"After all, the peace of the Twin Cities will still need your protection in the future!"
Duke patted Caitlyn on the shoulder. Her eyes grew complicated, and noticing the change in her expression, Duke shifted his gaze toward Pride and Gluttony, who had just driven into the Blue Lavender Manor. He raised his brows at Caitlyn.
"Looks like my two little friends have successfully completed their mission and returned."
Pride led the way, with Gluttony close behind. The roar of motorcycle and sports car engines echoed through the manor as Camille received a secret report from Dakel.
"This just came from Demacia. Their people are split in opinion over the Hexgate. I think we need to prepare in advance."
Standing by the window, Dakel spoke with concern. "You know, our exoskeleton promotion was already blocked over there. If we don't act soon, the Hexgate project might be shelved."
"A bunch of stubborn old fossils."
Camille skimmed through the report, let out a disdainful laugh, and glanced outside at the two vehicles approaching Duke's workshop.
"Tell me the details. What exactly is going on over there?"
"Yes, Grand-Aunt."
Outside the workshop, Pride had barely stopped when he transformed, standing upright.
"Father, we brought her back!"
Pride cast a glance at Jinx, unconscious inside Gluttony's car, and said gravely, "Just as you suspected, she went straight to Zaun. Looks like she was about to stir up real chaos."
"This little brat, when did she become so impatient?"
Duke carried Jinx out of the car and handed her over to Wally. "Take her to the rest chamber, let her stay with her sister, and make sure she gets some proper rest."
"Zaun can't afford to be thrown into turmoil right now. If it does, it'll impact the whole situation!"
The Hexgate market had only just opened, still in its infancy. Duke's recent expedition to Ixtal had been entirely for the purpose of paving the way for the Hexgate.
The Hexgate was directly tied to his next wave of income. Only once it was firmly established would it bring Piltover an immense fortune. The already well-positioned Ferros family could also use the opportunity to reap huge profits.
All of Duke's upcoming research funds relied on the market the Hexgate would bring.
Nothing could go wrong. Any disruption would be like reaching into his money pouch.
And reaching into Duke's money pouch meant touching his very foundation — something he would never tolerate.
Helping Vi was partly due to their friendship, but he also wanted her and Caitlyn to stabilize the Twin Cities for him.
Even though the Ferros clan secretly controlled much of Piltover and Zaun, their focus couldn't be entirely consumed by politics.
Some things required both overt and covert efforts to achieve the best results.
Vi and Caitlyn were his chosen candidates. After all, in their background story, they were the Piltover Enforcers responsible for maintaining the safety of the Twin Cities.
Duke only needed to give them a little push.
The world outside could be thrown into chaos, but the Twin Cities — Duke's base and lifeline — could not falter.
Once Jinx was settled into the rest chamber, Duke turned to Caitlyn. "Alright, go get some rest. Don't stay here worrying. If you're still uneasy, I can arrange a guest room for you."
"You've been waiting outside for over three hours."
"It's time you got some sleep."
Seeing the genuine concern in Duke's eyes, Caitlyn's heart softened. She glanced at his workshop, then back at him, and nodded. "Alright, arrange a room for me."
"Good. I'll see to it."
Duke patted her shoulder and summoned his private butler.
"Sir, Madame has something to discuss with you," the butler, Gano, reminded him before leaving.
"I know. Take her to rest, I'll go find Camille."
"Yes, sir."
After Gano escorted Caitlyn away, Duke told Pride and Gluttony to amuse themselves for a while, then leisurely made his way to Camille's room.
At the door, Dakel stepped out, spotting Duke with a sympathetic look.
"Duke!"
"What is it?"
"Just a warning — whatever happens, don't lose your temper."
"What do you mean?" Duke was puzzled. Could it be Camille was setting him up with another blind date?
Was Miss Fortune not enough already?
Now she wanted to throw another girl at him?
Duke's lips twitched as he gave Dakel a nod. "Got it. Thanks for the reminder."
"It's not what you think…" Dakel noticed his expression and realized he had misunderstood, but explaining would be pointless. She stepped aside. "Forget it, you'll understand once you go in."
"Fine. As long as it's not another blind date, anything else is fine."
Pushing open the door, Duke was greeted by the fragrance of freshly brewed black tea. Camille sat at the table, tea set before her.
"Sit."
Focused on brewing tea, she gestured for him to take a seat. As he sat down, Duke noticed a sealed report on the table and immediately picked it up. "Another intelligence report? From where?"
"Demacia."
"Oh? Did those old fossils cause trouble again?"
"It's about the Hexgate. And about you."
Placing a teacup before him, Camille said bluntly, "You know those old fossils are always up to some nonsense."
"And they've openly looked down on you, darling."
"Looked down on me?"
Duke frowned and quickly focused on the report, reading every line carefully.
Camille sat quietly, waiting. The words in the letter were far from polite. Many of Demacia's nobles were fiercely opposed to exoskeletons, and because their influence had grown, King Jarvan III was constantly hampered by their resistance.
Even though the Hexgate project had been approved thanks to Jarvan III's persistence, opposition remained strong within Demacia.
As for Duke himself, the so-called "Father of Exoskeletons," public opinion was sharply divided.
Supporters argued that his exoskeletons enhanced warriors' combat ability and reduced the cost of raising an army.
Opponents, however, claimed that exoskeletons violated the warrior's code, undermined the next generation's growth, and bred dependence at the cost of courage and willpower.
In short, negative voices outweighed the positive.
"These people must be insane!" Duke's forehead veins bulged. The insults written about him were nothing but crude abuse and mockery.
Even the most patient person would fly into a rage after reading them.
"No one's forcing them to use it. But to attack me personally? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
He slammed the report onto the table, massaging his temples to calm himself.
"This is what you wanted to tell me?"
"Exactly. Not only is your exoskeleton market being blocked, but the Hexgate project too."
"They're backing out?"
"Not quite. Since Jarvan III personally approved it, they can't overturn it. But there's a lot of opposition to building and installing the Hexgate."
"In short, the issue is split — the progressive side supports it, knowing the change it will bring. But the opposition…"
"You must understand — once the Hexgate spreads, it'll cut into many people's profits."
"I get it. So in the end, it's all about money."
"Exactly. Their opposition to your exoskeletons is also about that. With your tech, even a frail man could become as strong as Captain America, ready for battle with just light armor. But those who profit from forging weapons and armor…"
Camille trailed off, but Duke understood.
The Hexgate threatened to wipe out the traditional transport industry. Families had grown wealthy for centuries by monopolizing routes despite the dangers and high costs. The Hexgate would overturn everything.
Likewise, exoskeletons threatened the established armor and weapons industry.
In short, both the Hexgate and exoskeletons cut into vested interests — and so they were rejected.
"Touch someone's profits, and they'll come for you. That much is inevitable. Some things can't be solved by negotiation."
Duke tossed the report aside. His anger faded, replaced with scorn.
Unable to surpass his research, they resorted to petty schemes.
Demacia's nobles were truly pathetic.
"But we can't just sit idly by," Camille tapped the table, drawing his focus. "If they keep this up, our plans won't just be delayed — they could collapse entirely."
"So what's your plan?"
Duke crossed his arms, already wary of her schemes. "Want me to go to Demacia?"
"That's part of it. But instead of negotiating, I think we need to strike harder."
"Fight my way through?"
He raised a brow. Camille took a sip of tea.
"Not so crude."
"I want you to knock everyone flat at Demacia's grandest tournament."
"That's still fighting my way through."
"At least on the surface, it's acceptable, isn't it?"
Camille smiled faintly. "For those old fossils, nothing matters more than saving face, darling."
"Clicking my tongue, Duke smirked. "Pull this off, and they'll hate me enough to want me dead."
End of chapter....
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Arc Reactor Elite – 35 chapters + 3 BONUS CHAPTERS
👉 patreon.com/MrBehringer