After more than two hours, the big shots had finished dividing up the Hextgate "cake."
The banquet hall buzzed with satisfied murmurs as council members clinked glasses, congratulating each other on their foresight.
Merchants huddled in corners, already calculating potential profits, while nobles discussed which of their estates would be ideal for portal placement.
Jayce finally remembered his good friend Viktor and searched around the banquet hall. His steps were slightly unsteady from the celebration drinks, weaving between the clusters of Piltovan elites. Eventually, he found Viktor in a corner engaged in a conversation with Cipher.
"Viktor, Cipher, do you know? The council members are very optimistic about the Hexgate. Most regions of Shurima and Noxus are about to establish portals!"
"Hextech is about to benefit humanity—we did it, we really did it!" Jayce's face was flushed with excitement.
"This is revolutionary!" He spread his arms wide, nearly knocking over a passing servant's tray. "Just imagine—merchants reaching Shurima in minutes instead of months. Resources flowing freely between nations!"
Reeking of alcohol, he wasted no time in sharing what he thought was good news as soon as he approached Viktor. He gestured broadly, nearly knocking over an empty wine glass. "Even Noxus is willing to pay premium rates for priority access. Do you know what this means for the Academy's funding? Think of it, Viktor! We could expand the research facilities, hire more assistants!"
"Jayce, we've known for a long time that Hextech had this capability. It's just that... never mind, let's head back to the lab first."
"Building the gates requires a massive Hextech energy matrix—there's no room for errors. We need to double-check the portal's calculations."
Unlike the excited Jayce, Viktor appeared indifferent.
Through his conversation with Cipher, he realized that without Cipher's involvement, the Hexgate wouldn't be able to benefit the Undercity at all.
The numbers ran through his mind.
The energy requirements alone would cost more than most Zaunite families made in a month. The maintenance fees, the access permits, the security deposits—all carefully calculated barriers wrapped in bureaucratic silk.
He and Jayce were merely scientists—they had no influence over the decisions made by politicians.
"You're both always so pessimistic," Jayce frowned. "You're right, let's go back to the lab first. Your health isn't great, so you should stay in the Upper City to oversee the construction of the Hexgates. I'll go outside."
"Cipher, Viktor and I are leaving first. We'll talk again when we have time."
Jayce helped Viktor up, nodded to Cipher, and hurriedly led Viktor away.
As for the other Zaunites, he acted as if he hadn't seen them and had no intention of interacting with them.
"He is really arrogant. Are all the so-called geniuses from the City of Progress like this?"
As soon as Jayce and Viktor were out of sight, Silco couldn't help but scoff. He swirled the wine in his glass.
"Jayce has the right to be arrogant. In Piltover, only Viktor and Professor Heimerdinger can match his talent. The others don't even come close." Cipher sampled another piece of exotic fruit.
Jayce was the kind of man who would write his own name on every page of his journal. And probably in gold ink, too.
His arrogance and pride were well known throughout the Piltover Academy—he had gone through countless assistants.
"How much longer do we have to sit here? The banquet is almost over."
As more and more people began to leave the banquet hall, Silco frowned. They felt out of place at this gathering. "We shouldn't be here at all."
Aside from Cipher's friends, no one was willing to interact with them. Sitting in the corner like this felt ridiculous to him.
"Uncle Silco, patience is a virtue. Councilor Medarda invited us to this banquet—not to make us a spectacle. And there's no need for that. She is both a councilor and the daughter of the House Medarda."
"Since when did you become a political expert?" Silco raised an eyebrow.
Cipher grinned. "Since I realized politics is just chemistry with people instead of elements."
But he understood perfectly well—Mel had specifically used her status as a Medarda to send out the invitation. Beyond a warning, it was also likely a gesture of cooperation.
Zaun's main backer, Grand General Swain, and Mel's backer, the Iron Wolf Ambessa, were not exactly enemies.
"See, here comes the host now."
As Cipher munched on fruit, he noticed Mel walking toward them and commented. Her timing was calculated, waiting until most guests had departed.
"Looks like we'll soon find out what this councilor wants."
Silco downed the rest of his wine in one gulp and fell silent.
Now, it was time for Mel and Cipher to take the stage.
"It seems that Zaun's leaders are dissatisfied with my banquet."
Mel immediately noticed the mess of bones and fruit peels on the table upon arriving. Cipher was still eating, showing no regard for his appearance.
She frowned slightly, clearly displeased. "Your... unique approach to etiquette is noted."
"Unique? I thought you'd appreciate directness, given your Noxian heritage," Cipher replied, popping another piece of fruit into his mouth.
"Lady Medarda, we had no intention of ruining your banquet. But the people of the Upper City don't welcome us. They call us sewer rats and criminals."
"And criminals wouldn't be appropriate today. But rats—that might still be acceptable."
Cipher casually tossed away the fruit peel in his hand on the table, ignoring Mel's displeasure and instead expressing his own.
For such a situation to arise at a banquet, the host could hardly escape responsibility.
Cipher even signaled to a waiter to bring him another serving. "Though I must say, this Shuriman fruit is excellent."
That unknown fruit was incredibly sweet—something he could never find in Zaun.
"Mr. Cipher, it was my oversight today."
To Cipher's surprise, Mel was the first to lower her head, actively showing goodwill.
Like Lester, she sat down beside Cipher, clearly displaying sincerity. "Shall we dispense with the pleasantries?"
"But as a leader of a city-state, should you really be at odds with merchants?"
"And please, call me Councilor. My mother may be Noxian, but I am not."
Mel raised her glass, signaling for Cipher to clink glasses with her.
Since she had lowered herself to this extent, Cipher found himself with no room to lash out. He straightened his back and clinked glasses with Mel properly.
After all, she was far more distinguished than him. Her showing such courtesy was a gesture of goodwill.
Expressing some dissatisfaction was one thing, but pushing his luck would be unwise.
However, what puzzled him was that Mel had sent the invitation under the House Medarda name, yet now she insisted on being addressed as a councilor.
"Councilor Medarda, I wonder what exactly your intentions are in inviting us here today."
"We people of the Undercity are straightforward. If there's something to discuss, let's get to the point—we don't engage in the political games of the Upper City."
Cipher didn't answer Mel's previous question. Instead, he cut straight to the chase, directly asking what she wanted.
"Heh, you certainly are direct."
Mel chuckled but, seeing his cold and expressionless face, knew that unless she laid her cards on the table, he wouldn't budge.
"I can secure a seat for Zaun on the Piltover Council."
Mel took a sip of wine, completely composed, as if she had just played her trump card in a one-against-three match.
The Zaunite group was stunned by her offer.
After a brief silence, Vander, Silco, and Sevika all turned to look at Cipher in unison. They all knew Mel had the power to make this happen—she wasn't bluffing.
"And the price? There's no such thing as a free lunch, Councilor Medarda."
Cipher took a deep breath. He hadn't expected Mel to play so big—she had led with a game-changing offer.
The Piltover Council only had seven seats. Adding one for Zaun would make it eight.
With wireless communication technology about to hit the market, sharing a portion of this massive profit chain could secure the majority of the council's support for the Undercity.
Her offer wasn't a small one. If her demands weren't excessive, it was worth negotiating.
"Cease all weapons development and stop selling arms to Noxus. In return, I will ensure the Council fully supports the development of the Undercity."
"The TICK-MK3 Hunter, the VK-47 Flatline, and the explosive rounds you've been producing—they are all too dangerous."
"Our protection must cease, you mean," Cipher interjected.
"Protection? Or provocation?" Mel's voice was sharp.
"In my experience, those tend to be the same thing in Zaun. And you don't understand Noxus. If you continue developing weapons, it's only a matter of time before Noxus takes an interest."
"Centuries of peace will be shattered in an instant." Mel sighed. After sending scouts to investigate Zaun, she knew trouble was brewing.
Just as oil breeds mold, powerful weapons attract Noxian attention.
One misstep, and the 'friendly neighbor' Noxus would be sending its fleet across the sea.
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30 advance chapters!
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