Having completed the contract with Janna, although Faen still couldn't create God-Chosen warriors in large quantities, he had already mastered a considerable part of the authority. Just like now, Faen could directly feel parts of everyone's inner voice—or rather their determination for change, because this was one of Janna's authorities in Zaun.
"Should we talk about our matters?" Silco looked at Faen.
As a mortal, although he couldn't feel it intuitively, long-term injection of Shimmer without excessive mutation proved that Silco's mental power far exceeded the limit of ordinary people—although his eye looked severely deformed, actually that eye was injured long before falling into the toxic lake. Coupled with being the injection area for Shimmer drugs, the scar hyperplasia occurred during Shimmer's repair of the wound.
But in any case, these spiritual characteristics made Silco's spirit sharper, allowing Silco to perceive things ordinary people couldn't.
For example, now, perhaps in ordinary people's eyes, Faen was no different except for an extra storm tattoo, but in Silco's view, Faen had some characteristics of a Zaunite... or rather, the characteristics of a Zaunite that Silco hoped to see.
Hearing Silco's inquiry, Faen nodded, then said:
"How are the Chem-Barons reacting?"
"About the same." Silco shook his head, then sneered: "Even though you have occupied two-thirds of the Zaun Undercity, those treacherous dogs are still thinking about how to divide the interests of their compatriots... But I think the plan might need to be accelerated. Because Spindlaw has also realized other Chem-Barons are not trustworthy. Presumably, it won't take long before he actively contacts his masters in Piltover..."
"Doesn't matter, the more contact the better." Faen shook his head and said: "You contact more too, preferably letting as many people as possible know about the changes happening in Zaun."
Saying this, Faen's eyes were full of calm: "Otherwise, the people of Piltover won't know that Zaun is already different from the past."
Hearing this, nodding, Silco wasn't surprised. After all, Jinx had already conveyed some of Faen's requests and opinions during the group chat last night. Silco raising it again now was just hoping Faen would pay more attention to the movements on the Piltover side...
"Then after seizing Zaun, how do you plan to govern it?" Silco asked, a trace of seriousness appearing in his eyes.
"This is also Zaunites' own business. I'm only responsible for guiding Zaun back on the right track and reclaiming due rights." Faen had a casual look on his face.
But this caused Silco's dissatisfaction: "Since you want to possess the power to correct Zaun, you should also shoulder the responsibility of guiding Zaun."
"There is a serious misunderstanding in your words." Hearing this, Faen said calmly: "I can draw power from people's joy, but this doesn't mean I will be kidnapped by groups of people. Because no matter under what circumstances, I possess the power to subvert Zaun; it's just the difference between frontal breakthrough and continuous assassination."
Hearing this, Silco fell into silence.
Silco's silence wasn't due to doubt, but because he knew very well Faen was telling the truth. Regardless of whether Faen corrected through blatant assassination or other means, Faen absolutely had the ability to subvert Zaun's already precarious rule and stability.
Absolutely capable.
Don't look at Faen feeling his power was far from enough to protect those he wanted to protect now. In fact, placed in the Twin Cities region, Faen's power had already overflowed seriously. If not for the fact that Zaun, stabilized through assassination and fear rule, couldn't provide Faen with the nutrients he needed in the spirit realm, the current Faen would have flipped the table long ago.
Looking at Silco in front of him, Faen said: "Your reputation is too bad. After Zaun stabilizes, prepare to step down."
Hearing this, there wasn't much surprise on Silco's face, or even concern.
"Everything I did was never for myself, but for Zaun." Silco's voice was full of calm as he said: "If not for the Chem-Barons not being dealt with yet, I could transfer all the power I master to you right now. Because long before you officially launched the 'riot', I had already separated that batch of 'clean' cadres under my command. Enough for you to smoothly take over Zaun and carry out transformation and correction."
"But the premise is you." Silco frowned slightly: "I am very willing to believe in your ability, and very willing to assist you in seizing Zaun. But now you say you won't become the new master of Zaun? Then who do you plan to hand Zaun to? Or do you have someone you trust more? If so, say it out; at least let us know who that person is!"
Hearing Silco's words, everyone on the side—Jinx, Sevika, and Soona—also raised their eyes slightly.
In fact, they were also curious about who Faen planned to hand Faen's overt power to—even if Faen was powerful, he couldn't just push someone out to become the nominal master of Zaun casually. Because Silco was the best example of a similar situation.
Silco, who killed Vander back then, had enough ability and prestige. But after everyone realized Piltover's strength, half of the Chem-Barons immediately chose to become partners and running dogs of merchant families, betraying Zaun's interests while living off it.
If the person chosen by Faen didn't have enough ability and prestige, then no matter how much Faen declared that character was the master of Zaun, people would only choose to obey Faen's orders. When Faen was away, they would try every means to sideline them, and then elect someone people recognized—this sounded a bit crazy, but Zaun never lacked crazy ambitionists.
Feeling everyone's confusion, Faen simply raised a finger. Then the name spat from his mouth made everyone's pupils shrink almost instantly—"Vander."
In fact, when Faen intended to let Zaunites govern Zaun themselves, many conjectures about people appeared in Silco's mind, even including Zeri and Zeri's mother. After all, they were the people Faen contacted first, knew best, and was most intimate with in this city.
But now, hearing Faen say this name, Silco almost froze on the spot.
Not just Silco, even Soona on the side frowned somewhat complicatedly, looking at Faen with confusion.
For any Zaunite—especially the older generation of Zaunites, they wouldn't feel unfamiliar with Vander.
You know, Vander wasn't just the previous generation leader of Zaun, but a prominent figure in Zaun as early as when the Sun Gates canal, sea gates, and cross-sea bridge were established. Although not a big shot like merchant families, he was absolutely the big brother and local tyrant recognized by all workers at the bottom of Zaun. Literally someone merchant families had to show some respect to.
Let alone other things, even after Piltover and Zaun split, when Vi and Jinx caused trouble in Piltover, Enforcers of the Piltover Police immediately sent someone to negotiate with Vander upon entering Zaun, asking Vander not to interfere too much.
Admittedly, later Silco launched a usurpation because of dissatisfaction with Vander's weakness towards Piltover. But with the cruelty of reality, when people gradually realized Vander was actually right, Vander became the white moonlight that had long died in people's hearts.
Speaking of which, it was even ridiculous. When Vander was still alive, many people thought Zaun's decline was all because of Vander's weakness. And after Vander died, everyone started missing Vander's goodness again.
But—
"Vander is already dead." This sentence wasn't even said by Silco, but by Jinx behind Silco.
A pair of crimson eyes stared at Faen deadly. The former Jinx was always surrounded by a layer of cynical madness and craziness, making people feel this girl was uncontrollable, likely to become an exploding bomb at any time. And Jinx never disappointed anyone; no matter what problem, Jinx could solve and conclude it with explosions. A recognized out-and-out lunatic.
Even a loyal dog of Silco like Sevika, while recognizing Jinx's talent, denied her value itself—her serious mental problems were too uncontrollable, unacceptable for anyone pursuing stability.
But now, Jinx was like a changed person, staring at Faen deadly, her voice firm yet full of madness: "Vander is already dead, what are you mentioning his name for!"
"Vander isn't dead, just can't be counted as alive now either."
Faen shook his head, looking at Silco on the side, saying calmly: "Others might not know, but you should know where your brother's corpse was transported to in the end."
Hearing Faen's words, the expression between Silco's brows was constantly changing. A moment later, accompanied by a deep breath, Silco regained calm, then said coldly: "You mean... Singed? That damn alchemist!"
"...You knew?" Hesitating for a moment, Jinx looked at Silco with a voice full of disbelief.
She only thought Vander was dead, but looking at it now, Silco seemed to know Vander wasn't dead?
No, wrong.
Jinx quickly discovered that Silco actually didn't know Vander's current situation, otherwise his expression wouldn't be so ferocious.
Thinking this, Jinx could only look at Faen, her eyes full of madness, paranoia, firmness, and various complex emotions.
"What exactly happened?!"