Camille's Attitude

Uzul. Full name: Sarn Uzul. A warlord from 500 BC in the Noxian Calendar, who ruled the entire Valoran Continent, known as the King of the World, and believed that as long as he killed enough people, he could be ranked alongside the gods in the Hall of Bones after death.

After death, one enters the underworld, the realm of the spirits, but finds no magnificent palace, only endless whispers and wandering souls awaiting death, disappearing into time.

The enraged Uzul refused to dissipate, and the spirit forged by his fury and brutality gradually allowed Uzul to understand the omnipresent whispers of the underworld.

Around 400 BC, Uzul infiltrated the veils between different realms through whispers, successfully bewitching the sorcerers of the material world, and was summoned to the material world in the Classical era.

Since then, Uzul has killed the wizards who summoned him and forged their bones into his Warhammer, Nightfall. He then launched a war against the material world, slaughtering nearly an entire generation.

Then, he built Immortal Bastion in the heart of the empire and began to study, yearning to master the secrets of all fields... In this three-century-long reign of brutality and slaughter, Uzul ultimately died for betrayal.

But he is better known by another name than Uzul — Mordekaiser.

In terms of brutality, strength, and so-called power, Uzul far surpasses Qiyana. In fact, even Azir, the last emperor of Shurima, pales in comparison to Uzul.

After all, when the last emperor Azir ascended the throne, at least his empire was still intact. But Uzul, he fought his way up from a tribal warrior to become the king of the world.

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Qiyana couldn't help but purse her lips.

The existence of Uzul... or rather Mordekaiser, is documented in great detail not only by Ixialia but also by the Outside World.

The reason is quite simple: Noxus, the largest empire on the Valoran Continent, was established after Mordekaiser was betrayed. Even now, Noxus's capital, Immortal Bastion, still maintains its ancient foundations.

"Where there is oppression, there is resistance." Yuan Chen looked at Qiyana and said calmly, "Power and violence cannot create true peace."

"... That's just because I'm not strong enough!" Knowing she was in the wrong, Qiyana's face was still full of resentment.

In response, Yuan Chen smiled and patted Qiyana on the shoulder:

"If sheer power could solve everything, then Piltover's current technological advancements and prosperity would have existed in classical times."

Upon hearing this, Qiyana fell silent, then leaned back against the car seat with some dissatisfaction, seemingly lost in thought.

Yuan Chen sighed silently at this—there were some things he couldn't explain to Qiyana too clearly.

For example, he was never a member of Ixialia... Yuan Chen could sense that although the masters of Yuentar respected him, the vast majority did not recognize him as a member of Ixialia.

Because of the perception fostered by Ixialia's three thousand years of isolation, the world consisted only of Ixialia and everything outside of Ixialia. Yuan Chen's identity as Ionia gave him a greater sense of belonging in Ixialia compared to the people of the Valoran Continent.

But to expect them to abandon past traditions based solely on this sense of identity... truly shows a lack of self-awareness.

In the following days Yuan Chen, Qiyana, and their group did not encounter too many troubles—mainly because the scholars from Yishuaoken began academic exchanges after they truly realized the excellence of Hextech.

This exchange is beneficial; many scholars who were not so optimistic about the outside world have gradually realized the importance of communication in the process.

In contrast to this, after completing the preparations, Yuan Chen once again arrived in Zaun.

This time, Qiyana did not accompany them, but instead held talks with the four major families in her capacity as crown princess... Yuan Chen was somewhat worried about Qiyana communicating with them. However, Zaun was crucial to Yuan Chen's future actions and was equally important.

Left with no other choice, Yuan Chen could only arrange for Master Tina to accompany him—this graceful blonde bespectacled woman, though she appeared somewhat immature compared to the other masters, was actually from a traditional noble family.

Although I don't particularly like it, I'm very familiar with political etiquette. I can't say I can arrange everything perfectly, but I'm sure there won't be any major problems.

After being given instructions, Qiyana had clearly matured a lot, at least she no longer said anything like "the whole army is pressing in".

However, as a distinguished guest, Yuan Chen did not enter Zaun alone this time, nor was he accompanied by Ezreal and Jarl Mirdal... In fact, the group had lost contact after returning home last time.

Based on the existing clues, Yuan Chen could easily guess that the person who had severed their connection was none other than the woman standing next to him.

"I am truly honored that the renowned Grey Lady would accompany me into the filthy Zaun and stand aboard Hextech Pressure Transport."

Camille's face showed little emotion upon hearing Yuan Chen's utterly disrespectful sarcasm.

Or perhaps, for Camille, she had seen far too many people like this... If she wasn't used to it, at least such teasing remarks were unlikely to shake her spirit.

"Zaun is very important to Piltover... Ezreal and Jarl Mirdal have received their due punishment and are suspended. I will personally accompany you on the rest of your trips to Zaun."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen nodded thoughtfully, not particularly surprised by the information Camille had provided.

Although Jarl Mirdal is the eldest son of the Medarda Family, ultimately, such a large family cannot place all its hopes on one person.

Except in special cases, such as when there is only one heir in a generation, there are always multiple heirs.

Compared to this...

"Punishment?" Yuan Chen raised an eyebrow, asking with interest, "What kind of punishment? What were Ezreal and Jarl Mirdal punished for?"

Camille glanced at Yuan Chen and nodded. "Ezreal and those involved in illegal archaeology and tomb raiding will receive short-term imprisonment, while Jarl Mirdal will be placed under house arrest."

"That's a really simple and straightforward punishment." Hearing Camille's words, Yuan Chen shook his head with some emotion and said:

"As far as I know, Ezreal has already penetrated and destroyed the tombs of Tyrant Ne'Zuk, the Tomb of Uroa, the Demon Lord of Paro'sa, and the cemetery in the Shurima necropolis. Not to mention the treasures he took, countless items were destroyed simply because he triggered mechanisms..."

"Just a short-term imprisonment?"

"Yes," Camille said readily, "And bail has already been granted through the efforts of the Medarda Family."

"You're quite decisive." Yuan Chen chuckled upon hearing Camille's words. "As Piltover, aren't you going to try to cover it up a bit?"

"It's pointless," Camille said. "You're a smart man; we can communicate more concisely."

After a pause, Camille calmly continued:

"The Medarda Family has always been Ezreal's biggest benefactor, and most of the bronze orc statues displayed by their family along the corridors came from the activities of these tomb raiders. These include Noxus weaponry, Ionia armor, and Demacia armor..."

"The Sun Gate has brought unimaginable benefits to the Medarda Family." Camille, for reasons unknown, began to reveal information that Yuan Chen was unaware of.

"In the original distribution of profits, at least three-fifths of the total revenue from the Sun Gate Seawall would flow to the families in the Zaun region."

"But as the ocean currents eroded the land, Piltover rose in elevation while Zaun fell. All the revenue that originally belonged to Zaun flowed into the pockets of the Medarda Family."

"The Medarda Family itself is a branch of one of the Noxus Great Noble, although the Medarda Family has always claimed to be independent and belong to Piltover."

"But everyone in Bluewind Court knows that they also represent Noxus's interests in Piltover."

Hearing Camille's words, Yuan Chen nodded thoughtfully. Then he said bluntly, "Why are you telling me all this?"

"The Ferros Family is too young." Camille didn't give Yuan Chen the answer directly, but said instead:

"My great-aunt obtained the Primordial Crystal, also known as the Original Hex Crystal, during an exploration in Shurima. This became the catalyst for the rise of the Ferros Family."

"To protect the family's interests, the first generation of spies for the Ferros Family was born."

"Espionage, coercion, intimidation, and assassination... We've only managed to maintain our dominant position over this priceless commodity through all sorts of dirty and despicable means."

"Even so, no one wants another intruder to take a piece of their pie... The technology related to Hex Crystal has become the property of the entire Piltover."

"Or rather, the Ferros Family had to share the profits with other families in order to obtain their permission."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you representing yourself, or your family?"

"...both," Camille said. "Neither. As you should know, with the Ferros Family reaching its current size, neither the patriarch nor the secret agents can guarantee that everyone in the family will remain true to their original beliefs."

"To bring back the family's first crystal, my great-aunt lost an arm during the exploration, and she uttered the motto that influenced a generation of the Ferros Family: 'For my family, I am willing to sacrifice.'"

"But now... too many members of the Ferros Family have forgotten."