106 -104- I was a god who's protecting you

When Linwin arrived, Vander and Silco were already sitting in the meeting room. 

Sevika, the current chief enforcer, stood behind them, wearing a distinctive Zaunite enforcer uniform with a specially crafted Hextech longsword at her waist. 

Upon seeing Linwin, Sevika greeted him in her customary way, lifting her hat and giving a faint smile.

Linwin waved back, asking, "So, what have you managed to find out?"

"Nothing of value," replied Silco, turning around with hands behind his back, a sardonic smile on his face. "She tried to convince us to surrender and gave me a lecture."

Silco continued, adding a touch of sarcasm, "But I can understand. After all, Miss Camille must be around eighty years old this year, right?"

"You've lived quite long," Linwin remarked, casually glancing at Vander, then focusing on the bound Camille.

"Give up, Silco. Your plans won't work because I'm inconsequential compared to the family," Camille said coldly.

"You have the value you deserve, and I won't give up," Silco replied nonchalantly.

Despite Piltover's outward appearance of democracy and freedom, the reality, as Linwin had mentioned, wasn't as idyllic.

In the 300-year history of building the city, as time flows through the river of history, some people find it hard to stay true to their principles. They begin to forget their once-held beliefs and honor.

The glory engraved on their family crests is gradually corroded by the allure of wealth and status. They start to succumb to the temptations of indulgence and grow increasingly greedy, even though they already possess considerable wealth.

After conversing with Camille, Silco feels a sense of gratitude. He is thankful that Zaun endured the hardships brought by Piltover. It is because of these challenges that the people of Zaun can now unite and move forward together towards a common goal.

"You want to use me to threaten and control the Ferros family?" Camille smirked, opening her eyes and staring at Silco with blue pupils. "That's impossible."

Even if such a situation arose, Camille knew her brother and what he had done in recent years. She was aware that, at a certain cost, her brother would be willing to redeem her.

Stevan desires not a living sister but a dead, cold one. His sole concern lies in the Hextech heart within Camille's body, a unique creation of Shuriman crystal technology.

"The beliefs of her family are indeed as she says, Silco. She didn't deceive you," Linwin interjected, addressing Silco. "Family first is a common ideology among renowned and titled families. To them, family outweighs the nation, and the Ferros family excels in this."

"For family, will I give."

"That is the Ferros family creed," Linwin stated.

Silco understood Linwin's words. While Zaun didn't have grand families, its people gathered in what could be called communities or even gangs. 

Silco shifted his perspective, imagining Zaun as Piltover and himself as Camille. In such a scenario, if sacrificing himself could safeguard Zaun in the face of a crisis, he would willingly do so.

They had been doing exactly that all along.

Silco found himself in a dilemma, unsure of how to handle Camille's defiant attitude. 

Should he just kill her? 

While it would be efficient, the benefits gained would be minimal.

This wasn't what Silco wanted, nor was it Vander's desire. Vander still aimed to separate from Piltover rather than launch an attack.

Of course, it wasn't what Linwin wanted either.

Silco looked at Linwin, shrugged helplessly, and said, "But we still need to get something from her."

"We already have, Silco. Now that we've captured her, our next steps become simpler," Linwin pointed at Camille, emphasizing, "Piltover's strongest individual is now in our hands. Without her, the topsiders lose their edge, and we can handle things better."

Camille paused, understanding Linwin's intentions. She looked at Linwin and Silco coldly, saying, "Linwin, you prospered relying on Piltover's wealth, and you all once survived by relying on Piltover's aid."

"Zaun's development has indeed exceeded my expectations. However, do you think Piltover doesn't have countermeasures against your cards?" Camille raised her head, gazing at Linwin and Silco with blue-glowing eyes and continued with a mechanized voice:

"Consider Piltover's intricate web of relations with the world and its powerful family networks. If you attempt to act against Piltover, then the empire won't allow it."

"You mean Noxus?" Silco smiled, saying, "I'm well aware, Miss Camille, but you should also be clear."

"With Noxus facing near-total defeat in its campaigns, and once the war stops, Noxus will inevitably fall into chaos and turmoil. Do they have the leisure to care about the affairs of a small city-state?" Silco, relying on Hextech phones and Hextech gates, had engaged in diplomacy over the years. With the world becoming smaller, distant news was now just a phone call away.

Zaun had entered the era of information.

And the battles between Noxus and Demacia can almost be described as a disastrous defeat for Noxus.

Demacians often face ten opponents alone, with a monstrous legion even capable of fighting one against hundred.

Issues such as dispersed forces and inadequate supplies have put Noxus in a difficult situation in its war against Demacia.

As for the invasion of the mysterious Eastern Isles(Ionia), the battle against the nascent land also encountered resistance from the islanders.

This has left Noxus in the predicament of being attacked from both fronts.

On the seemingly inconspicuous closed off land, there are powerful monsters capable of single-handedly facing thousands of Noxian soldiers with just a sword.

//// Probably Master Yi. ////

When Silco received this news, he was astonished.

When Linwin told him that there are many monsters in this world, he initially didn't believe it, but now, seeing it firsthand, Silco realizes that Linwin wasn't exaggerating.

There are indeed many monsters in this world.

As for the battle in Freljord. The information Silco received indicates that even ordinary Noxian soldiers find it challenging to set foot on that extremely cold land, let alone conquer it.

So, looking at it now, Noxus's only victorious campaign is the invasion of Shurima, where they occupied Shurima's land. However, this is also related to the current state of Shurima's homeland.

The Shuriman people, persecuted by the Black Mages and the Desert Bandits, willingly joined Noxus, choosing to stand against Shurima.

In essence, Shurima is actively defecting to Noxus.

In Silco's view, based on Noxus's invasion campaigns in recent years, the mighty empire is on the decline. Silco even dares to assert that when Noxus withdraws from war, it will mark Noxus's most significant transformation.

If the empire doesn't grow stronger through internal purges, it will continue to decline, eventually leading to internal strife, rebellions, and mutinies.

At that point, the once mighty empire will crumble completely, a scenario Silco considers normal. He believes that the more likely scenario is the latter, as Darkwill is an incompetent ruler whose decisions led Noxus into its current predicament.

Noxus now find themselves in a deadlock. Noxus is unable to halt its plunder and external wars. Resource scarcity is just one reason for their constant warfare. The more significant reason is that stopping would lead to significant political changes within the empire.

Noxus used war to unite its people and drive the empire's progress, but this approach is destined to backfire on Noxus.

Not fighting would lead to chaos, and fighting would still result in chaos!

While attacking a single location makes Noxus formidable, a divided Noxus lacks sufficient control.

This deadlock is evident to Silco.

Moreover, Zaun is now friendly with Noxus.

Linwin, standing next to Silco, looked at Camille, remembering a certain deity's request.

Will the empire protect Piltover?

Wrong, Camille.

"Camille, the protector of Piltover is not Noxus."

"Currently, what protects you is not a person; but a god."

Linwin said seriously.

If not for Janna's influence, Linwin alone could have conquered Piltover.

Now, Linwin has the power to do so, but because of Janna's presence, Linwin cannot act that way.

It's not just about their agreement, but also because Linwin can't defeat her.

In any case, Linwin has always approached Piltover in a "harmonious" manner, and it's closely related to her being a benevolent deity.