The Hospitality of the Medarda Family

Ryan paced over to Mel's side, with Katarina following behind, keeping the Mohawk thug in custody.

Seeing the purple droplets still dripping from the airship, he didn't need her answer to know what had happened.

According to Noxus intelligence records, some genius alchemist from Zaun had invented a chemical agent called Shimmer—one that could unlock and unleash the human body's potential.

Unfortunately, it wasn't universally applicable, was highly addictive, and caused severe physical degradation in weaker individuals, making it unsuitable for widespread use in Noxus.

And this airship had been transporting exactly that: Shimmer.

"Lord Meredith, this matter has nothing to do with you." Mel's tone was firm.

"But your people don't seem to have found any leads on the attackers, while I have a live trophy here." Ryan gave a slight shrug, signaling Katarina to shove the prisoner forward.

When it came to killing, Katarina was a professional. As such, any attempt by this captive to commit suicide was nothing but futile.

Not to mention, this green-haired Mohawk thug in his hippie getup didn't exactly look like a tough nut to crack.

Mel's gaze locked onto the thug, her brow furrowed. She knew full well the other party wouldn't hand him over easily, but he was the only survivor among the attackers—the key to understanding the situation.

This wasn't the first incident of its kind this year. Fortunately, the airships that had been attacked were all carrying contraband, and the various factions deliberately kept things off the books, preserving Piltover's usual peace.

Her expression shifted several times as her mind raced. Finally, she gritted her teeth and asked, "What do you want?"

"The remaining Shimmer potion inside this airship."

Seeing Mel's expression suddenly turn serious, Ryan added as if offhand:

"Piltover's rule is people first. Even if you got your hands on this contraband, the end result would be its destruction. Councilor Medarda, I don't think you'd mind trading it for Noxus's friendship."

Hearing this Noxian-style threat, Mel's expression grew complicated, as if she were recalling her strong-willed mother. Noxians really were cut from the same cloth.

Reluctant to give in, she tried to argue:

"Shimmer's side effects are severe. Noxus shouldn't need such underhanded means."

"Of course. The Empire agrees that this potion can't be directly issued to the military. But that doesn't mean Shimmer has no research value. I have a personal interest in it." Ryan didn't bother hiding it.

He didn't mind her knowing his goal. He wasn't some lone wolf—he had all of Noxus at his back. There was no need to beat around the bush with Piltover.

"I think Councilor Medarda won't refuse this exchange." Ryan seemed to lose patience, beginning to toy with the ring on his right hand.

Watching the deep blue light glow from the ring on Ryan's finger, Mel had no choice but to make a decision, no matter how unwilling. She let out a helpless sigh:

"I agree to your request."

Satisfied with the answer, Ryan lowered his right hand and offered a friendly smile:

"I thank Councilor Medarda for indulging my small request. It makes me feel Piltover's welcome!"

At a glance from him, Katarina kicked the bound prisoner, sending him stumbling toward a female enforcer who had just arrived.

As Ryan and his companion were about to leave, the female enforcer couldn't bear to watch the thug, now with a broken leg from the kick, and finally couldn't help asking:

"Why use such excessive force? He was already under arrest."

Hearing this, Ryan's expression didn't change, but Katarina looked at her in disbelief, then glanced at Mel. Her look seemed to ask why Piltover's enforcer ranks included such harmless sheep.

"Miss Kiramman, I don't think you should be here right now." Mel's voice was cold.

"Councilor, there's trouble at the Air Dock. I thought I was needed here." The female enforcer was stubborn. "Hey, you haven't answered my question."

"Councilor Medarda, it's good to be born in Piltover. Her kindness suits yours well. I look forward to our next cooperation."

Ryan offered a bland remark, then ignored everything else and turned to leave with composure.

Piltover had a Noxus compound, where he had been staying these days. As for the Shimmer he needed, he trusted Mel would deliver it there.

The female enforcer wanted to press further, but Mel grabbed her arm with a frown and warned:

"Caitlyn Kiramman! Do your duty and don't bring disaster upon the Kiramman Family."

With that, she had the middle-aged sheriff standing nearby escort Ryan and his companion toward the Noxus Embassy, while she personally handled the remaining mess.

Normally, she could have left it to the sheriff, but Caitlyn's presence forced her to stay and prevent any mishaps.

Caitlyn understood justice better than she did, but justice couldn't handle Noxus.

Sure enough, within minutes, Caitlyn came to her again.

"Are we really handing over contraband to them? Councilor, this violates Piltover's rules."

"Rules? Noxus doesn't care about your rules here!" Mel's gaze was icy as she stared at Caitlyn, whose face was practically stamped with 'justice.' "And Miss Kiramman, watch your tone. Not even your councilor mother would speak to me like that."

With that, her face cold as frost, she turned and strode toward the airship.

No one understood Noxus's power better than she did. If Piltover wanted to uphold its rules, it needed the strength to back them up.

Perhaps—

Her gaze shifted to another airship, its hull painted with a portrait of a young man, a hammer emblem carved at the edge.

Mel's eyes grew deep. She knew she needed to go talk to him. He alone was the city's future.

After moving into the Noxus Embassy, within less than an hour, a wooden barrel filled with purple liquid was delivered to Ryan's new room, along with an invitation.

"An invitation to the Medarda family banquet, and the representative is the Medarda family of Noxus. That Miss Mel is quite interesting." Katarina tossed the invitation onto the stone table in the room, a hint of disdain in her expression.

The ring on Ryan's right hand glowed faintly. His palm opened, and a mass of purple liquid hovered above it, mysterious runes flickering within.

"There's nothing strange about it. Did you really think she became a councilor on her own? In Piltover's history, aside from Heimerdinger, one of the city's founders, there has never been an example of someone rising to councilor solely through personal strength."

"It just caught me off guard, Father. Du Couteau often told me that she was exiled to Piltover by Madam Medarda for her naivety and kindness—the most failed general's daughter in Noxus." Katarina leaned half against the wall, a hint of mockery in her expression.

In a sense, she was no different from Mel now. Except her father was crueler, having directly handed her over to the gentleman before her.

But she didn't resent the feeling. The weak were meant to be enslaved. Ryan was a prime example of someone who climbed to a high position through personal strength from humble beginnings. Compared to her father, someone like him was more worthy of her loyalty.

"Your father and Madam Medarda don't get along. You have to listen to his words selectively. Mel wasn't exiled—she was put in charge of all her family's resources in Piltover. In recent years, her family's army has been able to overpower your father precisely because they've siphoned massive funds from Piltover."

Ryan manipulated the runes analyzing Shimmer as he narrated in a calm tone.

He wasn't particularly close to either side, but he had met both. Compared to Mel's mother, whose rough exterior hid a fine touch, Du Couteau—a madman who only understood war—fell short.

Still, he had heard from his old superior that Katarina's mother was quite extraordinary, so it was hard to say who would come out on top if the two sides truly clashed.

"I don't need to know that. Should I prepare the afternoon banquet for you?"

Katarina had no interest in these family secrets; she cared more about what Ryan needed her to do.

She had a clear sense of her own position—the sharpest blade in the hands of the strong. That was precisely the belief Du Couteau had instilled in her.

"We'll go together this afternoon."

Ryan nodded slightly and resumed full focus on the runes in his hands.

Just as Katarina bowed and was about to leave, he seemed to remember something and added:

"Find someone from Piltover to doll you up. You'll attend the banquet as my companion."

Katarina's steps halted at the door, her expression caught between speaking and holding back.

Knowing what she was thinking, Ryan didn't even turn his head, still speaking calmly:

"This is a required course for the transformation you seek. I don't need a weapon that only knows how to kill by my side."

"As you command!"

The resistance faded from Katarina's expression. She offered a respectful bow and closed the door behind her for Ryan.