Blade and Water

"Good afternoon, Ms. Camille. This should be our second meeting."

Ryan greeted Camille, who was sitting not far away.

She was perched on the reception room sofa, legs crossed, completely lacking the grace of a Piltover lady. In fact, she looked more like someone from Zaun.

"You must know why I'm here to see you." Camille's gaze cut across Ryan's face like a blade.

"Madam, I'm not entirely sure. This is the Noxian embassy. If you're here seeking assistance, I'd be happy to help."

"Hmph, you're even more difficult than Swain. He's much more straightforward than you." Camille looked annoyed. "Tell me, what do you want? If Piltover has it, I don't mind giving it to you."

"Do I really need to scheme for things belonging to Piltover?"

Ryan smoothly pulled out the chair in front of Camille and sat down, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"That's what puzzles me. You don't seek power, you don't seek profit, and you have no grievances to air. Noxus is already struggling to handle its own affairs, so is it really necessary to come here and bully us?"

Camille took a delicate sip from her teacup, but from beneath her foot, a grappling hook shot out directly towards Ryan.

Whoosh!

Ryan lightly cupped his hand, and a ball of water appeared in the grappling hook's path. The hook entered the water, losing all momentum.

A helpless expression was on his face, and he slightly shrugged his shoulders:

"Why do you assume I have ill intentions? I haven't done anything."

"Meredith, I don't like beating around the bush."

The blue glow in Camille's eyes intensified. She slightly lifted her right foot, and the sharp blade on her heel sliced through the water ball, splitting the shapeless water into two masses.

"You've met Viktor twice. The first time was at a Medarda banquet, and the other was here. After that, you went to Zaun with him."

"That's correct."

Ryan chuckled softly, clapping his hands together. The two masses of water dispersed, as if nothing had happened, but the air became more humid from the scattered water.

"I know some things, but I don't seem to be obligated to tell you."

"Only the weak need to explain and seek the truth. I just want to solve problems."

Camille stood up expressionlessly, sweeping a whip kick towards Ryan.

Whoosh!

The whip kick passed unimpeded across Ryan's neck, but only sent a large splash of water flying.

"Solve problems? Force can't solve problems, Ms. Camille. You've been working for Noxus for so many years, you should understand that."

Ryan sat perfectly fine, even having the leisure to take a relaxed sip of tea.

"More threats. You've broken your agreement. Piltover shouldn't be coveted by Noxus."

Camille's expression was stern, kicking out again and again.

But this time, shields made of water appeared beside Ryan.

Water, though soft, becomes strong. No matter how sharp the blade, it couldn't break through the water's defense even once.

"Noxus has not overstepped. Besides, the agreement should be renegotiated. Piltover cannot remain uninvolved."

Ryan looked at Camille with a serious expression, his eyes glowing with the deep blue light of Magic.

"Interesting. Is Piltover caught in your internal conflict? You're dealing with Medarda, and Swain is dealing with Darkwill?"

Though Camille was asking, her tone was one of certainty.

She hadn't been oblivious to the empire's situation these past few years. The defeat at the Battle of the Presidium had set the empire on a path of decline.

And within the empire, there would always be a group of people wanting to turn the tide.

"So… your target is me? Or Heimerdinger? No, Heimerdinger isn't qualified. It must be the darling of the new era, Jayce Talis."

Ryan smiled, neither confirming nor denying, just gently pushing his hand.

A ripple of water emanated outwards.

Camille didn't want to be touched and retreated a few steps. When she stopped in front of the sofa where she had been sitting, the ripple conveniently disappeared. With the frequent appearance of water, one could feel the humidity in the reception room with every breath.

She took the opportunity to sit down, crossing her legs, a smile on her face.

"Ms. Camille, have you considered joining the Trifarix?"

"The Trifarix? I haven't heard that name." Camille's eyes showed interest, knowing he was making a demand.

"It was founded by several core members of Noxus, with the core principle of restoring Noxus to greatness," Ryan said with a smile.

"Sounds interesting, but I'm a Piltoveran." Camille's tone was dismissive.

"That's not contradictory. Piltover relies on Noxus. As Noxus grows stronger, Piltover will also prosper more," Ryan stated directly.

"Nonsense. If I join the Trifarix, will you help me deal with Zaun?"

Camille's intrigued gaze, however, made Ryan withdraw the magical light from his eyes, revealing once again his dark eyes with a hint of a smile.

"I can't promise you that. I will only intervene once when Piltover and the Ferros Clan face a crisis."

"So joining the Trifarix can't solve Piltover's immediate problems, and you're convinced we'll lose." Surprise showed in Camille's eyes.

"Piltover has been too complacent for too long. Other than you, I see no chance of success."

Ryan stood up and pulled out a yellowed scroll from his body, covered with various Rune markings.

He handed the scroll to Camille, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"This isn't a mandatory invitation. We will help you as much as you're willing to contribute to the Trifarix. Noxus will not intervene militarily in this battle of the Twin Cities."

"A contract scroll, where the soul of the breaker will suffer endless torment. You and Swain are truly people who accomplish great things. If I don't agree to secrecy, I suppose I won't even be able to walk out that door." Camille calmly took the scroll.

"No, you will keep the Trifarix's secret. You are different from others. I will be staying in Piltover for a while," Ryan said, a genuine smile on his face.

The other party didn't explicitly utter any threats, but Camille knew well that Ryan in Piltover was the biggest threat.

Once news about the Trifarix spread in Piltover, the city would instantly become a dead zone.

Whether it was the Ferros Clan, or Piltover itself, or even Zaun, all would be swallowed by a vast ocean.

Piltover and Zaun were coastal cities, and he had more than enough power to achieve such a feat. She understood the might of a powerful Magic user all too well.

"The Trifarix, you say... I need to consider it. However, I don't think it will be long before you change your mind. Piltover isn't without a chance. In three days, have Viktor wait to be led to slaughter."

Camille stood up and leaped out the window without a backward glance, leaving Ryan alone in the reception room.

"She just... left like that?"

Katarina, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

"Camille doesn't want me to take the lead."

Ryan chuckled softly, the glow from the ring on his right hand gradually dimming, and the humidity in the air slowly began to decrease.

Katarina sniffed the heavy moisture in the air, seeing beads of water mist forming on the walls, and a hint of understanding dawned in her eyes.

Ryan looked at Katarina's expression and couldn't help but smile and nod:

"Tell Silco that Camille will be raiding Zaun tonight. Tell him to use whatever means he has. Oh, and also tell him that Piltover's defenses will be weak tonight. The Ferros Clan is key to breaking the deadlock."

"Understood, I'll deliver the message, Excellency!"

Katarina asked no further questions. Her figure flashed, and she left the room, speeding towards Zaun.