-196- Men's gathering

At the end of March, in the twin cities of Zaun and Piltover, two significant events took place.

Firstly, a detachment of enforcers led by Graves and Twisted Fate boarded a Noxian ship headed for Bilgewater. The ship, once an invader in Zaun's port but now claimed as spoils of war, carried a variety of Hextech weapons destined for Bilgewater.

The reason for transporting such an arsenal was clear – Zaun intended to flex its muscles in Bilgewater, making demands.

Interestingly, while Piltover's surface reaction seemed discontent with Zaun's actions, deep down, the upper-class citizens secretly approved Zaun's bold move to claim territory from the Bilgewater natives.

Even during high-class gatherings, Piltover's elite would discuss and praise Zaun's recent actions, turning the event into the most talked-about topic in both cities.

As for why Piltover joined in the celebration, it was because this success reflected not only Zaun's strength but also Piltover's influence. The close ties between the leadership of both cities suggested a future with even stronger relations, implying that Zaun's strength was equivalent to Piltover's strength.

The other event, a Zaun-centric affair, was known to very few. Surprisingly, Linwin had taken on an apprentice!

This time, Linwin's actions appeared earnest, unlike the playful antics with Fiora. He informed Vander, Silco, and even the Piltovan council members with weight, stating that he intended to mentor a girl of similar age to Powder, hailing from Shurima like Kaisa.

"Hmm, so Linwin has a soft spot for Shuriman people? Is he really that drawn to girls from Shurima?"

"Hello, how did you end up taking on an apprentice? Don't tell me Goddess Janna commanded you to do so?"

In Jayce Talis's residence in Piltover, Jayce, Linwin, and Viktor sat around a not-so-large table, surrounded by various snacks and drinks.

"Linwin taking on an apprentice is a good thing, Jayce. You haven't seen the girl named Taliyah. If you did, you'd be as happy for Linwin as I am," Viktor recalled the Shuriman girl named Taliyah, then continued, "No, you'd be happy for both cities because she's an incredibly talented individual."

To Viktor, in some respects, Taliyah's magic brought even more awe than Linwin's. Unlike the intangible magic of wind, earth magic was substantial, creating visually stunning effects.

Viktor continued, "Her abilities are extremely powerful and can be of great help to us." Taking a small sip of alcohol, Viktor's brows furrowed as the fiery liquid went down his throat.

Viktor wasn't a fan of alcohol, but when with Jayce and Linwin, he would indulge in a few drinks.

"Controlling sand and stone." Chewing on a dried fruit, Jayce mumbled vaguely, "That is indeed a powerful ability. By the way, didn't you guys plan to build land on the sea? Originally, it was estimated to take four years, but with someone who can use this kind of magic, I suppose it could be done in just two years now?"

"Haha," Viktor's mouth twitched.

Two years?

Over these years, Zaun had overcome many challenges. With improved living conditions, making babies had become a significant event for Zaun's people.

Under Silco's policies, encouraging childbirth had become a natural and promoted occurrence. Conditions were good, with the former university in Zaun now serving as a primary school, offering free education to those with identification, fostering knowledge and skills.

Zaun needed it, and they wanted it. After all, if life itself became a problem, who would want to bring a child into the world?

So, in present-day Zaun, let's put it this way: Four years ago, Zaun had a maximum of a thousand newborns each year. However, in the months of February to March this year, Zaun has already witnessed the birth of over a thousand newborns.

With a dramatic increase in population, Zaunites like Seraphine have returned to Zaun, and many merchants from other regions have settled in Zaun. This has resulted in Zaun having less and less available land.

Situated in the trench, Zaun has seen improvements in its environment, but comparing with Piltover is still out of reach.

With the close ties between the two cities, it's unthinkable for them to harbor intentions of seizing each other's land. Hence, land reclamation, expanding territory, has become a significant concern for Zaun.

Initially, Zaun planned to use scientific methods for land reclamation. With someone like Zeri, a humanoid electric generator, many problems could be easily solved. However, with the appearance of Taliyah, a humanoid earth-shaping machine, she proved to be much more effective than Zeri.

After all, Zeri, this small power bank, needed to rest for half a day after generating electricity a few times. Instead of becoming more powerful, Zeri now prefers being an idol. She spends her days planning how to organize concerts with Seraphine. Therefore, expecting her to become more powerful is rather unlikely.

Zeri is not interested in becoming powerful; she's solely focused on being an idol.

Thinking about this, Viktor shook his head and chuckled.

"What are you laughing at? Can't you guys fast up the pace?" Taking a sip of his drink, Jayce glared at Viktor, who was laughing.

"Wait until you see her raise both hands and effortlessly roll up dozens of meters, equivalent to thousands of tons of sand and stone. Then, you'll understand what I mean." Viktor glared back at Jayce, and the two middle-aged men started bickering.

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Jayce, sensitive to numbers, immediately envisioned such a scene.

Dozens of meters. Equivalent to thousands of tons of sand and stone?

That must be as high as several floors!

Jayce shuddered.

This is a talent! A talent for construction!

Linwin interjected with a smile, "Hey, actually, Taliyah can do even better. She's currently learning how to control her abilities." Linwin had been diligently guiding the little sparrow these days, allowing her to freely unleash her abilities in the uninhabited central area of the ocean. Taliyah was obediently following Linwin's instructions. However, Linwin could sense that Taliyah still feared her own abilities.

Upon reflection, Linwin could understand Taliyah's situation.

While different from Lux, there were similarities in their concerns – their talents were incredibly powerful.

"Taliyah hasn't fully embraced her abilities yet. Once she opens up and fully accepts her powers, it won't be just dozens of meters; it could be kilometers!"

"You're exaggerating!" Jayce instinctively retorted to Linwin.

"Anyway, you'll see when the time comes." Linwin shrugged, acknowledging that even he couldn't fully imagine such a scenario.

Ranges of kilometers? Well, if the future little sparrow wishes, she could even flip Piltover or crush the cliffs above Zaun with her abilities.

Yes, despite appearing slender and frail, the little sparrow could achieve such terrifying feats. Of course, Taliyah wouldn't do such things because her heart is too kind. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been abandoned by Noxian officers.

Seeing Linwin's serious expression, Jayce swallowed nervously.

"If she can really do that, then filling the sea will be a breeze with her help."

With Taliyah's assistance, Zaun might even rise up if conditions allow. The thought excited Jayce, prompting him to down a few more drinks.

Linwin nodded, sipping his drink with a smile. He believed in Taliyah.

Because he had seen it in an official CG.

Taliyah riding a sandstone, rolling up the sand and stone of Shurima's earth, creating a barrier nearly a kilometer long and dozens of meters wide. This barrier successfully blocked Xerath's bombardment. Taliyah had truly achieved such a feat, saving many lives in Shurima.

Who is Xerath? Linwin believed that among mages in the current world, Xerath would undoubtedly rank in the top three. To put it plainly, without runes, Ryze wouldn't be able to match Xerath in pure magical combat.

After all, Xerath had lived longer, knew more, and, most importantly, was a pure energy being.

As for combat power, if Ryze used the complete world runes he had gathered, with the immense power of the runes, he could easily sink Shurima, seal Xerath, but Ryze wouldn't use that power.

In any situation, Ryze wouldn't utilize the power of the world runes because using that power meant he wouldn't be Ryze anymore.

He wouldn't be the great mage traveling the world, collecting runes to save it.

Therefore, under these circumstances, Xerath was a monstrous existence.

And Taliyah could withstand attacks from such a monster. It showed that the little sparrow was also a monster!

A little monster!

After a few more drinks, Jayce asked another question, "By the way, you're really not going to deal with Bilgewater yourself?"

"No need. Twisted Fate and Graves will handle it."

Beside them, Viktor rolled his eyes. The reason for this impolite gesture was that when it came to these matters, Viktor couldn't get a word in.

With a slight intoxication, Viktor remained silent, quietly eating while listening to Linwin and Jayce's conversation.

"They're not ordinary people. With the Enforcers and that batch of weapons, if they suddenly tell me Graves has taken Bilgewater, I won't be surprised. But it's better if such a thing doesn't happen."

"Bilgewater is a mysterious place. Linwin, before, I almost went to Bilgewater to investigate the local minerals for making Hextech gemstone, but then I heard them say..." Jayce paused, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face. However, driven by the alcohol, Jayce still blurted it out, "They said that place is haunted."

"But thinking about it now, I was really young back then, actually believing in such nonsense." Jayce laughed to himself. "We are scientists; we don't believe in superstitions. Ghosts? How can there be ghosts in this world?"

"Are you talking about the Blood Harbor Ripper?" Linwin raised an eyebrow, looking at Jayce.

"No, how do you even know about these little stories from other places?" Jayce complained.

Why does he know everything!

"Oh, his name is Pyke, Jayce. That's not just a story; Blood Harbor Ripper is a real existence."

Blood Harbor Ripper

That guy is a Sentinel of Light once.

Jayce immediately exclaimed, "Nonsense!"

"Nonsense? Am I talking nonsense?" Linwin clicked his tongue, looking at Jayce, and continued, "Since there can be the existence of deities, why can't there be the existence of ghosts and demons? Not only is Blood Harbor Ripper real, even that toad demon that gamblers fear is real."

"You've even seen Janna, and now you also believe in her."

Linwin even wanted to say to Jayce, in this world of magic, we are the heretics for doing science!

Jayce suddenly fell silent.

Because he found that Linwin was right.

"So, you guys always think that I sent Twisted Fate and Graves to Bilgewater because I want Zaun to take over that place. But now, let me tell you the truth, I'm really not interested in that place, truly not interested." Linwin yawned.

"Moreover, there's a small island across from Bilgewater, and what you think doesn't exist is all over that island."

"Ghosts?"

"Yeah, but more accurately, they're better referred to as undead."

Viktor finally spoke, recalling the knowledge he read in the books. "Are you talking about the Blessed Isle?"

"The Blessed Isle was its previous name; now, it's called Shadow Isles."

"In any case, Bilgewater is not a good place. People on the island have to spend considerable effort every year to fight against those undead," Linwin said with a smile.

Oh, talking about Bilgewater handling it seems a bit off?

After all, the ones truly contributing are the priestess on the Serpent Isles, led by Illaoi and her god. They are the main force against the Harrowing.

As for Gangplank, Sarah Fortune, Graves, and Twisted Fate, they are just playing around.

Oh, but there's external support, like Lucian and the sentinel of light. They did contribute..

In anyway, he didn't have the time to deal with Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles. Now, he is focused on Shurima and Demacia.

On one hand, he pays attention to Demacia's anti-magic actions; on the other hand, he keeps an eye on the situation in Shurima. Linwin is waiting for the return of the Emperor of the Sands.

Swain has already returned to Noxus. Since his story with Irelia happened a year earlier, it's even possible for Azir's return to happen sooner.

Linwin didn't even see Sivir's shadow when he was in Shurima and Noxus is in chaos right now. Given that, there's a question of whether there will still be a situation where Cassiopeia hires Sivir.

Now, there are too many uncontrollable factors.

With Linwin becoming more and more powerful, his influence extends to Zaun and Piltover. Now, both Piltover and Zaun are becoming stronger, and this influence might eventually reach as far as Freljord.

"Ding Ling Ling."

Just as Linwin was sipping his drink, lost in thought about these matters, the box on the table rang.

Seeing the number on the Hextech phone's screen, a curve involuntarily appeared on Linwin's lips.

Jayce saw this smile and immediately knew who was calling.

"Ha, is it time for you to go home for dinner?" Before even looking at the number, Jayce, lying on the chair, mocked Linwin with disdain.

"Get lost!" Linwin gave Jayce a disdainful look, then reached out and answered the call.

"Hello? Dinner is ready, when can you come back?"

Viktor raised an eyebrow, suddenly realizing.

Oh, no wonder Jayce said that.

It's Kai'Sa.

"I'm drinking with Jayce and Viktor."

"Are you coming back today? If not, Taliyah and I will eat first."

"He's not coming...." Jayce's words were cut off when he was halfway through; his jaw automatically closed.

Linwin pointed upward with a slight lift of his finger, creating a gust of wind that hit Jayce's jaw, almost making him bite his tongue.

"I'll be back soon. Wait for me." Linwin hurriedly said, "The three of us are almost done drinking, and it's just about to end."

"Okay."

After saying this, Kai'Sa hung up the phone.

Putting away the phone, Linwin stood up, coughed, and said, "Well, let's end the monthly gathering we've kept since before today."

"I say, your relationship with her seems to be not confirmed yet, right? You haven't even married, and you've already become henpecked?" Jayce looked at Linwin disdainfully, eyes full of contempt.

This guy and Kai'Sa's matter haven't been finalized yet, and now he's already henpecked. He and Mel are about to step into the wedding hall, but it's not like Linwin.

This dead henpecked!

Not confirmed? Linwin raised an eyebrow.

Anyway, Kai'Sa can't run away.

He has set his eyes on her.

"Annoying, who asked you to care?" Linwin waved his hand disdainfully, then ran to the window. Turning back to Viktor and Jayce, he smiled and said, "See you tomorrow, Mr. Talis."

Jayce slapped the table in anger and scolded, "Get lost! Call me Councilor!"

Linwin, of course, didn't bother to respond to Jayce.

Transforming into a pure white stream of light, in the night, Linwin dashed straight towards the depths of Zaun.

"Viktor, should we... continue drinking?"

"Heheh."

Viktor stood up, shook his legs, and saw a strange blue armor appearing and covering his previously impaired leg. Then, Viktor lifted the leg covered with armor. Although the speed was a bit slow, it was no different from an ordinary person.

Viktor could walk normally now.

Walking to the door, Viktor turned back and looked at Jayce, who was placing his head on the table with a bottle of alcohol in his hand, looking helpless. Viktor chuckled and said, "You can slowly drink by yourself."

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