Malphegor
patreon
Arcane: TTB: Ch. 58
🕑 Added 2025-03-01 00:06:24 +0000 UTCThe way Camille spoke revealed her unparalleled control over Piltover and Zaun.
But if she was truly that powerful, then why did she have almost no presence in the original story? Viktor and Ambessa nearly stormed Piltover directly. It just didn't make sense.
The logic didn't hold up.
Why didn't she stop Viktor? Why didn't she confront Ambessa?
Cipher recovered quickly, reaching for his tea. He needed to regain control of the conversation. "Most orphans in Zaun don't have records. The authorities don't exactly maintain birth certificates in the Lanes."
"Most orphans don't introduce revolutionary manufacturing techniques at a young age," Camille countered. "And most don't possess knowledge of metallurgy that even Piltover's best engineers struggle with."
Cipher shrugged casually. "I read a lot."
"Books that don't exist. Methods that appeared from nowhere." Her voice was calm. "The Ferros intelligence network flagged anomalies in your knowledge base years ago. Too advanced, too... out of sequence with normal discovery patterns."
Oh, is she suspecting that I'm from Noxus, or maybe Demacia, a spy planted in Zaun? I hope so... The realization calmed him somewhat. She was suspicious, but her suspicions were grounded in this world's logic.
She couldn't possibly guess the truth.
His brow furrowed slightly as he considered the implications of her surveillance and the contradictions in her story.
If she had such control, why hadn't she intervened in events that threatened Piltover?
Cipher must have been staring too long at his tea, lost in thought.
"You find it strange?" Camille asked, noticing his thoughtful expression.
Her eyes studied his face. "Your face betrays your thoughts. Like pages of an open book."
"I prefer to think of it as healthy skepticism," Cipher said, composing his features.
"Skepticism is the beginning of wisdom. But only the beginning." Camille smiled faintly, though a hint of melancholy crossed her expression.
"Being the true ruler of a city might sound impressive, but in reality, it comes with too many constraints. You should understand that."
"Constraints?"
"Even the sharpest blade cannot be everywhere at once."
"So you prioritize."
"I sacrifice," Camille stated simply. "Compared to Zaun, Piltover is simply too wealthy. I can't protect it alone. And so, for Piltover, I sold my soul, serving a certain figure in exchange for relative stability."
"Otherwise, do you really think Piltover would be safe from Noxian ambition with just Mel and the House Medarda behind it?"
"The House Medarda is merely a third-rate military noble house. They don't have that kind of strength."
"And who does?"
Camille's smile was knowing. "The ones who move pieces on the board rarely show their hands."
She took another sip of tea, leaving a brief silence for Cipher to process everything. The fact that she was willing to share such secrets meant she valued him. But the information itself was as terrifying as she was.
If even she acknowledged a force so powerful that she had no choice but to submit, and if she didn't even consider Ambessa a true threat, then in Noxus before Swain's rise to power after overthrowing Darkwill, there was only one entity Cipher could think of, Black Rose.
The war between Piltover and Zaun hadn't even started yet, and somehow all these ancient monsters were already crawling out of the shadows. Just how long had these old freaks been alive?
Were they just that bored?
Cipher grumbled inwardly, but Camille's nighttime visit made him realize something important, his combat prowess was improving far too slowly. He wasn't growing fast enough to handle the ever-escalating situation.
Before, his focus had been entirely on technological advancements strong enough to elevate Zaun. His own strength had merely progressed as a side effect. After all, in the Apex world, as long as someone survived, their marksmanship was bound to be exceptional.
But now, he had to prioritize his power.
This time, Camille had come to talk. Next time, it could be an ancient vampire, or, worse yet, a battle-hungry Sion. Without strength, he'd have no choice but to end up as another casualty.
Cipher accepted the second cup she poured, his fingers subtly brushing against the detonator hidden beneath his bedsheets. His nerves steadied, and he pushed forward with his question, shifting topics.
"You didn't come here just to have tea with me, did you?"
"I never waste time. Even pleasure serves purpose," Camille replied evenly, allowing the diversion.
"And your purpose with me?"
Camille didn't answer immediately. She first refilled her own cup, then lifted her gaze, an unreadable expression on her face. Her eyes locked onto Cipher's, scanning the faint unease beneath his composure.
"Leading by half a step makes you a pioneer. Leading by two steps makes you a madman that must be eliminated."
"Your existence threatens the order of Piltover and Zaun. But your brilliance makes me willing to offer you an opportunity."
"Swear loyalty to the Clan Ferros, and I will honor you as a respected advisor. Power, wealth, beauty, whatever you desire will be within your grasp."
Cipher's brain instantly short-circuited.
What was this, a monster's invitation?
"You want me to smother the winds of revolution and become some noble riding atop Zaun's suffering?"
His laughter was cold, filled with disdain. Fear of death had completely left his heart. The winds of change had already begun to blow, nothing could stop them now. If his fate was to die, then so be it.
There were fates worse than death.
There was nothing to fear.
"I want you to survive long enough to understand why those winds always die."
"I, too, once held onto the beautiful dreams that people like you should have."
Her reaction was calm, her tone light, carrying an air of elegance in every movement. She took another sip of tea.
"Tell me, what do you think of your investment, Councilor Kiramman?"
"What does she have to do with this?" Cipher was relieved at the change of subject, though still wary.
"Everything. And nothing. She is merely an example."
"Of what?"
"Of you. In forty years' time."
Cipher blinked, unsure of her intent. He had only met Councilor Kiramman once and hadn't thought much of her, just another greedy politician, no different from a bloodthirsty leech.
If it weren't for Caitlyn's strategic value in uniting factions, the House Kiramman would have been marked for elimination in the coming purge.
"Do you see her as just another parasite, feeding off Zaun's suffering like the rest of the council? Foolish, short-sighted, and insatiably greedy?" Camille seemed to see through Cipher's thoughts, a subtle, knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips.
It carried a trace of amusement, but also something that felt almost mocking.
"Is that not the case?" Cipher asked.
"Is the knife that stabs you evil, or the hand that wields it?" Camille asked softly.
Cipher paused, considering the question. "The knife is a tool. The hand bears the responsibility."
He took another sip of tea.
"But in Piltover's case, both the hand and the knife know exactly what they're doing."
"An interesting perspective," Camille replied. "Though perhaps limited by youth and idealism."
Cipher felt a flicker of irritation. Something about her demeanor was getting on his nerves.
Despite having little flesh left on her body, her entire form a construct of cold steel, her elegance seemed ingrained in her very soul. Standing before her, he couldn't help but feel like an unsophisticated fool.
"You've met Councilor Kiramman's daughter, Caitlyn. What do you think of her?"
The amusement in her smile deepened as she posed the question.
"She's not bad. Cheerful, bright, full of hope. Piltover's future should rest in the hands of people like her."
Cipher answered without hesitation.
"And when hope meets reality? What then?"
"Sometimes hope survives," Cipher replied thoughtfully.
"Caitlyn has a strong moral compass. I believe she could face the harsh realities of our world without losing her principles."
Apart from her peculiar taste in partners and her fondness for Zaun's street food, Caitlyn had no real flaws to speak of.
In the original story, even after Jinx's rocket killed her mother, and despite Ambessa's manipulations, she had only been consumed by hatred in the beginning. In the end, she let go of her vengeance and even conspired with Vi to let Jinx escape from prison.
Camille studied him for a moment.
"Idealism again. You truly believe someone can maintain their principles when everything they love is threatened? But people change," she said softly.
"Not all change is corruption," Cipher countered.
"No. Some is survival. Some is wisdom. Some is simply time. You have a good eye, but you still lack the tempering of time."
"I have lived nearly a century longer than you. And through those years, I have come to understand one simple truth."
"The world is not black or white, but a delicious shade of gray." Camille spoke with quiet certainty, delivering what was clearly one of her signature lines.
She took another sip of tea, then shifted the conversation.
"When she was young, Councilor Kiramman was just like you, eyes filled with hope, heart brimming with justice."
"Back then, she was still just a child, yet her blood burned with conviction. She wanted to eradicate all injustice and uphold righteousness."
"Naive, perhaps. But there was something endearing about it."
"Over time, I encountered countless people like her, and it only strengthened my resolve to maintain Piltover's order."
"Because at the very least, in Piltover, people still dare to dream."
"Who hasn't been young? Who hasn't felt the fire of idealism? Truly wicked souls are rare."
"Even those greedy, foolish councilors you despise, at the very least, they are willing to teach their children purity while they are still young."
"They shelter them from the filth of reality for as long as they can, though in the end, they must all inevitably face its cruelty."
She poured Cipher another cup of tea, her movements smooth and unhurried. She had noticed his subtle actions long ago, yet she made no move to intervene.
It was confidence. Perhaps even nostalgia.
"I've read your Book of Revolution that you sent to Viktor."
"I admire your insight into the mechanics of society, but your understanding of people is still lacking."
"You will change nothing."
"Even if I do not stop you, even if you succeed in leading Zaun's rise, the winds of revolution you set into motion will eventually die out."
"Zaun will become nothing more than another Piltover. And in the end, it will all be meaningless."
