Welcome to Zaun

Dark clouds shrouded the moon, and the evening in Piltover was filled with silence. Besides a few bright lights guiding the Enforcers on their night patrols, there were hardly any other sources of illumination.

Suddenly, bright flames erupted from a tall tower near Piltover Academy, scattering outwards like falling flowers, dazzling and colorful.

Boom!

A few seconds later, the sound of an explosion followed the flash of flames, with waves of air pressure building one after another.

The calm was shattered, and the aftershocks even reached the Noxus Embassy.

In front of an open window, Ryan's plain white mage robe rustled as the air current blew through it.

He stood by the embassy's window, quietly admiring the beautiful fireworks blossoming in the night.

The firelight reflected in his eyes, like fiery red lotus flowers, captivating to behold.

The tall tower collapsed with a roar, sparks igniting the surrounding buildings, and stones scattered by the explosion severely damaged the streets.

"The overture of the night declares that there will be no sleep tonight."

Katarina looked at the unusually tall figure in front of her with a complex expression, full of awe:

"You did nothing, yet you orchestrated the entire situation tonight. How did you know Stevan would betray us?"

The people who appeared on the defensive line tonight were, in fact, the hidden forces of the Ferros Clan.

"You have someone standing before you who can force your father to kneel, and now it just so happens your father wants you to do something you're unwilling to do. What would you choose?" Ryan casually laid out the situation of the siblings.

Katarina pondered for a moment, then said uncertainly, "I might yield, but I can understand why some people would choose to betray their family."

"Betrayal? From where?"

Ryan's words carried a hint of amusement:

"Stevan is very content with everything the Ferros Clan currently possesses. He only wishes to quietly live out his days as head of the family, and his greatest wish is probably to see his children and grandchildren grow up happily."

"Sounds very heartwarming. Is it Councillor Camille's problem?" Katarina asked, a little confused.

"Camille is not wrong either. She is willing to compromise with Noxus for the sake of the family and Piltover, but that compromise is so the family has a chance to become stronger. If the sacrifice doesn't lead to the prosperity of the family and the city-state, she will turn her blade on the complacent family and revitalize it."

Ryan shook his head, thinking of Swain. He and Camille were truly alike.

He had met Swain when he first joined the army. He established himself through Magic, while Swain gained merit by reporting his own family for treason.

At that time, he happened to be assigned to Swain's command.

Initially, he didn't think much of Swain, believing him to be someone who would betray his own for great profit. But as he got to know him better, he discovered that Swain possessed absolute rationality. Although his strength wasn't formidable, his strategy and wisdom were admirable.

Most importantly, his mind was very pure. His purpose in life seemed to be solely for the empire. If it could make the empire stronger, he was willing to sacrifice everything. In this regard, Camille simply couldn't compare to Swain.

"What about the other pair? You seem to have higher hopes for them."

Listening to the commotion outside the window, Katarina raised an eyebrow, looking down, just in time to see two hooded figures darting through the street below.

"I mentioned before that the people of Zaun place their hopes in certain things."

Ryan paused, then continued:

"Jinx's former name was Powder. She has a dual personality, corresponding to her two names. In her sister Vi's eyes, whether it's Jinx or Powder, she's still the Powder in her heart who can't do anything right and needs her older sister to lead her."

"And in Powder's eyes, Vi is the older sister whose approval she desperately yearns for. She longs for her sister's love and affirmation."

"Jinx, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She was born on the night of Vander's death. She wanted to save Vander, but due to a mistake, she caused the death of her companions. Because Vi scolded and accused her of being a disaster, Jinx was born. She should have been a lunatic, with her life's meaning being to frantically seek revenge on Vi, but due to Silco's careful nurturing, she has become this contradictory individual."

For some reason, Katarina could hear a hint of regret in Ryan's words.

After thinking for a moment, she still offered her assessment:

"A Zaunite tragedy."

Ryan agreed in his heart, but then he remembered the request Silco had brought to him not long ago, and he couldn't help but fall into contemplation.

He gazed distantly at Jinx's receding back, as if weighing in his mind whether she was worth him doing something for.

The tower underwent a baptism of rockets, and not only did Piltover become noisy, but the commotion could be heard all the way in Zaun.

Camille, walking down a dimly lit street, suddenly stopped and frowned, looking back in the direction of Piltover.

"What's wrong?" Vi asked curiously.

"Someone has been sacrificed for the future of Piltover."

Camille continued walking forward, her expression unchanged.

"That explosion just now... something happened in Piltover, didn't it?"

Caitlyn's face was terrifyingly dark. She grabbed Camille's arm, one of the few parts of her that was flesh.

Her senses were incredibly sharp. She had also heard the explosion from Piltover, and with the mention of sacrifice in Camille's words, things were far from simple.

"Kiramman, this is war. We kill their generals, they capture our king."

"Who was sacrificed?"

Caitlyn's tone was icy. This was completely different from the justice she wanted to uphold. She absolutely did not agree with what Camille was saying.

If upholding justice required sacrifice, then it should be those on the front lines who died, not innocent civilians in the rear. Why involve them?

"Perhaps your mother, perhaps my brother, or perhaps Heimerdinger. At least someone of standing."

Camille's tone was utterly devoid of emotion, as if even the sacrifice of her own brother would be of no concern to her.

"How can you be like this? No, I need to go back, to protect them!"

Caitlyn couldn't stand her attitude and was about to turn around, but Jayce held her back, shaking his head at her.

Her eyes wide with disbelief, she pursed her lips:

"Why?"

"She's right. We don't know what's happening in the city, but if we go back, then their deaths will have been in vain."

Jayce wasn't as cold-blooded as Caitlyn had imagined. His face showed hesitation and pain, but he still met her gaze directly, not yielding an inch.

"Cupcake."

Vi approached from the front and put an arm around Caitlyn's neck:

"Piltover has so many Enforcers; one more or one less of you right now won't make a difference. And when we go after Silco, we'll definitely need your help."

Caitlyn closed her eyes and bowed her head in silence.

After a long moment, she took a deep breath and reopened her eyes:

"I'm sorry. My mind was just clouded. We need to pick up the pace."

"We're already here. Kiramman, don't let justice be your weakness."

Camille's grappling hook shot forward, and she leaped into the air, flying ahead.

Zzzzt!!!

Where she had just stood, an orange-yellow laser cut through the air, leaving a deep scorch mark.

"Welcome to Zaun!"

Thanks to "Just want to see those endless clouds again" for the 500 reward!