"Independence?"
Swain's smile turned amused.
Across the Council table, only Caleb faced Swain's expression calmly. The other councilors all had cold sweat running down their backs to some degree.
Facing the Grand General of all Noxus, this guy really dared to say it.
One had to know that if the man sitting across the table gave the order, Piltover, as a port city, could not withstand infiltration by assassins. Once a real war began, Noxus, as a nation, conquering the Twin Cities would only be a matter of time. The only question was whether Noxus was willing to fight that war.
Some of the councilors had already made up their minds. As long as Noxus declared war, they would immediately separate themselves from Zaun.
Seeking fortune through danger was one thing, but if they followed Caleb's method, no amount of family fortune would be enough to fight this kind of hard battle.
Fighting a trade war against Noxus, seizing through commerce the wealth Noxus had gained through war, that was something not only the councilors, but every shrewd merchant in Piltover was confident they could do.
But if it came to fighting an actual war, even Piltover's dogs would shake their heads.
Piltover's lifeblood did not lie in farmland or production, but in technical processing and trade. If war broke out, the simple act of closing the port would cause an enormous loss of wealth every single day.
Though it was hurtful to say, it was true. In both Piltover and even Zaun, most people were weak-kneed when facing war.
So Caleb had to disguise the Twin Cities as a hard bone with more bark than bite, and make Noxus hesitate.
If the Twin Cities truly challenged Noxus's military might, even ten Twin Cities might barely be enough to matter.
Only by presenting themselves as businesspeople at this moment could they gain Noxus's recognition while also securing a certain amount of regional reputation.
No matter what, if Caleb could not have the whole cake, he had to make sure he at least kept a slice.
The people behind him were not speaking now, which counted as a kind of indirect support for him. After all, he was only the Governor of Zaun. The twin city-state sounded nice, but back when Zaun had been used as a dumping ground for pollution, had any councilor cared about it or spoken up for it?
In front of batch after batch of glittering gold, many people were willing to crush their own consciences.
"If I remember correctly, the Twin Cities are currently not dependent on any nation, are they?"
Swain narrowed his long eyes, pretending ignorance.
"At the current stage, that is true."
Caleb continued unhurriedly.
"However, in our trade with Noxus, the Twin Cities have always granted Noxus special convenience."
"The gossip outside is growing louder and louder, and our business is becoming harder and harder to conduct."
Hearing this, several councilors behind him nodded.
Behind them, Talon let out a faint, disdainful scoff.
After all that talk, so even a Governor like this man would still fall into the money pit?
"You mean you want to raise tariffs?"
Swain's brow finally lifted as he looked at the man before him.
Compared with his own age and experience, this one could probably still be considered a boy.
"A moderate increase, along with a statement."
"The Twin Cities are not dependent on any nation. Our purpose is to let the people here live in peace and happiness."
When Caleb said this, he could clearly hear the breathing behind him grow much heavier.
An increase in tariffs did not have much to do with Zaun, but to Piltover, it mattered a great deal.
"Oh? You may explain in detail."
Swain was interested now.
This man's physical quality was not weak, and he commanded so many spells, yet the result was that he wanted to raise tariffs?
Although Swain himself would also come here, the question was, was this really something someone at Caleb's level needed to consider?
In Noxus, Swain was famous for his long-term strategy. At this moment, his gaze seemed as if it would pierce straight through Caleb and look all the way to Piltover's port.
"An increase of two and a half percentage points."
Caleb spoke each word clearly.
Even with that increase, the tariffs Noxus enjoyed would still be lower than those of other regions.
"Three. But I want Governor Caleb to satisfy two requests of mine."
Swain was generous, waving his hand as he spoke.
He could not be said to completely misunderstand trade, but with matters like this, as long as he was there, the Noxians would not complain about the increased tariffs.
"Go ahead."
Caleb answered without hesitation.
Even Talon drew in a cold breath.
In Noxus, there had always been very few people who could first listen to the Grand General's request, then consider it afterward.
"First, I hope the Twin Cities will not issue that statement. You are independent to begin with."
"As for the second, I hope Governor Caleb can visit the Immortal Bastion as a guest."
The moment those words came out, it was the councilors' turn to feel their hair stand on end.
What was Caleb's current status? He was absolutely priceless.
Even so, in truth, he still could not compare to the Grand General of Noxus, who held half a continent in his hands.
But if something happened to Caleb…
Then the whole of Zaun might revolt.
"No problem!"
Caleb's decisive answer made everyone look toward him.
Inviting Caleb to the Immortal Bastion, the center of Noxus, what was that?
It was courtesy, yes, but it was also a banquet with knives hidden under the table.
Swain definitely also intended to use Caleb to establish his authority.
"I am very satisfied with today's meeting."
Swain smiled.
"Does anyone else have anything to add?"
Silence. Stillness.
By then, the sky outside had already turned completely dark, and the streetlights outside lit up one by one.
"Piltover is a very interesting city."
A smile still hung on Swain's face, yet that faint smile was like water beneath ice.
It looked as though it had not yet dropped below freezing, but in truth, it was an endless, bone-deep cold.
"I will walk you out."
Caleb had also figured it out. Noxus had agreed this time, first because Piltover really was very important to Noxus.
As the City of Progress, Piltover's atmosphere and port were indispensable to Noxus. Only a Piltover that could tolerate different cultures and races while remaining so peaceful could continuously send all kinds of new technology into Noxus.
Noxus could not recreate a second Piltover. No matter what, it could not.
Second, it was because they were wary of Caleb's position as Governor of Zaun.
One had to know that many alchemical potions, and even alchemical fire, were produced in Zaun. If Caleb stopped all of that production, the result would be a loss for both sides.
Third, autumn was turning into winter. The Freljord in the north, lacking food, would inevitably move south to raid for grain.
With Noxus fighting on multiple fronts, the current situation was already heavily overloaded.
Fourth, the Grand General of Noxus, Swain, had taken an interest in Caleb himself.
Under the first three conditions, Caleb had proposed the demand to "raise tariffs and issue a statement."
But what he had not expected was that the statement, which had originally only been a fallback concession, would actually be worth half a percentage point.
For all the Piltover councilors, this was an enormous encouragement.
Mel finally managed to breathe a sigh of relief.
No matter what, relying on his own ability, Caleb had indeed given everyone a huge surprise.
"Caleb, your contribution this time is tremendous!"
Even if the increase had only been two and a half percent, these tariffs were already no small sum.
And this was a full three points.
Salo already wanted to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
"My lord…"
In an empty alley, Talon wanted to speak, but hesitated.
"You want to ask why I agreed so readily?"
Swain guessed his thoughts.
"That man's future is instead shrouded in fog…"
That sentence alone was enough to shock Talon, but Swain's next words made him feel a chill run through him.
"He may be the person who changes the course of the world the most."
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