-127- Traitor, Brother, Sadness

Carrying Jayce, Linwin looked at the battlefield that was nearing its end.

If he encountered Noxian forces on the way, Linwin would directly intervene, efficiently dealing with them.

On the road leading to the west harbor and the sun gates, Linwin heard the sobbing of people. 

The once Progress Day venue location, the Constellation Avenue, the commercial center of Piltover, was now illuminated by flames, with tall buildings destroyed, and fire spreading. Looking towards the affluent area, instead of flowers and greenery, it was now a hellish scene.

Piltover, in just a few hours, half of it had been destroyed by Noxian forces.

Seeing this, Linwin frowned. Along the way, he had encountered many injured Zaunites, but their injuries weren't severe. The most serious injury was a Zaunite with an arrow through the arm, a wound that could easily be healed with Shimmer.

With a sip of diluted Shimmer, the wound would heal in less than half a minute. 

However, the diluted Shimmer had side effects. The person who took it would become weak and lethargic. For more severe injuries, the person might fall into a deep sleep.

But this side effect was clearly not a problem. Shimmer was something that could save lives.

From this, it could be seen that technology could change lives!

However, Linwin also felt strange. Zaunites, with their flight advantage and powerful weapons, were still getting injured by Noxian soldiers? Were Noxian forces exceptionally skilled?

No, it was the poor quality of Zaunite military forces.

Linwin suddenly realized why Piltover, with so many people, couldn't last even a single night.

Having a inside traitor was one problem, but Piltover's own weak military power was also a significant reason.

Even if you had a flock of golden sheep, facing wolves with sharp claws would still make you their prey.

Without military weapons, relying on enforcers was indeed not a viable strategy!

Linwin felt that he needed to propose something to Silco.

Because after this incident, Zaun and Noxus would no longer have a honeymoon period. Instead, they would enter a cold war, or it might become even more severe.

For this, Zaun needed to prepare.

With these thoughts, Linwin handed Jayce to the anxious Mel. 

Seeing the worried expression on Mel's face, Linwin said, "Don't worry, Mel. Jayce has just passed out, and I've already given him medicine."

"Thank you, Linwin, really, thank you." Mel reached out to support the unconscious Jayce, but he slumped, almost toppling her.

Mel, however, steadied herself and lifted Jayce with determination. When Linwin tried to help, Mel shook her head.

"It's fine, Mel. Jayce and I are like brothers."

Mel nodded, looking at Jayce's lowered head, her eyes shimmering with tears. Her voice trembled for a moment, but Mel quickly regained control of her emotions.

Now was not the time for weakness.

Her foolish man... was unharmed.

After handing Jayce to an enforcer, Mel, with a few instructions, walked back to Linwin.

Linwin immediately asked, "How is the situation now?"

Mel replied, "Because Jayce intercepted the general of this army and bought us time, Lady Kiramman and Grayson alerted the sleeping citizens. Thirty-one enforcers died, but the fate of the civilians, Linwin, we still don't know."

"The elderly, children, and women were prioritized and escorted to the bridge. However, a group of pursuers is after them. But with your arrival, I believe they should be safe now," Mel explained.

Mel, of course, had no knowledge of what had happened on the bridge.

Linwin nodded. The thousands of Piltover residents on the bridge had been safely escorted to Zaun by Janna.

"Councilor Mel, they are fine." At this moment, a cold voice interrupted.

Linwin turned to see Camille appearing in the room. 

Sitting on a chair, legs crossed, Camille leaned forward, propping her arms on her knees, palms supporting her sharp chin. She calmly spoke. 

"How did you get out?"

Seeing Camille, Linwin's eyes flashed with a hint of hostility. 

In just a breath, Linwin appeared behind Camille, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't get so impatient, little boy," Camille maintained her posture, but internally, she was shocked by Linwin.

This person, initially considered a scientist with great strength by Camille, possessed speed comparable to the purple-haired woman? How did he achieve that?

Are these two really humans?

To avoid angering Linwin, Camille quickly continued, "Zaun is safe. Vander, Silco, and that lively blue-haired girl are all unharmed."

"They released me."

"They let you go?"

Linwin slowly withdrew his hand. He believed Camille's words but still warned, "You better be telling the truth, Camille."

"Of course. While you were protecting your city, a group of Noxian forces arrived."

Camille stood up, facing Linwin, towering over him. She coldly said, "Who do you think protected your city?"

Linwin blinked.

Well, isn't this a mutual defense?

Linwin's eyes flickered.

Camille's words carried a hint of self-praise.

As if Camille also guessed that after this incident, the relationship between Piltover and Zaun would undergo some changes. Now, she was trying to build connections.

"The Ferros family's... Stevan, where is he?"

Without waiting for Linwin to speak, Camille asked the question first.

"That brother of mine, where is he now?"

Linwin's expression suddenly became interesting.

Your brother.

I'm afraid he's the old man who followed Wilton, right?

Linwin had indeed noticed the noble man who followed Noxus. After all, while other soldiers are compressed into a dwarf with at least a meter of height from his strike, Stevan was reduced to less than a meter.

"He's already dead."

Linwin spoke the truth.

There was no need to hide anything. Although he didn't know what had happened exactly, when Linwin saw Stevan, he was standing with Noxian soldiers. This indicated that Stevan was involved in Noxus invading Piltover, making him responsible for the city's current situation.

"So he's dead."

Camille's deep blue eyes flickered. Just when Linwin expected Camille to confront him, she nodded toward him.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't execute him personally."

"Execute? Camille, isn't he your blood brother?"

"Yes, but he's also a traitor." Camille told Linwin, "Did you kill him with your own hands?"

"Yes, do you seek revenge for him?"

"No, quite the opposite, little boy. I have to thank you," Camille said. "He betrayed Piltover, betrayed the Ferros."

Linwin looked at her.

Camille said it like that, but Linwin felt a trace of sadness in her words.

After all, Linwin knew the story of Stevan and Camille.

Stevan...

Was her last close kin, right?

He was her blood brother.