The next day.
Several ships had already been prepared for Luke's journey east. There was no delay at all, and the fleet soon set out.
The group first had to travel down the river beside Qualthala, sail into the Guardian's Sea, and then begin the long voyage across the ocean.
Luke did not bring many people, only a few hundred of his personal guards and some logistical personnel.
After all, he was not going there to fight a war. If he brought too many people, others might get the wrong idea.
Standing on the familiar deck, Miss Crownguard, who had already taken seasickness medicine, spread her arms and enjoyed the sea breeze blowing toward her. Sunlight fell across her youthful face.
It had originally been quite a picturesque scene, until they reached the next stretch of the current. The ship sped up, and the headwind blew so hard she could not even open her eyes. Her blond hair thrashed around wildly, and in the end, she could only flee in a sorry state.
At that moment, Annie found her. Hugging her teddy bear, she suggested with an innocent look, "Let's play chess."
Looking at her pure eyes, Lux's gaze darted away twice, and she coughed. "Chess is boring. I'll teach you how to fish later."
"But chess is so fun. Even though you let me win every time, I think it's really interesting."
Annie sounded a little disappointed.
Lux's forehead immediately broke out in cold sweat. Let her win? That was not what she had been doing at all. Damn it.
"Fishing is more interesting. And the place we're going next is called Piltover. I'll tell you about it."
Holding Annie's little hand, Lux pulled out every trick she had, and soon made her forget about playing chess.
Although this girl did not know much about Piltover either, it was still more than enough to coax a child.
But if nothing else, the group was full of interest in their upcoming trip to Piltover. Everyone was looking forward to it with great anticipation.
Hearing the commotion over there, Luke, who had nothing to do, glanced over and laughed disdainfully.
Miss Crownguard these days could not even beat a child at five-in-a-row.
At this moment, Luke's fleet was not the only one heading toward Piltover.
There were also several Dragonbird Riders acting as the advance party, flying straight to Piltover from the sky to inform them of the visit in advance.
Otherwise, given Luke's status, it would still be somewhat inappropriate for him to suddenly visit without warning.
In the blink of an eye, several days passed.
Piltover.
This was a city located beside the cliffs of a harbor, built by the sea and praised as the prosperous City of Progress of Runeterra.
The reason was that it sat between three continents and was also the closest point between the continent of Valoran and the continent of Shurima.
Because of this, ships from all over the world brought rich cargo with them, gathering together in this central city.
The massive sea gate built by Piltover, the Sun Gates, had brought astonishing wealth to the city and had also given it rapid development.
What had once been a harbor city in earlier years had now become a technological city-state that attracted craftsmen from all over the world.
At this time, on top of one of Piltover's towers, several important figures who governed the city had gathered.
The seven councilors sat around a round table shaped like a gear.
Everyone present was a highly respected figure in Piltover. Each of them, or the family behind them, had made major contributions to the city's development.
Through a fair and impartial voting council system, they often decided Piltover's future development at this gear-shaped round table.
At this moment, all seven people present wore grave expressions.
A short figure sitting in the middle curled the thick white mustache beneath his nose and sighed. "Why has every kind of trouble been coming to Piltover lately? Regarding this matter, does anyone have an opinion to share?"
A formal letter lay before him. The letter's appearance was extremely exquisite, stamped with the noble seal of a nation. It showed a pair of spread wings, slightly folded inward, gorgeous and elegant.
The letter had already been opened, and everyone present already knew its contents.
It was an extremely formal notice of visit.
It came from the nation whose name had recently become the loudest in all of Runeterra, Demacia.
Even now, the Dragonbird Riders sent by Demacia were still waiting in their VIP room.
"I have no opinion."
"What are they coming to Piltover for?"
"No matter what, are you going to refuse them?"
"If we dare refuse them today, they'll dare fire their cannons at us tomorrow."
"The problem now is that we already have another trouble here."
Several councilors spoke one after another, beginning to discuss the matter. Their gazes could not help turning toward a dark-skinned woman.
One of them asked, "Mel, did that person tell you when she plans to leave?"
Mel shook her head slightly. "She only arrived a few days ago. Without getting what she wants, she naturally won't leave easily."
As soon as she said this, the people present could not help sighing.
One councilor said, "We can't afford to offend either side, but we can't let them run into each other, can we? If they start fighting then, they'll tear our city apart."
Another councilor said, "Didn't they already sign an armistice treaty? Surely they won't fight again."
"That's hard to say." Another councilor cut in. "Did you not see what the letter said? The one coming this time is that prince, the one who led the charge against Noxus. What if he can't tolerate even a grain of sand in his eye and something unpleasant happens here?"
"Mel, what do you say?"
After moving around the table, the questioning gazes once again fell on Mel.
Hearing this, Mel could only say, "No matter what, I need to go back and tell her about this. The final decision may be in her hands."
One councilor nodded. "Tell her as soon as possible. We don't know when Demacia will arrive. If they run into each other, the consequences won't be something we can bear."
As had been mentioned just now, they could not afford to offend either side. One side was a great warlord from Noxus, while the other had an even greater background, the second prince of Demacia, who had beaten Noxus into submission in just a few short months.
Why did all these great figures love crowding into tiny little Piltover?
At this point, one councilor mentioned the key issue. "I'm afraid they're all here for Hextech."
Another councilor said, "These people have noses that are far too sharp."
"This was something we would have to face sooner or later."
"Professor, what do you think?"
Everyone's eyes turned toward the short old man sitting in the middle.
Heimerdinger heard them, but instead looked at a handsome young man standing beside him. "Jayce, what do you think?"
Jayce had listened silently until now. Only when he was called on did he think for a moment and speak. "Regardless of what they're here for, we first need to solve the problem of the potential conflict that may arise if they meet. Second, leaving everything else aside for now, we should receive them with Piltover's highest standards of hospitality. We do not have many records of exchange with Demacia, so for now, we can only take things one step at a time."
Everyone present basically understood that this was the right approach, and none of them found it strange that this young man had spoken in such a setting.
There was no other reason. He was currently the most famous figure in Piltover and one of the developers of Hextech.
Jayce Talis.
After hearing this, Heimerdinger made the decision. "Then let's proceed that way for now. Everyone, prepare in advance to receive our guests. Mel, after you return, you must tell that person this news. Whatever her reaction is, report it back to the council quickly."
"Yes."
Mel nodded seriously.
The meeting dispersed, and the councilors left one after another.
On the way to the research room, Heimerdinger walked ahead with his hands behind his back while Jayce followed behind him.
Jayce hesitated for a moment. After some thought, he still asked, "Professor, what if they really are here for Hextech?"
In truth, the word really could have been removed entirely from that sentence.
When people from great nations came to Piltover, it was impossible for them to only be sightseeing.
"Piltover is located at the center of Runeterra. That alone is not an issue. But our progress has been too fast. After you appeared, it has been like boarding a train." Heimerdinger spoke softly after hearing him. "The arrival of this day was something you and I both foresaw sooner or later."
"We can only hope our guests obey the rules."
Jayce could not help asking, "What if the guests don't obey the rules?"
Heimerdinger looked back at him, smiled, and said nothing more.
Jayce fell silent. His expression also sank slightly, and his fists clenched without him realizing it. "Is there really no other way?"
"There is." Heimerdinger answered firmly. Under Jayce's expectant gaze, he said, "And that is to throw ourselves toward another powerful existence. At the dining table of this world, Piltover can at most be considered a delicious dish. If we do not want to be eaten by one person, we must first belong to another."
Jayce's voice lowered. "The foundation of Piltover's existence is that we never lean toward any faction. And doing that would be meaningless anyway. To avoid one powerful existence by relying on another powerful existence, the ones carved up in the end would still be us."
Heimerdinger smiled. "As long as you understand, Jayce. We have no other choice. This is the cruel truth of the world. What you do not know is that Piltover's ability to survive between the cracks is also something given by others. I only hope that when the critical moment comes, you can keep your eyes clear and make the right choice."
Jayce listened silently.
Why did the world have to be full of struggle and plunder? Why could everyone not simply live together in peace?
Naturally, he would not ask such questions. He was no longer a child.
At this moment, Jayce only hated that his own ability was too small. He felt that if he could be just a little more capable, he would absolutely be able to protect Piltover from those predators watching it hungrily.
And if he could be even more capable than that, why could he not create a Runeterra where only peace existed?
At that time, there would be no conflict.
The goal was far too distant, so distant that Jayce's eyes blurred for a moment. Sunlight fell and blocked his vision, leaving him unable to find a direction or a path.
"We still have an academic problem to solve. Stop standing there like an idiot." Heimerdinger continued forward, his shadow stretching very long in that moment.
He did not seem particularly troubled by the problems that were about to come.
Jayce knew that this elder, who had experienced so many stories, had perhaps seen through such things long ago.
Inside a high-rise building.
A carriage stopped. After getting out, Mel hurried into the building. At both sides of the entrance, black-armored soldiers stood guard.
Seeing that it was her, they did not stop her.
After entering the first floor, she stood in the elevator and took a deep breath.
As the elevator doors closed, it slowly carried her up to the top floor.
This was a large open-air terrace. Sunlight poured freely across the rooftop, and at the very front, a tall white-haired woman stood with her hands behind her back.
Hearing footsteps, she turned around. Seeing Mel approach, a smile appeared on her face. "This is the first time you've come to see me of your own accord recently. Have you made up your mind, child?"
"Stop thinking about it, Mother. Even if I agreed, the other councilors would not."
Mel knew what she was asking, but only shook her head.
Ambessa looked at her calmly. "In truth, you never planned to agree either, did you? It seems that after being here so long, you have completely integrated into this place."
"This is my second home. I can't watch you destroy it before my eyes." Mel spoke with some sadness. "Stop making this difficult for me, Mother."
Ambessa said, "It seems you didn't come to me to talk about that."
"Yes. I came to tell you important news." Mel nodded and said directly, "This morning, Demacia's Dragonbird Riders flew here and informed us that Demacia's second prince will visit Piltover in the future."
Hearing the words Demacia's second prince, Ambessa's composed face changed slightly. Her gaze sharpened, and she asked, "Is the news true?"
"I would not lie to you," Mel said seriously.
Ambessa looked at her face, then lowered her head slightly. Her eyes began thinking quickly, and her expression grew a little more serious.
For some reason, at this moment, Mel saw a kind of hesitation in this mother of hers, a woman who feared neither heaven nor earth and always acted with ruthless decisiveness.
She was struggling with something inside.
After thinking for a moment, Mel asked first, "All this time, you still haven't told me the reason you came here so suddenly."
"Now that things have come to this, I no longer need to hide it from you."
Ambessa sighed softly. "Noxus's political situation has changed. Originally, your brother had been chosen as the successor to the next grand general. But now he stood on the wrong side and offended someone he should not have provoked. Mel, you are the only one who can save your brother now. If I obtain the support of Piltover's technology and return to Noxus, I will certainly be able to seize power again. At that time, I will not hesitate to provide Piltover with a steady flow of funds."
Mel shook her head and also sighed. "If Piltover's technology truly becomes yours to use, what do you think the arriving Demacians will think?"
Ambessa's face darkened somewhat, though not at Mel. She slowly walked to a table, drained the fine Piltover wine in the cup in one gulp, then smashed the cup on the ground and cursed bitterly.
"Damn Demacia. Damn that prince!"
From her angry cursing, Mel sensed a kind of powerlessness.
"Everything was supposed to go smoothly."
Ambessa exhaled deeply, and her expression returned to calm. "Tomorrow, I will leave Piltover. Go tell those frightened councilors the news."
Mel's expression showed some concern. "Then the family…"
Ambessa smiled. "House Medarda has stood in Runeterra for so long. We still have some foundation and reputation. That newly appointed grand general would not go so far as to wipe us out. At worst, I will go back and lower my head. The next period of time will be difficult, but it is not a serious problem. You do not need to worry about the family anymore. On this final day, I only want to spend time with you as your mother."
As she reached the end, a trace of guilt flashed through her eyes, but in the next second, she returned to being that woman with an unwavering gaze.
Mel lowered her head, not knowing what else to say.
Because of her disagreement with her mother, she had left Noxus that year and come to Piltover.
Without a doubt, Piltover was her second homeland. In her heart, its meaning had even surpassed Noxus.
She greatly disliked Noxus's ways, but she also could not cut herself away from that place completely.
Over the years, mother and daughter had rarely been in contact. Only recently, when this always-stubborn woman had come to ask something of her, had Mel learned that even she had moments of powerlessness.
It was just that Mel truly could not help much.
From her mother's decision to leave tomorrow, she could also see just how forceful Demacia had become in Runeterra.
Even Ambessa had chosen to step aside.
In Mel's impression, Ambessa was decisive in killing and action, swift and resolute. She had led armies for Noxus and conquered countless territories, and she was a famous great warlord.
In Noxus, she also held a position of great importance. Even the previous grand general had to show Ambessa, who guarded the borderlands, some respect.
But now, everything had changed.
A formidable figure had appeared in Noxus, one who had forced even Ambessa to come and ask Mel for help.
And now, because that second prince was soon to arrive, Ambessa had no choice but to return and face that formidable figure.
This alone was enough to show his current deterrent power.
At this moment, aside from resentment, what Ambessa felt more than anything was powerlessness.
She truly had no real solution. Everything had originally been going smoothly. With Demacia's invasion, her son had been chosen as the successor to the next grand general.
For the sake of the position of the next grand general, House Medarda had done many things for Darkwill.
But no one had expected the current Demacia to be so capable, beating Noxus all the way until it could not fight back, leaving even Darkwill completely helpless.
And at that crucial moment, Swain had appeared, changing Noxus's political landscape in a single day, abolishing Darkwill's rule and establishing the Trifarix.
As a result, her son's status as successor had also become a worthless card, and in the end, House Medarda had gained nothing.
In the capital, her son had openly defied the Trifarix and had even wanted to lead troops in a counterattack, only to be taken down on the spot.
If not for the several-hundred-year history of House Medarda, he would likely already be a corpse by now.
In utter helplessness, Ambessa had thought of her daughter Mel and of Piltover's technology.
But now, before the soon-to-arrive second prince of Demacia, even that had become a pipe dream.
Even the figure in the current Trifarix could only choose to make peace with Demacia. Ambessa knew even more clearly in her heart that she had absolutely no chance of being the other side's opponent.
For now, all she could do was go back and yield.
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