

Viktor looked over instinctively. Resting quietly on the tray was an exquisite monocle engraved with a certain kind of rune—a rune he had never seen before. It fascinated him.

Seeing how engrossed he was, Ryan smiled and stepped forward to pat Viktor's shoulder. "All right, it's yours now. You can study it however you like from now on."

"I'm sorry. It's just that this gift... is too precious and special." Viktor's face was full of apology as he scratched his head awkwardly.

No longer hesitating, he put the monocle on. A wondrous light seemed to sweep across his face, causing subtle changes to his features.

"I feel strange."

"A Disguise Monocle. A little thing I developed that can subtly adjust your facial features. Unless someone knows you extremely well, it will be difficult for them to recognize you. Of course, you can think of it as bringing you more in line with Noxian aesthetics," Ryan explained.

"Noxian aesthetics? It feels much better than Piltover's."

Viktor stared blankly at the mirror in the attendant's hand. Reflected within was a stern gentleman wearing a monocle. Combined with his slender frame, he looked like a handsome noble.

Even though he did not care much about his appearance, he was still rather amazed by himself.

"Let's go. We can talk as we travel. I might need you as a guide," Ryan said with a smile.

Viktor came back to his senses and lowered his head slightly in thanks. "It would be my honor, sir."

After following Ryan out and boarding the mechanical car, Viktor asked somewhat curiously:

"Is that young lady not coming today?"

As he spoke, he seemed to understand something and laughed at himself.

"Of course. A place like Zaun, shrouded in industrial fumes, is not suitable for a noble young lady."

The mechanical vehicle started up. A loyal Noxian soldier expertly operated it, driving toward the bridge dividing Piltover and Zaun.

Ryan's expression turned strange upon hearing Viktor's words. "You think Katarina is a proper noble young lady?"

Viktor nodded slightly. "Although her outfit today matches Zaun's style of dress, she was your companion last night, so I assume her status is not low."

"She comes from the Du Couteau Family," Ryan said with a smile.

"Du Couteau... that sounds familiar. It seems to hold considerable status in Noxus." Viktor scratched his head in distress.

Before coming here, he had crammed information on Noxus, though he had focused more on Ryan. He did not remember the other powers clearly, but he did have some impression of the Du Couteau Family.

At the very least, that family should not be weaker than the Medarda Family.

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

"An assassin...?"

Viktor's face was filled with surprise. He had not expected that seemingly icy young woman to be so extraordinary.

He certainly did not think Noxus's strongest assassin was an empty title. Even the Noxian soldiers who had just received him could probably take on three or five Piltover Enforcers under equal conditions.

"She'll be waiting for us at the border bridge. You can guess who we're meeting today."

"It should be Zaun's current leader, though I don't know who that is exactly." Viktor shook his head and sighed. "Since Vander died, Zaun has become different from before. More... aggressive. Many people I knew died for all kinds of reasons, while the rest drank a drug called 'Shimmer,' and their bodies mutated. To be honest, there are hardly any people I know left in Zaun."

"Then have you heard any rumors about Zaun's ruler?" Ryan asked with a smile.

"Apparently, he's an ambitious man with great power? I've been absorbed in my Hextech research and haven't paid attention to these matters for a long time," Viktor said uncertainly.

"Other people dream of changing their hometowns and wish they could pay more attention every day, yet you're completely different from them."

Ryan had never thought there was anything wrong with Viktor doing this. In his eyes, rather than entering politics or becoming an administrator, Viktor should devote his energy to researching new technologies.

Moreover, Noxus did not lack administrators and reformers, but it greatly needed top-tier researchers, whether they studied magic or science.

According to the information from his former superior, it seemed that Noxus did not have much time left.

Thanks to "Little Peach Who Loves Eating Foxes" for the reward. The book has been signed, and thank you all for your support!!!