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Arcane: TTB: Ch. 79
🕑 Added 2025-05-10 19:41:04 +0000 UTCAfter confirming that Cipher was unharmed, Colonel Harjavti of the Quraci Defense Forces arranged for him to meet with Prime Minister Al-Bashir, the leader of Qurac's provisional government.
In times of war, efficiency was key, and both sides quickly reached an agreement. The Prime Minister's office was sparse, functional, just a standard government building scarred by recent attacks.
"Your proposal is unconventional, Mr. Cipher," Prime Minister Al-Bashir said. "These 'shimmer compounds', you claim they can regenerate tissue?"
"I can demonstrate," Cipher gestured to a wounded soldier standing guard nearby. "With your permission?"
After a nod from Al-Bashir, he approached the soldier and applied a small amount of modified shimmer to the man's visible wound on his forearm. The soldier winced initially, then his eyes widened as the wound began visibly closing.
"The standard compound is highly addictive," Cipher explained, "but my Deputy Mayor developed a medical variant that minimizes dependence while maximizing healing properties."
Al-Bashir watched with undisguised fascination. "Remarkable. And these prosthetics you mentioned?"
"Fully functional replacements that interface directly with the nervous system. Your wounded won't just survive, they'll return to the field if they choose to."
Colonel Harjavti crossed his arms. "And what do you want in return? No one offers such things without seeking significant advantage."
The terms were quickly established. Zaun would not only provide the medical-grade shimmer compounds they'd demonstrated, but also supply advanced healing technologies, chemtech prosthetics for amputees, and essential resources including food, refined metals, and reinforced materials. In extreme cases, they would even offer Janna's healing for the critically wounded.
In exchange, Qurac agreed to share technological expertise, granting access to their military databases, excluding classified materials, which Zaun's researchers could freely study. They would also send Dr. Ivana Baiul, the infamous "Ghost Doctor" and one of Qurac's leading weapons developers, as a scientific advisor. The arrangement was rounded out with tactical training opportunities for Zaun's enforcers.
Zaun needed leadership present in Piltover and Zaun, so Cipher did not stay long in Qurac. His position as diplomat was soon taken over by Silco. As they walked through the compound after the meeting, Silco pulled Cipher aside, away from the Quraci officials.
"You trust me to handle this?" Silco asked quietly. "Diplomacy isn't my natural habitat."
"Which is precisely why I need you here," Cipher replied. "They'll expect smooth words and hidden agendas. You'll give them blunt truth and mutual advantage."
"And if they try to take more than we've offered?" Silco's one good eye narrowed slightly.
"Then give them a demonstration of why Zaun isn't to be trifled with, not even Revenant could stop us," Cipher answered with an edge to his voice. "Just try not to start another war, one is quite enough."
Silco frequently traveled between the two regions, managing affairs in Zaun and organizing supplies, periodically using interdimensional rifts to transport resources to the war-torn nation. There was no concern that Qurac might covet these rifts, due to their immediate survival concerns, they were firmly committed to practical military applications rather than dimensional theory. In fact, they had enough troubles with the conventional borders they were already defending.
Given the pressing threat from Bialya, Prime Minister Al-Bashir had no time for ulterior motives. The chaotic situation in Qurac also led Janna to remain there for the children's safety, her winds providing both protection and healing where most needed.
---
A knock on the door interrupted the flow of paperwork. The stacks of documents towered over Cipher's desk, threatening to topple at the slightest movement.
Six different requisition forms just to approve a single sewer repair. No wonder Silco was always in a foul mood. The paperwork alone could drive anyone to violence.
"Someone from Noxus has delivered an invitation from the Upper City."
Cipher didn't look up from the tax report he was reviewing. "Just put it with the others."
"It bears the House Medarda crest," the officer added, hesitant. "And it was hand-delivered by a Noxian officer."
That caught Cipher's attention. He finally looked up, setting down his pen. "Medarda?"
A law enforcement officer handed over the letter. Cipher glanced at the seal, it was really the House Medarda crest.
"What is that she-wolf up to?" He stroked his chin in thought. Ambessa doesn't make social calls. Military alliance? Unlikely, Noxus doesn't ally, it conquers. Information gathering? Possible, but why me specifically? Recruitment attempt? Hmm... that fits her pattern.
Although Ambessa hadn't formally requested an audience with the Piltovan elites, she had made no effort to conceal her presence. Anyone with a bit of influence knew that she had arrived with her personal forces.
"Should I... prepare security protocols?" the officer asked, clearly nervous at the mention of such a high-profile visitor.
Cipher chuckled. "Against her? Might as well try to stop the tide with a teaspoon. Whatever. She's not here for Zaun's signature street food, clean and hygienic as we are, she doesn't have the stomach for it."
With a casual flick, he tossed the invitation aside and returned to the towering stacks of paperwork. Well, Ambessa, let's see what you're hunting for.
Zaun's leadership was meant to have four key figures, but with the other three deputy mayors away in Qurac for training, he was left to handle everything alone. The sheer volume of tax and infrastructure reports managed by Silco was enough to make his head spin. Without computers, all records had to be handwritten... He wondered why he hadn't brought back a computer or a laptop from the Apex world. But he knew going back to that world was way too risky.
Ambessa's invitation was for the evening, and her adjutant would personally escort him. There was no rush, dealing with administrative work was the real priority.
---
As dusk settled, a man arrived at The Last Drop in a carriage.
"Mayor Cipher of Zaun," he announced as he entered the office with a formal bow. "I am Rictus, adjutant to General Medarda of Noxus. I've been charged with escorting you safely to the Medarda estate."
Cipher continued examining a document. "Right on time. Punctuality, a surprisingly underrated virtue in diplomacy."
Rictus took in the cluttered office with a knowing glance. "The burden of leadership. General Medarda often says paperwork is the true battlefield of peacetime."
"Does she now? That's the first relatable thing I've heard about her." Cipher looked up. The man was heavily built, sporting a thick beard and clad in the signature black and red Noxian armor.
In the original story, Caitlyn and Jinx, two ADCs, were completely dominated by him, and that was without factoring in his glaive, with the anti-magic Kaenic Rookern tied around it.
With him as an escort, even a surprise attack from Camille would be a fool's errand. Clearly, Ambessa had put careful thought into this meeting.
"Mr. Cipher, are you ready?" Rictus asked with a courteous yet firm tone. Noxians respected the capable. If a figure as influential as the Noxian Grand General had taken notice, then Ambessa herself likely had intentions of recruiting him. Such a person deserved his respect.
"Yeah, let's go." Cipher stood up without hesitation.
"You're not going to change?" Rictus hesitated for a moment before voicing his concern. It wasn't meant as criticism, rather, it was a reminder.
Cipher looked down at his practical, slightly stained work clothes. "Into what, exactly? A silk waistcoat and polished shoes? This is Zaun, not the Piltover Council chambers."
"In Noxus, one shows respect through preparation, including attire," Rictus explained diplomatically.
"In Zaun, we show respect through honesty. This is who I am, Rictus. If General Ambessa wants to meet the mayor of Zaun, she gets the real thing, not some dressed-up imitation of Piltover sensibilities. And I have a rough idea of why she is looking for me, and I doubt she cares how I'm dressed." Cipher shrugged indifferently, making no move to change. He didn't own formal attire to begin with.
"The General may appreciate that perspective more than you realize. Please, after you." Rictus bowed slightly, gesturing for him to proceed. If Cipher himself didn't care, then he had no reason to either.
And Ambessa was a pragmatic woman, unconcerned with superficial appearances.
As they settled in the carriage, Cipher noticed Lester approaching with a group of men, stopping nearby.
"Leaving without proper security, Mayor Cipher?" Lester called out. "Grand General Swain would be most displeased."
Cipher sighed. "Generale Lester, I'm literally surrounded by elite Noxian guards."
"Ambessa's guards," Lester emphasized. "Not the Grand General's."
"Lester, what are you doing?" Rictus frowned, stepping forward. "You question the General's honor?"
"I question nothing. I merely fulfill my duty."
And here I thought the paperwork would be the worst part of my day, Cipher thought, watching the two Noxian officers square off.
Both men held similar ranks as adjutants to their respective commanders, and they were well aware of each other's backgrounds. Normally, if Ambessa had invited Cipher to a banquet, Lester had no business interfering. After all, she hadn't invited him.
"Don't worry about me, Rictus. The Grand General has entrusted Cipher's safety to me, and that means following him wherever he goes." Lester knew his actions would be unpopular, but after experiencing the unpredictability of Piltover's political games, he was taking no chances. If something happened to Cipher, even with Swain's usual composure, there would be consequences, ones that he wasn't willing to face.
"Mr. Cipher's safety is our responsibility. If anything happens, the blame falls on us, not you. Both General Ambessa and Grand General Swain are well aware of this." Rictus remained firm. Ambessa wouldn't have extended this invitation without thorough preparation.
Both men's hands now rested openly on their weapons. Bystanders in the street began to notice the confrontation and wisely gave the area a wide berth.
"Shall we settle this the Noxian way, then?" Lester asked. "Your blade against mine?"
"With pleasure," Rictus growled. "The winner escorts Mr. Cipher to General Ambessa."
Alongside him were dozens of fully armed elite soldiers, all veterans from high-ranking Noxian units. Even if Camille attempted another assassination, Rictus was confident she wouldn't succeed. Security was airtight.
Yet, no matter how much Rictus insisted, Lester refused to back down. So, there was only one solution to this...
"Are you two seriously going to duel in the middle of a Zaun street over who gets to babysit me?" Cipher, growing impatient, finally intervened. He had no time for this nonsense, he still had work waiting for him after dealing with Ambessa.
Both men turned to him, surprised by his authoritative tone.
"Two Noxian officers, ready to spill blood over an escort duty? I can see the Piltover headlines now: 'Noxian Barbarians Brawl in Zaun Streets.' Is that the image either of your commanders wants?"
An uncomfortable silence fell between the two adjutants.
"Rictus, if Lester insists on following, just let him. Once we reach the Medarda estate, he can wait outside under your supervision." Turning to Lester, he continued, "Does that work for you? Once we arrive at General Ambessa's residence, there should be no more concerns about my safety. Unless you're suggesting she can't secure her own home?"
"I... that would be acceptable."
"Excellent. Now can we please proceed?"
With that settled, Rictus also relented. As long as Lester only followed to the estate and stayed outside, it made no difference. The real conversation between Cipher and Ambessa would take place inside, far from Lester's ears.
Out of respect for Swain, even Ambessa was willing to tolerate Lester's stubbornness, for now.
