Zaunite really have no manners!
How many times has Jayce been insulted by the locals since arriving in Zaun?
Frustrated, Jess followed along with Marson Hill and his group to a vast area filled with dust. However, it wasn't a problem with the air quality; if one didn't get close to the dust, Jess felt the air here was no different from that in Piltover.
At least if you blindfold Jayce and let him breathe, he absolutely won't be able to tell whether this is Zaun or Piltover.
Therefore, the dust was caused by construction work being carried out here; a group of Zaunite were carrying timber and stones, building a huge house.
"This is the Zaun council building, expected to be completed in January next year, around your Progress Day," Silco explained to Jayce.
"These people are all public officials in Zaun, and they were all former members of the Lian Hua Gang. You should know what the Lian Hua Gang is, right?"
Jayce nodded.
"However, the Lian Hua Gang has now disbanded, on Li Ke's personal order. In the future, they will all be public officials of Zaun, or at least that's what Li Ke calls them. They are like the law enforcement officers of Piltover, people with regular positions and jobs."
Silco led Jayce along, he said, "But it's different from Piltover. Zaun is preparing to build an army because it's foolish to rely solely on law enforcers to protect the city-state."
Jayce didn't speak, but Silco clearly wasn't going to let him off the hook, and asked with a smile, "What do you think?"
"I must say, you are right. Entrusting the safety of an entire city to a few hundred people and relying solely on the police for defense is indeed a foolish thing to do," Jayce said in a deep voice.
Zaun's system is more advanced than theirs, at least in this respect, compared to Piltover.
"You are a genius, Mr. Talis. After seeing your amazing inventions, no one would doubt that, which is why we invited you to Zaun."
"Zaun needs talent like you, and I believe that only here can you rediscover your original passion for scientific research. Don't look at me like that; that's what an acquaintance of yours told me," Silco said softly as he walked ahead.
Jayce frowned.
That was too arrogant, and it made him a little uncomfortable.
Could a place like Zaun really help him rediscover his original scientific aspirations?
He admitted that Piltover had blinded him, causing him to lose himself and fall into a life of extravagance and debauchery, but thanks to Viktor, he had broken free.
As for Zaun, a place that can't even produce decent materials, what kind of science can be researched there?
Want to learn how to assemble weapons from scrap materials?
"I heard that Heimerdinger has become a senator for Zaun? What's going on?"
"Hmm, are you surprised?"
"Of course! He's the father of Piltover, how could he possibly come to Zaun and become some kind of councilor?" Jayce caught up with Silco and said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with suspicion towards Silco and Zaun.
Could the professor Zaun because he was threatened by them?
Otherwise, there's no reason!
The professor didn't have any prejudice against Zaun, but he always liked Piltover, praised Piltover, and the words that often popped out of his mouth were about the future of Piltover and how this technological land would change things.
How could someone like him willingly become a councilor for Zaun?
Silco looked at Jayce, guessed what Jayce was thinking, sneered, grabbed the doorknob, and said in a deep voice, "Put away your arrogance, kid. We Zaun aren't as bad as you think."
"Haven't what you've seen along the way changed your perspective?"
Jayce was taken aback, a hint of apology flashing in his eyes. What he had seen along the way had indeed shocked Jayce, yet now he was still viewing Zaun with prejudice.
Just as Jayce was about to apologize, Silco pushed open the door.
"Go in."
Jayce turned his head, and then suddenly froze.
His eyes widened as he looked around the room, and a single sentence escaped his lips. "Viktor?"
"Viktor!"
He strode into the room and walked toward the thin young man sitting in the corner with his back to him. The young man was holding some materials and seemed to be studying something.
Hearing the voice, Viktor turned around and saw that it was Jayce who called him. A smile appeared on his face, and he was about to get up, but Jayce had already knelt down and hugged him tightly before he could.
"Oh my god, I thought I'd never see you again!"
Jayce hugged Viktor tightly, his voice trembling as he said, "How... how did you end up in Zaun? Why did you leave without saying goodbye? Do you know how worried I was when you suddenly disappeared, Viktor? I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Alright, Jayce, I'm fine, aren't I?" Viktor smiled, patted Jayce's arm, and nodded apologetically to Li Ke was looking at him and Jayce.
"Are you alright? I know your situation very well!" Jayce separated Viktor, looked at his face, and said seriously, "Tell me, was it the Zaunite who did it? Did they forcibly bring you down?"
Viktor was taken aback, and his expression became somewhat strange.
Believe it or not, Jayce actually guessed the truth.
But Viktor certainly wouldn't say that. He just smiled again, looked into Jayce's eyes, and said softly, "Jayce, don't forget, I'm a Zaunite."
"Isn't it only right that I return to Zaun?"
"This..." Jayce paused, then sighed and nodded. "You're right, but you left Piltover without telling me. You need to give me a reason!"
"Of course I will, but instead of that, shouldn't you say hello to the professor now?" Viktor chuckled and patted Jayce on the shoulder.
His body had not yet fully recovered, but with Singed's help, maintaining his energy was not a problem. As for his lifespan, Li Ke said he didn't need to worry and that he would be fine, but in reality, Viktor no longer cared.
He was content to witness Zaun's rise to power in his lifetime.
Although he still had many ambitions left unfulfilled, life is always full of regrets. Viktor was already very satisfied to be able to see the changes in Zaun and participate in them.
"Hey, Jayce." Heimerdinger's voice rang out, and he looked at Jayce with a somewhat timid expression.
Jayce noticed Heimerdinger's mood, took a deep breath, and asked, "Professor, are you alright?"
"Of course, my child, I'm fine!" Heimerdinger said immediately. When he got to Jayce, he looked at Jayce, tapped his fingers together in front of him, and whispered, "But you... you don't look well."
"Professor, so much has happened lately, how could I possibly be alright?" Jayce gave a wry smile, then bent down and looked at Heimerdinger apologetically, saying, "Professor, I'm so sorry for what I did to you."
"It's alright, kid. I've learned a lot since coming to Zaun, and I understand your situation back then. It's not your fault."
"Thank you for your understanding, Professor, thank you so much."
"So, Jayce, are we back together now?" Heimerdinger asked again.
Jayce nodded, his heart filled with gratitude for Heimerdinger.
The professor never blamed him.
Heimerdinger genuinely believed it was his fault, and went to Zaun to find the reason for everything. As for himself? Jayce personally kicked this teacher who had been good to him out of the council.
Thinking about this, Jayce felt like he was a complete jerk.
If the occasion weren't so inappropriate, he would have liked to slap himself in front of Heimerdinger.
"Have you finished talking?"
Hearing the voice, Jayce turned around and saw a dark-haired young man. Jayce recognized him; he had seen his photo when the council members were meeting.
Now, looking at him, Jayce's expression was complicated.
"Jayce, welcome to Zaun." Li Ke looked at Jayce. Sure enough, Councilman Talis was just like in the game—a handsome, rich, and successful man.
And the height is a bit frightening.
The average height of people in both cities is around 1.7 meters, and the average height in Piltover has likely increased significantly in recent years, but overall, it definitely won't exceed 1.8 meters.
And what about Jayce?
Standing there at two meters tall, with a well-proportioned physique and well-developed muscles, it goes without saying that he would be very conspicuous.
Of all the people Li Ke knew, only Vander was about the same height as Jayce; the rest were all of average height, like Malson.
Li Ke is considered quite tall; he was 1.75 meters tall six months ago, and now he should be around 1.78 meters tall, but standing next to Jayce, he's a whole head shorter.
Speaking of height, Noxus is full of freaks. I remember on the bridge, I casually threw a punch and sent those guys flying, all over 1.8 meters tall!
The average height of Noxians must be around 1.85 meters, right? What about the height of Dutch people?
"What do you need me to do?" Jayce asked Li Ke.
Li Ke gestured for Jess to sit down, and after Jayce sat down, he calmly said, "It's simple, Jayce, I need you to create a future for both cities."
"The future of the two cities?"
"I hope we can all have a bright future, and that requires you, Viktor, Ekko, Jinx, and all the talented people of Zaun and Piltover to unite and work together."
"The Noxians have been defeated, but they will soon return. Those wolf-like creatures are not to be feared after one defeat. Only when their teeth are broken and their claws are severed will they know what fear is."
Li Ke narrowed his eyes and continued, "But right now, Zaun can't do it, and neither can Piltover. If the Noxians return, the first city they'll pass through will be Piltover."
"Piltover has no grudge against them."
"Do you even believe what you're saying?" Li Ke looked at Jayce with a sarcastic smile.
"Wars between city-states never consider relationships, only interests. But Zaun and Piltover are different, Jayce. We were one nation hundreds of years ago. Tracing back through history, our culture and bloodlines are the same."
"We share a common heritage, so we can cooperate."
Jayce looked at Viktor and saw him smile at him.
When I looked at Li Ke again, Li Ke had already extended his hand toward Jayce.
"Okay, I will cooperate with you."
"Anyway, I didn't have a choice to begin with, did I?" Jayce chuckled self-deprecatingly and extended his hand.
Li Ke shook hands with Jayce lightly, then withdrew his hand and looked at Jayce with a smile, saying, "You won't regret it, Jayce. I'd like to introduce you to someone."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jayce Talis."
A melodious voice rang out, Janna appeared out of nowhere, sitting on Li Ke's shoulder.
The blue bird looked calmly at Jayce and then said, "I am Janna."
Seeing this, Li Ke was amused; he hadn't even called for Janna yet, Janna had come out on her own.
It seems so.
The goddess is already very skilled at this job!
Seeing Jayce Big Eyes at Janna, everyone in the room laughed.
Yes, everyone from the two cities who sees Janna has that same dumbfounded expression.
"You, you actually exist. That little girl didn't lie to me!"
Jayce looked at Janna in surprise, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
No wonder Zaun was able to win this war; no wonder Zaun possesses a power that Piltover cannot comprehend.
So that's why.
The goddess chose Zaun!
But why?
There are still many people in Piltover who believe in Janna!
My Goddess, why did you choose Zaun?
Jayce was completely baffled.