-128- Zaun has reformed, so must we
December 31st, 4:00 PM, Location — Zaun Conference Center.
Inside the hall.
A massive long table was arranged in the center, and beautiful lamps adorned the dome, casting a solemn and grand atmosphere with their dim yellow light.
Seated on the left side of the long table were, in order, Linwin, Vander, Silco, Sevika, Singed, and then Powder — yes, even Powder was present.
At this moment, important figures from Zaun were gathered.
Vi? Vi was, of course, not present.
Kai'Sa was also absent.
As a enforcer and a "common" resident of Zaun, they both lacked the authority to be part of this meeting.
This was a negotiation between the high-ranking officials of Zaun and Piltover.
On the right side of the long table, seated in order, were Camille, Councilor Mel, Councilor Kiramman, Professor Heimerdinger, and several other councilors.
Councilor Stevan perished in the upper city, and the fate of the chubby councilor who followed him was unknown.
Therefore, including these two and the still unconscious Jayce, five councilors from Piltover came to Zaun.
Oh, and the former Sheriff of Piltover, Grayson, and the current Sheriff, Marcus.
"Our demands are simple."
Silco stood up, breaking the silence, a smile adorning his face.
Silco "gentlely" stated, "Councilors Kiramman and Medarda have agreed to my requests. Now, I will repeat them."
Silco extended his fingers, looking across at the Piltover representatives.
"Firstly, Piltover will acknowledge the independence of Zaun."
"Secondly, the Hex Gate will be open to Zaun."
"Thirdly, Piltover will cease discharging wastewater into Zaun."
"Fourthly, ensure unimpeded trade with Zaun."
"Fifthly...."
"Sixthly...."
With each point Silco mentioned, the faces of the Piltover representatives grew more serious.
The only one who remained unchanged was Camille.
Even Mel, who was initially leaning towards Linwin's side, couldn't bear it as Silco's demands became more excessive.
Accompanied by Silco's increasingly audacious demands, Mel also found it difficult to endure.
She loved Piltover, she liked this city she had helped build.
Even though it had its problem, in this world, which country or city didn't have its problem? Ha, none!
Demacia was closed off, Noxus was domineering, Ionia was overly conservative, Freljord was chaotic, Shurima was impoverished.
Among the nations and cities standing between them, Piltover was already an extremely perfect city.
Peaceful, progressive, renowned as the City of Progress.
Naturally, Mel cherished this city she had contributed to.
So, even if she had good will towards Linwin, even if she had good will, Mel now wanted to speak up and reject the demands.
But, you see, Piltover is unable to reject Zaun's demands now.
Because the people of Zaun have taught them a lesson.
The rise of Zaun has made the nobles of Piltover realize a fundamental truth: having money alone is useless; one needs people, power, and only then can one safeguard their wealth.
A mere one thousand soldiers from Noxus were enough to drive tens of thousands of Piltover residents into frantic escape, and a prosperous city was destroyed by half in a single night.
The losses suffered by Piltover that night were enough to arm at least twenty thousand Noxian soldiers!
Piltover, the affluent city-state it is.
The esteemed councilors sitting there, each of them are wealthy enough to rival a small nation.
But so what?
A sheep dripping with gold, a sheep carrying precious jewels, a sheep feasting on seafood and delicacies, when faced with a hungry, bloodthirsty wolf, the sheep, no matter how affluent, ultimately falls prey to the wolf.
"Rest assured, if you find our conditions unsatisfactory, we can continue the discussion."
Silco continued, "But don't expect our stance to be weak, councilors. This is what you owe us."
"Piltover has always been in debt to us, not just for what happened yesterday but for these three hundred years!"
Councilor Kiramman raised her hand, interrupting Silco, and softly said, "What Mel and I have agreed upon, we will comply with, Silco."
"Of course, I certainly believe the esteemed councilor's words." Silco nodded.
However, regardless of what was said, the tone, demeanor, actions, any of these could demonstrate Silco's mistrust of the Piltover councilors.
The Zaun of the past wasn't like it is now.
Zaun's current strength and greatness were built bit by bit by all the people of Zaun!
It had nothing to do with the people of Piltover!
But the past suffering of the people of Zaun was closely related to the people of Piltover!
"Everyone, I want to know, in the day that I was away, what exactly happened?"
An untimely voice sounded, and the owner of the voice timidly raised his head.
Heimerdinger stood on a chair, lifting his head, rubbing his hands, and nervously said, "Linwin, Mel, you.... no, what happened to us?"
"What happened to Piltover?"
Heimerdinger's tone carried some sadness. "I was only out for a day, just a day, but our city, why is it like this?"
"Professor," Mel looked at the distressed Heimerdinger, sighed, and said, "Because of Councilor Ferros's mistake, Piltover was attacked by Noxians. Professor, on the night you were away, we were attacked by Noxus."
"If it weren't for Zaun's support, we would have lost many, many more people, and Piltover might have been occupied by Noxus."
"Why did this happen?" Heimerdinger raised his head, asking, "Did we provoke Noxus?"
Heimerdinger certainly knew Noxus.
It was a powerful and war-loving nation.
However, Piltover and Noxus had been peacefully adjacent for centuries, so why were they suddenly attacked?
"Professor, you don't know the reason?" Councilor Kiramman looked at Heimerdinger.
Seeing him shake his head, Kiramman remained composed and continued, "Very well, I'll tell you, Professor Heimerdinger. Piltover possesses great technology, countless wealth, and numerous treasures, but!" Gilaman emphasized, loudly addressing the bewildered Heimerdinger, "we lack the power to protect them! And this, Professor, is your fault!"
"I..." Heimerdinger was at a loss.
He didn't understand why Kiramman, who had always respected him, would treat him like this.
She had always been very respectful to him.
"Professor, you and Jayce stopped the weaponization of Hextech. That was a mistake!"
"If we had developed powerful Hextech weapons, perhaps Piltover wouldn't have suffered so much damage the day before yesterday!"
Another councilor chimed in.
Listening to the discussion among the people of Piltover, Silco blinked, turned to Linwin beside him, and noticed Linwin looking at him. Both of them were momentarily stunned.
Did the people of Piltover start a quarrel themselves?
"I've seen war, I know what the ultimate result of war is. Hextech is dangerous, you have to believe me." Heimerdinger hurriedly shook his short arms to explain.
Hextech possessed tremendous power but had no limits. So, if weaponized, magic would become something anyone could use.
As a magic that was once mysterious and destructive, when it became something ordinary people could use, Heimerdinger believed that Piltover would be on the brink of destruction.
A core eruption might be enough to ruin Piltover.
A dispute between two people could affect countless innocent lives.
Powerful strength is not necessarily a good thing!
Heimerdinger had witnessed such events firsthand!
So, he taught everything he knew to Jayce and Viktor.
To Heimerdinger's delight, both of his important students believed in him, and they also pursued peace.
The weaponization of Hextech was thus intercepted.
"But, Professor," Mel spoke, "human hearts are unpredictable. We have so much, yet we lack the strength to protect it. We'll only be seen as prey by others. If not for Zaun's help this time, Professor, Piltover would be lost."
"Jayce, Jayce thinks the same!" Heimerdinger quickly added.
"No, Professor. Jayce has already created his own Hextech weapon." Linwin interjected, saying, "Using the Hextech weapon, Jayce single-handedly stopped a hundred Noxian soldiers and a general of the Noxian Empire."
Heimerdinger was stunned.
Jayce developed a Hextech weapon?
Mel also reached out and patted Heimerdinger's back, whispering, "Professor, if it weren't for Jayce using the Hextech weapon to block them, we wouldn't even have had time to alert and evacuate the citizens."
"Yes, Jayce protected Piltover."
"He defended us."
"Professor, you think Jayce, like you, is refusing the weaponization of Hextech. You believe both you and Jayce see it as a disaster. However, Councilor Jayce has proven something with his actions." A councilor looked at Heimerdinger.
They all respected Heimerdinger, greatly respected him.
After the incident with the incident that split Piltover from Zaun, it was Heimerdinger's science that allowed the people of Piltover to gain better technology.
Piltover could boast the title of the City of Progress, and Heimerdinger was the true founder of Piltover.
However, at the same time, Heimerdinger also restricted Piltover.
"Even if weapons can cause harm, the problem is not the weapons, but the people who use them. Councilor Jayce used a Hextech weapon to protect Piltover. He protected the future of this city!" Mel sighed, looking at Heimerdinger, who seemed lost and lowered his head.
If there was someone most saddened in the room, it was unquestionably Heimerdinger.
This didn't require questioning.
He was so pure, so kind.
He selflessly dedicated all his knowledge to Piltover, without seeking any benefits.
Therefore, with the city being destroyed, Heimerdinger's heart was breaking.
That's why he trembled and spoke words that were infuriating yet helpless.
Mel looked at him, even though she couldn't bear it, but she knew, some things needed to be said and must be said!
Zaunites reformed.
So Zaun changed.
Zaun became powerful, able to easily take Piltover whenever they wished.
Now, it was Piltover's turn to change.
They could no longer hold onto the past.
Just as Jayce had been doing all along.
Mel slapped the table, startling Heimerdinger who was lost in thought. She earnestly said to Heimerdinger:
"Professor, it's precisely because you rejected the weaponization of Hextech technology that when facing the Noxians, despite having advanced technology and a prosperous city, we could only pull out rifles to face the enemy!"
"Professor, please look at the Hex Gates in the sky, look at those miraculous devices! Then, look at the weapons in our hands."
"Professor, how are we going to protect those devices?"
"Professor, how do we protect Piltover?"
Mel spoke solemnly, "Professor Heimerdinger, it's time for you to change your mindset."
//// God I hate translating this chapter, blaming Heimerdinger for all this? Wat the author thinking..... Well at least the chinese community agrees with me lol. ////