Walking back with Isha, Leo's expression was a little unnatural.
Truth be told, on his way to the Last Drop, Leo had already considered the likely outcome of his talk with Silco. The probability of failure was almost certain. After all, if Silco could be persuaded so easily, he wouldn't be Silco. He was a madman willing to throw away his own life for the sake of Zaun.
Trying to make a man like that submit through words alone was impossible.
Seriously, how come other transmigrators can just talk and talk and make the "villain" see the light, but when it's my turn, things are completely different?
Back in the room, if Silco hadn't been wary of Leo's physical power, he definitely would have made a move. Leo's five senses were now far beyond those of a normal person; he could spot the slightest unnatural twitch on someone's face. That's why he knew instantly that when Silco was fumbling around under the table, there had to be a gun there.
What else could it be? Was Silco just adjusting himself down there for that long?
So, in the end... Leo still had to rely on force to make Silco yield.
What Leo hadn't expected, however, was that during their conversation, he himself was almost persuaded by Silco. The Godfather of Zaun actually showed a moment of weakness in front of him?
In the animated series, the only time Silco ever showed weakness was in front of Jinx, right?
Because of this, Leo had to admit that not only had he failed to convince Silco to cooperate, but he had nearly gotten drawn in himself...
The Godfather of Zaun shows you his vulnerable side, his every word implying he wants you to help him. Who the hell could resist that?
Silco... possessed a truly powerful charisma.
This was also one of the reasons Leo didn't kill him.
There were several major reasons not to kill Silco—
First, if Silco really died, the chem-barons of Zaun would be left without a leader. In the scramble for territory and the power Silco left behind, those short-sighted fools would undoubtedly turn on each other.
Zaun would descend into absolute chaos. Of course, Leo could transform into the "Zaun Slayer" and just kill his way through them, taking down anyone who didn't submit. But could he really kill everyone? What would be the point of building up Zaun then?
Second, keeping Silco alive, with his political skills and iron-fisted methods, would be a tremendous help to Zaun's development. Leo wanted to improve Zaun, which would inevitably require contact with Piltover's councilors in the future. But Leo knew nothing about politics and would likely be manipulated by that group. In that regard, he would have to rely on Silco to handle things.
Third... was, naturally, because of Jinx. Her heart wasn't large; it didn't hold many people. She couldn't afford to lose a single one.
A tug on his hand pulled Leo from his thoughts. He looked down and saw Isha looking up at him.
"It's nothing. I'm not upset, don't worry, Isha."
Leo patted Isha's head and smiled.
But then, a thought struck him, and he quickly said to her, "But when we get back, there's something I need your help with, Isha."
Isha tilted her head. "?"
——————
At the Lotus Gang's hideout, Leo and Isha walked back. When they returned to the main tent, it was empty, but soon after, Jinx and Vi appeared together.
The two of them entered the large tent together, Jinx walking in front with Vi at her side, the expression on her face looking much more relaxed.
Isha remembered what Leo had told her. Pen in hand, she ran over to Jinx's side. When Jinx saw Isha, she happily knelt down and opened her arms to her.
"What are you going to draw? Let me see."
The two of them, one big and one small, huddled together cutely. Leo, meanwhile, approached Vi.
"Made up?"
Vi glanced at Leo and gave a wry, bitter smile. "No. She's still angry with me, but she's willing to talk to me now. On the condition that I call her Jinx, not Powder."
"What does that matter? Whether you call her Jinx or Powder, she's still your sister."
Vi pressed her lips together, looking like she wanted to say something. She first shook her head, then immediately nodded, a picture of pure indecision.
But she quickly grabbed Leo's arm and asked, "What did you say to Silco?"
"You're not going to be like Powder and side with him, are you?"
"The world isn't black and white, and people aren't simply good or bad, Vi," Leo said after a moment's thought.
"Maybe you're right, but he killed Vander." Vi looked at Leo, her expression deadly serious, and gritted her teeth. "And he turned Powder into what she is now. I want revenge, Leo."
"Vi, the one who turned Powder into Jinx wasn't Silco..." Leo shook his head.
Even now, Vi was still unwilling to admit that the person who caused Jinx's mental breakdown wasn't Silco, but her.
Although, Silco was certainly the catalyst that turned her into the Jinx of today.
No... you could say that things started spiraling out of control the moment Vi heard about the treasure from Ekko and ran off to Piltover to steal it.
Vi's expression faltered, a hint of resentment in her eyes, but Leo quickly changed the subject. "Let's not talk about this. By the way, Vi, are you planning to stay here, or are you going to go to Piltover with that enforcer chick?"
"Of course I'm staying here. Powder is here. Why would I go to Piltover by myself? Am I crazy?" Vi gave him a baffled look, not understanding what Leo was getting at.
Leo smiled.
Good, the timeline really has changed. Vi's bond with Caitlyn isn't that deep right now, and Jinx hasn't had a major breakdown in front of her yet. Because of that, Vi isn't planning to go to Piltover to join the academy and become an enforcer.
As long as she doesn't get attached, that's what matters. I was worried Vi and Caitlyn would get too close, and she'd lose her mind and run off with her. If she left, Jinx would definitely go off the deep end, and that's the last thing I want to see.
Now, there was still time. Many things could still be changed.
"Well then, a formal welcome back, Vi," Leo said to her.
"Don't give me that crap, Leo. I have no intention of recognizing you as my boss," Vi said with a frown.
Her defiant nature was an innate part of her, and a lack of tact was etched into her bones. Perhaps... Silco's description of Vi was quite fitting.
She acted this way because, in her past relationship with Leo, she had always been the one in charge. She was the leader of their group.
Acknowledging Leo as the boss now would feel awkward for her.
Although she didn't know how Leo had gotten so strong, Vi still felt a little defiant. Just a little bit.
"Whatever you want," Leo said casually. He didn't care about Vi; he cared about Jinx.
If it weren't for the fact that Vi was Jinx's emotional anchor, then honestly... Leo really wouldn't care where Vi went.
She could run off with Caitlyn and get knocked out for all he cared.
Ignoring Vi, Leo walked over to Jinx.
As he got closer, he saw Jinx with her arms and legs wrapped around Isha, holding the little girl in her lap, her tongue sticking out slightly as she taught Isha how to draw.
"You want to see fireflies? No problem, I can make those. They even explode! What? You want to see real fireflies?"
"Well, that's a bit more trouble, Isha. For real fireflies, we'd have to go to the Topside to catch them, and even then, we might not find any."
"But, I do know one place that has them," Jinx chattered on to Isha.
"What are you two talking about?" Leo sat down behind Jinx, leaning his head in to look at Isha's drawing. A strange-looking firefly was on the paper in her hand. Its eyes were enormous, it had fangs, and most importantly, it was blue.
Hearing his voice, Jinx leaned backward, her soft body sinking right into Leo's embrace.
From Vi's perspective, Jinx was hugging Isha, and Leo was hugging Jinx.
The scene looked exactly like a family of three!
But, that's not right!
Where do I fit in?
The sight was deeply unsettling for Vi. Wait, that spot Leo's in should be mine!
Jinx tilted her head back to look at Leo and said with a grin, "Isha wants to see fireflies. I was just thinking about where to go catch some."
"Are there still fireflies in Zaun?"
"Yeah, the Firelights have some. I'll just go ask them for a few. If they don't give them to me, I'll just take them," Jinx said.
Leo smiled, secretly exchanging a look with Isha.
Little Isha grinned happily, showing her teeth, her small face filled with pride.
She had helped Leo.
She didn't really want to see any fireflies. She preferred the "toys" her big sister tinkered with. But this was what her big brother wanted.
So... of course Isha would do as he asked.