Instead of receiving Cipher in a formal banquet hall, Ambessa had chosen a private, secluded location. She lounged on a plush sofa, a young male Piltovan massaging her battle-scarred legs. Judging by her subtle expression, his massage skills were quite decent.
She didn't rise to greet Cipher. Even here in Piltover, far from her power base, she had absolute control.
Rictus stood at formal attention as he announced, "General Medarda, may I present Mayor Cipher of Zaun."
Ambessa waved her hand dismissively. "I know who he is, Rictus." Her sharp eyes fixed on Cipher. "Was the journey agreeable?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle," Cipher replied.
Ambessa gestured to a chair across from her. "I expected nothing less. Sit. We have much to discuss."
As Cipher settled into the chair, Ambessa nodded to Rictus, who moved to a side table where a decanter of dark red liquid waited. He carefully poured the wine into two glasses, offering the first to Ambessa and then to Cipher.
Noxian wine had a richer taste, and the climate there made the grapes tougher. Because of that, everything that survived in Noxus was just as tough.
Ambessa swirled her wine glass. "Do you like Noxian wine?"
"Hmm, it does have more strength compared to Piltover's."
He tasted it deliberately, showing no reaction to its potency. The wine burned pleasantly down his throat, carrying notes of earth and iron.
"But rather than its wine, I prefer Noxian Soulflame."
"Few foreigners can stomach it," Ambessa remarked, one eyebrow raising with interest.
"One sip of that feels like swallowing a blade, it taught me what it truly means to be a man." Cipher didn't care about Ambessa's choice of meeting place. He wasn't in formal attire, she wasn't being proper, neither had the right to judge the other. And since she spoke in riddles, he responded in kind.
Let's see who can outguess whom.
Ambessa was momentarily stunned, intrigued by this unconventional display of toughness.
"Most Piltovans I meet try to impress me with knowledge of vintages and proper etiquette. You speak of Soulflame," she said.
"I'm not from Piltover," Cipher replied simply.
"No. You're certainly not." A smirk played at the corner of her lips as she sat up slightly, waving her hand at Rictus. The bearded man understood immediately, turning to bring over a brazier and a tea set.
"During my time in Piltover, the number of invitations from the city's nobles was enough to use as firewood."
"And I haven't met a single one."
Ambessa personally began brewing the tea. "For three reasons, I'm not interested, they're not qualified, or I simply can't be bothered."
The water began to steam, releasing fragrant wisps into the air.
"The Piltovan elites are merchants playing at politics. They've never had to defend their titles with blood."
"And Noxians have?" Cipher asked.
"Every day. Title without strength is meaningless in Noxus," she replied with fierce pride.
"In Zaun as well, though our battles take different forms," Cipher acknowledged.
The sound of tea being poured filled the air, its fragrance spreading quickly.
He took in the aroma, assessing that it wasn't as refined as the tea brewed by Camille, but it was still high-grade, undoubtedly expensive.
"You are the first guest I've invited. Do you know why?"
Ambessa took the first sip herself, satisfied with the taste. Then she poured another cup and, with a casual wave, had Rictus serve it to Cipher.
"Noxians respect those with true ability. If I am being treated with such courtesy, then I assume you've taken a liking to one of my talents."
Cipher accepted the tea without hesitation, openly acknowledging that she had recognized his abilities. Noxus had no need for false modesty, if one had skill, it should be displayed boldly.
"I think you're more impressive than that boy, Jayce. He might have a brilliant mind, but he's far too naive, not suited for Noxus." Ambessa didn't hold back her admiration, clearly, she had already met the man.
He suspected her visit was still about Hextech weapons.
Due to Cipher and Camille, the advancement of Hextech weaponization had accelerated significantly in this world.
Powerful weapons meant increased strength for a family, and someone as pragmatic as she would never overlook such an opportunity.
By now, he fully understood why she had sought him out. She hadn't gotten what she wanted from Jayce, so now she was testing him. Or perhaps she had planned to bet on both sides from the start. After all, who would complain about having more powerful weapons?
"I'll be straightforward, I admire you. At first, it was just for your talent in weapon development. But after reviewing your full profile, I've come to admire all of you. Your willingness to face death head-on, that's an essential trait for a true warrior. Combined with your skills in weapon development, it makes you quite remarkable. You're a perfect fit for Noxus. If Mel hadn't set her sights on Jayce, I might've even considered pairing you two together."
Ambessa stroked her scarred, weathered chin as she said something that nearly made Cipher spit out his tea. Judging by her thoughtful expression, she had probably seriously considered it.
"Jayce is an outstanding young man. He'll stand on his own eventually. General, you should give him time."
He spoke up for Jayce. He had no interest in competing with him over a woman.
"When I was his age, I had already faced death countless times." Ambessa shook her head, finished her tea, and shifted the conversation to something else.
"I have to say, Swain's eye for talent is as sharp as ever. He elevated Lester from a slave to a noble, who has certainly proven his worth."
She watched Cipher carefully.
"You, even more so. The self-destructing automaton and explosive rounds, both are weapons I deeply envy."
"Merely adaptations of existing principles," Cipher said.
"Don't diminish your achievements. I've seen the reports. No one else has replicated your results."
"Reports? You've been thorough."
"When I see value, I investigate fully." She set down her cup with purpose. "I missed my chance before, but now I'll ask directly, Cipher, are you interested in my investment? In return, The House Medarda will serve as your protection. The price? Zaun must develop and produce weapons for me, under my specifications."
Ambessa refilled her cup and raised it toward him in invitation.
It wasn't about provoking Swain on purpose; rather, Cipher and Swain's partnership leaned toward a commercial arrangement. She had every right to place an order for weapon development.
"General, as the head of your house, carrying the weight of your family's legacy, how does it feel?"
Instead of answering her offer directly, he posed a question of his own.
"Like walking on thin ice. I haven't allowed myself to relax for a single moment all these years." Ambessa's response was candid. Noxus had no room for the weak, either advance or be left behind. Keeping a noble house strong and enduring was no easy feat.
"I feel the same. The weight on my shoulders is an entire city." Cipher gave a wry smile, lifted his tea in a silent toast, and drank it all in one go.
"There aren't many people as measured as you. Cipher, I find myself admiring you more and more, hahahaha!" Ambessa laughed heartily, the appreciation in her gaze growing stronger.
Cipher had answered her in just the right way. While he had the authority to decide, the reality was that subordinates still had to report back to their leader before making major decisions.
"I won't make this difficult for you. I'll discuss it personally with Swain. But that means you won't receive the House Medarda's protection." She didn't press the issue any further. The offer of protection had only been to ensure secrecy. Since he insisted on reporting to Swain, that condition was no longer valid.
"A trade-off. That's fair."
Cipher shrugged, satisfied with the outcome, after all, Ambessa's backing was nothing compared to Swain's.
"You navigate these waters well for someone so new to them."
"Zaun teaches adaptability from birth. Survival depends on it," Cipher replied.
"Perhaps that's why I find your city so intriguing. It has a certain Noxian quality to it."
"We take that as a compliment."
"As you should."
Ambessa seemed about to say more, when the doors suddenly burst open with a loud bang.
A furious Mel stormed in, shoving aside the two guards trying to stop her.
"Mel, would you like a cup of—" Ambessa didn't seem the least bit angry at her daughter's sudden intrusion. Instead, she casually lifted her tea as if inviting her to sit. But before she could finish her sentence, Mel cut her off, completely ignoring Cipher's presence. With a sharp slap, she knocked the tea from Ambessa's hand.
The cup hit the floor with a crisp shatter, and the scalding tea splashed onto the Piltover delicacy who had been massaging Ambessa's legs.
The poor thing was clearly terrified, their expression full of panic.
"Get out!"
Mel snapped at them, her voice burning with anger.
The servant hesitated, glancing between Mel and Ambessa, unsure what to do. Only when Ambessa sighed helplessly and waved them away did they hurriedly flee the scene.
"Stay away from Jayce!"
Mel's furious voice filled the room as she glared at her mother. The tension between them was palpable, a lifetime of complex emotions compressed into three simple words.
Seeing this, Cipher sighed. A mother-daughter conflict, probably his cue to leave. Besides, there was still a pile of political matters waiting for him back home.
"General Medarda, Councilor Medarda, I'll be taking my leave." He rose from his seat.
"Mm. Apologies for the lack of hospitality. You're always welcome at House Medarda. Rictus, escort Cipher and ensure he returns to Zaun safely."
The bearded man nodded and led Cipher out, leaving mother and daughter to settle their dispute.