-112- Checkmate

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed as she pushed open the door and walked in.

A luxuriously elegant woman stood upright, gracefully speaking, "Jayce, Viktor has left."

"Hmm, I'm aware of that."

"Haven't you ever thought of stopping Viktor? If you had spoken, perhaps he would have stayed for you."

"Mel, Viktor has always been a Zaunite."

"And now, there might be war."

Jayce stood with his hands behind his back, gazing down below with a calm expression.

Hextech improved lives, and from here, Jayce could see the entire Piltover. However, the city, now marked by Hextech crystals, also had a haze in the sky—a consequence of mass-producing Hextech crystals.

Large particles of smog, a dense black mist—all caused by Hextech crystals.

Burning, forging, processing—Hextech crystals, while beneficial, didn't mean their downsides could be ignored.

In the past, these waste waters and smog were sent through pipelines to Zaun, but now Piltover was dealing with its own pollution.

"But Jayce, at this rate, your situation."

The woman standing behind Jayce was none other than another Piltover councilor—Councilor Mel.

She looked at Jayce with concern, softly saying, "You should take care of yourself more."

"I'm fine." Jayce turned around, looking at Mel with a smiling face. "I feel really good now, Mel. I'm clearer-headed than ever. I know exactly what I'm doing now, and I also know what I want in the future."

"You're not going to tell me you need a big hammer, right?" Mel said helplessly.

But seeing Jayce's state was genuinely good, Mel's heart eased a bit.

In recent times, Jayce has secluded himself in the smithing chamber every day, only emerging in the last few days to observe Viktor's activities. He doesn't guard against Mel, sharing everything with her, much to her annoyance. In the political world, individuals like Jayce aren't allowed, but Mel finds solace in the fact that her chosen man is not heartless.

A knock sounds on the door, and Mel, stepping ahead of Jayce, says, "Please come in."

"Councilor Talis, your order has been completed. Viktor has safely crossed the Bridge."

Entering the room is Sheriff Marcus, who, upon seeing Councilor Mel in Jayce's room, doesn't find it strange. He nods respectfully to Mel, then looks at Jayce, asking, "Do you have any further orders?"

"How did the investigation into the shipment from Councilor Ferros go?"

"According to your instructions, we intercepted the Ferros family's shipment heading overseas. While detaining members of the Ferros family in Piltover, we also issued a search warrant for their business. The Ferros family hasn't reacted significantly to this. However, Bolbok has strongly criticized you."

"What did he say about me?"

"He mentioned that you are still too young, and a young person wielding power recklessly is not a good thing. His words were filled with dissatisfaction towards you. Also," Marcus hesitates, straightens up under Jayce's gaze, and continues, "Councilor Kiramman now believes that your actions are too domineering. She says that behaving this way will only offend everyone."

"Madam Kiramman."

Jayce nods after hearing this.

"I understand. You may leave."

"Also, maintain the search on the Ferros family."

"Yes, Councilor." Marcus tips his hat, salutes, and leaves.

Once Marcus is gone, Mel sighs, a long and heavy sigh.

"Now you're no longer the same person, Jayce."

"No, Mel."

Jayce turns his head, directing his gaze not far from his office desk, where a peculiar-looking hammer is placed in the corner. He softly says, "Mel, from now on, there's no longer Jayce, the friend of Linwin and Viktor."

"Now, there's only Talis, the councilor of Piltover."

"Have the people at the Techmaturgy Department speed up. The development of Hextech weapons is imminent, and we need results by the end of the year. This is not a difficult task." Jayce stares into Mel's eyes, speaking firmly.

Mel looks at Jayce, walks up, extends her hand, and gently caresses the man's face. Looking into Jayce's eyes, Mel says, "You used to resist this so much. You resisted turning Hextech into a killing weapon. I knew someday Hextech would be used for military purposes, but I didn't expect the one giving this order would be you, Jayce."

Jayce's hand rests on the back of Mel's hand, determination in his eyes. Jayce says in a deep voice, "It's different to have a gun and not use it, Mel."

"I regret only now understanding this truth."

Jayce slowly moves Mel's hand away, then sits back at his desk.

His stance is clear.

Mel looks at Jayce, sighs plaintively after a while, then walks out of the door.

In doing so, the one who will be most hurt is you,

Jayce.

---

"Master, following your suggestion, we have successfully stirred dissatisfaction among the mid to upper-level families in Piltover toward Jayce Talis. Now, even Councilor Kiramman feels the same way."

"She publicly rebuked Councilor Talis, believing that he is hindering the development of Piltover."

In the room, the old butler stands under bright lights, looking at the man in front of him.

Backlit, Stevan is manipulating something with both hands, gently colliding.

Looking closely, one would see that they are two chess pieces.

"He controls the Hex Gate, thinking that what he created is his own. But he's wrong." Stevan raises his fist, coughs, and continues, "At this rate, even if the common people have a favorable opinion of him, thinking that he has changed their lives, what does it matter? Ordinary people can't wield power."

"Now, Talis has offended most of the aristocracy. How does he still think he can control Piltover? What the Ferros family hasn't achieved in so many years, can a brat like him do it?"

"Master, without the Hex Gate, it would take a long time for Viscount Boklan to bring an army to Piltover."

"Who said there's no Hex Gate?"

Stevan looks up, a surprised expression in his "old friend's" direction. A glint flashes in his deep blue eyes, and he continues, "The Hex Gate is right there. The night guards are just a few minor enforcers. And infiltrating the Science Department is also easy."

"I ask you, who are the people who can easily handle these lucrative tasks in the political center?"

"The sons and daughters of various families who are not promising."

"Now, those who have complaints against Talis and are on the same side as us are who?"

"The nobility."

"So, with just a word, with just a little effort, the Hex Gates and the activator can be easily controlled."

Stevan lowers his head again, looking at the chessboard in front of him, and says coldly:

"Jayce is not the one who decides the fate of Piltover."

"Thud!"

He pushes the chess piece heavily, knocking one piece aside. Stevan chuckles and says, "Checkmate."