Malphegor
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Arcane: TTB: Ch. 48
🕑 Added 2025-02-13 21:54:27 +0000 UTCFaced with the sincere invitation, with Viktor reaching out his hand, Jayce did not take it as readily as before.
Back then, it was Viktor who extended a helping hand when Jayce's lab was destroyed, redeeming him.
But now, the same hand that once helped him up now seemed to offer something far more terrifying.
So, he instinctively shrank back.
He hesitated, afraid to grasp the hand.
Joining Viktor's glorious evolution would mean cutting ties with everything from his past.
Leaving the Upper City, leaving Piltover Academy where he had spent countless days and nights striving, leaving Piltover, the place that brought him honor, a future, and fame, to start an unknown destiny in Zaun.
Everything would have to begin from scratch!
It was an incredibly difficult decision.
He was indeed tempted by wealth and power, and he did care about reputation.
Though he was the new elite among the so-called slaves of capital, he was not like the other noble monsters.
Rather than calling him a noble lord, it would be more accurate to say he was a scientist who had unwillingly inherited a title.
Science, truth, and Hextech were his pursuits.
But the problem was, Viktor was indeed his good friend. The kind of friend who understood the late nights, the failed experiments, the obsessive drive to unlock the mysteries of Hextech.
Yet his mentor, Professor Heimerdinger, his long-time investor, Councilor Kiramman, his childhood friend, Caitlyn, his mother, whom he depended on, and even Mel, who had guided and supported him, all of them were from Piltover.
Their faces flashed through his mind, each one a thread tying him to the city above.
If he agreed to Viktor's proposal, what about all these important people?
Jayce was smart. From Viktor's words, he understood that Viktor's so-called "glorious evolution" was, in reality, an extreme rejection of Piltover's aristocracy.
That was very Zaun-like!
Professor Heimerdinger and his mother might still be manageable. He could almost picture their disappointed faces, but perhaps they would understand.
But Mel, Councilor Kiramman, and Caitlyn, they were pure Piltover nobility, the absolute enemies of Viktor's glorious evolution. There would be no middle ground, no compromise...
If he agreed to Viktor, he would be making enemies of these friends.
But if he refused, then he and Viktor would part ways.
Jayce clutched his head in agony, he truly did not want to make this kind of choice. Choosing one side meant completely severing ties with the other. The pressure made his head spin.
Couldn't they all just research science together? Why did it have to involve the conflict between the two cities?
When did everything become so complicated?
"Viktor... You're asking me to choose between you and my family."
"No, I'm asking you to choose between comfort and truth."
"There has to be another way!"
"There are no neutral paths in a revolution."
Jayce felt the truth in Viktor's words, but fear held him back.
"I... I can't decide it yet. I think we, as scientists, should focus on science, not politics. I..." Jayce said, lowering his head, not daring to meet his eyes.
He knew that his excuse was weak in front of Viktor.
"I understand, Jayce."
Viktor withdrew his hand. His face showed no sign of disappointment; instead, he regained his cold rationality.
As if Jayce's reaction was completely within his expectations.
"Jayce, with your intelligence, you should be able to understand me."
His eyes seemed to pierce through Jayce's exterior, seeing straight into his heart.
"Cipher once said that you are not from the Undercity, so you can never truly understand the suffering of its people. You cannot understand the ideals that he and I have dedicated ourselves to, bringing prosperity to the Undercity."
"The real reason you resist glorious evolution is that you see yourself as a Piltovan. You instinctively stand on Piltover's side."
"Is that so wrong?" Jayce asked quietly.
"Only if you value comfort over justice." Viktor propped himself up with his cane and slowly stood.
"Jayce, you must understand, this is not a war between two cities. This is a life-and-death struggle between the exploited masses and the monsters."
"Viktor, I... I really don't want to choose. I don't want to lose anyone. I'm sorry."
Jayce slumped over the table, shaking his head in torment.
Viktor sighed and shook his head. He tucked the Book of Revolution under his arm and limped toward the laboratory door.
"Where are you going?"
Jayce quickly got up and rushed to Viktor's side.
His instincts told him that if Viktor walked out that door, they would no longer be on the same path.
"You and I have already parted ways long ago. It was only friendship that brought us to this moment. Farewell, Jayce."
He opened the laboratory door and was just about to step out when Mel suddenly spoke, "Viktor, I think you should be more understanding toward Jayce. Facing an unprecedented revolution, it's natural for him to feel lost and uncertain."
"After all, he is not like you. He has never experienced the hardships of the Undercity. Aside from scientific research, he doesn't have a clear goal like you do."
"And revolution needs allies, not just enemies," Mel continued, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"And which are you offering to be?"
Mel's lips curved into a careful smile. "Neither, for now. What I'm offering is understanding." She glanced at Jayce. "He needs time, Viktor."
Unlike Jayce, who still carried the naive clarity of a university student, she was a shrewd politician and a successful businesswoman.
Viktor's "glorious evolution" had failed to convince Jayce, but it had certainly caught her interest. The possibilities it presented were too significant to ignore.
As the wealthiest person in Piltover, she understood better than anyone the terrifying power of that so-called capital. And she knew Viktor was right. Her years of political experience had taught her to recognize the winds of change.
Revolution, perhaps it was the only thing that could truly bring progress to both cities.
Mel valued Jayce greatly. With the winds of change about to sweep across the both cities, she did not want him to make the wrong choice and become an obstacle to progress.
She wanted to salvage Jayce's image in front of Viktor. Even if she wasn't ready to take sides just yet, she needed to ensure she did not end up as an enemy of the coming revolution.
From her perspective, Viktor had endured discrimination and loneliness since childhood due to his origins and disability. He had tasted the bitterness of human indifference, which had shaped him into an exceptionally calm and composed individual.
Despite being younger than Jayce, he was already a mature adult, whereas the first was still like an innocent child. The contrast between them couldn't be more stark.
And yes, in her eyes, the tall and strong Jayce was actually quite simple-minded. Like an adorable little puppy, gifted with a genius brain but still lost and in need of guidance and comfort from a mature woman.
"..."
Viktor turned back to look at Mel, and for the first time, his usually indifferent expression showed surprise.
He understood the underlying message in her words, she was defending Jayce while also subtly extending goodwill toward him.
He hadn't expected that Mel, the wealthiest person in Piltover, its most prestigious councilor, and the daughter of a Noxian warlord, someone who, by all logic, should be the greatest enemy of revolution, would actually be offering an olive branch to him and his cause.
An enemy's scheme? Or...? Politics makes for strange alliances. Viktor narrowed his eyes, unable to make a decision right away.
"I believe I previously misunderstood the Undercity. I'm quite interested in this wind of revolution..."
"Understanding requires more than words," Viktor said carefully.
"Viktor, would you be willing to take us to meet Cipher? I think I should speak with him again."
Mel smiled and stepped closer to him, taking the documents from the still-bewildered Jayce's hands as she continued, "Before, I was too narrow-minded. I failed to see the real issue. The true threat to peace between our cities is not the arms race itself."
"Then what is it?" Viktor asked.
"The system that makes arms necessary. I want to hear his views on peace. And more importantly, how to deal with that beast."
Viktor stared deeply at Mel, but unfortunately, he couldn't read anything from her expression. Her face was an impenetrable mask.
"I do need to go to the Undercity to find Cipher. But I can't guarantee he will see you."
He hesitated. He wasn't sure if bringing Mel along would disrupt the revolution, yet he also didn't want to refuse outright.
"He will see me. Politically, he may not be fully seasoned, but he is still a politician. And I am a politician too."
Mel was certain Cipher would meet with her, it was an instinct that all politicians shared.
"I will resign from all my positions at Piltover Academy and return to Zaun as a private individual. If you're coming, let's go together." Viktor thought for a moment and finally agreed to her request.
He realized that if this councilor had any ill intentions toward the revolution, she wouldn't need to take such risks. The stakes were too high for mere deception.
Personally going to Zaun to meet Cipher, this was Mel's way of showing goodwill toward the movement. It was a bold move, one that spoke louder than any words could.
