He Only Needs a Stage

"Yes, I didn't do that, because I realized Vander was right."

Silco suddenly let out a laugh, tinged with a hint of madness.

"The irony of this world is that if he had been tougher back then, I wouldn't have needed to step up. But by the time I actually did, everything was already too late."

Hearing the desolation and despair in the other's words, Viktor couldn't quite understand:

"The power you wield should be stronger than Vander's was before."

"But Piltover isn't what it used to be either. Lately, the Piltover Academy keeps churning out geniuses—Viktor a few years ago, Jayce these past two years. Which of them isn't a dazzling research prodigy?"

Viktor's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said offhandedly, "I've heard of those two, but I'm told they only tinkered with some small gadgets."

He was curious to see how this Zaunite Leader viewed him. Every invention he'd ever created, though none had benefited Zaun due to various reasons, also included no lethal weapons.

"Yes, just small gadgets. They look small, but they've made the gap between the Twin Cities wider and wider."

Silco shook his head, as if he'd found someone to confide in, opening up like a floodgate, then added:

"Not to mention the Hexgate shrinking the world and isolating Zaun completely. Take Viktor's earlier little inventions—they truly began widening the rift between Zaun and Piltover. Piltover raked in massive funds to build weapons, recruit people, and fortify defenses."

He pointed out the window, toward Piltover:

"Now Piltover's Coastal Defense Cannon is mounted right by the Boundary Bridge. One shot can collapse a whole building. The two sides aren't even on the same level militarily. I hear Viktor is still a Zaunite—his talent is admirable, but he's a traitor."

A traitor.

Viktor shuddered. He hadn't expected to be seen that way in the other's eyes.

Probably. Most Zaunites think the same, don't they?

For a moment, he felt utterly disheartened.

Through Silco's words, he could understand what he'd done wrong. His technology hadn't benefited Zaun, which was essentially weakening it by proxy.

In the past, he might not have grasped this, but after coming into contact with Noxus and learning how Ryan was respected in Piltover, he could finally see it clearly.

When the two sides aren't equal in strength, who would offer respect to the weak?

Equality, peace, kindness—they're just a facade. Deep down, they never truly see the other as their equal.

He had been fooling himself all along, meaning well but doing harm instead.

"So, do you have any ideas? My purpose in coming here is to assist you, to weaken Piltover's strength." Viktor's hoarse voice carried a resolute edge.

His gaze drifted outward, through the gaps in Zaun's dilapidated buildings, faintly catching sight of Piltover's exquisite, luxurious homes.

And the bricks and mortar piled up with wealth there—his own efforts had contributed to them.

He was a Zaunite. Whatever Piltover had taken from him, Zaun would get back twofold.

Silco looked at the frail man before him, who seemed to be stirred by something, and crossed his hands under his chin, speaking in a low tone:

"Butler, I've told you all this to show my sincerity. I love this land beneath my feet. No one in all of Zaun wants to make it better more than I do—not even Vander once did. So, I need a promise from you. Otherwise, even if it's like a moth flying into a flame, I won't do a thing for you."

"I admire you, Silco. Perhaps I was too narrow-minded before. Or maybe, I should get to know Zaun again—it's not as bad as I imagined."

A smile spread across Viktor's face. Seeing the confusion in the other's eyes, he spoke calmly:

"Let me reintroduce myself. I, Lord Meredith's butler, am from Zaun!"

"Was I looked at like that when I was on a mission?"

Katarina, having finished listening to Viktor and Silco's exchange, pointed at the Water Mirror, her face flushed with indescribable embarrassment.

Ryan waved his hand, dispelling the Water Mirror, a hint of a smile on his lips:

"Viktor is more mature than you were back then. Watching your performance, General Du Couteau was so furious he shattered the Water Mirror."

"Don't mention him to me." Katarina said, annoyed. "So this is your goal? Sending him to Zaun to gain experience and earn his loyalty? I can see it—he'll willingly be your butler now."

"Not entirely." Ryan shook his head. "His talent lies in technological research. Even if he one day invents a method for Machine Ascension, I wouldn't be surprised."

"Then why throw him into Zaun? Someone like that shouldn't end up like Councilor Talis—he should stay in the lab and do his experiments." Katarina was puzzled.

Ryan walked to the window of the room, gazing at the bustling Piltover before him, his tone deep: "Katarina, everyone has their own ideals. Just as we're willing to do anything for Noxus's strength. Viktor is the same—he'd do anything for the Zaun in his heart."

"The Zaun in his heart?"

"The living conditions in Zaun are terrible. Unlike Noxus, which pins its hopes on strength, they all have something to hold onto in their hearts."

Ryan continued to explain, "Just like Silco always carries that Vander who led him across the bridge. Just like in Sevika's heart, Silco will always be worthy of her loyalty. And in Viktor's heart, there's an ideal, perfect Zaun. A place where sunlight shines, where they breathe air fragrant with green grass, where the rivers are clear enough to see small fish swimming, where everyone's face wears a smile, and everyone's body is healthy."

Katarina listened in silence, then uttered a name:

"Piltover!"

"Exactly. In his eyes, whatever Piltover has, Zaun should have too. This was always one city."

Ryan looked out the window at the nearby street, where gentlemen and ladies walked with smiles on the smooth white stone tiles, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, inhaling the scent of flowers drifting in the air.

"You want to help him fulfill that wish?"

Katarina stood beside Ryan, both of them gazing at the scene outside, so different from Zaun.

"He just needs a stage." Ryan said calmly. "Mel is willing to bet all of Piltover to help Jayce Talis grow. And Zaun—that's the stage I've prepared for Viktor."

"The strength disparity between both sides is enormous, yet you're so optimistic about him? Medarda is no pushover."

Katarina grew intrigued. Using a city as a chessboard, all to nurture two prodigy players—what an astonishing concept.

"Precisely because they're backed into a corner, they'll cherish every shred of hope all the more, wouldn't you agree?" Ryan said with meaningful weight.

Katarina's gaze flickered, a tremor passing through her heart as she recalled that final night in the military camp.

Back then, Ryan had been her only hope as well.

Perhaps her intellect truly couldn't compare to Mel, another abandoned daughter. But sometimes, luck mattered more than talent:

"Your Excellency, it is my honor to follow you."

Thank you for the tip from "Marisa the Master Thief"!