Calm Before the Storm

As dusk was about to fall, The Last Drop received an unusual guest.

"Silco, what did you promise me! You said you'd keep an eye on her, and this time we lost six Enforcers! Six!"

A middle-aged man in an Enforcer uniform, his face twisted with rage, glared at the calm-faced Silco before him.

"Six? You should be grateful she didn't blow you up, Sheriff Marcus." Silco's expression was flat.

"What do you mean?" Marcus tensed, his eyes sharp with vigilance.

"That person was locked up in Stillwater Hold. You never told me. I thought she was dead."

Silco's eyes glinted coldly as he used his cigar cutter to sever the tip with a sharp snap, lit it, and took a drag.

"How do you know that?" Marcus stared blankly. "She'll be locked away there forever. No one will find out."

"Heh. She's already been released. The Kiramann girl personally retrieved her, with documents signed by the new Councillor."

Silco spoke slowly, but Marcus could feel the murderous intent radiating from him.

He grew nervous, already forgetting the six dead Enforcers, and stammered in panic:

"I really didn't know about this. I can't control what the Councillors do, let alone the fact that Kiramann was never one to stay put."

"Right. So your mistakes always come with a price." Silco stood up, looking down at Marcus, who was sweating coldly. "Tonight, I'm going to make a big ruckus in West City. I don't think you'll interfere, will you?"

"West City? Stillwater Hold? But hasn't she already been released?" Marcus's face was tense.

"But I still have a subordinate there. Word is, the people you caught from the Firelight Gang are there too. Lately, the Firelight Gang has been giving us headaches. It's time to give them something to worry about."

"Don't do anything rash. The Council has already ordered a full investigation of Zaun today. If you do this, we're all finished." Marcus's eyes went wide.

"Finished? As long as you cooperate, nothing will happen. On the contrary, with the Firelight Gang's help, you might even take a small step forward."

Silco stepped forward, gently straightened Marcus's collar, and looked at him with a half-smile.

"I..." Marcus's mouth opened and closed. Feeling the intimidating stares of the two burly men behind him, he fell silent, then said, "I'll cooperate with you. But you have to promise me you won't expose any of this."

"Don't worry. We're partners. Not to mention our friendship, you're worth more than you think."

Silco's face showed satisfaction. He made a gesture for Marcus to leave, and had his men escort him out.

After Marcus left, Viktor, who had been sitting nearby, spoke up:

"Do you need my help with Stillwater Hold?"

"Butler, why would I trouble you with a feint? I'll just send Jinx over." Silco refused with a smile.

In his eyes, Jinx's destructive power was far less than Viktor's—at most, a little girl's tantrum.

If Viktor really went there and fired off a beam, it would truly become an all-out war with Piltover.

Besides, if the Kiramann family couldn't handle things, he might still need the Butler's help.

"Wishing you success. I'll be in Piltover tonight. If you need anything, send a signal."

Viktor tossed a freshly made flare to Silco and left The Last Drop through the door.

"Should I follow him?" Sevika flexed her stronger mechanical arm, a look of eagerness on her face.

"If you want to replace that arm again, I wouldn't stop you." Silco tossed the flare to her. "Go do what you're supposed to do. Don't screw this up tonight."

"Relax. I'm way more reliable than that guy. You'd better worry about Stillwater Hold." Sevika grinned, then swaggered off.

Half an hour later, Jayce's grumbling echoed from inside the Hexgate:

"Yesterday's incident wasn't that simple at all. The smuggling case, the bombing case—those are just the tip of the iceberg. Smuggling through the Hexgate happens every day, and the Firelight Gang in Zaun, along with the forces controlling Shimmer, haven't let up at all."

He paced back and forth on a platform, his face full of frustration.

"Is this why you called me here? To listen to you talk about how disharmonious the Upper and Lower Cities are? That's not our job. We're scientists." Viktor frowned.

He had already taken off his Monocle. As soon as he returned to Piltover, Jayce had called him here. He thought there was a new Hextech discovery, but instead it was more of the same squabbles between the two cities.

"Viktor, I'm a Councillor now! Protecting the Hexgate is my duty." Jayce's face was resolute.

"Even Professor Heimerdinger isn't as dedicated as you."

Viktor leaned against the railing of the platform, watching the determination on Jayce's face. Thinking about what he had experienced in Zaun, he was silent for a moment before speaking:

"Do you still remember what you promised me? To develop opportunities for the people of the Lower City. I'm from Zaun. I know exactly what the people down there lack. Give them the ability to live with dignity, and half your problems will disappear overnight."

Jayce let out a weary sigh, his face full of helplessness:

"I'm really sorry I didn't mention our other projects in my speech. But soon, we'll be able to—"

"Soon?" Viktor let out a scornful laugh. "You're the esteemed Mr. Councillor of Piltover. Do you need someone else's permission to promote technology? Back when you were pushing Hextech, you didn't have these reservations."

"Viktor, you don't understand." Jayce's face was troubled. "It's precisely because I stand in a different position now that I have to consider more things. But trust me, once this matter is resolved, I'll do it."

"Right. A different position." Viktor's eyes were filled with disappointment. He let out a self-deprecating laugh.

He had already come to terms with it, hadn't he?

Thud, thud, thud.

Footsteps approached. Sheriff Marcus straightened his posture and walked up to Jayce.

His gaze swept over Viktor. He found him vaguely familiar, but thinking he was one of Piltover's famous scientists and a trusted aide to two Councillors, he let it go and spoke respectfully to Jayce:

"Mr. Councillor, I heard you were looking for me?"

"Have you verified all these lists?" Jayce demanded, tapping the documents in his hand.

"I assure you—"

"I only want to confiscate all illegal products." Jayce cut him off harshly.

"I can't say for sure on that. You'll have to discuss it with the other councillors." Marcus shrugged.

Watching Jayce glare at him, a look of reluctance crept onto his face, but he still gritted his teeth and warned:

"Mr. Councillor, I don't think you should be concerning yourself with this right now."

"Not concern myself with this? This affects the safety of the Hexgates. If I don't handle it, I might as well step down." Jayce let out a bitter laugh.

"But I've received word that the Undercity folk plan to storm Stillwater Hold tonight. If that place isn't handled properly, Mr. Councillor, you won't be far from stepping down either." Marcus finally let it out.

Viktor's figure was hidden behind Jayce's tall frame, listening to the exchange with a faint, knowing smile.

"Stillwater Hold? That should be something for your Enforcers to deploy on. What does it have to do with me stepping down?" Jayce's expression showed confusion.

"Mr. Councillor, Miss Kiramman used your signed writ to extract a prisoner from Stillwater Hold." Marcus reminded him. "That prisoner is key to the balance between us and the Undercity. With her in her cell, everyone stays peaceful. With her out, the Undercity will riot."

"What prisoner is so important?" Jayce laughed in disbelief. "And since when does Piltover need to compromise with a bunch of terrorists?"

"Mr. Councillor, I'm warning you at the risk of my family's lives. If this is your attitude, then I've trusted the wrong man." Marcus's smile carried a hint of mockery as he shook his head and turned to leave.

"Please wait, Sheriff." Jayce hesitated for a moment before calling Marcus back.