-236- Northerners will never be slaves

"How did you manage to do that?"

After examining the injuries of her people, Sejuani's anxious heart calmed down. Feeling relieved, she followed Caitlyn back to the wooden cabin.

But as soon as they entered the cabin, Sejuani couldn't help but ask Caitlyn.

Caitlyn's words were true; all of her people had been healed, they were all just sleeping soundly.

"Shimmer," Caitlyn turned around, looking at Sejuani with her high ponytail, but her hair was messy in front of her forehead. Caitlyn knew exactly what Sejuani wanted to ask, as Caitlyn was equally shocked the first time she saw Shimmer.

Because that stuff was truly miraculous; even severed limbs were just minor injuries. As long as the severed limb was put back in place and a sip of Shimmer 3.0 was taken, the wound would sprout small, wriggling, pink fleshy nodes at the connecting points, and within a few minutes, it would be as good as new.

As for the side effects... consuming a large amount of energy and falling into a deep sleep, compared to Shimmer's healing effects, those side effects were indeed negligible.

But this also confirmed one thing: the current Shimmer was not suitable for battlefield use. 

However, Caitlyn had heard rumors; supposedly, the earliest Shimmer was intended for combat use, capable of enhancing cell vitality and even altering human genetic structure.

But the side effects were more pronounced. Therefore, later on, Zaun removed the effect of Shimmer-induced frenzy, removed the enhancement of human abilities. Now, Shimmer had truly become a healing potion, but it could also be used as an accelerant.

Thinking of this, Caitlyn said, "You can think of it as a special kind of potion. It can perfectly heal various injuries and some minor illnesses."

"It's a miraculous thing," Sejuani nodded. "Caitlyn, I want to know about this. Do your people sell it?"

Caitlyn looked at Sejuani, and in her eyes, Caitlyn saw a glimmer of hope.

Shimmer was such a good thing; of course, Sejuani would want it too.

"Sorry, I can't make that decision," Caitlyn shook her head at Sejuani.

The only person who could promise Sejuani on this matter was Linwin.

Listening to Caitlyn's words, Sejuani's expression remained calm, but a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes. Shimmer was too useful, so if the Winter's Claw could have enough Shimmer, then Sejuani wouldn't have to worry about her tribe not making it through the winter when they got injured while hunting.

"But don't lose hope either," Caitlyn reached out and patted Sejuani's shoulder. Seeing her looking down quietly at herself, Caitlyn continued, "You can talk to him."

"Him? Who are you referring to?" Sejuani frowned and asked.

"Oh, a councilman, a position that is similar to your position in your tribe. You can think of him as the leader of our people." Caitlyn replied, thinking about it, she felt she wasn't wrong. Linwin's status was extremely high, and many things in Piltover and Zaun had to go through his approval to be implemented.

Calling him the leader of the Twin Cities was not an exaggeration.

"When will he come?"

Sejuani looked calmly at Caitlyn, then spoke again, "I lost, but you and Vi didn't harm me. I want to know what you want from me? What do you want from the Winter's Claw?"

"We have no food or weapons to give you. As you can see, Caitlyn, we are very poor. That's why we keep raiding Demacia and Noxus to the south."

"You can talk to him about these things later."

Caitlyn shook her head with a smile, touching the Hextech phone hanging from her waist, dialing Linwin's number. 

As she spoke, Caitlyn continued, "You can talk to him now. Me and Vi's mission to Freljord this time is for this purpose, to let you talk to him."

Sejuani looked at Caitlyn in confusion as Caitlyn handed a beautiful square box to her.

"Um, just wait a moment," Caitlyn said.

Caitlyn placed the Hextech phone in front of Sejuani, leaning in herself.

Sejuani became even more puzzled, unsure of what Caitlyn was up to.

It wasn't until the small square box emitting a beep suddenly went silent, and then, a male voice came through it: "Hello? This is Linwin."

Sejuani's cold expression immediately changed,

From ⊙_⊙, to ⊙o⊙

Looking at the square box in Caitlyn's hand, Sejuani was genuinely startled.

Caitlyn quickly said, "Councilor Linwin, I'm Caitlyn."

"The mission is complete. We have successfully made contact with the Winter's Claw. The person next to me is Sejuani, the Warmother of the Winter's Claw."

Caitlyn spoke rapidly, "She has something to discuss with you. Are you available now?"

"Of course," Linwin replied with a smile.

"Give the Hextech phone to Sejuani."

"What... What is this thing?" Caitlyn lifted the Hextech phone, but Sejuani instinctively took a step back, then warily eyed Caitlyn's hand holding the Hextech phone.

Caitlyn... is talking to that box?

"Don't be afraid; it won't harm you," Caitlyn said immediately upon noticing Sejuani's reaction.

"Sejuani, hello, I'm Linwin," the box said.

"Are you hiding inside this box?" Sejuani asked cautiously.

Linwin couldn't help but laugh at Sejuani's words.

Said to be the reincarnation of the legendary hero, Serylda, the Warmother of the Winter's Claw, Sejuani, now scared by a Hextech phone?

"Of course not. This is a little gadget we invented. It can transmit sound to a distance. And now, I'm using this gadget to talk to you," Linwin explained.

"I don't understand," Sejuani shook her head.

Of course, Linwin didn't expect Sejuani to understand. He continued, "That's okay, not understanding this is okay. Let's talk about a trade now."

Because Sejuani's hands were tied, Caitlyn acted as a mobile station, standing there holding the Hextech phone.

Frowning, Sejuani leaned forward and asked, "What trade?"

"Direct enough, good." Linwin nodded at the other end of the Hextech phone and said with a smile, "So, I won't beat around the bush with you either."

"The trade is very simple, Sejuani."

"First, I need the people of the Winter's Claw to help me guard the Hextech stations in Freljord. That place is chaotic, but if there are people from the Winter's Claw there, I think some small tribes won't dare to attack the Hextech stations anymore. You help us guard the Hextech stations, and we will provide you with food, weapons, or some technological items, you can ask me for anything."

"Food? Weapons? Technological items?" Sejuani paused.

She was originally prepared to refuse the other party directly.

To let the Winter's Claw guard a place? Isn't that treating the Winter's Claw as servants?

But, Northerners will never be slaves!

Sejuani survived in the North with the Winter's Claw, waging a long, hopeless battle for survival.

The frigid land had never been kind to the people of Freljord; food was scarce, the environment harsh.

But even so, the people of Freljord remained strong and would never become anyone's servants.

And the Winter's Claw was even more so. Sejuani despised the Frostguard, now, she even disdained the "gods."

She believed only in herself.

So, halfway through listening, Sejuani was already planning to refuse, but when she finished listening, Sejuani suddenly froze.

Food, it was food.

"Yes, you can ask me for anything," Linwin quickly continued, "And then the second thing, because Piltover and Demacia are allies now, I hope from today onwards you will stop raiding Demacia.

You raid Demacia simply because of the scarcity of food, but now Piltover can provide food for you. I promise you, if you are willing to cooperate with Piltover, the Winter's Claw will never starve again in the future, and I can also improve your living conditions."

Linwin's tone carried a smile, "Trust me, Our twin cities can do it."

The twin cities is not lacking in food or money now, and in recent years, new strains of grain and fertilizers have been developed.

The two wealthiest city-states in all of Runeterra, this is not Zaunites and Pilties bragging about themselves.

It's just a fact.

Sejuani looked up at Caitlyn, silent, her face filled with disbelief. 

"..."

"How about it?" Linwin spoke again, "Agree to my conditions, and the Winter's Claw won't have to take risks anymore in the future, you won't go hungry in winter, and besides, raiding Demacia isn't always successful. You get little and it's easy to get hurt."

"Wait, Linwin, right? Let me think about it," Sejuani took a deep breath.

"Okay, I'm busy right now. I'll call you again tonight, and then you can give me an answer," Linwin said, and then hung up the phone.

"Beep beep beep"

Seeing the call on the Hextech phone ended, Caitlyn prepared to put away the Hextech phone, and then...

"....I agree. The Winter's Claw can help you with your work. What exactly is the Hextech station you mentioned? How many people do I need to send to help you guard it? And how much food can you provide me with? Let's get this clear: the Winter's Claw has a total of seven hundred and eighty-three members, and to survive the winter, I need a significant amount of food," Sejuani said through gritted teeth.

If the food the other party mentioned is true, then Sejuani has no reason not to agree.

She doesn't care about weapons and tools at all.

What matters is food!

She cares only about food!

How many times has she barely survived, how many times has she challenged the boundaries of Demacia and Noxus, was it because Sejuani enjoys excitement?

Definitely not.

It's because there's no other way.

For survival, the Winter's Claw can only take risks, but now someone says they can provide food for the Winter's Claw.

As long as the food is provided, Sejuani can agree to any request.

Yes, Northerners will never be slaves!

But this is an entirely different matter.

"We need a lot of meat, and we need... alcohol, if there's alcohol, that's the best."

Sejuani has started negotiating terms, and then she saw Caitlyn silently put away the strange square box.

Sejuani looked at Caitlyn, her face showing a puzzled expression: "?"

"He's hung up the Hextech phone already. He can't hear you now," Caitlyn explained to Sejuani.

"Let's wait until tonight. He'll call again then, and you can talk to him again," Caitlyn said, patting Sejuani's shoulder.

---

"Alright, it's a success."

Standing up and stretching, Linwin looked at Camille and Silco in front of him, with a big smile on his face.

"She said she wanted to think about it? She's still considering. How do you know she'll definitely agree?" Silco put his hand on his chin and asked.

"Don't worry, she'll agree for sure," Linwin said confidently.

At first glance, Sejuani seems like an antagonist character, and Ashe is a protagonist, but after reading the story, you'll know that Sejuani is actually a very good person.

For the tribe, Sejuani can give up everything.

She is deeply loved by her people, and unlike Ashe's kindness and foresight, Sejuani conquered the Freljord with strength and unyielding will.

She always leads by example, charging ahead with the Iron Boar on the battlefield.

So if the Winter's Claw can survive the winter without suffering, then Sejuani will definitely agree.

And this trade, Sejuani doesn't have to pay much, after all, guarding the Hextech station in Freljord is like playing at home for Sejuani and the Winter's Claw, and the second part, not raiding Demacia, does anyone really think Sejuani likes being a raider? 

No.

Who would want to be a raider if they could live a good life?

There aren't many guys like Graves in this world.

And for the Twin Cities, food and supplies, that's really not a problem.

Anything involving money isn't a problem to them.

Some food, in exchange for the Winter's Claw's help in guarding the Hextech station, and also completing the trade with Demacia.

This is a win-win situation.

The Winter's Claw gets food, and the Twin Cities get manpower and opportunities.

"Camille, then it's up to you next. Prepare some supplies; we need to show Sejuani our sincerity."

Camille sat quietly there, lifted her delicate chin, indicating that she understood.

Silco thought for a moment on the side and interjected, "So are you going to talk to Jarvan III next?"

"Yes, I'll talk to Jarvan III next, and try to get some Petricite from him, after all, he promised us."

"What about Moss and Ekko? Shouldn't we call them back?"

"Wait a few more days."

"We can't wait. There's too much to do for the reclamation project. Although we have Taliyah and Zeri now, we still need many excellent engineers, and Moss is a very outstanding person."

"Don't worry, the construction of the Hex Gate Center is almost done, so it won't take long for them to come back."

Silco nodded.

"What about the enforcers?" Camille asked again.

"They will of course come back too, and then the people of Freljord will help us guard the stations, and we don't need to worry about Demacia," Linwin said.

"As for me"

"I'll find time to go claim Bilgewater."