"Cassandra, while you and your husband are still young, you should put in a little more effort and give the Kiramman family a few more heirs."
Caleb seemed to remember something and went on.
"After all, judging from Caitlyn and Vi, unless some kind of technological breakthrough happens later, you're probably going to have a hard time getting grandchildren."
Caleb's words offered Cassandra some reassurance, but they also carried a threat.
"I'll let all of you keep your houses and cash. That way, you can still live with some dignity."
"But if any of you keep clinging to those businesses and resources like they're your golden goose, just like before, refusing to let go, or if any of you still won't give up and start thinking about stabbing me in the back again, then I'll have to help you keep that dignity."
Salo's face was covered in tears. He could see that the glory and luxury that had once been within easy reach would probably be gone from him from now on.
Caleb's meaning was firm. The largest parts of these people's assets, the things that could truly keep bringing them wealth, had already slipped out of their hands.
The other councilors stood there blankly too. Although Caleb did not say much more, they also knew that their former wealth was no longer as solid as an Ixtali marble bathtub.
From the look of things now, even being allowed to keep their lives was already a sign that Caleb's temper had improved. Unlike last time, he had not killed anyone in the council hall in front of everyone.
While he was in a good mood, not tempting fate was the smart choice.
Become the next Morey?
Salo felt he was still young. Even if he spent lavishly, what was left would be enough for him to live the rest of his life in luxury.
Fine. Caleb could have it. Worst case, Salo could take the remaining money, rely on what connections he still had, and start some small business.
Caleb was the first to leave the council, heading back toward Piltover.
He had never expected these people to be united with him, but since he had figured he should save whoever he could, he had still chosen not to take issue with these arrogant councilors.
Only Camille, from beginning to end, had been polite and pleasant with him. If she had a request, she made it. If Caleb asked for money, she gave it.
Looking at it now, sure enough, there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Even though Caleb knew Clan Ferros had helped set this trap for him, just because they had not gone all in, Caleb had no way to keep going after them.
"As expected, the most terrifying thing isn't the power of a Hextech Gemstone, and it isn't Jinx's rocket either. In these twin cities, Clan Ferros has been quietly growing in the background, and by now, they can no longer be removed."
After returning to his office, Jinx came toward him with a grin and gave Caleb a huge hug.
Kai'Sa's cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk's, but she soon turned and went off to the side.
Forget it. Considering this girl had saved both her and Caleb this time, she could have one hug.
If Jinx went any further, Kai'Sa really was going to unleash an Icathian storm.
"Sorry. I dragged you into this."
Caleb spoke to Ryze with a faint trace of guilt.
This time, the results really had been pretty good. They had obtained a sizable amount of petricite, as well as a petricite statue they could study.
Caleb had already had people transport these materials to Heimerdinger's laboratory.
After this, Piltover's political world would basically be under Clan Ferros's control alone.
Thinking of this, Caleb could not help remembering the first time he had met Camille, and that smile of hers that had seemed almost like a socialite's.
At the time, Caleb had seen it as proof that her humanity outweighed the precision of her machinery.
But now, it seemed that it had probably been a test for him.
The more potential he showed, the more willing Clan Ferros became to place a heavy bet on him.
"I really can't underestimate you people."
It seemed one of Caleb's earlier idle moves had saved him. If he had not given the PROJECT storage drive to Jinx, then during this crisis, even with Hextech, Jinx would not have been able to save him.
Because in the end, Hextech still used the power of Rune Magic.
In that case, the result would have been the same. It would have been absorbed by the petricite.
"How are those two drakes?"
Caleb did not want to trouble Xolaani. The drakes were huge, and creating new organs to replace theirs would be difficult.
It would interfere with Aatrox and Yaano's limb reconstruction later.
Besides, Qiyana had given him those two drakes, and it might not have been without the intention of trading their sacrifice for better relations between the two nations.
"Must be nice being loaded. Even the gifts you give are drakes..."
After thinking for a moment, Caleb decided to leave this task to Heimerdinger and Singed.
One of them had the fastest known development speed on the Hextech side, and the other stood at the peak of chemtech.
With Jayce and Viktor's help on top of that, it was only a matter of time before those two drakes whose lives had been saved became lively and healthy again.
Caleb's thoughts did not last too long. "The Monolith," Malphite, was also being transported toward Ixtal's border.
In the days to come, Caleb only needed the situation in the twin cities to stabilize, with no more flashy nonsense happening.
Right, there was also a squad of warriors from Demacia.
By the time Caleb remembered that matter, it was already noon the next day.
It scared him into hurrying, well, actually, he did not hurry that much, to find Garen and Fiora.
Under the Firelights' watch, the weaponless Dauntless Vanguard did not dare act rashly.
In truth, these guards really would not have been able to keep the Dauntless Vanguard under control. They were, after all, one of the strongest military forces on this continent.
But what stopped them from escaping, and could even be said to have stopped Garen and Fiora, two top-tier warriors, was that young punk swinging a watch chain, the clock face below it ticking away.
With the high speed of his hoverboard and the time-related Z-Drive, Ekko had watched over these people for an entire day.
And with the support of his PROJECT armor, Ekko's stamina was no longer what it used to be.
"Governor."
Ekko's words drew everyone's attention, and also made Garen immediately look this young man over. He did not look much older than Ekko.
Garen still remembered Caleb's performance on the battlefield vividly. Caleb had used one ultimate move, not only skillfully dodging Judgment, but also piercing through Garen's abdomen.
Fiora's single-target assassination had failed as well. Warwick alone had pinned her down completely.
"There was a change of government in the city. Thank you all for your trouble, but I'm afraid you may have made this trip for nothing."
Caleb did not care what benefits Piltover had promised Demacia. Either way, Caleb was not going to fulfill them.
"Do you really intend to worsen relations between our nations?"
Garen frowned and could not help asking.
"The desert to the south will soon become fertile land, and the rainforest will open its sealed gates."
"You are the ones who will need to buy our products, along with the goods here from all over the world."
"We are not the ones who need that little stockpile of grain from you, only to turn around and resell it to Noxus."
In Caleb's eyes, there seemed to be the clear blade-light of Youmuu's Wraithblade, making even Garen tremble.
"Got it?"
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