Nonviolent noncooperation. Although the word "noncooperation" was an eyesore, the most crucial word, "nonviolent," became increasingly appealing the more they pondered it.
"As we all know, these barefoot Zaunites have nothing to lose. We can never truly pacify them just by killing them."
The effects of a bloody suppression were temporary, only capable of keeping a group of people—at most, a single generation—in line.
As time passed and conflicts accumulated, naturally radical youths would organically replace the middle-aged who had already lost their edge, becoming the main force of a new generation that controlled the narrative in Zaun.
Most of them had not personally experienced the bloody suppression faced by the previous generation, and thus could not truly comprehend the sheer barbarism and terror hidden behind Piltover's facade of a "civilized but weak" city-state.
At the same time, they still felt the oppression and tasted the bitter suffering.
Therefore, every dozen years or so—roughly the span of a generation—the Zaunites were bound to stage a massive uprising.
"If these thugs could all lay down their weapons and engage in this 'nonviolent noncooperation' with us, it would save us a lot of trouble."
"I don't think we need to overreact. If we can make the Zaunites believe the conclusions in this pamphlet, it would actually be a good thing!"
"A good thing?" another Councilor questioned indignantly. "Do you think those Zaunites are idiots?"
"We can't possibly give our money away to those sump rats as charity. Sooner or later, they will realize that nonviolent noncooperation doesn't work and revert to being savage thugs."
"Then at worst, everything just goes back to the way it was!" a Councilor immediately retorted. "Zaunites are already thugs by nature. If they stay docile for a while before turning back into thugs, could the situation really get any worse?"
None of them realized at this moment:
When the Zaunites—having accepted this scientific ideology and gained theoretical guidance—reverted to being "thugs," these "thinking thugs" would erupt with an unimaginably terrifying power.
Thus, in the eyes of the Councilors, there was no fundamental difference between the Windguides and the enterprises of Piltover or the gangs of Zaun.
They did not realize it, nor could they possibly realize it. This was an entirely new concept that had never appeared in Runeterra before, a brand-new chapter in human history.
No one could predict the kind of storm this inconspicuous little pamphlet would stir up in the future.
As a result, the Councilors did not feel in the slightest that they were playing with fire.
One Councilor even smiled and waved the copy of *A Brief Introduction to Janna Thought* in his hand, saying, "The author's theory is somewhat dangerous, and his analysis is a bit too profound."
"But the more penetrating, rigorous, and sharp his analysis is, doesn't it make his conclusion seem all the more correct, reliable, and trustworthy?"
"There will definitely be Zaunites willing to believe it."
"And there will definitely be those who don't believe it, or as you said earlier, those who believe it but then 'wake up' later."
"What does this mean?"
Councilors were Councilors for a reason. After just a bit of thought, they had found a way to reverse-engineer *Janna Thought*:
"It means we can use this pamphlet to further divide the Zaunites into a 'Moderate Faction' that believes its conclusions, and a 'Radical Faction' that insists on violent methods. Then, we can find ways to intensify the conflict between them and incite the two factions to slaughter each other."
"If the moderates grow strong, we support the radicals. If the radicals grow strong, we support the moderates."
"Just like a few years ago, when Silco clashed with Vander—"
"If this kind of infighting can happen in Zaun every few years, then those Zaunites will never have the energy to storm the canal bridge and come over here to bother us. Hahahaha."
More than one Councilor shared this thought.
Madam Kiramman expressed her deep agreement.
Heimerdinger was reluctant to voice political opinions, but he also nodded in unconditional approval.
After all, one had a daughter involved, and the other had a student involved. Naturally, they did not want to treat the Windguides as enemies.
That was already two votes. Excluding Councilor Mel, who had yet to express an opinion, the majority of the other six Councilors present actually supported temporarily allowing the Windguides to exist, and even tolerating their ideological propaganda.
However, there was still one Councilor vehemently objecting. "No, absolutely not!"
"No matter what, those Windguides are smearing the Piltover Council. They are using their fabricated so-called historical truths to slander the great houses that have led the progress of human civilization."
"Yes, their attitude is somewhat mild. But even so, we absolutely cannot condone such dangerous rhetoric that incites hatred against the wealthy."
"Otherwise, once the floodgates are opened, who knows what kind of even more unreasonable lunatics will pop up in the future!"
The Councilor slammed the table in agitation, then looked intently at Miss Mel.
"Councilor Mel, what do you think?"
"Should this so-called Windguide organization be eradicated as soon as possible?!"
With his question, everyone turned to look at her expectantly.
Mel was the only Councilor present who had not yet voiced an opinion, and she was also the one with the most authority among them.
Despite the fact that the Councilors who tolerated the Windguides currently held an overwhelming advantage over those who were hostile to them.
As long as Miss Mel spoke, the winds could shift at any moment to follow her lead.
"I think everyone makes a valid point,"
Mel smiled, offering a platitude before adding, seemingly casually,
"Madam Kiramman, you mentioned earlier that Miss Caitlyn has already partnered with Professor Viktor to pull together an armed crew, didn't you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the air grew noticeably heavier.
Right, wasn't it supposed to be nonviolent noncooperation? Why had they formed an illegal armed force?
"This..." Madam Kiramman also felt a faint sense of worry.
But considering Caitlyn was already involved, she had no choice but to maintain a calm expression and explain on her daughter's behalf.
"That is just Caitlyn 'playing house.' I can guarantee that, no matter what, she stands on our side."
"I understand," Mel quickly and politely clarified. "Since Miss Caitlyn is personally running a gang, she naturally cannot do so without men and guns. Even if she and those Windguides have formed a private armed force, it doesn't prove they are enemies."
"I am not doubting anything. I merely want to clarify—just how formidable is this Windguide organization?"
"Whether we want to treat them as enemies or friends, we should first figure out their true strength, shouldn't we?"
These words caused everyone to suddenly realize the truth of the matter.
Yes, strength was the most crucial factor.
If the Windguide organization was weak, then tolerating them was fine, and eradicating them was also fine. It wouldn't be too late to discuss it later.
If the Windguide organization was neither weak nor strong, but just capable enough to pose a threat to the Piltover Council, then they should be eradicated. Even if not eradicated, they should be appropriately suppressed.
But if the Windguide organization was very strong... then there was no point in talking about eradication. It wouldn't be certain who would be eradicating whom.
"But is there really a need to discuss this question?" the Councilor who had fiercely opposed the Windguides earlier couldn't help but ask.
"A university professor, a bunch of young students, and a group of untrained Zaunite apprentices... even if you give them weapons, what kind of results could they possibly produce?"
"Miss Mel, you are overthinking this."
"I believe we just need to send a random squad of Enforcers over, and we can easily take them down."
"Calm down, sir," Mel reminded him. "We haven't formally voted on whether to allow the Windguides to exist yet."
"Furthermore, if we directly send Enforcers to arrest them, we would be completely tearing up all pretenses with them."
Tearing up all pretenses?
Everyone was slightly taken aback.
They suddenly realized that Mel had unknowingly elevated the Windguide Association—whose members consisted only of naive students and ordinary workers—to a status equal to that of the Piltover Council.
Tearing up pretenses? Did that group of Windguides even deserve any face from the Council?
Face had to be earned.
Did the Windguides have that kind of strength?
"That is exactly what I want to figure out," Mel said, gently flipping through the pages of the book in her hand. "Don't forget. The leader of the Windguides is not Miss Caitlyn or Professor Viktor, whom we are familiar with, but the author of this book—"
"The mage, Mr. Levi."
"So what?" the Councilor opposing the Windguides remained puzzled. "Mages are powerful, yes, but it's not like we have to carefully cater to just any random mage that comes along, right?"
"An ordinary mage, of course not. But..."
Mel flipped the pamphlet in her hand to the first page and spread it out in front of everyone.
"What if he is the Chosen of Janna?"
Levi had clearly stated on the first page of the text that these ideologies came from the Goddess Janna.
"There are some things that ordinary people do not understand, but it is impossible for our ancient, great houses to not have records of them."
"I believe everyone sitting here should be very clear—"
Mel tapped her finger lightly on the table, her tone subtle.
"Janna is real."