Malphegor
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Arcane: TTB: Ch. 40
🕑 Added 2025-02-08 21:37:35 +0000 UTC"May I ask boldly, is this your idea, or your mother's idea, Councilor Medarda?"
Cipher pondered for a long time, rubbing his chin as he asked her.
"You seem concerned about the distinction."
"I am just curious."
He couldn't possibly agree to Mel's request. The price offered by a mere councilor was hardly worth considering. The numbers didn't add up, and more importantly, the timing was suspicious.
Just recently, Zaun had accepted Swain's investments and benefits. And now, the moment the money arrived, he should jump ship to betray Swain?
Did they really think that just because Swain hadn't used demonic power, he wasn't capable of eliminating them? Cipher suppressed a shudder at the thought of what the Noxian Grand General could do if truly provoked.
If Cipher played both sides recklessly, Zaun would become nothing more than Swain's sacrificial pawn. He'd seen enough chess matches to know what happened to pawns that got too ambitious.
However, Mel's response was crucial. If this was merely her own idea, then both Swain and Cipher could dismiss it as the fleeting whim of a noble lady.
Young people always had idealistic fantasies, believing they could bring peace on their own, it wasn't necessarily wrong.
Whether it was Cipher or Swain, they could both pretend nothing had happened.
But if this was the will of her mother, then it was a whole different matter.
That would be equivalent to Ambessa openly declaring war on Swain. There would be no middle ground, no diplomatic solution. One of them would have to die.
And it would also mean an immediate war between Piltover and Noxus.
"This is Piltover, so of course, it is my decision. I don't like her way of doing things in Noxus, she's either fighting a war or on her way to fight one."
Mel's tone was displeased. She hated being equated with her mother.
Ambessa despised Mel's weakness, and Mel despised her mother's bloodthirsty brutality.
Their relationship was deeply strained.
Cipher let out a sigh of relief. If this was just Mel's personal decision, then things were still manageable.
There was still room to maneuver, and at least a full-scale war between the ruling figures of Noxus could be avoided.
For now.
"Councilor Medarda, Zaun appreciates your goodwill, but I cannot accept your request."
Downing his glass of wine in one go, he firmly rejected Mel's proposal.
What a joke.
Instead of siding with Swain, why would he grovel before a Piltover councilor?
What was so special about a political seat? Politicians always had ways to control the Undercity, he wasn't foolish enough to fall for it.
"Are you worried about Noxus? Before inviting you, I visited General Lester, he did not reject my proposal."
"Of course he didn't. Why would he? This game amuses Swain."
"This isn't a game. If you accept my offer, the House Medarda will protect you. There's no need to worry about your safety." Mel assumed Cipher was afraid of Noxus, so she patiently explained.
But Cipher simply rolled his eyes.
That was because Swain had already predicted that Cipher had enough sense not to accept Mel's offer.
Swain was merely passing the problem to Cipher, he had no interest in playing childish political games with Mel.
The whole situation just reeked of political theater.
But he now understood why the invitation had come from Lester and why it bore the House Medarda crest instead of an official Noxian seal.
Mel knew her proposal was too risky, potentially provoking a full-blown conflict in Noxus, so she had taken steps to consult with Lester and Swain beforehand.
"Even so, I still cannot agree. Zaun has just received a massive investment from Grand General Swain, along with a flood of lucrative contracts, all paid in advance. Even ignoring the threat of Noxian military retaliation, simply breaching our agreements would cost us enough in penalties to bankrupt Zaun."
"Zaun's reconstruction requires money at every turn, we cannot afford to accept your proposal."
Cipher didn't want to spell it out too harshly. After all, Mel was technically Jayce's fiancée, so he left some room for diplomacy.
He deliberately came up with a reasonable excuse to brush her off.
"I've considered that. The Piltover Council and I will cover any economic losses from breached contracts and penalties, you have nothing to worry about."
"If you accept my proposal, the Council and major families will jointly fund Zaun's reconstruction. We will also relocate factories to Zaun, creating a significant number of jobs."
"You won't have to rely on selling weapons to Noxus to survive, that is not a good path to take."
"Noxians are far more terrifying than you imagine. They only bring war, slaughter, and death. The fragile peace of the past decades will be completely destroyed by Noxus."
Mel had come fully prepared, with a well-thought-out plan. She swirled her wine glass and smiled at Cipher.
"So, for the sake of peace, please accept my request."
But faced with her warm invitation, Cipher suddenly didn't feel like talking anymore.
When there was money to be made in Piltover, they enjoyed it alone, never thinking of their neighbors in Zaun.
But the moment they risked a beating from Noxian warlords, they suddenly remembered the Zaunites again?
Ridiculous!
"Ah… Councilor Medarda, your proposal is certainly tempting."
Cipher switched to a more respectful tone, acknowledging that her offer was at least made in good faith. No need to burn bridges completely.
"Cipher!"
But the moment it seemed like Cipher was wavering, Silco became agitated. He had already seen through the hidden traps within Mel's proposal.
It looked appealing on the surface, but in reality, it was all empty promises. Just more pretty words from the upper city.
If Zaun lost Swain as a backer, they would be at the complete mercy of Piltover.
What was the value of a single council seat?
Not to mention, Piltover still had seven other seats. Even if Mel granted Zaun one, she could just as easily take it back.
Their fate would still be dictated by the whims of the Upper City. The same old story, just with new players.
Accepting Mel's proposal would be far worse than continuing to cooperate with Swain.
At least the Grand General wouldn't micromanage Zaun.
But if they accepted Mel's offer, Piltover would absolutely exert control over them.
The people of the Upper City had never seen the Undercity as their equals.
Silco had fought his entire life for one thing, respect. He wanted the people of Zaun to stand tall as human beings, not as subordinates to Piltover!"
"Hm."
Cipher raised a hand to calm the agitated Silco, nodding slightly to indicate that he understood.
Unlike Silco, he knew the storyline well. He understood that Mel likely had no ill intentions.
From how she was portrayed in the original material, there was nothing particularly objectionable about her character.
He was willing to believe that she genuinely wanted peace between both cities, but he still couldn't accept her offer.
Feelings aside, he had to be realistic.
There was a world of difference between holding a sword and not holding one.
Zaun's current weakness didn't mean they were safe, it just meant that Piltover hadn't yet decided to strike.
Whether it was individuals or nations, the only true security came from strength.
"It's unfortunate, but I must refuse again. I do not trust Piltover. My father and uncle were once forced to work in Piltover's mines, breathing in air so thick with dust it clogged their throats."
"How many miners died from toxic fumes? From overwork? And did the Piltover Council ever show them mercy?"
"On the Day of Ashes, all we wanted was a chance to survive. Did the Council grant us any kindness? No, all we saw were the barrels of enforcers' rifles, mowing us down without hesitation."
"My sister's mother… she died that day, shot by an enforcer. And all I could do was stand there and watch."
"If the Piltovan elites ever truly cared about Zaun, we wouldn't have had to watch our family and friends die before our eyes for so many years."
The deep-rooted injustices between Zaun and Piltover could never be fully accounted for.
Mel bore her share of responsibility, she was part of the system. The only difference was that she still had a conscience.
Cipher stood up and signaled for a waiter to bring him a takeaway bag. He planned to grab some good food for his younger siblings before leaving.
Was this action a bit shameless?
Yes.
But he felt no guilt about taking food with him, after all, Mel's wealth came from Piltover, and Piltover's wealth was built on the suffering of Zaun.
Any burden would fall on Piltover, not on him.
"Countless painful experiences have taught me one thing: the sword of Zaun must remain in Zaun's own hands."
"Even if that sword brings war?" Mel's voice was quiet now.
"Better an honest war than a false peace."
"Hoping for the mercy of others earns you no respect, it only makes you a sewer rat, a criminal in their eyes. And relying on others is pointless. I will not entrust Zaun's future to the Piltover Council. Farewell, Councilor Medarda."
Before leaving, Cipher made sure to reaffirm his stance.
He would never abandon weapon development, nor would he give up Swain's backing. Some prices were worth paying for independence.
