132 -130- The Twin City

"I thought I came at the wrong time."

Mr. Talis walked straight to the long table, smiling. He was dressed in a luxurious outfit adorned with golden edges. On his fancy clothes, he wore the Talis family emblem and a badge indicating his status as a councillor.

Then, Jayce and Viktor walked side by side towards the long table, standing on one side.

Jayce said, "Where should I sit? It looks like my place is here, right?" Standing behind Mel, Jayce asked Linwin.

"Jayce, sit down quickly." Mel turned back, reached out, and pulled Jayce's sleeve.

Mel found Jayce, who suddenly appeared and disrupted the atmosphere, somewhat speechless.

But at the same time, Mel's eyes also flashed with joy.

His injuries were completely healed, his complexion was rosy, and he looked healthy.

Jayce immediately followed Mel's suggestion and sat in an empty seat next to her.

"Viktor, come over here."

Vander called out to Viktor, who was about to leave, looking at Viktor holding a cane. Vander said seriously, "You represent Zaun."

"..."

"Yes, I represent Zaun." Viktor nodded seriously, but Zaun's side was already full.

Then...

"Powder, get up!" Vander stood up and patted Powder on the back of the head.

"Huh? Why do I have to give up my seat?" Powder immediately asked, puzzled.

"Hm? Do you want Viktor to stand?" Vander asked.

The one who received the most scolding at the scene was undoubtedly Powder.

After all, Vander was her dad!

Viktor also quickly smiled apologetically at Powder.

And Powder just grumbled a few words, then obediently gave up her seat.

She also couldn't bear to see Viktor standing.

So, Powder could only stand aside obediently.

"Linwin, what were you discussing just now? You looked so serious."

As soon as they sat down, Jayce spoke up.

"About the future relationship between the two cities and what Pilties promised to Zaun."

Linwin didn't hesitate and directly addressed Jayce, "Now is the time for voting, and you also have a vote, Jayce."

"Do you want to hear the conditions we proposed?"

"Of course." Jayce put away his smile and said, "Although you saved me again, and the people of Zaun helped us, I won't blindly agree to everything you propose."

"Even though we are brothers."

Jayce said seriously to Linwin.

The words sounded serious, but Jayce's tone was still quite relaxed.

Thinking about it, Jayce initially believed that sooner or later, Piltover and Zaun would end up in conflict. But now, even though they were on the losing side, Jayce felt relieved. At least Piltover and Zaun hadn't gone to war.

As for the costs that Piltover and its people had to bear, Jayce had long wanted some individuals to bear those costs. Piltover needed reform, just like Zaun had undergone a radical transformation from the inside out, resulting in a bloody reform that claimed the lives of many Zaunites.

And now, Piltover had to do the same, following Zaun's example to change themselves.

"Councillor Talis, it's like this..."

Silco explained the treaty to Jayce. Given Jayce's years of political experience, he understood the implications of these treaties better than Linwin. After silent contemplation for over ten minutes, Jayce nodded and said, "So now, Councillor Ferros, Mel, and the Professor have all agreed, right?"

"Yes." Silco nodded.

"Then I agree too." Jayce raised his hand and continued, "These treaties are reasonable, even better than I imagined before coming here!"

"Jayce, do you really think so?" Lady Kiramman looked at Jayce and said, "This might set back Piltover's economy for several years!"

"I once stayed in Zaun for a while. Compared to what we did to the Zaunites, the current demands are already very reasonable." Jayce shook his head and retorted, "Madam, if you had seen the old Zaun, you would know that these demands are the best-case scenario now."

"Councillor Talis is right, Lady Kiramman, very few among you have seen or visited Zaun." Former Sheriff Grayson spoke up from the side, "If I were a Zaunite, I might have been consumed by hatred now. I would have directly invaded Piltover, driven all Piltover residents to Zaun, and then continued to exploit the living space of Piltover residents by releasing more wastewater."

Lady Kiramman looked at Grayson, and Marcus hesitated, saying, "Councillors, my teacher and I share the same thoughts. The Zaunites have let go of their hatred. They have chosen to treat us in this way, which is already the best-case scenario."

After hearing Marcus and Grayson's words, along with Jayce's earlier statements, Lady Kiramman understood it all.

"Now, I will provide the final summary."

Jayce concluded the discussion, raising his hand in front of Zaun's representatives.

After glancing at Mel beside him, who nodded gently, Jayce spoke out, "Fellow councillors, I, Jayce Talis, propose that Piltover recognizes the independence of Zaun from today onwards. Piltover will open the Hex Gates and coastal ports for Zaun's use. Additionally, Piltover will strictly prohibit the discharge of waste into Zaun."

"I agree."

"I also agree."

Both Mel and Heimerdinger raised their hands.

Camille elegantly raised her hand and said, "I agree."

"I also... agree."

The previously hesitant councillor finally raised their hand.

Following that, Lady Kiramman also raised her hand.

"I agree."

"Good, unanimous approval!"

Jayce stood up, bowing solemnly to the representatives from Zaun, then loudly declared, "Starting from tomorrow, we will inform all residents of Piltover about this and begin implementing the corresponding policies. However, you need to give us some time; after all, we need to rebuild our home."

Silco and Vander listened to Jayce's words, then both turned to face each other.

In the eyes of Vander and Silco, there was excitement.

For the Zaunites, this day had been awaited for too long!

"Wait, everyone, on top of this, I have a proposal."

Camille suddenly spoke up, raising her hand and continued, "Piltover will pay for the sins committed against Zaun. This guilt will accompany Piltover until the day it fully repays Zaun. But, just as the goddess Janna said, Piltover, Zaun, we were once one family."

"I am very grateful that the people of Zaun extended a helping hand during Piltover's most perilous times. And the House Ferros will not forget this kindness."

"We also do." Lady Kiramman glanced at Camille, immediately understanding what Lady Ferros was about to do. She continued, "Now that we have resolved one issue, what we should focus on now is the future relationship between our two cities."

"In the future, how should Piltover and Zaun exist? Zaun, how would you engage with Piltover? We cannot avoid contact; we are always neighbors." Lady Kiramman stood up, looking at the group of Zaunites opposite her, earnestly saying, "Our twin cities, we should..."

Lady Kiramman words were interrupted by Silco.

"I understand what you mean, Councillor."

"Faced with Noxus, whether it's Piltover or Zaun, we have to admit that we are insignificant in front of Noxus."

"So now, I think Zaun should also let go of the hatred." Silco took a deep breath, looked around at the people in his row, then loudly said:

"I propose that from today onwards, Zaun will no longer be on guard against Piltover. We will also open the lifts of the bridge, and the Boundary Markets of Zaun will once again be open to the people of Piltover!"

"And, I believe we should engage in academic exchange."

"We have Singed's experience, Powder's ideas, Viktor's skills, and Ekko's knowledge."

"We have great alchemical technology and have pioneered innovations in Hextech."

"But even so, I believe Piltover also has things worth learning from."

Silco looked at Vander, "What do you think, brother?"

Vander also stood up, standing beside Silco. He declared loudly, "I agree with Silco's decision. We've been in conflict with Piltover for centuries, but ultimately, we're all striving for a better life. The me from the past and the me now, we both aimed for this goal. And now, we've won, we've achieved it, and we've gained a better life."

"But at the same time, a greater crisis has emerged."

Everyone present knew who Vander was referring to—the looming threat of Noxus.

As Vander continued, "Therefore, starting from today, there will be no more talk of Under city and Upper City."

"From today onwards, there is only the Twin Cities! As the councillor said, we are twin cities adjacent to each other!"

"The City of Progress, Piltover, and the City of Freedom, Zaun!"

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Camille led the applause, finally revealing a faint smile. Gracefully and beautifully, she stood up, looking directly at Vander, saying, "Vander, what you're thinking is exactly what I'm thinking."

Jayce looked at Mel, who was also looking at him. Then, both of them stood up simultaneously.

Even Heimerdinger, who had been in a gloomy mood, caught the infectious atmosphere, regained vitality, and stood on a stool, clapping his hands.

Piltover and Zaun, were they truly becoming one?

That was what Heimerdinger thought.

If this was true, it was truly exciting!

Lady Kiramman also stood up with a serious expression.

On the Zaunite side, Linwin, Sevika, Viktor, and others also stood up.

Silco looked at the people of Piltover who had stood up, understanding their intentions.

Silco declared loudly, "For this, Zaun will establish a new institution, an institution formed by Piltover residents."

This was Zaun's sincerity.

"Our two cities will need a lot of time to adapt. Now, with a common external enemy, we've suppressed our hatred. But that doesn't mean the hatred is gone. Even though we've reached an agreement, there's still an issue among the people." Camille spoke, "So, I propose that after Councillor Talis, the Piltover Council will establish a new councillor seat!"

"This is our Piltover's sincerity."

"We will establish a councillor seat exclusively for the people of Zaun. They will have the decision-making power for Piltover. After their term, the same will apply in future councils. This ninth seat will persist!"

Camille raised her hand, "For this, I propose Linwin from Zaun to be the ninth councillor for Piltover!"

Instantly, the atmosphere became lively.

Heimerdinger blinked and quickly raised his hand.

Of course, he supported Linwin as a councillor! He was, after all, his half-student! This was a significant event, Heimerdinger thought.

Three hundred years after the founding of Piltover, a departure from its historical seven-member council, two new councillors emerged!

The eighth councillor, Jayce, and the ninth councillor, Linwin!

Even Silco was stunned.

He expected Piltover to make some gestures to gain Zaun's trust, but he never expected Camille to directly propose that a high-ranking Zaunite would become a councillor in Piltover.

It meant that Zaun could interfere in Piltover's politics.

A councillor, even if isolated, still had the right to know the future direction of Piltover.

And now, this position was given to Linwin?

A guy who could not betray Zaun!

"I agree."

Jayce immediately raised his hand, and with Jayce's hand, Mel would also raise hers.

Lady Kiramman, who had hesitated before, also raised her hand.

She had to agree. Since Lady Ferros spoke those words, Lady Kiramman knew what Camille wanted to do. But suggesting Linwin as a councillor was indeed beyond Lady Kiramman's expectations.

But this was a good move! There would be no significant internal conflicts between the citizens of Piltover and Zaun until the external conflicts were resolved, at least in politics.

Impressive, Lady Ferros!

Piltover was in the upper hand. If Noxus attacked, then by that time, Linwin, as the ninth councillor of Piltover, would have to contribute!

Therefore, the decision to propose Linwin as a councillor was not opposed. In less than thirty seconds, it was unanimously approved.

And the ninth councillor, Sir Linwin, blinked.

"I'm going to be in office like this?"

---

Nexus Calendar, the last day of the year 984. On this day, a sensational event occurred in Valoran and Shurima.

Piltover and Zaun, who had been in conflict and opposition, temporarily set aside their prejudices and became a true twin city-state.

Zaun officially gained independence, renaming itself—the City of Freedom, Zaun!

Piltover retained its original name—the City of Progress, Piltover!

Piltover's council also welcomed a new member.

His name was Linwin.

Yes,

A Zaunite.

////Sorry didn't update yesterday, I wrote the chapter in the draft and forgot to upload it.....my bad, today I'll update more today.////