Ryan paced over to Mel's side, with Katarina following behind, guarding the mohawk thug.
Seeing purple droplets dripping from the airship, he knew what had happened without needing an answer.
According to Noxus intelligence records, a brilliant Zaunite alchemist had invented an alchemical drug called Shimmer, one capable of tapping into and unleashing the human body's potential.
Unfortunately, it lacked broad applicability and was addictive. It also severely damaged the bodily functions of weaker individuals, making it unsuitable for widespread use in Noxus.
And this airship had been transporting Shimmer.
"Lord Meredith, this has nothing to do with you." Mel's attitude was firm.
"But it seems your people haven't found any clues about the attackers, while I have a living trophy here." Ryan gave a slight shrug, signaling Katarina to bring the captive forward.
Katarina was highly professional when it came to killing. Accordingly, any attempt by this captive to take his own life had been futile.
Not to mention, this burly man with a green Mohawk and hippie clothes did not look like someone with much backbone.
Mel fixed her gaze on the thug, her brows tightly furrowed. She knew full well that Ryan would not hand him over easily, but he was the only surviving attacker and the key to understanding the situation.
This was far from the first incident of its kind that year. Fortunately, the airships being attacked had all been carrying contraband. Every faction deliberately kept the matter out of public view, allowing Piltover to maintain its usual peace.
Her expression shifted several times as thoughts raced through her mind. In the end, she could only grit her teeth and ask, "What do you want?"
"The remaining Shimmer aboard this ship."
Ryan saw Mel's expression suddenly turn serious and added, as if in passing:
"Piltover's principles put people first. Even if you obtain this batch of contraband, the final result will be its destruction. Councilor Medarda, I assume you would not mind exchanging it for Noxian friendship."
Hearing that Noxian-style threat, Mel's expression became complicated, as though she had been reminded of her strong-willed mother. Noxians truly were all cut from the same cloth.
Unwilling to accept it, she tried to reason with him.
"Shimmer has severe side effects. Noxus should have no need for such a lowly method."
"Of course. The Empire unanimously agrees that this drug cannot be directly issued to the military, but that does not mean Shimmer lacks research value. I happen to have some personal interest in it." Ryan did not hide it.
He did not mind letting her know his purpose. He was no lone wolf; the entirety of Noxus stood behind him. With Piltover, there was no need to beat around the bush.
"I trust Councilor Medarda will not refuse such an exchange." Ryan seemed to have run out of patience and began rubbing the ring on his right hand.
Watching the deep blue light flare from Ryan's ring, Mel had no choice but to make a decision, no matter how unwilling she was. She sighed helplessly.
"I agree to your request, my lord."
Satisfied with her answer, Ryan lowered his right hand and gave her a friendly smile.
"Thank you, Councilor Medarda, for fulfilling my small request. I can truly feel Piltover's warm welcome!"
Receiving his look, Katarina kicked the bound captive over to a female Enforcer who had just arrived.
As Ryan and Katarina were about to leave, the female Enforcer looked pityingly at the thug whose bones had been broken by the kick. In the end, she could not help but demand:
"Why did you use such excessive force? He was already under arrest."
Ryan's expression did not change at her words. Katarina, however, looked at her in disbelief, then glanced at Mel beside her. Her gaze seemed to ask why Piltover's Enforcer ranks contained such a harmless sheep.
"Miss Kiramman, I don't think you should be here right now," Mel said coldly.
"Councilor, something happened at the Air Dock. I think I'm needed here." The female Enforcer remained stubborn. "Hey, you still haven't answered me."
"Councilor Medarda, being born in Piltover must be wonderful. Her kindness suits yours perfectly. I look forward to our next cooperation."
Ryan offered that bland assessment, then ignored everyone else and calmly turned to leave.
Noxus had an outpost in Piltover, where he had been staying these past few days. He trusted that Mel would have the Shimmer he needed delivered there.
The female Enforcer wanted to press further, but Mel grabbed her with a frown and warned:
"Caitlyn Kiramman! Do your duty and do not bring disaster upon the Kiramman Family."
After saying that, she had the middle-aged sheriff standing nearby lead Ryan and Katarina toward the Noxus Embassy, while she personally dealt with the remaining mess.
Normally, the sheriff could have handled these matters, but Caitlyn's arrival forced her to stay behind in case anything unexpected happened.
Caitlyn understood justice better than she did, but justice could not deal with Noxus.
Sure enough, less than a few minutes later, Caitlyn came looking for her again.
"Are we really going to hand the contraband over to them? Councilor, that violates Piltover's rules."
"Rules? Noxus will not follow your rules!" Mel stared coldly at Caitlyn, whose face seemed to bear the words 'justice.' "And Miss Kiramman, mind your tone. Not even your councilor mother would speak to me like that."
With that, she turned away with an icy expression and swayed toward the airship.
No one understood Noxus's strength better than she did. If Piltover wanted to defend its rules, it needed matching power.
Perhaps...
Her gaze drifted toward another airship. A portrait of a young man was painted on its hull, with the emblem of a hammer carved along its edge.
Mel's eyes deepened. She understood that she needed to speak with him. Only he was the future of this city.
Less than an hour after Ryan moved into the Noxus Embassy, a wooden barrel filled with purple liquid was delivered to his new room, along with an invitation.
"An invitation to a Medarda Family banquet. The host is actually the Medarda Family of Noxus? That Miss Mel is quite interesting." Katarina casually set the invitation on the stone table in the room, a trace of disdain in her expression.
The ring on Ryan's right hand gave off a faint glow. He spread his palm, and a mass of purple liquid floated above it, mysterious runes flickering within.
"There's nothing strange about that. Do you really think she became a councilor through her own abilities alone? Other than Heimerdinger, one of the city's founders, Piltover has never had a councilor who rose through individual strength alone."
"I was merely surprised. My father, Du Couteau, often told me that Madam Medarda exiled her to Piltover because of her naivety and kindness. He said she was the most failed general's daughter in Noxus." Katarina leaned half against the wall, mockery in her expression.
In a sense, she was no different from Mel now. The only difference was that her father had been crueler, directly giving her to the lord before her.
Yet she did not reject that feeling. The weak deserved to be enslaved. Ryan was a model of someone who had climbed from obscurity to a high position through his own strength. Compared to her father, such a man was more worthy of her loyalty.
"Your father and Madam Medarda do not get along, so take his words selectively. Mel was not exiled. She was placed in charge of all her family's resources in Piltover. Her family's army has been able to suppress your father's in recent years precisely because it has drawn enormous funds from Piltover."
Ryan spoke calmly as he controlled the runes to analyze the Shimmer.
He was not especially familiar with either side, but he had met them both. Compared to Mel's mother's seemingly rough yet shrewd methods, Du Couteau, that madman who understood nothing but war, fell far short.
However, he had heard from his former superior that Katarina's mother was extraordinary as well. It was hard to say who would be stronger if the two sides truly clashed.
"I don't need to know any of that. Do you need me to prepare anything for this afternoon's banquet?"
Katarina had no interest in such family secrets. She cared more about what Ryan needed her to do.
She understood her place clearly: the sharpest blade in a strong person's hand. That was also the belief Du Couteau had always instilled in her.
"We will attend together this afternoon."
Ryan nodded slightly and continued focusing entirely on manipulating the runes in his hand.
As Katarina bowed and prepared to leave, he seemed to remember something and added:
"Find someone from Piltover to dress you up. You will attend the banquet as my companion."
Katarina stopped at the doorway, looking as though she wanted to say something but held herself back.
Knowing what she was thinking, Ryan did not even turn his head. He remained calm as he said:
"This is a required lesson if you wish to transform. I have no need for a weapon that only knows how to fight and kill."
"Your will shall be obeyed!"
The resistance in Katarina's expression vanished. After respectfully saluting, she closed the door for Ryan.
Before you continue