"Develop Augmentation Technology!? No, absolutely not!" Heimerdinger stood atop his chair and voiced his opposition in vehement terms.
"Augmentation Technology? What is that?"
Jayce had wanted to ask earlier, and now he could no longer hold back.
"Mechanically modifying the body, replacing the heart with a Primal Gemstone, and continuously supplying the body with energy."
Camille's eyes shone with a bright blue light, filled with unquestionable resolve.
"To protect Piltover, any sacrifice is worth it."
"Mechanized bodies? Would they still be human? I object." Caitlyn slammed her hand on the table and rose.
The councilors began arguing heatedly, their opinions split into two factions.
The councilors led by Camille believed that sacrificing some Enforcers in exchange for Piltover's peace was worthwhile. Those led by Heimerdinger believed that the principle of humanity should be preserved.
As they argued, Viktor bent down and leaned close to Ryan's ear, asking softly,
"My lord, is it possible for Augmentation Technology to become widespread?"
What he truly wanted to ask was not whether it could be popularized among all humanity, but whether it could help him undergo a similar transformation. Ryan had said he could cure his body, but even if he were cured, innate factors would still leave his physique flawed. He wanted perfection.
Ryan had long known Viktor would ask this. He remained composed as he said, "In my eyes, there are five paths to greatness in Runeterra."
Viktor's face filled with curiosity at Ryan's response. He knew it was related to his question.
"The first is to attain mastery through magic. Master every rune in the world, and even the gods of Mount Targon will submit. Rune mages represent this path."
"The second is to become a god through martial prowess. Forge the strongest physique in the world, one whose defenses no one can breach. Noxus's Darius and Demacia's Garen are both outstanding examples of this path."
"The third is to break through using external power. Borrow demons, the Void, or all manner of miraculous forces to attain supremacy. This path relies more on opportunity, but it is equally fraught with danger."
"The fourth is the Spirit of Nature. Some beings are born from the Power of Faith and possess immense power from birth. We call such beings demigods. There is one in Zaun and Piltover."
"The wind spirit?"
Viktor blurted out a name in shock, recalling the tales of sailors rescued by the wind at sea.
"That demigod is indeed aligned with the wind. I have never seen her true form, but her power appeared a few nights ago. Otherwise, the clash at Kiramman Manor could have destroyed a quarter of Piltover."
"No wonder."
Understanding dawned on Viktor's face as he continued to look at Ryan with eager curiosity.
"My lord, what about the final path?"
"The final path."
Ryan smiled at him and enunciated each word.
"I call it... Machine Ascension!"
"Machine Ascension?"
Viktor murmured the term, his gaze lowering slightly to his frail legs, so thin they were little more than bone. He voiced his speculation.
"Abandon the weak flesh, preserve only the brain, and use a mechanical body to reach supremacy."
After saying that, he felt it was not quite right and amended it.
"No, even the brain is not essential. As long as there is a soul, and the soul carries consciousness, one can create another mechanical body and attain immortality."
"A very clear line of thought, but why not be bolder?" Ryan asked with an encouraging smile. "What is the essence of Hex Crystals?"
"Magic! Magic born from the fusion of the Chitin People and Primal Crystals, capable of self-recovery," Viktor replied without hesitation.
Then, the more he thought about it, the clearer his ideas became. He was so excited that, despite still being in the Council Hall, he spoke in a low voice.
"The beauty of machinery is that, as long as there are materials, it can be produced without limit and triumph through numbers. But ordinary people cannot control so many machines, and giving them self-awareness would prevent them from unleashing their full potential."
"If magic or runes were used to create a core, one far stronger than a Hex Gemstone, it could serve as a vessel with computational power beyond human limits. Every machine could be controlled precisely. As long as the core remains intact, I will be immortal!"
"The method would be simple as well. Use magic to separate the soul, inject it into an Ascension Core, then link it with runes. Multiple sub-cores could also be created to ensure safety—"
Ryan rubbed the ring on his finger, and a transparent barrier enveloped him and Viktor. Not a trace of sound could escape.
He listened intently to Viktor's ideas, nodding occasionally as he inwardly marveled that the other man truly was a genius on the technological path.
He only dared to imagine such fantastical ideas, yet Viktor had immediately devised an entire plan.
Still, he did not envy him. This method of abandoning one's humanity was not his path.
"...The initial core could be made by combining several Hex Gemstones, and they could also be used to construct the mechanical body. I may need to trouble you to oversee the transfer of my soul."
Once Viktor finished explaining, Ryan raised his head slightly, his expression solemn.
"Viktor, do you understand what abandoning your body means?"
"It means no longer feeling pain, no longer feeling weakness. The five senses would rely on machinery, and even..."
As Viktor spoke, several rare traces of a smile appeared on his face.
"Most emotions would be lost."
"It seems you have already made up your mind." Ryan was somewhat surprised.
Back at the embassy, he had asked Viktor a similar question. The root of it had been Zaun and Piltover, but Viktor had hesitated.
Yet now, faced with a similar question concerning himself, Viktor's expression was exceptionally resolute.
"Since that night."
Viktor glanced from afar at Jayce, whose face was flushed red from arguing, then looked back at Heimerdinger's resolute expression. A smile rested on his lips.
"I do not know whether this is my only chance in life, but I do not want to leave myself with any regrets."
"Including that Piltover girl who followed you to Zaun?" Ryan raised a brow.
A few days ago, he had heard that Viktor's former female assistant had swum across the boundary river overnight and joined Viktor's ranks.
"Skye." Viktor fell silent for a while. "She will understand me. This is the path I have pursued all my life."
"If you have made up your mind, I will spare no effort to help you. I will open all my collections to you, so that I may witness the day you evolve and ascend." Seeing the determination in Viktor's eyes, Ryan made his promise.
"Thank you, my lord. Thank you deeply for granting me Glorious Evolution." Viktor lowered his head and spoke respectfully.
"Enough, this is what I should do. The price you have paid is worth it. They should have reached a conclusion by now. Let us hear their denunciation of you." Ryan smiled.
The price... From the moment you gave me the courage to stand on the boundary bridge, I decided to offer you all my loyalty, Lord Meredith. Viktor silently recited the words, engraving the other man's kindness deep in his heart.
He raised his head and looked at the familiar faces before him.
In the end, Jayce was persuaded, and the Council passed Camille's application for total war by five votes.
However, Jayce's support came with a condition: Camille had to demonstrate the power of Augmentation Technology by denouncing him, Viktor, Zaun's foremost instigator of unrest.
How ironic. When he had sunk into his deepest despair, it was Lord Meredith of Noxus who had extended a hand and promised him a glorious future.
Yet his familiar teacher and partner had rejected his ideas again and again, rejected the ideals he had longed for in his heart, even though they could completely eradicate the conflict between Zaun and Piltover.
From the very beginning, only Lord Meredith had recognized his loyalty and worth.
Viktor looked up at the Council Hall, where the decision had been made, his gaze filled with longing.
Glorious Evolution was about to begin! He would offer Lord Meredith a perfect performance.
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