Two Boats on the River

Night fell, casting its shadows over the Piltover Enforcement Office.

"Kids, this isn't playtime. Are you sure you want to come along?" Camille stood gracefully in the training yard, her gaze sweeping over the three young adults before her.

"Councillor Ferros, protecting Piltover is my duty!" Caitlyn's expression was serious.

"Viktor's situation started because of me, and it should end because of me," Jayce said, his face a mix of emotions.

"Don't look at me. Silco killed my father, so I have a score to settle." Vi's two Hextech Gauntlets clanked together with a resounding thud. They were a precious gift Caitlyn had secured for her from Jayce, and Vi loved the feel of them. The condition for getting them wasn't complicated—just helping the Enforcers clean up Silco and Viktor, which suited her perfectly.

"Emotional, impulsive, full of weaknesses." Camille's lips curled into a smile, her eyes like sharp blades, making the trio instinctively avert their gaze, unable to meet hers.

Immediately, Vi, who came from humble beginnings, looked displeased and retorted, "I've been in plenty of fights, and I know Zaun like the back of my hand!"

"Fights? With your fists? I stopped fighting like that when I was three. Zaun? When I was sweeping for unstable elements there as a secret agent, you weren't even born yet, kid."

After her disparaging remarks, Camille suddenly changed tack. "However, I like the look in your eyes. You're good material, at least better than the other two."

"Thanks for the compliment, I think so too," Vi said with a carefree expression, completely unfazed by Camille's earlier taunts.

"Alright, young Enforcer and—" Camille glanced at the resolute Caitlyn and Jayce, "Miss Councillor and Mr. Councillor, we should depart now."

The team was ready. Under the cover of the dark night, Camille led the three to the Ferros Clan's private dock. It was pitch black there; the large merchant ships that were ubiquitous during the day had all disappeared, and only a small boat could vaguely be seen moored nearby.

"We're crossing the river in this?" Caitlyn pointed at the small wooden boat nearby. It looked just big enough for the four of them, but who would row?

"Why is everyone looking at me?" Feeling the gazes of the other three, Jayce's expression was somewhat conflicted, but he sighed nonetheless. He slung the hammer he was holding onto his back and picked up an oar from the boat. "Ladies, it's time to get in."

"Not bad, a true gentleman of Piltover." Camille nodded slightly and was the first to step onto the boat. After the other two boarded, Camille instructed, "Land on the northwest side of Zaun; someone will be there to meet us."

Jayce nodded, and with a few powerful strokes of the oar, the small boat sped towards Zaun.

They hadn't gone far when Caitlyn looked back at the lights dotting the Piltover coast, a look of longing in her eyes. "It's my first time seeing Piltover from this angle. It's truly beautiful."

"See those cannons on the shore?" Vi patted Caitlyn's shoulder, pointing with her other hand at the gun emplacements on the coastal city wall.

"I see them. Those are cannon emplacements developed by Professor Heimerdinger," Caitlyn nodded. "Just one shot, even if it doesn't hit us directly, a near miss could blow this small boat to smithereens."

"Piltover relies entirely on them. If it weren't for them, Silco would have taken you down long ago," Vi chuckled.

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

"Kiramman, she's not wrong." Camille looked at Vi with interest. "The current Enforcer ranks are full of youngsters. They really need someone like you."

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

"The Twin Cities were once one. I can see that you don't agree with Viktor's ideals. Become an Enforcer, and you have a chance to become a Councillor," Camille said sincerely.

"Tch, what's the point of being a Councillor? I was there that day. They acted like dogs in front of you and that Noxus mage. To put it plainly, it just comes down to who's stronger." Vi waved her fists, her expression showing disdain for those bullying, cowardly Councillors.

"Yes, it comes down to who's stronger, but you have to become an Enforcer first. Perhaps one day, Piltover will be in your hands." Camille glanced at the not-too-distant shore. "Mr. Councillor, you should strengthen yourself. Piltover's future shouldn't be so weak."

As she spoke, two hookshots launched from her legs, extending dozens of meters and latching onto a wooden post on the shore.

"Hold on tight! Falling into the river to feed the fish isn't a pleasant feeling." No sooner had Camille's teasing words fallen than the small boat was pulled forward at high speed by an immense force. If Jayce and the other two hadn't gripped the boat tightly early on, they would have been flung out by the force.

In just a few seconds, the boat flew to the shore of Zaun.

Vi took two deep breaths and shook her head, finally recovering. She uttered two words softly:

"That was intense!"

"We don't have time to waste."

Camille's gaze shifted to the figure in black kneeling on one knee by the shore:

"Where are Viktor and Silco?"

"They'll be at the Mineral Warehouse tonight. A new batch of Primal Crystal was just excavated from the mine." The man in black's voice was hoarse, but respectful.

"It seems we're quite lucky. It's not far, and we'll finish the mission quickly."

Camille smiled, her blade-heels moving forward step by step, each press sinking into the earth as she headed deeper into Zaun.

"Keep up, children. It's time to see the world."

"I've been here for over ten years, you think I need you to show me around?" Vi pouted, quickly following with her gauntlets.

"I was just here not long ago." Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, glanced at Jayce, and hurried forward with a rifle on her back.

"The air here is still terrible. Perhaps I'm too selfish."

Jayce sighed, sniffed the chemical-scented air, and couldn't help but shake his head. His gaze grew determined as he walked forward, hammer in hand, step by step.

Noxus Embassy, in a top-floor room.

"News from the water: a small boat has traveled from Piltover to Zaun, carrying one man and three women."

Ryan smiled, before him a sphere of condensed water, displaying the scene of Camille and the others crossing the river.

"Oh, the other side has set off too? What a fascinating combination."

The scene in the water sphere changed, showing another small boat, this one sailing from Zaun to Piltover.

Sevika rowed with a cold expression, while Jinx hummed a tune, holding a Gatling, looking completely at ease.

"You're really that carefree?"

Straining to row, Sevika couldn't help but ask.

"What's there to worry about? Following Silco's route, we blow up those two places, and we're done!" There wasn't a hint of concern on Jinx's face.

"Ahead is the Piltover Coastal Defense Cannon. One shot could blow our little boat to smithereens."

"Pfft! Heh~"

Jinx let out a few strange laughs, scanning Sevika up and down:

"Are you scared?"

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

"Don't worry, my cannon can blow up that Coastal Defense Cannon from here."

Jinx chuckled, and the Gatling in her hand instantly transformed into a rocket launcher, aimed at the Coastal Defense Cannon on the Piltover side.

Just as she was about to pull the trigger, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she stopped:

"Hm? Something's up!"