-162- Awake

"How much longer until he wakes up?"

"I can't say for sure, Jayce. Linwin is not physically injured right now; his body is very healthy. He's healthier and stronger than anyone present here in terms of physical strength."

"I don't want to know that now, Mr. Singed!"

February 25th.

On the second floor of Zoran's shop, a group of people gathered in the living room.

Anxious Jayce stood in the crowd, Viktor and Singed sitting, Vander covering his face, and the silent Silco.

Powder and Vi stayed together. Powder was unusually quiet today—or rather, she had been quiet for the past few days.

Old Zoran was nearby, smoking, and Kaisa was quietly accompanying him.

Fiona and Lux were also present.

"But that's the problem, Jayce."

Singed explained, "His current coma can't be explained scientifically. However, our consultant, Miss Lux, has already said something about magic. Well, please explain it to them again."

Lux nodded and stepped forward.

"Everyone, in Linwin's current condition, it seems to me that he is not injured but rather undergoing a form of magical inheritance. Mr. Singed mentioned his healthy body, yes, Linwin's body is exceptionally healthy now. His magical power is stable and very active. It's not a state of chaos and silence that usually accompanies a coma."

"So, Linwin might really just be sleeping now?"

"He's been asleep for three days!"

Jayce pounded his fist on the wall. "How can a physically healthy person sleep for three days?"

"I don't know about magic or non-magic. I just want to know when Linwin will wake up."

"Jayce," Viktor spoke up. He looked at the agitated Jayce seriously. "We are all in the same situation. We are all waiting for Linwin to wake up."

"It's not just you who is anxious!"

Jayce paused.

He looked around.

He saw Powder, who was always lively and crazy, now leaning on her sister, Vi.

He saw Vander and Silco, who had left important matters to come here.

He saw Kaisa, who, despite being not very talkative, had been taking care of Linwin for two days.

"Sorry, I... I got carried away about Linwin's matter."

Jayce stretched one hand forward, covered his face with the other, sighed, and said.

He slowly moved backward until he leaned against a wall.

Jayce calmed down.

It had been a long time since he had been so angry.

Since becoming a councilor, Jayce had faced things differently, not like an impulsive kid. But now, what was the difference between him now and his past self?

But Jayce didn't care.

"I had a call with Noxus today."

Just when the atmosphere became awkward and quiet, Silco suddenly spoke, "Noxus is threatening us, demanding us to return Sion's body. Otherwise, Noxus will withdraw its forces from Freljord and Ionia, gather all it's forces, and attack Piltover and Zaun."

"This should be the will of that emperor. Such unreasonable demands and threats are typical of him."

"Then let them come!" Jayce angrily exclaimed.

Noxus, Noxus, Noxus!

Noxus again?

"Councilor Jayce, you're thinking too much. They can't come." Silco said, crossing his arms, adopting the same posture as Jayce, but leaning on another wall.

"Noxus is too busy now. Withdraw troops? Now, whether to withdraw troops or not is no longer Darkwill's decision."

Silco's eyes gleamed.

"Noxus relies on war to sustain itself. This fully armed war machine has no chance to stop now. It's no longer the once mighty empire. Want to withdraw troops? Will Freljord agree? Will Ionia agree? As far as I know, in the battles in the east, Noxian troops are retreating step by step. They are about to be driven out to sea."

"And we are not afraid of Noxus now."

"Demacia claims not to establish diplomatic relations with other countries, but now, Demacians are in Zaun, standing by our side," Silco continued. "As long as there are enough benefits, as long as the direction is the same, we can become allies with Demacia."

This made Lux, who was standing on the side, pause.

She couldn't answer this kind of question.

But as the head of the Laurent family, Fiona stepped forward.

"In the face of the conflict with Noxus, I believe Demacia will assist Zaun," Fiona said earnestly. "Demacia upholds peace and justice."

"It's interesting; Zaun and Piltover also desire only freedom and peace," Silco smiled, saying, "As neutral city-states in the world, we seek nothing but freedom and peace."

"But I know, caught in the squeeze of various major powers, in this chaotic world, peace is just a joke."

"The situation in Piltover tells us that forming an alliance with major nations is no different from seeking a tiger's skin."

"Silco, what do you want to say?"

Jayce suddenly startled, looking at Silco.

Soon, everyone in the room turned their gaze to Silco.

Vander was also startled; he had never... never thought of this!

"I'm thinking about what we've been doing."

"Why do we need to unite?"

"Is it just for peace? Just to eliminate hatred? In my opinion, even if Seraphine's concert is useful, these days people from both cities are moving around. But how long can this kind of thing last? Piltover and Zaun are ultimately two different governments."

"When conflicts arise again, should we bring that girl out to sing another song?"

"This is addressing symptoms, not the root cause!"

"Our ultimate goal is still to become stronger!"

"We can only become strong if we unite!"

"Silco, this is too fast," Jayce shook his head at first, but then said, "I don't oppose this, in fact, Mel has told me before. In the end, our two cities will merge and must merge."

"But this is too fast!"

"Fast? It's not fast, Councilor Jayce," Silco shook his head, "If Noxus hadn't suddenly caused these things, Piltover would already belong to Zaun now."

Jayce's expression changed, taking a step back.

Yes, if it weren't for Noxus' actions.

Zaun and Piltover would have already clashed.

"But this is also a good thing. I don't want war; what I want is dignity. And I have gained that dignity, Zaun has also gained the dignity it deserves."

Silco walked to Jayce, looking at him. Silco sincerely said, "Don't think I'm being too harsh, Councilor Jayce. I just think that before we can unite the ordinary people of both cities, we must unite ourselves. So, say what needs to be said. Now, we need to resolve the conflicts between us."

"I know, Silco," Jayce turned his head.

Knowing is one thing, but not being happy is another.

Vander lowered his head in thought, and Viktor felt a longing in his heart.

Powder finally pulled herself together.

She understood what Silco and Jayce were talking about.

But... there were still people who didn't understand.

"Uh, what are you guys talking about?"

Lux asked in confusion.

Fiona quickly pulled her.

Fiona, of course, understood as well.

But this was a matter concerning Zaun and Piltover, and Demacians were better off not getting involved.

"They are discussing..."

A weak voice suddenly sounded.

Everyone in the living room was startled.

In the next moment, Kai'Sa popped out from behind Old Zoran, instantly reaching the door that had just been opened.

The door was opened.

The person who opened it stared at Kai'Sa in surprise.

Then, smiled.

"Lux, Silco is talking about establishing a nation."

"But Silco, just like what Jayce said, I also think it's too fast."

"It's too fast, we... need to wait a bit more, see what the people think. Forcing it together is, of course, a method, but I don't want that."

Linwin approached and gently hugged Kai'Sa, a motion that made her body stiffen for a moment.

But she didn't move.

Linwin was so weak!

"Support me a bit."

Kai'Sa immediately nodded, supporting Linwin as they walked out.

Joy flashed in Jayce's eyes, and he quickly passed by Silco to reach Linwin.

While Silco just shrugged helplessly.

Linwin came out, and the crowd immediately rushed towards him.

Vander also rushed up.

Powder had already squeezed next to him and, with Kai'Sa, supported Linwin on both sides.

As for Silco?

He was looking at Linwin, and then Linwin looked at him.

A pause, a slight curve appeared at the corner of Silco's mouth. Then, he bent over, made a bow, and with a playful tone, said:

"Of course, I'll listen to you."

"Our esteemed Enforcer of the Undercity."

Linwin looked helplessly at Silco. "You scoundrel."

Who still call me that?