When Jayce and Viktor hurried to The Last Drop, they happened to witness a rather unpleasant scene.
A large crowd surrounded the tavern owner, their faces flushed and expressions agitated, seemingly shouting things like, "You've changed!"—and when Jayce and Viktor pushed the door open, everyone uniformly looked at the two uninvited guests.
"Uh, sorry," Viktor said, taking the initiative. "No intention of disturbing—"
"Little cripple?" one of the patrons seemed to recognize Viktor. "Why don't you go be a Piltoverian? What are you doing back in Zaun?"
"I was born in Zaun," Viktor replied calmly. "That has nothing to do with where I am."
"Yes, in Zaun you're just a little cripple, but in Piltover you can be a big shot." Although the other person's address to Viktor was not very polite, their attitude did not seem to hold any malice. "Your body isn't suited for drinking; there's nothing for you here."
"I'm looking for someone," Viktor said with a wry smile, spreading his hands. "I'm looking for Lux; she said she lives here."
"What's your relationship with Lux?" Hearing Viktor say this, Vander, who had been silently smoking, finally stood up, looking down at the short, thin, little cripple. "You came from Piltover, bringing someone to find her?"
"She said she'd be my sponsor!" Before Viktor could find a suitable excuse, Jayce spoke first. "To set up a laboratory!"
"Oh? She really said that?" Vander raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That's truly unexpected… They're in the back room, out through the side door—at this time… they should still be there."
"Thank you, Mr. Vander."
Viktor nodded politely, then pulled Jayce and quickly left the tavern through the side door.
"What were they doing?" After leaving the tavern, Jayce eagerly asked, "I think I heard them mention Enforcer and checkpoints?"
"That's none of our business," Viktor warned in a low voice. "Don't meddle!"
"I'm just worried about our future research environment." Jayce pouted, telling an unfunny joke. "The good news is, I won't need to receive complaints about disturbing the peace anymore, because everyone here, every single one of them, is more disturbing than me…"
As they spoke, the two found the room where Lux was staying and knocked on the door.
"Is Miss Lux there? It's Jayce."
...
Lux was naturally there.
Or rather, Lux had been there for the past few days—the socio-economic survey of Piltover had concluded, and now she was with Klein, collecting data from Janna to ascertain Zaun's economic situation.
And also waiting for Vander to find some reliable hands to begin the excavation.
Even if she had already gained some intuitive understanding of Zaun's situation, direct data would undoubtedly better illustrate Zaun's problems.
Moreover, Janna had many of her own stories to tell.
Lux still played the role of simultaneous interpreter, but in addition to that, she would occasionally offer her own opinions.
Overall, this communication was smooth and effective, and Lux was no longer in the position of an "outsider" as before.
Then, the conversation gradually shifted to the issue of "using violence."
"Klein, tell me honestly, if we're in Zaun right now… is our military strength guaranteed?"
"Mostly," Klein pondered for a moment, giving a not-so-clear answer. "But it depends on who our opponents are—Zaun's Chem-Barons can't stop you at all; Janna knows their situation very well."
"What about further, Piltover?" Lux hesitated for a moment, finally asking the question. "If Piltoverians refuse Zaun's rise, unwilling to lose this place they can exploit, can I protect Zaun?"
"If it's just you alone, I'm afraid it would be very difficult," Klein gave a definitive negative answer this time without hesitation. "Piltover is not Zaun; even if their use of Hex Crystal is still quite simple and crude, if they are willing, you and Ino alone are completely insufficient."
"Then… what about with you?"
"Me?" Hearing Lux's question, Klein paused. "Don't count me in, Lux—the identity of a Darkin is far heavier than you imagine, and if every Zaunite isn't involved, it will be meaningless."
"But Zaun… does it really have that strength?" Lux was somewhat worried. "Compared to them, I trust you more."
"So you've really considered, with just a few of us, using force to compel Piltover to recognize Zaun's independence and prohibit their exploitation of Zaun?" Klein said with a surprised tone. "If Piltover doesn't agree, you'll simply dissolve the council and control all of Piltover?"
"Well, I did think about it," Lux seemed to feel that this wasn't quite right. "You also heard Janna talk about the Zaunites' previous assault on the Sun Gates. If that operation had succeeded…"
"If that operation had succeeded, Zaun would be the current Piltover, and Piltover would be the current Zaun, nothing more!" Klein interrupted her without hesitation. "Why are we working so hard on this investigation? It's to understand the specific social and economic situations of the Twin Cities, to understand why they are so incompatible and chaotic."
"…"
"Simple violent confrontation at most changes one group of rulers, and changing rulers has never been the problem. The problem is how to improve the Twin Cities' situation of relying on the port and only taking in without giving back!" Klein said sternly. "The problem is how to ensure no one in the Twin Cities is exploited, not just to change who is exploited!"
"…Sorry, I got ahead of myself." Lux finally shook her head upon hearing this. "So, if we get those things from the laboratory, find the method for making Rune Stones, and the method for using Hex Crystal, will that prevent anyone from being exploited?"
"Complete avoidance is probably impossible, but as long as their vision is no longer confined to a single corner, then at least there won't be child labor, and no bone-and-flesh sellers throughout Black Alley," Klein sighed. "I can understand your urgency, but everything must be done step by step. Current Zaunites can't even distinguish right from wrong. Directly leading them to overthrow Piltover would only result in them inflicting upon every Piltoverian what Piltover did to them—and worse, think of that explosion."
"That's an eye for an eye, too," Lux frowned. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
"No, that would absolutely not be an eye for an eye." Hearing this, Klein couldn't help but let out a wry smile. "Do you think, if such a thing truly happened, would the ordinary people of Piltover suffer more, or would the great magnates of Piltover suffer more?"
"It would definitely be the—" Lux subconsciously wanted to say the magnates, but she paused, suddenly realizing the situation might not be so. "No, I'm afraid… it would be the ordinary people."
"So, is this what we want to see?" Klein retorted. "Don't be impulsive, Lux. Having a military advantage is our greatest reliance for changing Zaun, but it's not a reason for me to treat problems simply and crudely."
"But what if you directly act and then legislate to prohibit it?" Lux was still somewhat unwilling. "Enact written laws, stipulate minimum treatment, prohibit child labor…"
"In that case, the law would be an empty letter," Klein seemed to think of something, her tone a little sad. "Who would enforce the law?"
"We can select new Enforcers!" Lux had clearly thought about this issue for a long time, and thus was prepared. "Let reliable people become new Enforcers to maintain the enforcement of the law."
"That's why the Zaunites themselves need to wake up," Klein couldn't help but laugh. "You can't force a cow to drink water—unless you're willing to stay in Zaun for ten or eight years, personally handling all matters, big and small, every day…"
After thinking about what Klein said, Lux finally closed her mouth.
Just then, Janna signaled that someone was coming—the next moment, a knock came at the door.
"Is Miss Lux there? It's Jayce."
Klein's Small Class: Regarding Klein's Past:
During his days in Shurima, Klein had both successes and failures. He changed the Destiny of many, but some destined things could not be broken—unfortunately, at least for now, Klein does not plan to reveal these.