The Fate of Machines

Camille forcefully spread her arms, the mechanical limbs groaning as she tore them apart with her bare hands.

"A proper lady has many means at her disposal."

She pressed her hand to the ground, pushing off with force to launch herself onto the robot's head. Her leg blades seized the opportunity to pierce the robot's back, destroying its current emitter.

Feeling the Primal Crystal in her heart power up again, the blades on her legs glowed with an orange and blue light. Her legs danced in the air, the slender, sharp limbs performing an elegant ballet.

But those sharp blades seemed indestructible, slicing the robot into pieces, dismembering it completely.

"Mission failed. We need to retreat."

Camille said, and two grappling hooks pulled Caitlyn and Vi close to her.

Jayce, who was closest to her, also moved closer.

"Are we just retreating like this?" Vi asked, unwilling to give up.

"It's my fault," Caitlyn said, her spirits low. She hadn't been helpful at all.

"Either fight or run. Indecision only increases casualties."

Camille's face was expressionless, but her words were clear.

Retreat!

The robots and armored soldiers from Zaun did not advance either, merely remaining on guard.

Viktor and Silco both knew that Camille was too strong; they couldn't take her down.

As long as Camille wasn't put under enough pressure, she could pick them off one by one.

Camille covered their retreat, and the others quickly pulled back.

After a long while, Camille took one last deep look at Viktor and Silco before striding away.

"We're done here. I hope Jinx has good news for us," Viktor said, his expression softening as he gazed towards Piltover.

Silco did the same. "I trust Jinx. The earlier explosions and sounds are the best proof."

"What are you going to do? You're running out of time. The Shimmer is corroding your body. I can turn you into a machine, like Camille," Viktor said, glancing back at Silco.

After their discussions over the past few days, he had come to respect this leader of Zaun.

Although his methods were a bit extreme, his heart was still with Zaun, and he had always fought for Zaun's independence.

He believed that Zaun's future would improve under Silco's leadership.

Viktor slowly began to understand Ryan's idea. He was just a scientist, and he could only shine in a research and development position.

Many of his previous ideas were immature, and he needed a good leader to guide his future research.

Zaun had Silco, and the future had Ryan. He was very satisfied with this outcome.

But Silco didn't seem to think so. The side effects of the Shimmer distorted his face in pain, but he still shook his head firmly:

"A person always needs something to look forward to in life. If I'm a robot, will I still be myself?"

"Everything for Zaun."

Viktor injected the Shimmer into Silco's eye with a needle. Silco's body trembled slightly, and it took a long time for him to recover.

"Living for Zaun, but in death, one must pursue the ending they desire."

Silco's laughter was strained due to his weakness, but it contained a certain warmth and anticipation.

"I respect your choice, if you have a good successor," Viktor sighed.

He could understand Silco; not everyone believed that evolution was glorious.

"Sevika, with some refinement, would be a good candidate. She loves Zaun no less than we do. Don't let her short temper fool you; she's always been clear-headed. Developing like Piltover leads to stagnation. With Lord Meredith, we'll have a good future," Silco had clearly thought about this issue long ago.

"Yes, Zaun will get better, with Lord Meredith, with Noxus..."

Viktor turned around, his powerful footsteps echoing "pat-pat" on the ground as he disappeared into the night.

Ferros Estate, Housemaster's room.

The room was dim, without a single flicker of candlelight.

Stevan sat silently in the Housemaster's chair, his gaze fixed out the window.

Not far away, also within the Ferros Estate, a towering blaze now burned, dazzling and brilliant, occasionally punctuated by booming explosions.

This was precisely the second demolition target in Jinx's mission.

But the perpetrator had long since departed, leaving behind a manor with a burning lawn.

If their family's houses hadn't been protected by Augmentation Technology, they would have long since been blown to dust.

Bang!

The door was pushed open from the outside. Marcus, dressed in an Enforcer uniform, bowed and said respectfully:

"Housemaster Ferros, the fire is under control. No casualties confirmed."

"This is the second explosion tonight. We lost a Council member in the first one. If the Ferros Clan didn't have some foundation, we would have been annihilated by now," Stevan said, his face grim.

"This is my negligence. Our security forces are insufficient, and they breached the river defenses. All the stationed Enforcers are dead," Marcus said with a forced smile.

Recent events had left him utterly disheartened; he'd long regretted telling Jayce about Stillwater Hold.

Not only had Zaun declared independence, but Piltover wasn't even assured of victory, and Jayce seemed completely incapable of protecting his own family.

He felt a slight relief, grateful that he hadn't woken up to find Silco beside his bed each morning. Perhaps the man was too busy and had forgotten about a small fry like him.

And now, tonight, another major incident had occurred—a Council member had died. Although it wasn't human, just one of Heimerdinger's creations, it was still a Council member. In over 200 years of Piltover's development, nothing like this had ever happened.

He already had a premonition that he was about to lose his job.

"You've done enough tonight. I'll speak for you at the Council tomorrow."

Marcus's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the other man.

"There's something I need you to do."

Stevan's words jolted Marcus back to reality. He grimaced, a bitter smile on his face.

"As long as it doesn't involve my wife and daughter."

"Tomorrow at the Council, place all the blame on Talis and Kiramman. Their unauthorized actions led to tonight's incident," Stevan said calmly.

"Talis and Kiramman?"

Marcus thought for a moment and understood what the other man meant.

Reportedly, three Council members had crossed the river tonight. Besides him, those three Council members would also have to take responsibility for tonight's events. This was clearly a way to downplay Camille's involvement in the incident.

He nodded knowingly, patting his chest.

"I understand. I know what to say tomorrow."

Stevan nodded, then gave a meaningful look, dismissing Marcus.

The room became empty again. His deep gaze rested on the portrait of Camille in the Housemaster's room, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

The portrait showed Camille before her augmentations, her short black hair exuding a spirited charm. Seated gracefully, she embodied elegance and dignity, truly a perfect noblewoman.

Sister, the Ferros Clan's machines will eventually become obsolete. Go pursue your own destiny. This is what I owe you.

His eyes flickered as he picked up the letter from the Noxus Embassy on the table, lit it, and watched it burn to ash.

Thank you to "KSL Shandong Ren" for the 5000 reward, "Poor is a Sickness" for the 500 reward! Thank you "He Xiaomeng" for the 500 reward!

Many thanks to all the readers for your recognition! I've noted down all the generous rewards and will start an explosive release schedule once it's officially listed!