Speaking of prosthetics, Luke was quite interested in them.
Hearing that, he nodded lightly and said, "All right."
As he watched Orianna leave the shop, his gaze returned to Jinx, and he said bluntly, "What are you staring at? Get back to work."
Jinx snorted, turned around, and went back to wiping the wall.
Before long, Yurna, who had left with Lymere, returned as well, bringing back a transfer certificate.
From this moment on, this shop fully belonged to Luke.
A little while later, Quinn also returned and said, "Your Highness, some of the furniture probably won't be delivered until this afternoon."
Luke nodded, pointed at Jinx, and said, "Keep an eye on her. I'm going out for a bit."
"Yes."
Quinn immediately answered.
With that said, Luke stepped out, turned left, and after only a few steps, saw a workshop. Carved above it, almost like a signboard, was the owner's full name, "Colin Reveck."
The door was closed. Luke walked up, gently pushed it open, and stepped inside.
Along with the ring of a bell, Luke caught a faint fragrance as soon as he entered. Then he saw the various technological displays inside the shop, as well as the certificates of honor posted on the walls.
"Outstanding Inventor Colin Reveck, winner of the Horological Institute's Thirty-Third Scientific Research Award."
Aside from that, there were also trophies and medals, all speaking to their owner's remarkable ability.
As Luke continued looking around, he noticed several special exhibits displayed inside a glass case.
They were prosthetics. A so-called prosthetic was an artificial limb made from complex and ingenious brass components, using technology to give it functions capable of replacing the original body part.
In Piltover and Zaun, this kind of technology was gradually becoming popular.
The main users were people who had lost arms or legs. Someone without an arm could regain one through a prosthetic.
And Colin was clearly one of the best prosthetic makers.
The reason Luke was interested was that this technology was actually quite important.
Because later, as technology continued developing, prosthetics would not only be able to replace flesh and blood, they could even surpass it.
Of course, that only applied to some people.
Hearing the bell from the door being pushed open, Orianna quickly ran out from the inner room. Then she saw Luke standing at the entrance and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please sit."
As she spoke, she started preparing to move a chair over for Luke.
She had not expected that after only just saying goodbye to this prince, he would come over right away.
Luke raised a hand to stop Orianna and smiled. "It's fine. I only came to take a look."
After that, another figure walked out from behind Orianna. It was a middle-aged man with a slightly thin build and short hair. He wore a monocle over his right eye, and his clothing made him look like a workshop apprentice.
He walked past Orianna, bowed respectfully to Luke, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Hello, Master Colin."
Luke smiled faintly.
Colin hurriedly shook his head. "I would not dare call myself a master. I'm only somewhat good at making prosthetics."
"I'm quite interested in prosthetics."
Luke walked toward a glass display case and asked, "May I handle one?"
"Of course."
Colin took out a key, opened the display case for Luke, and handed him a prosthetic arm from inside.
Luke reached out and took it. It felt cold in his hand, and it was certainly heavier than a normal arm.
This prosthetic was the size of an ordinary human arm. It was not bulky either, with an exterior that leaned toward white. Inside, one could see interlocking sections filled with complicated gears and mechanisms. Just this one arm alone must have used an unknown number of components.
Perhaps seeing Luke's curiosity, Colin explained from the side, "This prosthetic uses five hundred and fifty-eight components in total. If even one were missing, it would affect its operation."
Luke nodded and asked, "I'm quite curious. How would someone with a severed arm use it normally?"
"Usually, a pseudo-neural clasp is established at the connection point. When the prosthetic connects to the clasp, it is equivalent to establishing a new nerve linked to the brain."
"In practice, it works by responding to the muscle reactions of the severed limb. For example, if the user wants to move their fingers, they need to move the related muscle tissue. This usually requires a period of training and adjustment. At the same time, I also make different pseudo-neural clasps according to each person."
Colin explained.
Luke nodded in realization and placed the prosthetic back into the display case. In his heart, he had to admire the imagination of these Piltovan inventors.
"If these could be produced on a large scale, they would surely help many people."
"Yes, though unfortunately, my personal ability is limited. Just one prosthetic like this takes me at least a month."
Colin smiled helplessly.
"That's already very impressive."
A thoughtful look appeared in Luke's eyes.
What he was actually considering was another possibility. Piltover could combine magic and technology, so naturally, prosthetics could be combined with magic as well.
The so-called "Glorious Evolution" had never been just a dream in Piltover and Zaun.
His gaze shifted to Orianna. In response, Orianna tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled.
This girl would one day become the product of those two things combined.
This technology was especially important. If possible, Luke hoped he could claim a share of it.
However, the ending could be changed a little.
Now was not the time to bring it up, and there was no need to rush too much.
"I'll head back first. Orianna, you're welcome to come over and play anytime."
At this moment, Luke showed a gentle smile and said goodbye to Colin and Orianna.
After leaving Colin's prosthetic shop, Luke went back to call Yurna, preparing to visit nearby shops and buy some brewing materials.
Time slowly passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon.
If there was any law in this world that was absolute, it was that women never returned empty-handed after shopping.
When Lux and the others came back, they also brought back everything they had bought over the course of the morning.
There were bags large and small, all kinds of things: clothes, shoes, cosmetics, strange little gadgets, fruit, toys, books, and a whole pile more.
Luke only swept a casual glance over them, until Lux placed a bluebird statue on the counter.
Only then did he ask, "What's this?"
Lux glanced at him and said, "It's the bluebird statue we saw in the undercity. Can't you tell?"
"I know. I mean, what are you planning to do by bringing it back?"
Luke studied the statue and found that its size was different from the one they had seen in the undercity, but its appearance was exactly the same.
"Of course I'm going to worship it." Lux spoke as if it were perfectly natural, then continued, "I thought about it on the way back. Since we're in Piltover, we should build a good relationship with the local god. Maybe we'll even receive her protection."
Hearing that, Luke had not even spoken yet.
Jinx was the first to laugh disdainfully. "Janna won't protect you. Besides, she's our Zaunite goddess. What does she have to do with Piltover?"
She remembered that when she was little, whenever she and her sister passed by a Janna statue, she would always be dragged over to pay respects.
Although she had grown up and no longer really believed in something as vague and distant as Janna, she still had some basic respect and understanding.
Janna had always been Zaun's guardian. She had nothing to do with Piltover.
Lux said, "Gods don't care where you're from. As long as you treat her with devotion, she'll treat you with devotion too."
Jinx curled her lip. "You say that like it's true. There are no gods in this world."
Lux did not get angry with her. Instead, she used the calm tone of someone speaking from experience and said, "This world is very big. When you're a little older, you'll understand. There are many things you don't know about, but that doesn't mean they don't exist."
Although to her, gods were also vague and distant things, and she had never seen one with her own eyes.
Even so, Lux felt that gods definitely existed in this world.
At the very least, the Winged Protector and the Veiled Lady had been proven to exist in Demacia.
If not for the Veiled Lady, Demacians would never have discovered that rewritten stretch of history.
So she felt that Janna was the same. A name passed down from ancient times to the present must have a reason for existing.
Jinx was very unhappy about Lux treating her like a child just because she was three years older.
But this time, she only gave a light snort and did not reply.
Her gaze turned to the bluebird statue standing there.
If Janna really existed, then why had she not protected her?
So compared to gods, she trusted herself more.
When people poured their last hope into some vague and distant existence, it meant their fate was already destined to be held in someone else's hands.
Luke did not reject Lux's simple idea.
After all, compared to everyone else, he knew more clearly that Janna did indeed exist.
However, this guardian goddess of Zaun was not in a very good situation right now.
After all, as far as he knew, some gods were closely tied to faith. The problem was that in today's Zaun, it seemed only a small portion of people still believed in Janna.
Everyone had lunch at a nearby restaurant. Luke considered whether he should also set up a kitchen here in his own hotel.
He had checked earlier. Aside from the brewing workshop, there were still some rooms left unused.
One of them could be turned into a kitchen.
After lunch, the brewing machines also started running, and the new tables and chairs were delivered to the shop.
After a busy afternoon, the whole shop looked brand-new, like a clean, quiet bar. Paired with reddish-orange lighting, the overall atmosphere carried a sense of leisure.
If a few murals were added to the walls, the atmosphere would be even better.
"From now on, this place will be our own private bar."
Luke looked at the shop's decorations and was quite satisfied.
Once the Hexgates opened in the future, this place could become a gathering point for acquaintances. By then, it would surely be very lively.
Near dusk, several people came to the shop for a visit. They had been introduced by Caitlyn and allowed by Luke.
The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in noble attire. He bowed respectfully to Luke and said, "Forgive this presumptuous visit, Your Highness. I am Ivo Cullen, and I have come because I have something to ask."
Sitting on the sofa, Luke nodded slightly. "Sit first. What is it?"
This person had contacted him through Caitlyn's mother, Cassandra.
He had not appeared suddenly at the door, so Luke had not rejected his request for a meeting.
Through Cassandra's introduction, Luke had also learned that Ivo came from a noble family of Piltover.
Ivo sat down respectfully and said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I began preparing a music ceremony a month ago. It is scheduled for tomorrow, and a concert will be held in the music hall. Many highly skilled ensembles will take the stage and perform, but I have never been able to find a musician or group suitable to appear as the finale."
"Until I heard Miss Sona's playing. I was immediately astonished. I hope she can appear as the finale of my concert. If Miss Sona is willing, I will pay an appearance fee."
His attitude was extremely sincere.
Ever since he had heard Sona's performance, that moving music had lingered in his heart.
He had also immediately confirmed that the finale of his concert could only be Sona. No one else would do.
Hearing this, Luke understood Ivo's purpose, then looked toward Sona. "What do you think?"
At this moment, a thoughtful look also appeared in Sona's eyes, as if she were considering it.
Her inner voice reached his mind. "Actually, I've been wanting to hold a few concerts recently too."
She liked having her music heard and appreciated, and she liked bringing people a feeling of healing.
When she was in Demacia, she would often travel around performing.
To her, money had never been an issue, because no matter how rich someone was, they could not possibly be richer than House Buvelle.
Being Demacia's wealthiest family was not just an empty boast.
So Sona's performances had always followed her heart. Perhaps when she reached a suitable place, she would begin a free performance.
No matter who her audience was, she would play seriously.
Now that she had arrived in Piltover, where musical techniques were somewhat more developed, Sona naturally wanted to understand them better as someone who loved music.
"I'm willing to appear."
After some consideration, Sona's inner voice reached Luke.
Since it was a carefully prepared concert, there would surely be many people skilled in music performing. Sona was actually quite interested.
After receiving her answer, Luke looked at Ivo and nodded. "All right. We agree."
"That's wonderful!"
Ivo was instantly overjoyed, incredibly surprised. Then he calmed down and asked, "Then may I ask, Your Highness, what would Miss Sona's appearance fee be?"
Luke threw the question back to him. "How much do you think should be paid?"
"With Miss Sona's exquisite skill, her appearance fee should naturally be extremely high." For a moment, Ivo did not know how to name a price. After thinking about it, he probed, "Would three thousand gold be acceptable?"
Luke smiled. "Then let's use that price."
In truth, they did not care about the appearance fee at all, and the price Ivo offered was clearly sincere.
Ivo breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Tonight, I will have someone deliver the appearance fee. The concert begins tomorrow. I wonder if that is enough time for Miss Sona?"
"You don't need to worry about that."
Luke said calmly.
"All right." Ivo stood, bowed, and said, "Then I will not disturb you further. I especially look forward to Miss Sona's performance tomorrow. If Your Highness does not mind, I will send a carriage tomorrow to pick everyone up."
Luke nodded slightly. "All right."
Soon, Ivo said goodbye and left.
Three thousand gold was already enough to hire Piltover's top ensemble to perform twice, and an ensemble had many people.
However, he believed that hiring Sona to play one piece for three thousand gold would absolutely not disappoint anyone.
Although Ivo had only invited Sona to appear, without a doubt, Luke and the others had also received free tickets.
As the sky gradually darkened, the shop, after Jinx's full day of work, had also become exceptionally clean.
"In light of your hard work today, congratulations. You have now regained your freedom."
At this moment, Luke looked toward Jinx and announced her pardon. "I will no longer pursue your mistake. You can leave now."
Hearing that, Jinx froze for a moment, as if she had not expected Luke to let her go so easily.
She observed Luke's expression and asked suspiciously, "Really?"
"Really."
Luke nodded.
"Then I'm actually leaving."
Jinx tested it out, taking steps toward the hall entrance. She found that Luke showed no intention of stopping her at all.
So gradually, she began quickening her pace. Once she left the shop, she broke straight into a sprint.
After running for a while, she waited for quite some time. Seeing that Luke really had not chased after her, she finally realized that she had regained her freedom.
At that moment, Jinx could not help but let out a breath of relief.
But very soon, she showed a look of regret. "Crap! I didn't eat dinner yet!"
No matter what, she should have mooched a meal before leaving!
She still could not forget the taste of that breakfast from the morning. She had to admit, it had really been delicious.
"Sigh."
Letting out a soft sigh, Jinx set off on the road back to Zaun.
After returning to Zaun, the first thing Jinx did was find the shopkeeper who had once sold her the glow sticks.
Without another word, she unleashed all the humiliation she had suffered over the past day and night right there.
When she left, she did not even spare the neighboring shop that sold pans.
After smashing things to pieces, Jinx's steps felt a little lighter, and her mood became happy again.
As the office door was pushed open, Silco looked up and saw a playful figure slip inside.
A trace of softness flashed deep in his eyes, and he asked, "Where have you been these past two days?"
Jinx sat on the sofa and casually replied, "Nowhere."
Silco did not press her. Then he suddenly noticed the bump swelling on Jinx's forehead and asked in surprise, "What happened to your head?"
Jinx touched her forehead and indeed felt a bump. The image of that hateful guy smacking her with a frying pan instantly flashed through her mind.
After thinking about it, she casually said, "I accidentally hit it on a door. Some vendor sold me fake goods, so I wanted to go teach him a lesson."
Although the reason was ridiculous, Silco believed it. He laughed and said, "You've always been this reckless. Be a little more careful."
"Mm-hmm."
Jinx nodded. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Is there anything you need me to do lately?"
Silco thought about it too, then replied, "Not at the moment."
"All right." Jinx nodded again and stood. "If there's nothing for me, I'll get going."
"I'll call for you when I need you."
Silco said.
"Bye-bye."
Jinx turned and left, then closed the door behind her.
Silco smiled faintly. Then his expression also darkened. Looking at the intelligence on the desk, he slowly lit a cigar.
His eyes flickered slightly.
The intelligence showed that a few gangs had not been very obedient lately.
Jinx returned to her secret base and lay down on a soft cushion. With both hands behind her head, she stared ahead in a faint daze.
What had happened today counted as a rather unusual experience for her.
At this moment, the movement technique that prince had used today flashed through her mind.
Then, the scene of that guy smacking her with a frying pan flashed through it too.
Immediately, she gritted her teeth and sat up from the cushion.
"If I don't get revenge for this, I, Jinx, won't be able to show my face in Zaun ever again!"
Touching the horn-like bump on her head, Jinx clenched her fist and secretly began brewing a revenge plan in her heart.
She had to find a way to learn every powerful skill that guy had!
Then use those skills to defeat him!
Just thinking about that guy and that little blondie being trampled under her feet one day made Jinx feel inexplicably excited.
However, how to learn those skills was another new problem.
Jinx could not help putting her clever little brain to work, thinking of a way.
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