The next day, at the Piltover Council.
The round conference table, once filled to capacity, was noticeably sparse. Only a handful of people had come to the Council.
"Since when did we need to hold meetings this frequently?"
Mel leaned back in her councillor's seat, her voice devoid of emotion, as though she were merely exchanging ordinary pleasantries.
"Good day, Head Stevan. I thought you wouldn't be coming today."
"I was nearly blown to pieces yesterday. Shouldn't you have something to say about that?"
Stevan frowned deeply. He appeared to be observing the other councillors, but his gaze remained fixed on Camille.
"Marcus, tell us what happened last night." Mel toyed with her fingers as she asked in a businesslike manner.
Although Jayce had been involved last night as well, Camille was the one in charge. Mel was more than happy to watch her make a fool of herself.
Besides, the dead councillor had been one of Heimerdinger's people and had nothing to do with her. His death was a good thing.
It was just a pity that only the flowers and plants of the Ferros Clan had been burned. It would have been wonderful if the whole place had been blown up.
"Councillors!"
Marcus jolted, snapped a salute, and hurriedly reported:
"Our coastal defense line was breached last night. All the Enforcers stationed there were killed. Judging by the traces left behind, the attackers likely used Hextech. In addition, explosions occurred at the Academy tower and Ferros Estate. One councillor and five innocent civilians have been confirmed dead, with dozens more injured."
"Hextech? Viktor was capable of that? He fought Councilor Camille at night and still had forces to attack us."
Mel cast a subtle glance at Stevan. The Medarda Family was not weak in Piltover, and she knew very well about last night's commotion.
"Um... I'm not very clear on the exact circumstances involving the three councillors yesterday."
Marcus lowered his head. Thinking of the promise made at Ferros Estate last night, he added:
"However, I heard that Councilor Kiramman brought a Zaunite prisoner with her. And it seems they gained nothing."
"What do you mean? Vi helped us immensely yesterday. Are you trying to shift the blame onto us?"
"Councilor Kiramman, I did not mean that. It's just... if you and Councilor Talis had been there, perhaps our losses would have been far smaller."
Marcus's eyes darted around, but the words from his mouth were exceptionally bold.
"We fought in Zaun all night and nearly didn't make it back. We shed no less sweat than you did," Caitlyn said angrily.
"Nearly didn't make it back? In other words, you failed. We nearly lost four councillors in one night. And you acted without authorization. We had no idea what was happening last night."
The councillor who had previously given up his seat for Camille spoke calmly, but his tone was accusatory.
"Can you even protect Piltover? If not, we might as well ask Noxus to intervene!"
The short, fat councillor slapped the table, visibly agitated.
If not for a certain person appearing at his residence this morning, he would already have been aboard an airship bound for the Immortal Bastion.
A councillor had died yesterday!
Who knew whether he would be the next to die?
Fortunately, someone was willing to guarantee his safety, and he had also reached an understanding with the people across the river. That eased his mind.
"Don't be so impatient, Mr. Councillor. We focused too much on improving people's livelihoods in the past. Converting that into military strength will take just a little time."
Mel smiled and held her thumb and index finger a small distance apart. Then her tone shifted:
"Of course, I believe Councilor Camille can give us a precise answer. Neither your family nor us councillors want to live in constant fear."
"This has nothing to do with Councilor Camille. We are simply too weak. You have no idea what Viktor and Silco did. They had people consume Shimmer as disposable weapons, and they also created a batch of robots capable of using the energy of Hex Gemstones," Caitlyn rebutted.
"I don't care what they have or what they did. What I care about now is whether our safety can be guaranteed."
The blond councillor admired his manicure as he casually pinpointed the heart of the issue.
They had rushed to convene the Council early the next morning because they feared that the next person blown to death in their own home would be themselves.
Not everyone was like the Medarda Family or Ferros Clan. The dead councillor's home had not lacked defenses, yet he, four bodyguards, and a butler had all died.
Even now, Camille had not said a word. Her eyes remained fixed on Stevan, her face expressionless.
Jayce's expression twisted for a moment, but when he recalled what had happened last night, he pressed his lips together.
"If Professor Heimerdinger agrees, Piltover's defensive systems can also be fitted with Hex Gemstones, whether Enforcer weapons or vehicles."
"A very good answer. Professor Heimerdinger, what is your opinion? You are the designer of all Piltover's current weapons." Mel turned her gaze to Heimerdinger.
"I never truly agreed with developing Hextech. It has already brought too many tragedies. But if we do not do it, we will be the ones hurt in the end. With the councillor's death, there is no longer any room to mend relations between us and Zaun."
Heimerdinger's face was full of sorrow. He raised his hand and lowered it again before finally letting out a sigh.
"I hope this power will not bring destruction. Jayce, I will open all weapon design blueprints to you and provide assistance."
"Thank you for your support, Professor Heimerdinger." Jayce looked solemn as he stood and bowed respectfully to Heimerdinger.
When it came to weapons research, Heimerdinger was the true expert. Jayce could only make some Hextech modifications at most.
"Half the matter of safety has been resolved, but shouldn't we have a proper discussion about what happened last night?"
With their lives now protected, the short, fat councillor was the first to press the issue:
"Didn't we agree to maintain superficial peace while we converted our economy into military strength? I didn't know we had an operation against Zaun last night. And now that the Enforcement Office is under Councilor Camille's command, were there no emergency plans?"
"Our coastal defense wall fell for the first time. Councilor Camille should not be held responsible for that. Besides, shouldn't we have tested the waters across the river?" Caitlyn protested.
She despised these idle councillors. While they had been fighting in Zaun last night, these councillors had done nothing but hold them back.
"Test the waters, and then one of our councillors died. If a real war breaks out, how many people here will survive? We need time to arm ourselves," the female councillor said. "I believe we should speak with Zaun's decision-makers."
"Are you kidding? Zaun's threat is right before us, and you still want peace talks?" Caitlyn's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Can you take responsibility for what happened last night? Kiramman, how do you intend to compensate the civilians affected by last night's disaster?" the female councillor said coolly. "Money? You are currently staying in Councilor Talis's home yourself. Promises? Piltover does not believe in empty promises." The female councillor moved her fingers, her calm words stabbing into Caitlyn's heart one after another.
Yet her gaze was never on Caitlyn. Her eyes remained fixed on Camille, waiting for her answer.
"I..." Caitlyn opened her mouth, clenched her teeth, and looked grief-stricken and indignant.