-226- Rapid Development

"The second half of the year, we are about to enter a period of comprehensive development, so nobody should expect to rest for the next two years."

The first twin-city conference of June was held in Zaun. At this moment, in a room in the conference center in Zaun, Zaunite high-ranking officials sat on the left, while Piltover's high-ranking officials sat on the right.

Vander occupied the top position for Zaun, as he was the legitimate Lord of Zaun, with Deputy Lord Silco below him.

On the opposite side, Jayce sat in the first position, followed by Camille and Councilor Kiramman.

Linwin's seat was placed right in the middle, as requested by Silco and Jayce—they claimed that the twin city needed a man who could truly influence both cities.

It was amusing, claiming righteousness, but in reality, it meant they wanted Linwin to continue working like a beast of burden.

Linwin had intended to gradually ease off from these responsibilities. However, it seemed Jayce and Silco had caught wind of it, and then... they forcefully pulled Linwin back in.

Didn't want a high position? Not possible.

Didn't want an official role? Impossible.

In short, Linwin's status kept rising, but so did the responsibilities he had to manage.

This left Linwin quite distressed.

He just wanted to be a brainless brute, but everyone wouldn't allow it.

Below, someone spoke up after hearing Linwin's words:

"Why the sudden urgency?"

"Rapid development, Linwin, how much more rapid can we get?"

"Linwin, Councilor, the manpower in the twin city has reached its limit. The dockworkers are already insufficient. If we expand production further, we'll have to recruit from elsewhere."

Vander frowned upon hearing Linwin's words and turned to look at him.

The current Zaunite high-ranking officials had no time to rest. It was like one person was being used as two. Vander now slept less than six hours a day, while Silco's sleep was barely four hours, all sustained by alchemical concoctions.

As Silco put it, if the body failed, then undergo alchemical reconstruction. Wasn't alchemical reconstruction invented for this purpose?

Silco's body was already frail to begin with, having endured fumes, toxic waters, and the life of a miner. Yet, his body persisted till now, leading the frontline efforts of the two cities in high-intensity daily work, all fueled by sheer determination.

This spiritual giant was truly a formidable individual.

His determination had also earned Jayce's recognition.

Silco genuinely loved Zaun and was now also maintaining the relationship between the twin city—seeing benefits for Zaun following the formation of the twin city federation.

Although Jayce secretly disliked him for his extreme ideas, as a pure Zaunite, his thoughts were too radical.

So extreme that if Vander didn't restrain him, he might have already sent people to counter-attack Noxus.

But what would conquering Noxus achieve for the twin city? What benefits could the twin city gain? Even if they really did defeat Noxus, it would be a self-inflicted wound. Would the twin city gain anything?

Noxus was a place of poverty, and their mysterious rune weapons couldn't compare to Hextech. 

Convenient and easy to use, without restrictions, that's the greatest strength of Hextech.

Hextech weapons could arm everyone, provide better lives, enhance productivity, and at the same time, serve as powerful weapons. Could these rune weapons achieve the same?

If they could enhance productivity, did Noxus still need to expand its territory and wage war everywhere? Wasn't it because of low productivity and poverty that they resorted to fighting?

As for population, the twin city's population hadn't saturated yet, and the land was sufficient. Moreover, even if expansion became necessary in the future, it would be towards the west, towards Demacia. Ha, the land of Noxus, where nothing grows and everything is taken by force, why go there?

War isn't won just by defeating the opponent; only interests matter. This was something Mel told Jayce. In a war, even if one became the loser, as long as the interests were secured, the loser could still become the winner.

—Interests, interests are the most important.

Silco naturally understood this principle, but extremist gangsters couldn't tolerate others eyeing them with envy.

Vander spoke up, "Linwin, we are already in rapid development."

Linwin nodded and looked seriously at Vander, saying, "I know, but Vander, it's still not enough."

"Not enough? People from Demacia have been out for three months and haven't returned yet. Graves in Bilgewater has already occupied three territories in the lower district, and plans for the Hextech station are underway. We're gradually expanding our ore business into Shurima. What more do you want?" Jayce looked at Linwin with a headache, rubbing his temples, then continued, "Linwin, we've done our best with everything. Think about Zaun's four-year plan; we've already completed almost half of it, but it's only been less than six months."

"Step by step, that's what you told me. So why the rush?"

Leaning back, resting against the bench, Councilor Camille raised her long legs, her hands elegantly placed on her knees, and she squinted as she spoke, "Is it because of Noxus?"

"Noxus?" Silco frowned.

Camille spoke up, "I've heard some news. Noxus seems to be in turmoil, and they have withdrawn their troops from Freljord."

"Noxus is about to undergo an unavoidable reform."

Powder, with hair that looked neither blue nor green, immediately frowned upon hearing Noxus. She hated that nation unconditionally.

"There's a bit of that," Linwin looked at Camille, "but the biggest reason is because of Shurima."

"Isn't Shurima developing well? Our people have already occupied Bel'zhun and Nashramae, and our business is gradually expanding inward," Mel seemed puzzled.

"That's exactly why," Linwin sighed and suddenly said something unacceptable to everyone present, "Let's withdraw the people from Shurima next year."

"What did you say?" Jayce widened his eyes, looking at Linwin, "Withdraw them? It took us nearly ten years to establish our current presence in that desert land. You also spent years building up the Mist Intelligence Organization. And now you want them to come back? What are you thinking?"

"What am I thinking? Jayce, the Emperor of Shurima is coming back," Linwin looked at Jayce solemnly, "Azir, the Ascended Emperor, will return within the next two years, possibly even sooner."

"I'm not joking. Let's withdraw everyone next year. We need to rethink our strategy."

"Azir? Who's that?" Jayce inquired.