Zaunites really have no manners!
After arriving in Zaun, how many times had Jayce already been cursed out by the locals?
Sullen, he followed along as Marsen, Silco, and the others led him into a wide open area. Dust hung in the air—but it wasn't because the air quality was poor. As long as he didn't get too close to where the dust was thickest, every breath felt, to Jayce, no different from Piltover at all.
At the very least, if you blindfolded Jayce and just let him breathe, there was no way he could tell whether he was in Zaun or Piltover.
So the dust was simply because construction was underway here. A group of Zaunites were hauling lumber and stone, putting up an enormous building.
"This is Zaun's council hall," Silco explained to Jayce. "It's expected to be finished in January next year—roughly around your Progress Day, give or take?"
"These people are Zaun's public officials, all former members of the Spirit Blossom Gang. You know what the Spirit Blossom Gang is, right?"
Jayce nodded.
"But the Spirit Blossom Gang has been dissolved now. Logan gave the order himself. From here on out, they'll all be Zaun's civil servants—at least, that's what Logan calls them. Basically, they're like your Enforcers in Piltover. They've got legitimate posts and real jobs now."
Silco walked with Jayce as he spoke. "But we're still different from Piltover in one key way. Zaun is going to build an army. Relying on Enforcers alone to protect a city-state is a stupid thing to do."
Jayce didn't answer, but Silco clearly wasn't going to let him off that easily. Smiling, he asked, "What do you think?"
"I have to admit—you're right," Jayce said in a low voice. "Handing the safety of an entire city-state to a few hundred people, relying on nothing but police as your defensive force… that really is stupid."
Zaun's system… was ahead of theirs. At least on that point, it was ahead of Piltover.
"You're a genius, Councilor Talis. After seeing your remarkable inventions, no one would question that. That's why we invited you to Zaun."
"Zaun needs talent like yours. And I believe only here can you rediscover why you started pursuing science in the first place." Silco kept walking, his tone light. "Don't give me that look. A mutual acquaintance of yours told me that."
Jayce frowned.
That sounded far too arrogant—enough to irritate him.
This place could help him rediscover the purpose behind science?
He could admit Piltover had blinded him, made him lose himself, drown in glittering decadence—but Viktor had already pulled him back out.
As for Zaun, a place that could barely produce proper materials… what kind of science could possibly come out of here?
Learning how to cobble together weapons out of scrap?
"I heard Heimerdinger became a councilor in Zaun," Jayce said. "What's that about?"
"Mm. You're surprised?"
"Of course!" Jayce hurried after Silco, voice tense, suspicion plain in his eyes. "He—he's one of the founders of Piltover. How could he come to Zaun, and then become some kind of councilor here?"
Could the Professor have been threatened into it?
Otherwise, there was no reason.
Heimerdinger didn't hold prejudice against Zaun, sure—but he'd always loved Piltover, praised Piltover. Half the words out of his mouth were always—Piltover's future this, the City of Progress will change that.
How could someone like that willingly become a councilor of Zaun?
Silco looked at Jayce and immediately guessed what he was thinking. He let out a cold laugh, gripped a door handle, and said in a heavy voice, "Put away your arrogance, kid. Zaun isn't as pathetic as you think."
"After everything you've seen along the way, has your opinion really not changed?"
Jayce froze, guilt flashing through his eyes. What he'd seen on the way here really had shaken him—and yet now… he was still judging Zaun through old prejudice.
Just as Jayce was about to apologize, Silco pushed the door open.
"Go on in."
Jayce turned his head—and then froze.
Eyes widening, he stared into the room, the name bursting out of him before he could stop it.
"Viktor?"
"Viktor!"
He strode inside, heading straight for the thin young man seated in the corner with his back to him, holding some kind of material as if he were studying it.
Hearing the shout, Viktor turned around. When he saw it was Jayce, a smile broke across his face. He started to rise—but Jayce got there first, dropping to his knees and wrapping Viktor in a crushing hug.
"God… I thought I'd never see you again!"
Jayce held him tight, voice trembling. "How—how are you in Zaun? Why did you leave without saying a word? Do you have any idea how panicked I was when you suddenly disappeared? Viktor, I've been looking for you!"
"All right, Jayce. I'm fine, aren't I?" Viktor smiled, patting Jayce's arm. There was still an apologetic look on his face as he gave a small nod toward Logan, who was watching them.
"Fine? I know your condition!" Jayce pulled back, staring hard at Viktor's face. "Tell me—was this the Zaunites? Did they drag you down here by force?"
Viktor blinked, his expression turning a little strange.
Jayce had… actually guessed the truth.
But Viktor wasn't going to say that. He just smiled again, met Jayce's eyes, and said softly, "Jayce, don't forget—I'm from Zaun."
"Me coming back to Zaun… isn't that the natural thing?"
"Th—" Jayce paused, then sighed and nodded. "You're right. But you left Piltover without telling me. For that, you owe me a reason."
"Of course. I will." Viktor gave Jayce's shoulder a fond pat. "But before that… shouldn't you say hello to the Professor?"
His body still hadn't recovered, but with Singed's help, maintaining his energy wasn't a problem. As for his lifespan, Logan had said he didn't need to worry—he'd be fine. But honestly, Viktor didn't care anymore.
If, within his lifetime, he could see Zaun rise… that was enough.
Sure, he still had countless ambitions he hadn't fulfilled. But life was always full of regrets. Being able to witness Zaun's transformation—and take part in it—already left Viktor deeply satisfied.
"Hey… Jayce." Heimerdinger's voice sounded. He looked at Jayce, his expression a little timid.
Jayce noticed his mood, took a deep breath, and asked, "Professor… are you okay?"
"Of course, my boy! I'm very well!" Heimerdinger said quickly. He stepped up to Jayce, fingers fidgeting together in front of him, voice dropping as he added, "But you… you don't look well at all."
"Professor, with everything that's happened lately… how could I be?" Jayce gave a bitter smile. Then he bent down, looking at Heimerdinger with clear remorse. "Professor… I'm sorry. For what I did to you."
"It's all right, my boy. Since coming to Zaun, I've learned a great many things. I also understand the position you were in back then. You can't be blamed for that."
"Thank you for forgiving me, Professor. Truly… thank you."
"Then… Jayce, does that mean we've made up now?" Heimerdinger asked.
Jayce nodded, his chest filling with gratitude.
Heimerdinger hadn't blamed him at all.
The Professor had truly believed the problem lay with himself—and went down to Zaun to look for the reason behind everything. And Jayce? Jayce had personally kicked the teacher who cared for him out of the council.
Thinking about it made Jayce feel like absolute trash.
If this weren't the wrong place for it, he would've wanted to slap himself right in front of Heimerdinger.
"Are you done?"
Jayce heard the voice and turned. A black-haired young man stood there. Jayce recognized him—he'd seen his photo during council meetings.
And now, seeing him in person, Jayce's expression turned complicated.
"Jayce, welcome to Zaun." Logan looked at him. Truth be told, Councilor Talis really did look just like he did in the game: tall, rich, and handsome.
And "tall" was putting it mildly.
The average height in the twin cities was around 1.7 meters. Piltover's average had probably gone up over the years, sure—but overall, it definitely wasn't breaking 1.8 meters.
And Jayce?
He stood there at two meters tall, proportioned and muscular—impossible to miss.
Among everyone Logan knew, only Vander was anywhere close to Jayce's height. Everyone else was more like Marsen—neither short nor tall.
Logan was fairly tall himself. Half a year ago he'd been 1.75 meters; now he was probably around 1.78. But standing in front of Jayce, he was still a full head shorter.
If we're talking height, though, Noxus was a whole different breed. Back on the bridge, hadn't Logan casually thrown a punch and sent flying hulking men who were over 1.8 meters tall?
The average Noxian had to be around 1.85 meters, right? Like the Dutch or something.
"What do you need me to do?" Jayce asked Logan.
Logan gestured for him to sit. Once Jayce did, Logan said calmly, "It's simple, Jayce. I need you to help forge a future for the twin cities."
"A future for the twin cities?"
"I want all of us to have a bright future. And for that, I need you, Viktor, Ekko, Jinx. I need the talented people of Zaun and Piltover to unite and work together."
"The Noxians lost—but they'll come back soon enough. Those wolves aren't scared off by one beating. The only way they learn fear is if you truly break their teeth and cut off their claws."
Logan narrowed his eyes and continued, "But right now, Zaun can't do that. Piltover can't do that either. And if the Noxians come back… the first city-state they'll pass through will be Piltover."
"Piltover doesn't have any grudge against them…"
"You can say that out loud—but do you actually believe it?" Logan looked at Jayce with a mocking smile. "Wars between city-states never depend on relationships. Only on interests. But Zaun and Piltover are different, Jayce. A few hundred years ago we were one. If you trace it back, our culture and our blood are the same."
"One shared lineage—so we can cooperate."
Jayce looked at Viktor and saw him smiling back.
When Jayce turned to Logan again, Logan had already extended his hand.
"Fine. I'll work with you."
"I never had the right to choose anyway, did I?" Jayce gave a self-deprecating smile and reached out.
Logan clasped Jayce's hand lightly, then withdrew his own, smiling. "You won't regret it, Jayce. I want to introduce you to—"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jayce Talis."
A clear, airy voice drifted through the room. Janna appeared at some point without anyone noticing, perched on Logan's shoulder.
The small teal bird looked calmly at Jayce and continued, "I'm Janna."
Logan grinned. He hadn't even called for her—Janna had come out on her own.
Looks like…
The goddess was really getting used to this job.
As Jayce stared at Janna with his eyes blown wide, everyone in the room laughed.
Yes—every time someone from the twin cities saw Janna, they made that same dumbfounded face.
"Y-you're real… That little girl didn't lie to me!"
Jayce stared at Janna in shock, his gaze turning complex a heartbeat later.
No wonder Zaun had won the war.
No wonder Zaun possessed a power Piltover couldn't understand.
So it was because…
The goddess had chosen Zaun.
But… why?
There were still so many people in Piltover who believed in Janna.
Why would she choose Zaun?
Jayce couldn't make sense of it.
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