On December 17th, less than half a month away from the 985th year of the Noxian calendar, preparations were underway in the upper city of Piltover, with Hex Gate operations halted under Jayce's orders, now in a period of rest.
However, in the under city of Zaun, a period of rapid development was unfolding. Unlike the apparent tranquility of Piltover, Zaun's populace, under the influence of various policies enacted by Silco in the past six months, had become aware of one thing:
Zaun was truly striving for independence.
Regardless of whether Piltover recognized the treaties issued without their consent, Zaun's attitude was clear. If Piltover disagreed, it was Piltover's problem; Zaun was determined to be independent.
"Zaun will achive independence, who cares about you Piltover?"
The Sheriff of Piltover, who originally could control both Piltover and Zaun, was no longer in that position. Try having your Piltover sheriff come down and manage things now!
Bang!
Let's see if your Piltover sheriff Marcus is powerful or Zaun's big sister Sevika is powerful!
In any case, the upper echelons of Zaun were now in a state of preparedness.
And today, in the morning, the two additional rooms on the second floor of the old Zoran store had new occupants.
"Uh, Kaisa, you go first, I'm not in a hurry."
Early in the morning, preparing to go to the middle layer of Zaun, Zevi watched Kaisa, who had simultaneously opened the door and headed to the bathroom, and Zevi instinctively said.
But Kaisa immediately shook her head, took out her toothbrush and toothpaste, holding the cup, said to Zevi, "I'm not going to the bathroom, I'm cleaning my teeth."
"Now that you mention it... it seems like it really is. I haven't seen you... go... before."
Zevi looked at Kaisa and said strangely.
Zevi was about to ask Kaisa why she ate so much every day, but never uses the bathroom. But before she can say it, she heard a commotion from the other rooms.
Linwin and Viktor walked out of their rooms respectively.
Linwin's room was next to Kaisa's, Viktor's room was in between Linwin and Zoran, and Zevi lived in the room opposite Viktor.
"Good morning."
Linwin and Viktor greeted, then looked at Zevi and said, "By the way, are you and Viktor going to the armory this afternoon?"
Zevi immediately said, "Viktor is curious about how Powder works and how she designs those weapons. They look rough, but they're actually very sophisticated."
"She's a genius in this field, Linwin, but the things she designs... their destructive power is too great. Actually, she could try to reduce the potency a bit," Viktor hesitated and said.
Hearing Viktor's words, Linwin didn't find it strange. He smiled and said, "Viktor, Ekko is already helping Powder reduce the lethality of the weapons. The soft ice balls are a perfect example."
"But you should know, if we keep reducing the power just for Piltover's sake, it will be the people of Zaun who suffer the damage."
"I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. You've only been back for less than two months, and we're already going to war with Piltover?"
Viktor waved his hand and continued, "Never mind, Linwin, that's your business. I'll just focus on my own work."
In fact, Viktor helping Zaun design weapons was already a significant change for him. Originally, both Jayce and Viktor's initial intentions were to use Hextech to benefit humanity, and they never thought of using it to create weapons.
But now, Viktor was slowly changing his perspective because Piltover already had Hextech weapons, not made by him and Jayce, but they existed.
"Okay, I'll go to Vander's place with Kaisa later. You and Zevi can take care of yourselves."
Linwin stretched his body and yawned.
Kaisa, brushing her teeth, holding a cup, asked, "I'm going too?"
"Well, you're a major force, but if you don't want to, it's fine. We probably don't need that many people." Linwin added.
Kai'Sa took out her toothbrush, mouth full of foam, and looked at Linwin seriously, saying, "It's not that I don't want to go. I want to help you. You've taken care of me for so many days, and I should do something to repay you. But, Linwin, I don't want to kill people."
"Your task is to control the enemies, while also protecting the people of Zaun."
Putting the toothbrush back into her mouth, Kaisa mumbled, "That's okay, I want to go."
"Okay."
Taking up his own toothbrush, Linwin stood next to Kaisa.
The two brushed their teeth facing the mirror.
"Linwin, can you move a bit? Your hand is squeezing me."
"Where should I move? Zevi and Viktor moved in, and this place is only this big."
"Your hand touched me."
"Uh, sorry, I didn't notice."
I knew the touch felt strange.
The place where the elbow touched had a somewhat armored feel, but it was soft.
———
In the afternoon, Linwin arrived at Vander's place.
After Linwin and Kaisa arrived, they waited for a while until most people were present.
Silco, Vander, Linwin, Vi, Kaisa, Powder, Singed, Sevika, and the other alchemists, including Black Ice and some chem barons, were in the room.
"Is the date set for the first?"
"Isn't this a bit rushed? Um, I mean, it's fine. Setting it on the first day of the new year might bring good luck for the entire year."
Silco placed his hands on the table, took a deep breath, and continued, "No questioning. The date is set for the first, and we'll act in fourteen days."
Sevika played with a uniquely shaped old-fashioned windproof lighter, seemingly aged. She toyed with the lighter, asking, "So who's going?"
"Me Me Me, I'm definitely going!" Vi, in her enforcer uniform, rubbed her hands together, showing a smile. "I'm going."
"And me!" Powder stood next to Vi and immediately raised her hand.
Because she was too short and afraid of not being seen, she even jumped a few times.
"I can help! Almost all the weapons you use are created by me."
Powder said loudly.
Sevika kept turning the lighter, and the constant motion bothered Linwin.
"Could you stop playing with that lighter? It does look nice."
Sevika paused, seemingly surprised that Linwin noticed her lighter, then shook her head. "I'm not allowed to smoke, and now I can't play with my lighter either?"
"I'm turning my lighter, and it doesn't affect you."
"Where did you get this?"
"It's from a dead chem baron." Sevika said in a seemingly insignificant tone, "He was ambitious and obstructive. In the end, Vander accidentally killed him. I really liked this lighter; he used to turn it in front of me all the time, so I took it."
Linwin: "Why didn't I know about this?"
"You've been away for these years, and there are many things you don't know."
Sevika snorted.
Linwin still wanted to say something.
Then, he noticed Silco giving him a displeased look from the side.
"Say...."
"Is it the time to discuss lighters now?" Silco asked Linwin coldly.
"Uh, sorry."
"You continue."
Silco covered his face, then continued, "Anyway, Powder, you can't go."
"Why?!" Upon hearing that she couldn't go, Powder immediately jumped up, stood on the table, and stomped her feet, saying, "Why can't I go? Vi can go, why can't I?"
"Powder, although I usually don't like him, this time I'm on his side." Vi also stood up, and everyone watched as Vi got on the table too. She reached out and pulled Powder down by the waist. Vi smiled and said, "There's no reason for a scientist to go to the battlefield."
"I-I'm a sharpshooter!"
"I'm not just some scientist!"
"I'm an invincible marksman, pew pew!" Powder was being held by Vi, but she danced and howled, making shooting gestures towards Silco.
Vi held Powder and said with a smile, "But I'm the boxing champion."
"F*** your boxing champion!"
Seeing that the quiet moment hadn't lasted for long, Silco sincerely felt exhausted. Then, with all his strength, he slammed the table and shouted, "Enough!"
Silco lost his temper once again!
////Did upload yesterday cuz busy, if something like didn't upload happen in the future it's the same reason and I'll update twice the chapter next day :)////
Despite strong opposition, Silco decided to set the assault on Piltover for the first day of the new year.
However, what should have been a serious and solemn meeting gradually took a different turn.
Those who maintained seriousness during the meeting were only Silco and two chem barons. Others, including Vander and the female chem baron Black Ice, were incredibly relaxed.
Blaming Linwin and Powder for this change in the atmosphere was inevitable. Especially Powder, as she had a knack for making things lighthearted. Now, she was leaning on Silco's shoulder, causing the usually serious leader of Zaun to fall into a "no movement" debuff.
"Let me go, please, Silco! You always helped me!" Powder's hands were clasped together as she rubbed her head against Silco's shoulder. Using a sweet voice, she said, "This is a battle of destiny. As a person from Zaun, how can I possibly hide and watch?"
"Powder, I'll also stay in Zaun when the time comes."
Silco initially didn't want to engage with Powder. Despite maintaining this stern expression, he secretly enjoyed Powder's antics.
However, seeing the displeased looks from Vander and Vi, Silco sighed. In a hushed tone, he spoke to Powder, "Each of us has our own tasks. We need to focus on what we're supposed to do. Powder, fighting is not what we should be doing. You've already done everything you needed to do. Now, what you need is to calm down and patiently wait for their good news."
"I don't want to!"
"Powder, listen to me."
Silco tried to pacify her like he would a child.
On the other side, Vi approached Linwin.
"This time I finally get to act together with you, Sir Lorant?"
"Quit it, don't call me that."
"Then, big brother?"
"So? It's not like Vander is planning to stop you again this time?" Linwin looked at Vi, a hint of a smile on his face. Vi lightly punched Linwin and continued, "Vander can't beat me now."
Vi added, "So, of course, he won't stop me."
Linwin nodded.
Vi would, of course, join this mission. She was no longer the young girl she used to be. With the complete set of Hextech equipment designed by Powder and the emergency use of Shimmer, Vi's combat capabilities, excluding Linwin, Janna, and Kai'Sa, had become the top of Zaun.
Originally a natural fighter, Vi, with good weapons, had grown into the enforcer Linwin was familiar with from Piltover.
However, Vi was now a Zaun enforcer.
Linwin asked her, "Which team do you want to join? Do you want to go with Ekko's flying squad, or with me and Kai'Sa? Of course, I think you should go with Sevika."
"I'll think about it."
Vi looked up, thought for a moment, but then asked Linwin, "Uh, which team do you think I should go to?"
"You and Sevika don't get along well, and Ekko's team doesn't need a frontline assault. Their mission is to maintain order. So, just stick with me?"
"Linwin, I've grown up. I don't need you to protect me anymore." Vi, upon hearing Linwin's words, immediately looked at him with a helpless expression, her tone losing its previous excitement.
It's been so long, but does Linwin still see her as a child?
"No, what I mean is, I need you."
"?"
"Really?"
"Of course, I really need you and those fists of yours." Linwin patted Vi's head with a smile. Vi didn't dodge and instead chuckled, biting her lip.
"So, you finally admit my strength?"
"What kind of talk is that? I've always believed in you. It's just that before, it wasn't about lacking ability, Vi. It was about not being old enough," Linwin said confidently.
But Vi looked at Linwin and wanted to say, 'Then what about you? You're just one year older than me, Linwin, just one year!'
However, considering the things Linwin had done, she held back. If it weren't for that, Linwin wouldn't be the older brother she admired and looked up to.
"Oh, by the way, there's something I want to tell you."
Vi looked at Linwin, coughed, and then continued"
Go on."
"Linwin, I met a friend in the upper city. We have a good relationship, and her identity is quite complicated. So, can I go find her when the time comes? Of course, I will prioritize the mission, and I'll only look for her once the task is completed."
Vi, seeing Linwin's strange look, quickly added, "Just as you said, we're not fighting against Piltover but against the elite of Piltover. If they are good elites, we can spare them, right? She's a good person."
//// In Chinese, he and she sounds almost identical so when Vi is saying "she(ta)" Linwin think Vi was saying "he(ta)" ////
"Do you have a crush on someone?" Linwin looked at Vi strangely.
Vi wasn't someone who stumbled over her words, but when she mentioned that friend just now, her expression was quite strange. This made Linwin sensitive.
Is that punk trying to snatch my dear little sister?
"Of course not! Linwin, what are you thinking?"
"Tell me about this 'friend' from the upper city. Which family is it? Vi, you better inform him in advance to stay away from the Sun Gates on the Bridge and Piltover's Conference Center, because those are the only two places we're occupying."
"Other areas won't be affected; they will be safe. But Vi, I suddenly want to meet your friend, just as a brother."
Linwin said with narrowed eyes.
He couldn't predict how the people around him would end up now. After all, what he thought would be a pair, like Jayce and Caitlyn, didn't turn out that way. Now, Jayce is with Councilor Mel.
Viktor has a little assistant who secretly admires him. Luckily, she's a Zaunite girl who followed Victor to the Zaun Academy.
Powder and Jinx have a certain connection, although, well, if you know, you know.
Kai'Sa is no longer struggling in the sands of Shurima; now, she lives a comfortable life with Linwin in Zaun.
In short, the development paths differ significantly from what Linwin imagined.
So, if Vi has someone she likes and he's from Piltover...
Linwin would have to meet him properly, preferably bringing Vander along!
Because our precious family jewl isn't that easy to be taken!
Looking at Vi, who is clear-eyed, handsome, and beautiful, Linwin thought seriously.
"You..."
Vi helplessly spread her hands.
"You're really overthinking it, Linwin. She's not a man; she's a woman."
"Uh, are you looking for your bestie?" Linwin blinked.
Well, if it's a woman, then there's no problem.
Vi couldn't possibly like women, right?
Even though she's had a tomboy image since childhood, it was just to stand out among the boys. After all, long hair and skirts aren't convenient for fighting.
But Linwin quickly became flustered.
Because the Vi in front of him suddenly blushed.
Linwin immediately asked, "Why are you blushing?"
"Well, actually... if I tell you, promise not to laugh at me."
Vi pretended to clear her throat.
"I guess you could say I like her, and, well, it seems mutual. I can feel it...."
Linwin: "???"
Whoa, that's a lot of information!
Hey, Vi, what are you doing?!
"Her name is Caitlyn. She's a councilor's daughter."
"Though she's from Piltover, my senses for her are good. We joined hands during a thief-catching mission in the upper city, and then... we got to know each other."
"Linwin, can you just let her...."
"Linwin?"
"Lorant?!"
Vi looked at Linwin, who seemed completely lost, and she was taken aback.
But what about Linwin?
He was genuinely shocked.
Is my sister really that kind of person?
No, I'm not naive!
But wait a minute.
Vi and Caitlyn?
This ship was quite popular though....
Linwin found the key point!
My sisters are not normal at all!
One is a potential Yuri, and the other with a brother complex!
Linwin: "..."
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