-109- An invitation
In the wealthy district of Piltover at night, within a luxurious mansion —
Illuminated by bright lights, Stevan sat at a table, gazing at a square box placed before him – a product of Hextech, the Hextech phone.
Interrupting the quiet atmosphere of the room, Stevan, with a calm tone, spoke, "Any news from her yet?"
"Master, two of our spies successfully infiltrated Zaun, but they couldn't get close to the main building. Our agents could only observe from a distance. They reported seeing Vander entering the building unharmed, without any incidents," replied the servant.
Upon hearing this, Stevan fell silent for a moment. When he raised his head, under the bright lights, a hint of self-mockery flashed in his murky azure eyes. He spoke again, "So, Camille is likely in trouble in Zaun?"
"Master, she is the most exceptional spy. We should give her more time. I believe Lady Camille is just facing some difficulties," the servant replied.
"No, I am the one who understands Camille the most in this world." Stevan played with the Hextech phone in his hands, his tone casual, as if the dangerous person wasn't his sister. "If she were in real danger, she would have withdrawn immediately, never putting herself in peril."
"The completion of the mission is essential, but only the living can serve the family. This is a principle Camille personally told me," he continued. "And now, she has been gone for almost three days."
Stevan touched the Hextech phone screen with his fingers, lighting it up, and continued, "Vander appears unscathed on the streets of Zaun, while my formidable sister has no news whatsoever."
"Perhaps the young councilor was right; Zaun has changed. It is no longer the Zaun we knew."
Stevan's tone carried a touch of nostalgia. Time never showed mercy. Stevan had to admit he had been abandoned by time, becoming an old man who couldn't keep up with the times.
Despite elevating the Ferros family to unprecedented heights with Camille, faced with the sudden wave of technological advancements, Stevan also had to admit he was losing control of the situation.
Once self-proclaimed as the emperor of Piltover in the shadows, now opposition against him had grown, even Zaun was in rebellion.
The alchemists he had nurtured had rejected Ferros's support and requests. They sent messages refusing further contact, afraid Silco might misunderstand.
Moreover, the newly elected councilor, using Hextech, bounded Councilor Mel and Councilor Kiramman on his side, becoming a substantial force in Piltover.
If this continued, the Ferros family would gradually lose its control over Piltover.
This was definitely not the situation Stevan desired.
Thinking about this, Stevan hesitated no more. He waved his hand and said to his old butler, "Go to the warehouse, prepare some Hextech crystals and the Hextech weapons we've developed. I'm going to contact Viscount Boklan."
"Master, this is like inviting a wolf into the house. Inviting Viscount Boklan to Piltover is not a good idea."
The old butler looked sternly at Stevan.
He appeared even older than Stevan. He had accompanied Stevan and Camille since their childhood.
Familiar with Stevan, upon hearing Stevan's intention to contact Viscount Boklan, the old butler immediately understood Stevan's meaning.
"No, this is not inviting a wolf into the house."
Stevan picked up the phone and entered a number.
He told the old butler, "This is more like driving away the tiger and swallowing the wolf."
"Viscount Boklan will accept it. We just need a weapon blueprint, some gems, sell a few of Piltover's craftsmen to Noxus as labor, and then we can get the support of powerful Noxian soldiers," Stevan said in a low voice.
Zaun absolutely cannot gain independence, and Piltover cannot allow Jayce to command any longer.
The man who initially rose and grew by attaching himself to the Ferros and Kiramman families has become the center of power among the elite in Piltover.
He didn't conceal his motives; he wanted to completely change this city of progress. His first targets were the exorbitant tariffs and the inter-family conflicts.
The common people of Piltover liked him; he improved their lives. However, the aristocracy despised him. Now, no one can stop Jayce.
Hex gates made the young councilor immensely wealthy. The fate of the Hex gates under his control, open or closed, couldn't be decided by a single word, but at least his words carried weight.
Even Jayce's relationship with the Medarda family has been improving.
This wasn't the outcome Stevan desired.
He wanted to break this situation and regain the initiative for the Ferros family.
The old butler nodded without saying more.
He walked out of the room, then gently closed the door.
Before leaving, he also heard a voice from inside.
"Hello, Viscount Boklan, it's me, Stevan."
"Of course, I know you're facing some trouble now, a defeat. The Empire has every reason to clean up and rectify."
"But I can help you. That's why I made this call."
"Viscount Boklan, the powerful technological weapons you desire, I have already developed them. Don't worry; I can't send them to you right now. After all, I'm facing some minor troubles too. Viscount Boklan, now there's a group of people preventing the development of Hextech weapons. Also, Zaun's resistance has caused the annual decrease in Hextech crystal production. So, I can't arm your legion with the weapons right now."
"So, I need your help."
"Yes, I'm willing to be an external aid to the Boklan family. We can become permanent partners."
"Of course, this is an invitation from the Ferros, not a rude intrusion."
"Please rest assured; I know the rules."
The old butler closed the door.
The voices disappeared.
As he walked down the corridor, his expression showed no hint of emotion.
He had no authority to question the family's direction and decisions; that wasn't his place. All he could do was follow the orders of the Ferros family head.
Hopefully, the family head can handle the situation well.
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Still in the late night, Linwin, who had just finished asking various questions to Camille, returned to Zoran's shop.
Linwin's face carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
Although he had already guessed that Camille wouldn't join his side, what irked Linwin was that he had even brought Janna into the discussion and patiently tried to persuade Camille. Yet, this lady remained entirely unresponsive.
Janna was the guardian of both cities, even if most people in Piltover no longer worshipped her. But when a goddess appears before you, can you still maintain such an attitude? Maybe it's worthy to be called the Steel Shadow Camille?
With these thoughts, Linwin walked into the living room.
The lights on the second floor were still on.
Linwin looked at the large pot of warmed fish soup on the table in the living room. Next to it, there was a small bowl containing two wheat bread rolls. Beneath the bowl, there was a small note.
On it were several lines of crooked and twisted words.
This wasn't Zoran's handwriting because Zoran's handwriting wasn't that ugly.
So, it could only be Kai'Sa's handwriting?
Linwin picked up the note and read it—
"I haven't finished all of it; I left you two pieces of bread. I wanted to wait for you to eat together, but old Zoran said you might not come back. However, he still left you some dishes.
—Kai'Sa."
Linwin furrowed his brow, staring at those few words for almost two minutes.
After finishing reading, Linwin muttered, "This handwriting is really damn ugly."