Peace Talks Proposal

"I'll take responsibility for what happened last night, be it the Ferros Clan's losses or the councilor's death. I'll bear it all."

Camille withdrew her gaze from Stevan, her sharp eyes sweeping over all the councilors present.

Many councilors lowered their heads, but a few quickly raised theirs. Camille made a mental note of each of them.

Medarda, Noxus, Ferros

"Camille…"

Caitlyn looked at Camille, distressed. It was clearly their problem last night.

If they had Camille's strength, things wouldn't be like this today.

Jayce's expression was similar to hers; his head was bowed low, a hint of remorse on his face.

They were supposed to be the ones responsible, but now they were burying their heads in the sand again.

Why? Why does doing the right thing have to bear the consequences of something else?

"The public issue has been resolved, so let's discuss the last topic: Zaun."

Mel spoke up, sensing the atmosphere was a bit off.

Today's Council meeting was highly unusual. It appeared to be about Piltover, but in reality, it was a power struggle between several factions.

The esteemed individual in the Embassy, the head of the Ferros Clan, and Camille, who was being targeted.

A certain lady had given her a warning by her bedside last night. All she could do was be a spectator.

"You went to Zaun yesterday. How long until we can deal with them?" The blond councilor seemed impatient.

"At any cost, today. Hesitate, and there's no future," Camille said expressionlessly, her blue glowing eyes scanning all the councilors.

"Uh… the cost is too great. They'll fight us to the death. At least half of the councilors here would die. We need time."

Jayce interjected. Yesterday's experience taught him that passion alone couldn't change the outcome.

"Time? A day? A month? A year?" the short, stout councilor blurted out.

"At least three months. Rigorous science requires a lot of time for verification, especially for military applications," Heimerdinger estimated a time in his mind, slowly voicing it.

"That's why I said before, we should negotiate," a female councilor said, resting her hand on her head, a look of boredom on her face.

Thump!

A spotlight shone down, illuminating the female councilor. She raised her right hand and spoke calmly:

"Let's end this meeting quickly. I propose we negotiate with Zaun to buy ourselves enough time. As for the terms, let's discuss them first, then vote, and then each make some concessions."

Immediately after—

"Agreed!"

"Seconded!"

Two beams of white light fell on two male councilors.

This scene filled Caitlyn with indignation, her fists clenched. Her mother was still in bed, and her father's bones hadn't even been found yet!

Thump! Two spotlights lit up simultaneously.

Mel and Jayce exchanged glances, each raising their right hand, signifying the proposal's passage.

Heimerdinger also symbolically raised his hand. Everyone turned their gaze to Camille, awaiting her refusal, and then for the proposal to pass.

Unexpectedly, Camille expressionlessly raised her right hand, clad in a black glove, and said with an exceptionally cold tone:

"I will personally go and speak with Viktor. Also, to take responsibility for last night's events, my council seat will be taken by Stevan starting today, and I will be staying at the Enforcement Office from now on."

"That is your freedom. You are qualified to represent the Council, Ms. Camille," Mel said with a smile.

Aside from Jayce, Heimerdinger, and Caitlyn, who remained silent, the others also smiled and nodded in agreement. Everyone's expressions conveyed friendliness, with no friction or conflict whatsoever.

Having received her answer, Camille finally cast a last look at her younger brother, then left the Council hall without looking back.

The Council hall doors closed. Camille could still hear Stevan saying something inside, but she didn't bother to listen closely. Instead, she walked towards the Noxus Embassy.

Everything in today's Council meeting had been manipulated. Perhaps her foolish brother had defected to Noxus, or perhaps it was Noxus's coercion.

But no matter how she looked at it, today's events were related to Meredith. She believed she could get the answer she wanted from him.

"Are you waiting for me? Viktor and… Meredith."

At the Noxus Embassy, in the same reception room, Camille walked in with her head held high, her tone unusually calm.

"Ms. Camille, we've been waiting for a long time."

Ryan sat in the main seat, with Viktor standing behind him.

Seeing Camille enter, Viktor nodded slightly as a greeting:

"It's a pleasure to meet again, Ms. Camille."

"I don't want to see you or Meredith. Your intelligence is truly impressive; yesterday, I was a councilor, and today, I'm a 'Ms.'"

Camille wore a mocking expression as she sat on the same sofa she had used yesterday:

"Meredith, people are always willing to submit to the strong, but few are willing to think about the price they have to pay."

Her deep blue eyes fixed on Ryan, as if she would launch a fierce attack the next second.

Ryan's expression was blank, understanding that she was hinting at certain members of The Council.

Camille's purpose in coming here was to seek an answer about the Ferros Clan. Or perhaps, to find a solution to the Twin Cities' problems.

He took a sip of tea and calmly replied:

"Ms. Camille, the pursuit of strength is a biological instinct. The strong cannot always do everything themselves; they need one or two followers. Moreover, often the strong don't want to exploit anything from the weak; it's merely a chain reaction from insignificant actions."

"That's it? Are the strong really such uninspired beings?" Camille's face held an unreadable emotion. "Sometimes the weak are truly like ants, not even knowing why they're trampled to death by a monster nearby."

"When people become powerful, it's always for something. The strong don't like dealing with trivial matters all day. Take Viktor, for example; he became strong to change Zaun, which Piltover had ruined. But people often bother him at night. For his own pursuits, someone needs to resolve these minor issues for him." Ryan leaned back slightly on the sofa.

Camille looked up, glanced at Viktor, and shook her head slightly:

"That's a good reason, but he needs capable subordinates, not a bunch of useless people."

"Ms. Camille, everyone has their own value. Even the most looked-down-upon person can find a shining point somewhere. Noxus is very happy to discover these; at least their effectiveness isn't bad."

"That really sounds like your style, more honest than Demacia, and more worldly than Ionia. Of course, I have to admit you have good judgment; you successfully motivated them. Tell me, what does Zaun want?" Camille chuckled softly.

"A three-month period of superficial peace. The disputes between both sides won't be public. This is Piltover's request."

Viktor gave Ryan a grateful look, and then Ryan's tone shifted:

"Our demand in Zaun is simple: official recognition of Zaun's independence."