-18- Vander is awake

"Inspector Grayson, we've given you ample time. You promised to catch them within five days, but that time has elapsed."

Three council members stood together, facing Inspector Grayson, a robust woman with brown curly hair dressed in enforcer attire.

"I apologize... It was my mistake."

"I don't need apologies; I need results, Inspector."

The speaker was a woman with a dark complexion, adorned with various exquisite golden accessories, dressed in a tailored white gown and standing in the middle. She was someone who effortlessly harmonized the high-end colors of gold and white.Her tone was somewhat sinister and soft. 

A slender male council member, playing with his nails, chimed in, "So, what's the situation? From what you said, these Zaunites are sticking together, refusing to hand over anyone?"

Another, more portly council member spoke impatiently, "Isn't this simple? Just round up a few Zaunites and lock them up. Scare them a bit, and they'll willingly surrender the culprits."

Grayson wanted to speak, but the portly council member keenly noticed her expression. Annoyed, he raised his voice, "Inspector Grayson, you've seriously neglected your duty. Do you have any objections to my suggestion now?"

Grayson took a step forward, about to speak, but under the portly council member's gaze, she could only retreat to her original position and close her eyes. She was left speechless.

"That won't do," said the central woman, lifting her head slightly. She elegantly spoke, "Councilor, I find your suggestion... inappropriate."

"Randomly arresting people violates Piltover's laws."

"Mel, they are just undercity dwellers."

"Councillor, since they are also under Piltover's jurisdiction, we should manage them using Piltover's laws. This way, they will respect and obey us," the lady known as Mel continued, "Currently, the misunderstandings between Piltover and Zaun are deepening. Over time, this conflict has escalated to a point where it can no longer be directly resolved. We must prioritize fostering understanding."

The portly council member nodded indifferently. He had only made a casual remark. If they adopted it, fine; if not, he had nothing to lose. He added, "But Mel, what if we can't retrieve the gem? Don't you value Jayce's research greatly?"

"Yes, Councilor. However, I doubt the undercity residents can comprehend Hextech technology."

"This invention, apart from its founder Jayce Talis, only Viktor can keep up with Jayce. We have numerous geniuses in Piltover, but only those three... Ah, Professor Heimerdinger also fits in. It should be said that only these three can truly understand it."

After Mel conveyed this to the portly council member, she turned her head, a glint of shrewdness passing through her eyes. She calmly continued, "But, Grayson, as I mentioned before, what I've said is not an excuse for your dereliction of duty."

Grayson lowered her head and saluted, saying, "Yes, Councilor."

"I hope you can quickly find the culprits. When necessary, you can employ... unconventional measures and apply some pressure. This isn't a mistake; it's the right approach."

"After all, they broke the law first."

Mel's words seemed similar to the portly council member's suggestion at first, but Grayson sensed the difference.

So, the portly council member views all Zaunites the same; the extent of harm he can cause extends to the entire Zaun.

On the other hand, Councilor Mel focuses solely on the culprits, not wanting Grayson to harm innocent civilians.

Mel, being a council member and one of the wealthiest person in Piltover, had eyes and ears all over Piltover and even parts of Zaun. Hence, her words were directed at Grayson, subtly conveying: "I know who you're associated with, so you should know who to apply pressure on."

Grayson responded in a somber tone.

Following this, Mel gestured for her to go, saying, "Go, Inspector Grayson. I hope to hear good news."

After Grayson left, the tall and slender council member looked at Mel, hesitated for a moment, then spoke, "Mel, what if... what if Grayson isn't successful?"

"There will be a solution."

Mel smiled.

------------

In the depths of the Sump, Sevika looked at Linwen leaping between the floors of Zaun and couldn't help but make an expression of speechlessness, yet she chose to follow Linwen.

"Sevika, can you go any faster?"

Linwen pounced forward, tumbled upon landing, and turned to see Sevika frozen in her tracks.

"You little-!"

Sevika yelled in frustration. Seeing the distance of over nine meters in front of her, she hesitated for a while, then finally chose another path.

From the very beginning, she shouldn't have followed Linwen on this route.

He's a monster!

Leapfrogging from the middle to the lower levels, Linwen quickly reached the depths of Zaun. After a week, he was breathing the air of Zaun again, and he had an indescribable feeling.

Before this, he had never stepped out of Zaun. Even the information he had about the upper city was gathered from Vander's tavern.

And now, standing on the streets of Zaun, he was enjoying the bustle belonging to Zaun.

There were many merchants around, loudly advertising their wares. Various strange smells wafted into Linwen's nostrils—some smelled like food, while others like poison.

Linwen leaned against the wall, waited for a while, and saw Sevika emerging from the underground elevator.

"Sevika, you're a bit slow."

Linwen looked up, smiled, and said to Sevika, who was considerably taller than him.

"I'm already fast enough," Sevika shouted loudly, then proceeded forward. Linwen followed behind her.

"Two things have happened in the Undercity recently, Linwen."

Walking and talking, Sevika took out a cigarette from her pocket, bit it and lit it. Taking a deep drag, she exhaled a thick mist, confidently striding down the road. This irritated some people, but when they saw the audacious individual's face, they would fall silent and willingly make way for Sevika.

Although this area clearly didn't belong to the Undercity, Sevika's reputation had spread here too.

"While you were away, the enforcers have been coming down every day. They've not only been smashing and searching in the Undercity but also conducting extensive searches in other areas. At first, everyone endured it, but soon it provoked a lot of dissatisfaction." Sevika's voice was heavy.

"What does Vander say?"

"Him? What can he say?" Sevika shrugged, making a helpless gesture and sneering, "He'll only ask everyone to stay calm, be patient, and watch the enforcers be arrogant."

But she also added "He also changed a bit, becoming more like before." 

"To be honest, I'm happy that you beat up Vander."

"If Vander heard that, he might be sad for a while. Sevika, Vander values you a lot."

"No, he values you more. When I said it to his face, Vander did say you punched him well."

Linwen looked at her expression and smiled silently. 

Sevika was someone who couldn't hide her thoughts, wearing her satisfaction on her face. Just like now, her satisfaction with Linwen was clearly visible.

"The enforcers have made the people of Zaun uneasy. Some are getting restless. But this time Vander didn't back down. He has already had talks with them. Baron Chross and the Snake Baron were dealt with by him and his people, making them much more compliant."

"That's a good thing." Linwen wasn't surprised.

After all... Vander was Vander.

You see, Vander could dominate a part of Zaun, even suppressing various forces. What did he rely on? It was his fists.

Vander wasn't a kind-hearted person; he was one of the largest Gang boss in Zaun.

But amidst his delight, Linwen felt a slight annoyance.

So Vander, that guy remains low before Piltoverians, but hit hard against his own people?

But knowing Vander well, Linwen was just playfully venting his frustration.

He certainly knew what Vander was thinking.

"The only trouble now is the Spider Baron from the Black Hospital. We don't know where he acquired the guns, and the guns were from Piltover."

"We lost two of our guys and seven were injured."

Sevika calmly stated.

"So, that's why Vander called me back?"

"Yes, Vander said he understands now. He won't hand over Vi and Powder, and he won't surrender himself either. He still disagrees with warring against Piltover, but he understands your point. The conflict isn't about fighting Piltover or not, it's about the attitude towards Piltover. He is willing to support your idea, but the prerequisite is first unifying Zaun."

Sevika continued, her tone rising and becoming somewhat excited, "Vander wants to become the true influencer in Zaun. Only by achieving that, by having control over Zaun's discourse, can we resist Piltover."

"For this, Vander needs your help."

"Our second-in-command."

Linwen patted Sevika's shoulder, a gesture that irritated Sevika a bit.

But she didn't dare to resist. Mainly because Vander could beat her around as if she were a toy, and Linwen could do the same to Vander.

That's how the food chain goes.

"Vander finally gets it, I'm pleased."

Linwen said in an casual tone.

Originally... he thought he'd have to do it alone. But now, Vander was standing behind him with his people, just like in the tavern when he stood against the enforcers.

Now, Vander was awake.

He would lead not just the back ally, but all the people of Zaun.

They would strive for... their own peace and interests.

Perhaps it was because of Linwen's words, perhaps it was Linwen's fists. In any case, Vander had also grasped the truth: 

For peace between Zaun and Piltover to be achieved, it couldn't be begged for. Did they think they could wait for Piltover to generously grant them peace? That would be foolish and ignorant!

Peace between Zaun and Piltover had to be fought for. In Linwen's view, it could only be achieved through struggle!

And the difference in ideology between Vander and his former brother Silco was not about whether to fight against Piltover or not. It was a difference in their attitudes towards Piltover.

They had once stood on the same side, fighting for the same ideal, but Vander had changed.

He had his back against Silco.

After failing once, Vander didn't want to see people from Zaun die for his ideals anymore. Therefore, he became more dovish. He did indeed maintain peace in Zaun, but the peace he sought came at the cost of Piltover's haughty charity.

But Silco had a strong action mindset, he wants to strive for Zaun's interests with a strong attitude. He doesn't need to stand on equal footing with Piltover, but he must earn Piltover's respect.

The wheel of history told Linwen the result.

Silco may not be right, but Vander was certainly wrong.

But now, he's 'awake'.

"Let's go, no need to return to the tavern."

Linwen stopped Sevika, who was about to continue forward.

"?"

 Sevika looked at Linwen, seeing him open his backpack and searching for something inside. When she saw a white mask being taken out by Linwen, she was dumbfounded.

"What are you doing? Are you planning to go directly to the Black Spider?"

"Have you gone mad?"

Linwen put on the mask and smiled at Sevika.

Opened his mouth, but the voice had changed.

This mask had the ability to alter the voice.

"Of course, I'm not mad. I have things to do in the upper city." Linwen moved his shoulders. "So, let's make this quick. After dealing with him, I need to check on Powder and Vi."

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