Joining... the Glorious Evolution!

Chapter 25: Join the Glorious Evolution!

"Develop Augmentation Technology?! No, absolutely not!" Heimerdinger stood up from his seat, vehemently opposing the idea.

"Augmentation Technology? What's that?"

Jayce had wanted to ask earlier, and now he finally couldn't hold back.

"It's about mechanically modifying the body, using a Primal Gemstone to replace the heart, continuously powering the body."

Camille's eyes glowed with a bright blue light, filled with undeniable conviction:

"To protect Piltover, any sacrifice is worth it."

"Mechanized bodies? Are they even human anymore? I object." Caitlyn slammed her hand on the table and stood up.

The council members debated, their opinions split into two factions.

The council members led by Camille believed that sacrificing some Enforcers for Piltover's peace was well worth it. The council members led by Heimerdinger, however, believed that the principle of humanity should be maintained.

As they debated, Viktor bent down and leaned close to Ryan's ear, asking softly:

"Excellency, is Augmentation Technology something that could be widely adopted?"

What he really wanted to ask wasn't about universal adoption for all of humanity, but whether it could help him undergo a similar transformation. Ryan had said he could heal his body, but even if healed, congenital factors would still leave his physique with imperfections, and he desired perfection.

Ryan had long anticipated Viktor's question and calmly replied, "In my view, there are five paths to achieving greatness in Runeterra."

Viktor's face showed curiosity as he listened to Ryan's answer, knowing it was related to his question.

"The first is magic godhood: mastering all the Runes in the world, and even the gods of Mount Targon will submit. Rune mages are the embodiment of this path."

"The second is martial godhood: cultivating the strongest physique in the world, one whose defenses no one can break. Darius of Noxus and Garen of Demacia are both excellent examples of this path."

"The third is external breakthrough: achieving supremacy by utilizing the power of demons, the Void, or various miraculous forces. This path relies more on opportunity but also comes with danger."

"The fourth is nature spirits: some beings are born from the power of belief, inherently possessing extremely powerful abilities. We revere these beings as demigods. There is one in Zaun and Piltover."

"The Wind Spirit?"

Viktor's face showed shock as he blurted out a name, recalling the legendary tales of sailors being saved by the wind at sea.

"That demigod is indeed wind-attributed. I haven't seen her true form, but her power manifested a few nights ago. Otherwise, that collision at Kiramman Manor could have destroyed a quarter of Piltover."

"No wonder..."

Viktor's face showed understanding as he continued to look at Ryan with an inquisitive gaze:

"Excellency, what about the last one?"

"The last one..."

Ryan smiled at him, enunciating each word:

"I call it... Machine Ascension!"

"Machine Ascension?"

Viktor murmured the words, his gaze dropping slightly to his own bony, emaciated legs, and voiced his speculation:

"To abandon the frail flesh, keeping only the brain, and reaching supremacy with a mechanical body."

He then felt it wasn't quite right and revised his statement:

"No, the brain isn't even strictly necessary. As long as there's a soul, and the soul carries consciousness, then creating a new mechanical body can grant immortality."

"A very clear line of thinking, but why not be a bit bolder?" Ryan encouraged with a smile. "What is the essence of Hex Crystal?"

"It's magic! The fusion of the Brackern and Primal Crystals, giving birth to self-restoring magic!" Viktor blurted out.

Immediately, the more he thought about it, the more ideas he had. He even became so excited that he spoke in a low voice, despite still being in the council hall:

"The beauty of machines is that they can be manufactured infinitely with materials, winning by sheer numbers. But ordinary people can't control so many machines, and giving them self-awareness prevents them from unleashing their full power..."

"If a core far stronger than a Hex Gemstone could be created using magic or Runes, then it could be used as a vessel, possessing processing power beyond human limits. Every machine could be precisely controlled, and as long as the core isn't destroyed, I will be immortal!"

"The method of operation is also simple: use magic to strip away the soul, then inject the soul into the Ascension Core, link it with Runes, and even create multiple sub-cores to ensure safety..."

Ryan rubbed the ring on his finger, a transparent barrier enveloping him and Viktor, preventing even a whisper from escaping.

He listened intently to Viktor's ideas, occasionally nodding, inwardly marveling at the other's genius in technology.

Such ingenious ideas, he only dared to think of; the other person had already worked out the solution.

However, he wasn't envious. This method, which was less than human, was not his path.

"...The initial core could be crafted by merging multiple Hex Gemstones, and mechanical bodies could also be created using them. It might also require your Excellency's assistance in presiding over the soul transfer."

After listening to Viktor's narration, he slightly raised his head, his expression serious:

"Viktor, do you understand what abandoning the body means?"

"It means not feeling pain, not feeling weakness. My five senses would rely on machines, and even..."

As Viktor spoke, a rare smile appeared on his face:

"Losing most emotions."

"It seems you've already thought it through." Ryan was a little surprised.

Once, at the embassy, he had asked Viktor a similar question, stemming from the conflict between Zaun and Piltover, but Viktor had hesitated then.

Today, however, faced with a similar question concerning himself, Viktor's expression was exceptionally resolute.

"It began that night."

Viktor glanced across the room at the red-faced, arguing Jayce, then looked back at the determined Heimerdinger, a smile playing on his lips:

"I'm not sure if this is my only chance in life, but I don't want to leave any regrets."

"Including that Piltover girl who followed you to Zaun?" Ryan raised an eyebrow.

He'd heard a few days ago that Viktor's former female assistant had crossed the dividing river overnight to join Viktor's ranks.

"Skye." Viktor was silent for a moment. "She will understand me. This is the path I have pursued my entire life."

"If you are determined, I will do everything in my power to help you, opening up all my treasured resources, so that I may witness the day of your evolution and ascension." Seeing the resolve in Viktor's eyes, Ryan made his promise.

"Thank you, Excellency. I am deeply grateful for the glorious evolution you have bestowed upon me." Viktor bowed his head respectfully.

"Alright, it's what I should do. The price you've paid makes it worthwhile for me. They should have a result by now; let's hear their condemnation of you." Ryan chuckled.

The price… From the moment you gave me the confidence to stand on the dividing bridge, I decided to offer all my loyalty, Lord Meredith, Viktor thought to himself, deeply imprinting the other party's kindness in his heart.

He looked up at the familiar faces before him.

The final outcome was that Jayce was persuaded, and The Council passed Camille's total war application with five votes.

However, Jayce's support came with a condition: Camille had to demonstrate the power of Augmentation Technology by condemning him, Viktor, Zaun's number one instigator.

How ironic. When he was at his deepest point of despair, it was Lord Meredith from Noxus who extended a helping hand, promising him a glorious future.

Yet his familiar teachers and partners had repeatedly rejected his ideas, rejected the ideal he yearned for in his heart, even if it could completely resolve the conflict between Zaun and Piltover.

From the very beginning, only Lord Meredith recognized his loyalty and value.

Viktor looked up at the Council hall where the results had been announced, his eyes filled with longing.

The Glorious Evolution was about to begin! He would present a perfect show to Lord Meredith.