He Only Needed a Stage

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

Silco suddenly burst out laughing, his laughter carrying a hint of madness.

"The world is so ironic. If he'd been a little more resolute back then, I wouldn't have needed to step forward. But by the time I truly did, it was already too late."

Hearing the desolation and despair in his words, Viktor found it difficult to understand.

"The power you command should be greater than Vander's was."

"But Piltover isn't what it used to be either. Piltover Academy has produced brilliant talents one after another in recent years. Viktor from several years ago, Jayce from the past two years—which one of them wasn't an exceptionally gifted research prodigy?"

Viktor's eyes narrowed slightly as he said casually, "I've heard of them, but I heard they only made a few little gadgets."

He wanted to know what sort of person he appeared to be in the eyes of this Zaunite Leader. Of all the inventions he had created, although none had benefited Zaun for various reasons, none had been destructive weapons either.

"Yes, they were all little gadgets. They looked insignificant, but they kept widening the gap between the Twin Cities."

Silco shook his head. It was as if he had finally found someone he could confide in; once he started, he could not stop.

"Never mind how the Hexgate has made the world smaller and completely isolated Zaun. Just take Viktor's little inventions from before—they truly widened the gap between Zaun and Piltover. Piltover gained enormous wealth from them, which it used to manufacture weapons, recruit personnel, and build defenses."

He pointed out the window, toward Piltover.

"Piltover's Coastal Defense Cannons are now set up beside Boundary Bridge. One shot can bring down an entire building. The two sides' military strength isn't even on the same level. I heard Viktor was also from Zaun. His abilities are worthy of respect, but he was a traitor."

Traitor.

Viktor's entire body trembled. He had not expected Silco to see him that way.

Most Zaunites probably thought the same way.

For a moment, he felt utterly dispirited.

Through Silco's words, he understood what he had done wrong. His technology had not benefited Zaun; in truth, that had been another way of weakening Zaun.

Perhaps his former self would not have understood, but after coming into contact with Noxus and seeing the respect Ryan received in Piltover, he understood now.

When the two sides were unequal in strength, who would ever show respect to the weak?

Equality, peace, and kindness were merely appearances. Deep down, people simply did not see the other side as their equals.

He had always been indulging in wishful thinking. His good intentions had done harm instead.

"Then what do you have in mind? My purpose in coming here is to assist you in weakening Piltover's strength." Viktor's hoarse voice was filled with resolve.

His gaze turned outward. Through the gaps between Zaun's dilapidated houses, he could vaguely see Piltover's exquisite, luxurious buildings.

And among those bricks and tiles built from wealth lay his own efforts.

He was a Zaunite. What Piltover had once gained from him, Zaun would receive twofold.

Silco looked at the frail man before him, who seemed to have been stirred by something. He folded his hands beneath his chin and said in a low voice,

"Butler, I told you all this to show my sincerity. I love the 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 want a promise from you. Otherwise, even if I have to throw myself into the flames, I will not help you do anything."

"I admire you, Silco. Perhaps I was too narrow-minded in the past. Or perhaps I should get to know Zaun again. This place is not as bad as I imagined."

A smile appeared on Viktor's face. Seeing the confusion in Silco's eyes, he spoke calmly.

"Let me introduce myself again. I am Lord Meredith's Butler, and I am from Zaun!"

"Did you look at me like that when I was carrying out my mission too?"

After listening to Viktor and Silco's conversation, Katarina pointed at the Water Mirror, shame written all over her face.

Ryan waved his hand, dispersing the Water Mirror. A faint smile lingered at the corner of his lips.

"Viktor was more mature than you were back then. When General Du Couteau watched your performance, he was so furious that he smashed the Water Mirror apart."

"Don't mention him to me." Katarina said angrily, "Was this your purpose? To send him to Zaun for experience and earn his loyalty? I can tell that he would now willingly serve as your Butler."

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

"Then why did you throw him into Zaun? A person like that cannot become like Councilor Talis. He should stay in a laboratory and focus on his experiments." Katarina was puzzled.

Ryan walked to the room's window. Looking out over bustling Piltover, he said gravely, "Katarina, everyone has their own ideals, just as we are willing to do anything for Noxus's strength. Viktor is the same. He is willing to do anything for the Zaun in his heart."

"The Zaun in his heart?"

"Zaunites live in terrible conditions. Unlike Noxus, they do not place their hopes in strength, so they all have something to hold onto in their hearts."

Ryan continued explaining,

"Just as Silco has always carried within him the Vander who led him across the bridge. Just as, in Sevika's heart, Silco will always be the one worthy of her loyalty. And in Viktor's heart, there is a perfect, ideal Zaun. The place where they live is touched by sunlight, where they breathe air fragrant with fresh grass, where rivers are so clear that they can see little fish swimming within them, where everyone wears a smile, and everyone is healthy."

Katarina listened in silence before uttering a single name.

"Piltover!"

"That's right. In his eyes, whatever Piltover has, Zaun should also enjoy. This was originally one city."

Ryan looked at the nearby streets outside the window. Gentlemen and ladies walked along smooth white stone pavement with smiles on their faces, bathing in the glow of the setting sun and breathing in the fragrance of flowers that filled the air.

"You want to help him fulfill that wish?"

Katarina stepped to Ryan's side and looked out with him at the scenery so utterly different from Zaun.

"He only needed a stage." Ryan said calmly. "Mel is willing to stake all of Piltover on helping Jayce Talis grow. And Zaun is the stage I prepared for Viktor."

"The two sides are vastly unequal, yet you think so highly of him? Medarda is no weakling."

Katarina was intrigued. Using cities as a chessboard solely to cultivate two genius players—what an astonishing idea.

"It is precisely because one stands at the edge of despair that one cherishes every shred of hope all the more, isn't it?" Ryan said meaningfully.

Katarina's gaze flickered, and her heart trembled as she recalled the final night at the military camp.

Back then, had Ryan not also been her only hope?

Perhaps her intelligence truly could not compare to Mel's, another abandoned daughter like herself. But sometimes, luck might matter more than wisdom.

"My lord, it is my honor to follow you."

Thanks to "Marisa the Master Thief" for the donation!