Two Boats on the River

Night fell over the Piltover Enforcement Office.

"Kids, this won't be child's play from here on out. Are you sure you want to come along?"

Camille stood elegantly in the training yard, her gaze sweeping over the three young men and women before her.

"Councillor Ferros, protecting Piltover is my duty!" Caitlyn said with a solemn expression.

"Viktor's matter began because of me. It should end because of me too." Jayce's expression was complicated.

"Don't look at me. Silco murdered my father."

The two Hextech Gauntlets in Vi's hands slammed together with a loud bang, bang.

Caitlyn had secured these treasures from Jayce for her, and she absolutely loved how they felt.

The conditions had not been troublesome, either.

She only needed to cooperate with the Enforcers in wiping out Silco and Viktor, which suited her just fine.

"Driven by emotion, guided by loyalty, riddled with openings."

A smile rested on Camille's lips, but her gaze was as sharp as a blade. The three instinctively looked away, not daring to meet her eyes.

Then Vi, who had grown up in the undercity, showed an unconvinced expression and said irritably:

"I've been in plenty of fights, and I know Zaun!"

"Fights? With your fists? I stopped fighting like that when I was three. Zaun? I was already an agent there, purging unstable elements, before you were even born, child."

After putting her down, Camille abruptly changed her tone.

"Still, I like your eyes. You have potential, at least more than the other two."

"Thanks for the compliment. I think so too." Vi grinned carelessly, utterly unfazed by the earlier mockery.

"All right, young Enforcer, and..." Camille glanced at the resolute Caitlyn and Jayce. "Miss Councillor and Mr. Councillor, it is time for us to depart."

The group made their preparations. Under the cover of the pitch-black night, Camille led the three of them to the Ferros Clan's private dock.

The place was shrouded in darkness. All the large merchant vessels that could be seen everywhere during the day had vanished, leaving only a small boat faintly visible beside the dock.

"We're taking that across the river?"

Caitlyn pointed at the little wooden boat in the distance. It looked as though it could barely carry the four of them, but who would row?

"Why are you all looking at me?"

Feeling the other three gazes on him, Jayce's expression turned somewhat complicated. Still, he sighed, strapped the hammer in his hand to his back, and picked up the oars in the boat.

"Ladies, time to board."

"Not bad. A proper young Piltover gentleman." Camille gave a slight nod and stepped aboard first.

After the other two boarded, Camille instructed them:

"Land at the northwest corner of Zaun. Someone will meet us there."

Jayce nodded and began rowing, sending the little boat racing toward Zaun.

Not long after they set off, Caitlyn looked at Piltover's brightly lit coast behind them, her eyes filled with longing.

"This is my first time seeing Piltover from this angle. It's beautiful."

"See those cannons on shore?" Vi patted Caitlyn's shoulder and pointed with her other hand toward the artillery platforms along the coastal wall.

"I see them. Those are artillery platforms developed by Professor Heimerdinger." Caitlyn nodded. "One shot would destroy this boat without even hitting us directly. A near miss would be enough."

"Piltover relies entirely on those things. Without them, Silco would've taken you down long ago." Vi chuckled.

"How could that be? We still have the Enforcers." Caitlyn retorted.

"Kiramman, she isn't wrong."

Camille looked at Vi with interest.

"The Enforcer ranks are full of children now. They need a child like you."

"Is that an invitation? Sorry, but I'm from Zaun!" Vi pointed to the "VI" tattoo on her face, brimming with pride in her identity.

"The Twin Cities are one whole. I can tell that you do not agree with Viktor's ideals. Become an Enforcer, and you may have a chance to become a councillor." Camille's tone was sincere.

"Tch. You say that like being a councillor means anything. I was there that day. They acted like dogs in front of you and that Noxus mage. In the end, it all comes down to who can fight better."

Vi waved her fists, her expression full of contempt for those councillors who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

"Yes, it comes down to who can fight better. But first, you must become an Enforcer. Perhaps one day, Piltover will be yours to command."

Camille glanced at the shore ahead, which was already close.

"Mr. Councillor, you should strengthen yourself. Piltover's future should not be so weak."

As she spoke, two grappling cables shot out from her legs, extending dozens of meters before catching onto a wooden piling on the shore.

"Hold tight! Falling into the river to feed the fish won't feel pleasant."

The instant Camille's teasing words fell, an enormous force dragged the boat forward at tremendous speed. If Jayce and the others had not gripped the hull tightly beforehand, they would have been flung away.

In only a few seconds, the little boat flew to Zaun's shore.

Vi took two deep breaths and shook her head before recovering. Then she calmly spat out two words.

"Now that's a rush!"

"We have no time to dawdle."

Camille turned her gaze toward the black-clad figure kneeling on one knee by the shore.

"Where are Viktor and Silco?"

"They will be going to the Mineral Warehouse tonight. The mine recently excavated a new batch of Primal Crystals." Respect colored the black-clad figure's hoarse voice.

"It seems we are fortunate. It is not far from here, so we can complete the mission quickly."

Camille smiled. The blades beneath her feet stepped forward one after another, stabbing into the soil with every step as she headed deeper into Zaun.

"Keep up, children. It is time for you to see the world."

"I've lived here for over ten years. Do I need you to show me around?" Vi curled her lip and hurried after her with her gauntlets in hand.

"I came here not long ago." Caitlyn raised a brow, glanced at Jayce, and ran forward with a rifle slung over her back.

"The air here is still as terrible as ever. Perhaps I was too selfish."

Jayce sighed, inhaling the scent of chemical fumes in the air. He could not help shaking his head, but his gaze gradually hardened as he carried his hammer and walked forward step by step.

Noxus Embassy, top-floor room.

"News from the water: a small boat traveled from Piltover to Zaun. There were one man and three women aboard."

Ryan wore a smile as a sphere of water floated before him, displaying the scene of Camille and the others crossing the river.

"Oh, has the other side set out as well? What a curious pair of groups."

The image in the water sphere changed, revealing another small boat traveling from Zaun toward Piltover.

Sevika rowed with a cold expression, while Jinx hummed a tune and carried a Gatling, looking utterly relaxed.

"You're really this carefree?"

As Sevika rowed with all her strength, she could not help speaking up.

"What's there to worry about? Follow Silco's route, blow up those two places, and we're done!" There was not the slightest trace of concern on Jinx's face.

"The Piltover Coastal Defense Cannons are up ahead. One shot could blow our little boat apart."

"Tch! Heh~"

Jinx let out several strange laughs and looked Sevika up and down.

"You scared?"

"Scared? I'm afraid we won't complete the mission."

"Relax. From here, my cannon can blow up that whatever-it-is Coastal Defense Cannon."

Jinx snickered as the Gatling in her hands instantly shifted into Rocket Launcher form, aiming at Piltover's Coastal Defense Cannon.

Just as she prepared to pull the trigger, her eyes narrowed and she stopped.

"Hm? Something's happening!"