-85- Kaisa and Piltover

On November 9th, the second day of Piltover's Progress Day, the streets of Piltover remained lively into the late night. 

Enforcers halted their nocturnal patrols, and the people of Piltover gathered at the plaza on the constellation avanue, singing and dancing around a massive bonfire, celebrating in high spirits.

"Since a while ago, the people you've been seeing might not all be Piltover natives; they could be from various parts of the world."

"Look up, yes, see that? See the large contraption in the sky? It's called the Hex Gate, a product of the fusion of technology and magic, possessing abilities similar to teleportation."

"It can bring people from all over the world closer together. For example, if you use the Hex Gate, a round trip might take three or four days to your home. But think about how long we've traveled."

On the streets of the constellation avanue, a black-haired young man and a person wearing a hood walked side by side, not particularly standing out in the crowd.

The tall and handsome young man, despite his good looks, was not dressed well—simple white shirt, a slightly grayed wool sweater on top, and black trousers. His attire made him look less affluent, and in Piltover, a poor guy wasn't well-received.

On the other hand, the person beside him was more conspicuous.

In such a festive season, this individual was draped in a gray-black cloak, concealing their entire appearance.

Could it be that they're so ugly they can't show their face?

"It's really bustling."

"You guys are really wealthy."

Under the hood, a pair of pink-purple pupils were filled with admiration as she gazed at everything in Piltover.

Gray-black square tiles, streets made of bluestone, adorned with bronze accents and family's golden banners everywhere, beautiful glass windows, and towering eaves. Even in the dark night, they all reflected light. She thought, this is a city that remains as bright at night as during the day.

Because there are magical glowing things everywhere.

But in her hometown, she didn't know how a better place was like; there, the only source of light at night was fire.

"Happy Progress Day, my friends!"

"Who wants to buy a flower? Give it to the girl you like!"

"Free barley wine, no need for money, just need your words!"

Various voices surrounded her. As she listened to those voices, she thought about her hometown, and a sense of loss spread across her face.

The initial surprise and excitement in her eyes gradually dissipated.

Even though she no longer had a place there, she still considered it her hometown.

Her hometown couldn't compare to this place.

Here is prosperous.

And there are many things she doesn't understand.

Kai'Sa thought to herself.

"Hey! Happy Progress Day!"

A person walked up to Kai'Sa, blocking her path. With Kai'Sa on guard, he laughed and greeted, "Hello, my friend!"

Kai'Sa was momentarily stunned, thinking, 'Friend? I don't know you!' 

Startled, she quickly turned to look at Linwin.

 He smiled and casually spoke to the person, "Happy Progress Day, my friend."

Then both of them turned their gaze toward Kai'Sa.

Kai'Sa: ...

It wasn't until Linwin squeezed her hand that she hurriedly responded to the person, "Hap-hap-happy Progress Day, frie-"

Before she could finish the word "friend," the person interrupted her.

"Oh, my goodness, you have a nice voice, but unfortunately... you stutter?"

Hearing Kai'Sa's voice, the person's eyes lit up briefly, but soon, he looked at Kai'Sa with a regretful expression. 

Then, he raised a large cup, shaking it toward Linwin proudly, and said, "Hope you have a good time, outsider friend."

"I will, thank you."

Meanwhile, Kai'Sa: ?

Under her hood, her face was filled with discontent.

"What does Progress Day mean?"

After the person left, Kai'Sa, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly asked Linwin. Her speech was somewhat fast, and her tone was unfriendly.

Seeing Kai'Sa like this, Linwin felt a bit amused.

He knew very well why Kai'Sa was upset.

Because that person called her stutter.

But she wasn't stuttering.

"It's an important festival in this city. You can think of it as the last day when people celebrate the new year."

"But there's clearly still December in the year. When I was in Shurima, the villagers would celebrate the new year in the last few days of December. But why do people here celebrate now?"

"That's a good question." Linwin nodded and said to Kai'Sa, "I also want to know why Noxians celebrate differently from Piltover. I also want to know if the Freljordians have such a festival. I'm even more curious about the festival days in Demacia."

Kai'Sa immediately fell silent.

She realized her question was indeed quite foolish.

In various villages far from Shurima, there were different customs. Not to mention in a city on the other side of the world, on another continent.

"What about your home? Is it also so prosperous?"

"Well, you might be disappointed. Before I left, my family was quite poor, but it should be much better now?"

Linwin said to Kai'Sa.

Vi said Vander governed well.

After all, with money, everything becomes easier.

Kai'Sa asked again, "Compared to Piltover?"

"That can't be compared at all. Piltover can be said to be the richest city on Runeterra."

Linwin felt that it was appropriate to say this.

After all, Piltover is not a nation. Compared to a nation, it may not be much, but as a city-state, Piltover's wealth can be envied globally.

The pride and arrogance of Piltover residents also stem from this. Because the people of Piltover are really rich. Even though the upper-class citizens in the upper city possess over ninety percent of the wealth, the commoners in Piltover still live comfortably.

Being able to provide a worry-free life for the entire city's population is truly a great accomplishment in troubled times.

After leaving the Constellation Avenue, the surroundings remained lively.

Children ran around, and seeing this scene, Kai'Sa found it hard to understand.

The joys and sorrows between people are like this.

Linwin, accustomed to such scenes, found it incredible from Kai'Sa's perspective.

"You've been leading me for a long time, but where is your home?"

"Below."

"Below?" Kai'Sa didn't understand Linwin's meaning. She looked down at the ground, puzzled, and asked, "Below Piltover?"

"Yes, beneath Piltover."

Linwin nodded.

"But before we go to Zaun, I need to meet a friend."

"What about me?"

"You come with me."

Kai'Sa: ".."

"We agreed that I'm following you so that I can learn your knowledge and create powerful scientific weapons. You can't deceive me."

"I won't deceive you. Once we arrive, you can learn whatever you want."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay." Kai'Sa nodded, a cool breeze tousling her hair. After witnessing the prosperity of Piltover and the incredibly magical scientific apparatus, she felt relieved.

A slight curve appeared at the corner of her mouth as Kai'Sa asked, "Who are we going to see?"

"We're going to meet a friend of mine, a councilman."

Linwin said calmly.