Late night.
Blue Lavender Manor, Duke's room.
Duke, humming a tune, had just opened the door and walked into the room when his previously pleasant expression froze on his face.
In the dim room, Camille sat on a chair, her two leg blades overlapping, holding a cup of black tea. Her blue eyes were examining Duke.
"Am I that scary?"
"No, it just feels a bit sudden!"
Duke's expression returned to normal. He turned on the light, pulled up a chair, and sat beside Camille. Camille looked at her reflection in the black tea and said indifferently, "You're having a lot of fun playing with the the Geiramann family's little girl!"
"This..." Duke scratched his temple and chuckled awkwardly, "Young people should have their own entertainment and life, right!"
"I won't stop you from doing what you want, but don't forget the main business, Duke!"
Camille looked up, blue light flickering in her eyes. She spoke seriously, "Bilgewater is different from Piltover. It's more chaotic and barbaric than here!"
"I've made ample preparations!"
"You mean those terrifying weapons?"
Camille's casual mention of "273" made Duke roll his eyes: "So, you've been monitoring me recently?"
"Sort of, and not sort of."
Camille picked up her teacup, took a small sip of tea, and said indifferently, "You just need to understand your identity!"
"Yes, yes, yes, I know, the current Family Head's exclusive secret agent, the core of the core of the Ferros Family!"
"I know!"
"You have a lot of talent, and I don't want you to waste it!" Camille put down her teacup, deep anticipation hidden beneath her calm expression.
"You are stronger than me, whether in terms of talent or ability, you far surpass me!"
"I hope you take this voyage to Bilgewater seriously. After all, this matter concerns not only the Ferros, but also you. You should know that half of the funds from the sale of the goods above are your research expenses!"
"That seems to be twenty million golden sea, right!"
"Is there a problem?"
"No!"
Duke waved his hand, shifted his chair, and leaned closer to Camille: "Can I mess around freely this time?"
"I will remain in Ferros to monitor the Twin Cities, and Dak'er, as the Family Head, cannot act rashly. This time, only you will go!"
"So..."
"It doesn't matter if you tear down Bilgewater, but there's one thing!"
"I know, ensure the mission is completed!"
Duke leaned back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head, and only then did Camille say faintly, "Be careful not to get hurt!"
"If it's really not possible, you can come back. No one will blame you. It's just twenty million worth of goods; your value is greater!"
Camille rose from her chair and gently ruffled Duke's hair. "Get some rest!"
Listening to the sound of blades scraping the carpet gradually fade away, Duke suddenly lowered his head and murmured, "Really, it's better to just maintain a dirty business relationship!"
"Why play the emotional card!"
Duke, who had been looking at the carpet, suddenly looked up and chuckled, "But it's not bad!"
...
The next day, early morning.
Piltover, dock.
"Be careful, these are very precious experimental instruments. Don't bump or scratch them!"
Jayce held the checklist, performing the final inspection. The Council was pressing hard; they had a celebration banquet yesterday, and today they were urged to set off for Bilgewater to conduct experiments.
Although he didn't really mind, being arranged like this so suddenly, Jayce was a little upset.
Viktor was leaning on his cane, bustling between the ship and the dock. Jayce noticed Viktor's actions and couldn't help but stop his frail friend.
"Viktor, I'm the one departing for Bilgewater this time. You're staying in Piltover, so don't overwork yourself. Get some more rest!"
"But I can't control myself!"
Viktor forcefully tapped his cane, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He took in everyone, from the sailors preparing to set sail to the busy porters.
"Our dream is about to set sail from this moment. If you ask me to just watch from the side, I won't do it!"
"Oh, you! I can't persuade you anymore. Duke will have to!"
Jayce tapped his head with the checklist, quite troubled by his partner.
Upon hearing this, Viktor immediately looked around for Duke: "Speaking of which, where's Duke?"
"He's probably still sleeping. After all, he took Caitlyn and snuck out right at the beginning of the banquet last night. Who knows what they went to do!"
Jayce, with a gossipy expression on his face, felt a sourness in his heart, like he had eaten a lemon.
He and Caitlyn had known each other for so long, and he never expected Duke to snatch her away in the end. But thinking about the Hexgate research, he instantly threw these emotions to the back of his mind.
"I really envy Duke!" Viktor looked at his leg, which had been injured since childhood, with a hint of inferiority, his eyes filled with deep envy and longing.
"Duke not only has unparalleled talent but also a daring personality. He's simply amazing!"
"Next time you praise someone, don't be so loud! I'll be embarrassed!"
Duke, wearing a grey trench coat, walked over from a distance, followed by the Captain of this voyage.
This voyage was arranged by the Ferros Family. Regardless of the crew, sailors, or Captain, they were all their people!
On the surface, Jayce was in charge of this journey, with Duke as his deputy, and the Captain coordinating everything. But in reality, Duke was the true mastermind, and Jayce was merely a target pushed out by him to attract Fire.
"I was just talking about you, and I spoke from the heart!"
Viktor smiled shyly. Duke, as if by magic, pulled out a suitcase and handed it to Viktor, "The enhanced Exoskeleton I promised you a long time ago!"
"You made this for me?"
"I made it a couple of days ago in my spare time. Wearing it will enhance your physique and improve your physical condition. Plus, I've added a rune set and a Hextech system, which can subtly change your constitution during your daily use."
"A scientist can't do without a good physique!"
Duke patted Viktor's shoulder, and at the same time, discreetly sent a look to the Captain. The Captain understood, and shouted loudly as he boarded the ship.
"Raise the anchor, check the cargo hold, count the people, and those who need to get to the lower cargo hold to step on the spring brackets, get in position quickly! We're about to depart!"
All the sailors and crew members responded in unison, speeding up their work.
Duke was unaffected, but Jayce looked at Duke thoughtfully. Viktor excitedly opened the box, looking at the folded Exoskeleton inside, and said gratefully, "Thank you, Duke!"
"If you want to thank me, then take good care of our rear!"
"Also!"
Duke patted his shoulder and winked at the girl with a bun and a White coat not far away: "Don't always focus on scientific research. You're not young anymore; it's time to consider your future family matters!"
"Establishing a family and then a career, establishing a career comes after establishing a family!"
Skye noticed Viktor's gaze, quickly pushed up her glasses, pretending to look at the documents in her hand, but her eyes couldn't stop secretly glancing at Viktor.
Viktor looked at this girl who was holding her book upside down, and he also felt a bit shy and embarrassed!
"Be brave!"
Duke patted Viktor's shoulder and loudly said to Skye, "That young lady over there, would you mind coming over to help?"
"Viktor can't put on this Exoskeleton by himself!"
"Ah?" The book in Skye's hand dropped to the ground. She frantically picked it up, and as a result, her glasses also fell off.
Viktor sighed, covering his head, upon seeing this clumsy girl, but Jayce slapped him on the back, "Be brave, Viktor!"
Skye was kneeling on the ground, fumbling for her glasses, while Viktor walked over and laboriously picked up her glasses and handed them to her, "Your glasses!"
"Tha... thank... thank you...." Skye was a bit incoherent. Duke and Jayce looked at this scene, a smile that all men understood appeared on their faces.
"I hope that when we return from this voyage, we can see someone's romance blossom!"
"Same here."
Jayce bumped fists with Duke, and the two chuckled, everything was unsaid!
Viktor's cheeks immediately turned crimson when he heard Jayce's seemingly subtle, but actually obvious, hint!
"Alright, time to board the ship!"
Duke patted Jayce on the shoulder, and the two walked onto the ship. Once the gangplank was retracted, Duke and Jayce stood by the railing, waving at Viktor.
"Work hard, Viktor!"
"We're going to Bilgewater, don't worry. Remember our agreed-upon time slots, and keep your communicator open during those times!"
At this moment, the Captain also shouted loudly, "Hoist the sails!"
The White sails unfurled, and the clockwork power device installed within the ship, powered by sailors stomping the levers in the bottom hold, converted tiny kinetic energy into greater, stronger force, propelling the ship forward.
"Set sail!"
The Captain's clear shout drifted far away with the sea wind, and seagulls circled the ship, squawking incessantly.
"To Bilgewater!"
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