As night approached, The Last Drop welcomed an unusual guest.
"Silco, how did you answer me? You said you'd keep an eye on her! This time, we lost six Enforcers! Six!"
The middle-aged man in an Enforcer uniform wore an angry expression as he glared at the calm-faced Silco before him.
"Six? You should be grateful she didn't blow you up, Sheriff Marcus." Silco remained expressionless.
"What do you mean?" Marcus tensed, his eyes filled with wariness.
"That person was locked up in Stillwater Hold. You never told me. I thought she was dead."
A chill flashed through Silco's eyes as he viciously snipped off the end of his cigar with the cutter in his hand, lit it, and took a drag.
"How did you know that?" Marcus froze. "She'll be locked up there forever. No one will find out."
"Heh. She's already been released. A young lady from the Kiramman family personally collected her, and the papers were signed by a newly appointed councillor."
Silco spoke slowly, but Marcus could sense the killing intent radiating from him.
Growing nervous, he had already forgotten about the deaths of the six Enforcers. Flustered, he said,
"I really didn't know about that. I can't interfere with a councillor's business, much less the Kirammans. They've never been easy to handle."
"Yes, and your mistakes always come at a price." Silco rose to his feet and looked down at the sweating Marcus. "Tonight, I'll cause quite a stir in West City. I assume you won't interfere, will you?"
"West City? Stillwater Hold? But hasn't she already been released?" Marcus looked tense.
"But I still have one of my people in there. I hear the people you caught from the Firelight Gang are there too. The Firelight Gang has been giving us headaches lately. It's time to give them something to worry about."
"Don't do anything reckless. The Council already ordered a thorough investigation of Zaun today. If you do this, we'll all be finished." Marcus's eyes widened.
"Finished? As long as you cooperate, nothing will happen. In fact, with the Firelight Gang's help, you might even take a small step forward."
Silco stepped closer and gently straightened Marcus's clothes, looking at him with a faintly amused smile.
"I..." Marcus opened his mouth, felt the predatory stares of the two burly men behind him, and fell silent. "I'll cooperate, but you have to promise not to expose any of this."
"Don't worry. We're partners. Setting aside our friendship, you're far more valuable than you think."
Silco looked satisfied. He gestured for Marcus to leave, and his men escorted him away.
After Marcus left, Viktor, who had been sitting some distance away, spoke.
"Do you need my help with Stillwater Hold?"
"Butler, why would I trouble you with a feint? I'll just send Jinx." Silco smiled as he refused.
In his eyes, Jinx's destructive power was far less than Viktor's. At most, it was just a little girl making trouble.
If Viktor really went there, one blast from his beam would turn it into an irreconcilable feud with Piltover.
Besides, if things went wrong with the Kiramman family, he might still need the Butler's help.
"I wish you success. I'll be in Piltover tonight. If you need help with anything, send a signal."
Viktor tossed a newly made signal flare to Silco and left The Last Drop through the entrance.
"Should I follow him?" Sevika shook her more powerful mechanical arm, her face eager with anticipation.
"If you want to replace that mechanical arm again, I don't mind you doing it." Silco tossed her the signal flare. "Do what you need to do. You'd better not mess things up tonight."
"Don't worry. I'm more reliable than that guy. You should be worrying about Stillwater Hold." Sevika grinned and swaggered away.
Half an hour later, Jayce's complaints echoed from inside the Hexgate.
"What happened yesterday was nowhere near that simple. The smuggling case, the bombing case—they're only the tip of the iceberg. Smuggling through the Flying Gate happens every day, and neither Zaun's Firelight Gang nor the forces controlling Shimmer have stopped causing trouble."
He paced atop a platform, frustration written all over his face.
"Is this why you called me here? So I could listen to you talk about how disharmonious the Upper and Lower Cities are? This isn't our responsibility. We're scientists." Viktor frowned.
He had removed his monocle long ago. The moment he returned to Piltover, Jayce had summoned him here. He had thought there was some new Hextech discovery, only to find more ugly business between the Upper and Lower Cities.
"Viktor, I'm a councillor now! Protecting the Hexgate is my duty." Jayce's expression was resolute.
"Even Professor Heimerdinger wasn't as dedicated as you."
Viktor leaned against the railing at the edge of the platform. Looking at Jayce's determined face and thinking of what he had experienced in Zaun, he remained silent for a while before speaking.
"Do you remember what you promised me? To create opportunities for the people of the Undercity. I'm from Zaun. I know exactly what they lack. Let them live with dignity, and more than half your troubles will disappear at once."
Jayce sighed wearily, helplessness on his face.
"I'm truly sorry I didn't mention our other projects in the speech, but we'll make it happen soon—"
"Soon?" Viktor let out a scornful laugh. "You're Piltover's esteemed Mr. Councillor. Do you need someone else's approval just to promote some technology? You didn't have these concerns when you were promoting Hextech."
"Viktor, you don't understand." Jayce looked troubled. "Because my position is different from before, I have more things to consider. But please believe me. Once this matter is resolved, I'll do it."
"Yes, your position is different now." Disappointment filled Viktor's eyes, and he gave a self-mocking smile.
He had realized it long ago, hadn't he?
Tap, tap, tap.
A set of footsteps approached, and Sheriff Marcus walked uprightly over to Jayce.
He glanced at Viktor from the corner of his eye and found him somewhat familiar. But recalling that Viktor was a famous Piltover scientist and a favored figure around two councillors, he understood and respectfully said to Jayce,
"Mr. Councillor, I heard you were looking for me?"
"Have you checked all these names?" Jayce pointed at the documents in his hand and demanded.
"I assure you—"
"I only want every illegal product cleared out." Jayce cut him off forcefully.
"I can't say for sure. You'll have to discuss that with the other councillors." Marcus shrugged.
Seeing Jayce glare at him, a hint of difficulty appeared on his face. Still, he gritted his teeth and warned him,
"Mr. Councillor, I don't think you should be dealing with this right now."
"Not deal with it? This affects the Flying Gate's security. If I don't deal with it, I should step down." Jayce laughed incredulously.
"However, I received word that the people of the Undercity plan to storm Stillwater Hold tonight. If that isn't handled properly, Mr. Councillor, you won't be far from stepping down." Marcus finally said it.
Viktor was concealed behind Jayce's tall frame, listening to the conversation before him with a faintly amused smile.
"Stillwater Hold? Isn't that something you Enforcers should be arranging? What does it have to do with me stepping down?" Jayce looked confused.
"Mr. Councillor, Miss Kiramman used documents bearing your signature to collect a prisoner from Stillwater Hold." Marcus reminded him. "That prisoner is tied to the balance between us and the Undercity. While she was in prison, everyone lived in peace. Now that she's out, the Undercity will cause trouble."
"What kind of prisoner could be so important?" Jayce laughed in anger. "And since when did Piltover need to compromise with a group of terrorists?"
"Mr. Councillor, I'm warning you at the risk of my family's lives. If this is your attitude, then consider me mistaken in trusting you." Marcus smiled mockingly, shook his head, and turned to leave.
"Please wait, Sheriff." After hesitating for a moment, Jayce still called Marcus back.