Stillwater Hold in Chaos

Twenty minutes later, Marcus left satisfied, having secured Jayce's promise to protect his family.

As for Jayce, his expression was grim, feeling the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.

"Jayce." Viktor, who had been listening for a long time, suddenly spoke up. "I can help you solve the Stillwater Hold problem. But would you be willing to give me a signed letter, in your capacity as Councilor, to promote our civilian inventions from before Hextech New Technology?"

Jayce's face showed hesitation. Thirty minutes ago, he might have agreed without a second thought. But now the pressure on him was immense—every step he took was too big. If this matter went wrong, he might really have to step down.

After a moment's thought, he declined tactfully: "Viktor, we're not Enforcers. We don't need to get involved in Stillwater Hold. I think our new inventions can still go through a few more iterations. I have matters to discuss with Mel. Don't worry, soon our great creations will fill every street and alley of Piltover."

With that, as if ashamed before his friend, he turned and strode away with a sour expression.

"Yes, fill every street and alley of Piltover. Zaun is the place left behind again." Viktor shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.

In truth, when he'd brought it up, he'd already known the answer. But people always cling to a little hope.

If he could turn a person into a machine, would there be fewer troubles?

He looked up at the Flying Gate, lost in thought.

Drip!

At that moment, a cool drop of water fell from the sky onto his forehead, startling him slightly.

Then, a bird made of water carried a note in its beak, dropped it into his hand, and dissolved into a puddle.

Opening the specially waterproofed note, Viktor saw the neat handwriting:

"A few days ago, I took the liberty of visiting your lab. Most of your inventions are quite impressive. Today, the Empire sent a message, willing to open a large factory dedicated to mass-producing those inventions. If you accept, you can choose a profit distribution plan.

"First: 50% of the profits from selling the inventions go to you. Second: 30% of the products are supplied to Zaun until demand there is saturated, but you receive only 10% of the profits.—Ryan Meredith"

"What is this? My partner in invention hesitates, lacking the confidence to face the future. Yet someone I've only met a few times extends an olive branch?" Viktor muttered to himself, a mocking smile on his face.

He knew something of Ryan's situation in Noxus—it wasn't much better than Jayce's. Though his magical skill was high, he was mired in controversy due to the defeat against Ionia. The superior who looked after him was also recuperating from injury, leaving Ryan with limited resources at his disposal.

And under these circumstances, to build a large factory just to recruit him—this gesture moved him deeply.

He understood clearly that after everything that had happened these past few days, he wouldn't have refused Noxus's offer anyway. He was sure Ryan knew that too, yet he still did this.

In comparison, Jayce had utterly disappointed him.

"Maybe it's time to live for myself once, Viktor."

He murmured under his breath, walking slowly yet steadily toward his laboratory.

The night was overcast, but inside the Piltover Grand Theater, the atmosphere was heated.

Mel and Jayce chatted amiably in a private booth, pointing and laughing at the councilors in other booths.

Jayce's expression wavered between conflicted and resolute, then settled into a politician's smile as he shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with councilors entering the booth.

On the other side, the West District was far from harmonious.

Jinx sat atop a low building, looking bored. She muttered a few complaints, then raised her Gatling Machine Gun, her childish face gradually twisting into madness.

Da! Da! Da! Da!

"Hahahaha!"

Flames flickered at the gun's muzzle, and amid her wild laughter, bullets rained down on Stillwater Hold in the distance.

Blood sprayed from the Enforcer guards as they crumpled to the ground.

The alarm was pulled, and the shrill siren pierced Piltover's night sky.

Inside the Grand Theater, Jayce's face turned solemn at the sound. He exchanged a glance with Mel, grabbed the hammer he'd left in the corner of the booth, and strode resolutely outside.

All for a better tomorrow in Piltover!

Jinx hadn't been firing long before the Enforcer units reacted, returning fire in her direction. Gunfire mingled with the alarm, echoing endlessly through Piltover.

"Tch, boring!"

Jinx grumbled, pulling an iron canister from her pack and hurling it forcefully toward the Enforcers.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion roared, accompanied by screams. The deadly flames consumed every Enforcer caught in the blast.

"Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~!"

Humming a little tune, Jinx boldly stood up amid the chaos, raised her gun, and sprayed another round.

This time, the effect was clearly better—at least five Enforcers were hit, and the rest scattered, too afraid to show their faces.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a burst of air sounded in Jinx's ears. She felt the danger of death closing in. Without time to think, she instinctively threw herself to the side.

Boom!!!!

A blue energy sphere slammed into the spot where she'd just stood. The ground was blown open, and the whole building shook several times.

Facing this brush with death, Jinx froze.

She looked toward where the sphere had come from and saw the tall figure of Jayce, surrounded by Enforcers, holding a massive hammer glowing with blue light. A second shot was clearly already charging.

Jinx's face darkened. Without hesitation, she pulled another explosive canister from her pack and hurled it with all her might at Jayce.

She, however, retreated without hesitation.

Boom!!!

The blue energy sphere collided with the explosive iron canister, bursting midair like fireworks. The shockwave swept across the building where Jinx had been moments before, leaving its walls covered in spiderweb-like cracks, teetering on the verge of collapse.

Seeing this, the Enforcers erupted in cheers of joy, crowding around Jayce, flocking to him, and hailing him as a hero.

Inside the laboratory, Viktor listened to the distant sirens and gunfire. Unhurriedly, he pulled up his hood and mounted the mechanical arm onto his shoulder.

"Give my thanks to Lord Meredith and Miss Katarina."

"When today's business is over, you can tell him yourself. He thinks highly of you; I'd like to see it for myself." Katarina leaned against the wall, her voice cold.

"As you wish!"

Viktor put on his Monocle, opened the door, and strode toward the Kiramman estate.

Behind him, Katarina vanished into the shadows. The laboratory lights went dark, and no sound remained.

A work error this morning caused the chapter order to be wrong. Two advance chapters are offered as an apology. My sincerest apologies!

These chapters mainly showcase the Upper and Lower Cities and their people through the perspectives of Viktor, Jayce, and Silco. Compared to them, the protagonist is more like a chess player—omnipresent yet not the driving force.

I don't know if this style will be accepted by you, dear readers, but in my eyes, the Twin Cities are not a one-man show for the protagonist. Instead, every character should shine with their own light—no right or wrong, only conviction.

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