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Arcane: TTB: Ch. 26
🕑 Added 2025-01-31 22:27:30 +0000 UTCSeveral massive warships were docked in Piltover's harbor, the black flags of Noxus fluttering in the wind.
"So, this is the private domain that matriarch left as a reserve for her family?"
"Truly wealthy. Hmm, and also weak. The fear in the eyes of the people says it all. They've grown too comfortable here, afraid of bloodshed and terrified of sacrifice."
"The Empire's forces could crush all resistance without lifting a finger and completely conquer this place!"
The moment Lester set foot on the soil of Piltover, he noticed the vast number of large merchant ships in its harbor. Each vessel was filled with goods from across the world.
The sheer volume of transport was astonishing. The docks bustled with activity, cranes lifting cargo and workers rushing to and fro like ants around sugar.
Above, countless floating airships served as advanced means of transportation. It was a display of technological might that would impress anyone but a Noxian general.
Further out, he could see exquisitely decorated buildings, wide streets, and roads paved with what appeared to be expensive white stone.
These all symbolized immense wealth. The entire city radiated a golden aura of luxury and affluence. Yet to Lester's trained eye, it all seemed like a gilded cage.
But beyond these displays of wealth, he also noticed the deep fear the people held toward him, and toward Noxus. Every civilian who caught sight of his uniform quickly found somewhere else to be.
Such profound fear.
Just as it should be.
Fat, plump lambs, juicy and tender. What a pity they're already penned in by the House Medarda. Such a pity...
Lester's eyes revealed a tinge of regret. He had hoped to claim such a perfect piece of land as a reserve for his newly established family.
The wealth here could fund an army for years.
"General Lester." A woman's voice called out to him. "Welcome to Piltover."
Mel stood at the harbor's edge, her elegant white gown catching the sunlight. A practiced smile graced her features as she approached the Noxian general.
Lester turned from his observation of the harbor, his boots clicking against the stone dock. So this is the Iron Wolf's daughter.
"Ah, Good morning, Miss Medarda. Your reputation precedes you."
He concealed his predatory gaze and returned the greeting with courtesy.
Swain had potential plans for a political alliance with the matriarch of the House Medarda. It would not do to be disrespectful in the presence of her daughter, even if this she had been exiled by her own mother.
"As does yours, General." She bowed her head slightly. "I trust your journey from Noxus was uneventful?"
"As uneventful as Noxian waters ever are. Though I must say, your mother's influence does make certain passages remarkably smooth. My mentor speaks of her often, a truly formidable warrior."
Mel's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "You honor us with such praise, General. Though here in Piltover, I prefer to be addressed as Councilor Medarda."
Her tone carried a hint of displeasure, showing no delight at the compliment to her mother.
"In Piltover, titles reflect merit, not bloodlines," she added, her chin lifting slightly.
"Of course... Councilor... Medarda. My apologies for the oversight"
A strange smile curved Lester's lips. He had a good idea now why Mel had been banished by the Iron Wolf. Her attempts at projecting power were as transparent as Piltovan glass.
Weak and naive, traits that left no room for survival in the iron-blooded world of Noxus.
However, this also made him suspect that the Iron Wolf's exile of Mel was not as simple as the rumors suggested. She didn't waste resources, even failed ones.
"But I must remind you that the title of Piltover Councilor does not hold the same prestige as being a member of the House Medarda."
His words appeared to be a reminder but were actually a test. Every reaction could reveal a weakness he could report back to Swain.
If he could grasp the Iron Wolf's weakness, it would give his mentor greater leverage within the Empire.
"Your mother speaks highly of Piltover's potential," he probed further.
"Does she? Last I heard, she considered potential without action to be worthless."
"Perhaps that's why you're here, and not in Noxus."
"Piltover is a city of balanced progress. Here, I don't believe we require Noxian methods."
Mel smiled as she responded, though she was well aware of the Noxians' ways.
This was a group that only respected strength. Lester might show some superficial politeness, but only because of her mother and the Medarda name.
A Piltover councilor? Sorry, the Noxians wouldn't acknowledge it!
"As you wish."
Lester agreed to Mel's request, and his demeanor shifted immediately. The pretense of warmth vanished like morning mist.
"Councilor Medarda, my visit here is for the purpose of commercial cooperation with Zaun. I trust the letter my mentor sent to the House Medarda clarified the intent."
To reach Zaun, one had to pass through Piltover. Swain, to avoid any misunderstandings, had specifically written to the Iron Wolf explaining the purpose.
"Indeed, I've received a message from my family and will do my best to assist with your commercial collaboration."
Mel's expression grew somewhat complicated. She hadn't expected the Noxians to bypass Piltover entirely and establish direct trade relations with Zaun and Swain. It was like watching a predator ignore a guard dog to speak directly with the sheep.
Her mother had mentioned Swain in the letter, a leader so formidable that even she approached him with caution. Mel had been instructed to maintain goodwill at all costs.
And Lester was Swain's prized protégé, a direct representative of his will.
"Do you know much about Cipher? He is the target of my business collaboration this time. My mentor, Swain, is quite interested in his inventions."
Lester's eyes gleamed as he sought information on Cipher. Every word Mel spoke or didn't speak would be valuable intelligence.
He hadn't forgotten the task Swain assigned him, to understand Cipher's policies through Piltover's leadership.
"Tell me about him. What do you know of him?"
"Cipher? Although I've invested in some of his inventions, I don't know much about him," Mel replied after some thought.
"I only know he's a machinist from Zaun, once publicly shared his patents, and even demanded better treatment for workers."
She lowered her head in contemplation but found nothing remarkable about him beyond his exceptional research capabilities.
Lately, her focus had been on Jayce and his research into the Hexgate, leaving little attention for Cipher or Zaun.
"Oh, I see." What ignorance.
Lester smiled faintly. He realized that Mel, as a leader of Piltover, held an even more dismissive attitude toward Zaun than he had expected.
According to the intelligence, Cipher had already unified Zaun, revitalized its industries, stimulated its economy, and aggressively expanded its military.
His goals were practically obvious, launching a direct strike against Piltover to secure rights through force.
And yet, the councilors of Piltover were completely unaware. Zaun lay right under their noses, and they remained ignorant of its developments.
Neither Piltover's leadership nor its residents took Zaun seriously.
It seemed they believed they could crush Zaun effortlessly.
But was that really the case?
Did they even realize what was brewing beneath their feet?
Lester was intrigued.
"General, what are your plans next? Perhaps you could visit the Medarda estate and experience Piltover's hospitality," Mel offered, her tone honey-sweet.
This was essentially a Noxian-style invitation of mutual benefit. Mel intended to introduce Lester to other councilors, laying the groundwork for trade agreements between the two sides.
It was also a test, a way to probe his true intentions.
She didn't believe for a moment that Lester had come all this way just to do business in Zaun.
"Surely a few hours' delay..." she pressed when he didn't immediately respond.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Councilor Medarda, but I must first deliver my goods to Zaun. My business partner there is quite impatient."
Lester declined without hesitation. "In my experience, timing is everything in both war and commerce."
His mentor valued Cipher greatly, and Lester needed to meet him first to determine his approach to Piltover. Until then, he couldn't recklessly accept Piltover's overtures.
"In that case, I won't keep you any longer, General. When you have time, you're welcome to visit the Medarda estate," Mel said, her pupils narrowing slightly.
Lester's refusal had made one thing clear, Swain's focus was on Zaun.
Something significant must have happened in Zaun that she was unaware of. And based on Lester's inquiries about Cipher, it was highly likely that this change was brought about by the machinist.
"My butler will escort you to Zaun. We wouldn't want you to... lose your way," Mel said, forcing a smile. She needed to understand everything that had transpired in Zaun recently.
"Thank you for your help, Councilor Medarda," Lester replied, his deep gaze accompanied by a subtle, enigmatic smile.
"Though sometimes, losing one's way leads to the most interesting discoveries."
Without stirring the waters of Zaun and Piltover, and letting the problems fully erupt, it would be difficult for him to deliver the perfect answer to his mentor.
