NABC Chapter 858: Ominous Blade (7k2 in 1)
Chapter 858: Ominous Blade (7k2 in 1)
Chapter 858: Ominous Blade (7k -in-)
"Then it's decided. All the spies will gather tonight." A masked congressman said in a deep voice in the congress hall: "I hope the two who are not involved in the operation will not leak the news. Patriarch Stevan should cooperate with us."
"Can I really trust Stevan? They are siblings after all, and I don't want to see the Gray Lady appear in the room when I'm sleeping."
"It should be okay, because Chief Stevan has made a request. If we decide to eliminate the Gray Lady, we must not damage the Hex Heart in her body."
"Heh." Mel chuckled.
No matter where they are, whether in Noxus or Piltover, people cannot escape the ugly greed and infighting. They say they are doing it for the future of Piltover, but in reality it is nothing more than a struggle for power and wealth and a desire for immortality.
The Mildal family did not want to get involved in this mess, because they did not think that the Grey Lady who had controlled the Twin Cities for so many years was a fool.
She remained an outsider, watching several lawmakers discuss the details until there was a hasty knock on the door of the parliament hall.
The parliamentarians were silent, perhaps dissatisfied.
"Who? Come in."
The person who walked in was the assistant of the masked congressman. He had an extremely solemn attitude. After apologizing to the congressmen, he quickly walked to the masked congressman and whispered a few words in his ear.
"What did you say?!"
The next moment, the masked congressman lost his composure and shouted.
Everyone immediately knew something had happened, and they all looked over. After several seconds, the masked councillor said in a hoarse voice, "Planck is dead. It was the work of Lady Gray and Sewell."
"……what?"
"The invitation from the Gray Lady to the Ocean Disaster was real, but it was not a collaboration, but a hunt. She only sent out Seville and two of his men to completely destroy Gangplank and his forces, and seized the Abyss. According to the traces, Seville must have created some secret weapon and tested it with Gangplank."
"..."
The conference hall fell silent.
The secret weapon?
What kind of weapon could give just three people the power to kill Gangplank?!
Not only did they kill him, they also destroyed Gangplank's forces and seized the Abyss? The strongest warship from Noxus had been dominating the sea for more than ten years, and even Noxus couldn't do anything about it, or didn't want to pay too much... but it was solved by just three people? !
"Senator Gilaman..."
"I don't know." Mrs. Jiraman said in amazement, "We did cooperate with Philos on weapons during this period, but it only involved universal capsules. The Jiraman family does not have powerful weapons that can destroy battleships."
The parliamentarians were silent again.
Until one of them forced a smile and said, "I thought Lady Camille would know her limits. How could she cooperate with the abominable pirates who robbed Piltover of countless wealth? This is really the best Evolution Day gift. I think your merchant ships will no longer have to worry about the invasion of Biltover pirates!"
"Yeah……"
"As expected of Lady Camille."
"Well...we have to go congratulate the Philos family for capturing the Dark Abyss battleship!"
As for the joint elimination of the Gray Lady?
Did anyone say anything like that?
……
"It's a storm."
Standing on the deck, bending over to examine Planck's body, which was larger than expected, Jorge thought to himself, "This guy, who was as strong as a bear, had already been seriously injured by himself before he suffered two fatal injuries. His bones were broken in many places and his strength was only one tenth of what it was."
This is also clearly reflected in the miserable conditions everywhere on the ship. If it were not for a giant ship like the Mingyuan, ordinary cargo ships and warships would have been torn into drifting planks on the sea.
But not a natural storm.
Magic? No, the magic-forbidden stone did not react.
It really is some kind of weapon, but what kind of weapon can cause a natural disaster of this scale? Can this weapon... be used on land?
'The Hextech flying gate is not perfect yet and the cost is too high. The Philos family is very interested in the pirates' long-distance navigation technology...' Camille's previous words were repeated in his mind again, and this time Jorge tasted something else.
Are you this interested?
A small place and a family that he looked down upon actually showed its fangs to him in an unexpected way, and he had to admit that these fangs were extremely ferocious and hideous!
'Grey Lady Camille...' At this moment, when he whispered this name, he already brought up the idea of equal respect, even fear.
If you want to go to Piltover and Zaun, the only way is by sea transportation, except through the Hexgate in Piltover. If Piltover has the ability to create storms at sea, it means that they are inherently invincible!
While "patrolling" alone with Ji Xing in the cabin of the Abyss, Camille's thoughts were more chaotic than anyone could imagine.
She never expected that her chief technician's 'self-certification' would bring such a big 'surprise'.
Weapons? Or something else?
No, that doesn’t really matter!
"You've disrupted my plan." After a long silence, she said to Ji Xing, "I originally wanted to find all the enemies who wanted to be enemies with the Philos family and eliminate them all at once, but now those cowards are probably only offering flattery."
"It's a good thing, isn't it?" Ji Xing said, "Killing people is not the only way to solve the problem. You stepped out from behind the scenes and made people respect you, which is better than just fearing you. Keeping the two cities relatively stable will be more conducive to future development."
"That's true, but I had no better way than killing before."
Camille nodded. "You gave me a surprise, a surprise far beyond my imagination, Sewell. Stevan made a choice that disappointed me, and I have no one to discuss with. The future actions will be decided by the two of us. You have proved that you are a strong man."
"You should take care of most things. If you encounter any problems, we can discuss it together." Ji Xing knew that he had transformed from a simple technician into a partner. As for moving up to the next level, he was not in a hurry for the time being and said with a smile.
Just like pretending to be a 'secret weapon', keeping a low profile and hiding behind the risk? Camille knew what Ji Xing meant, and her expression fluctuated.
This feeling is very strange. The Gray Lady of the Twin Cities will step out from behind the scenes, and there will be a 'Mr. Gray' behind the scenes?
"Who are the two assistants?"
"I happened to meet a Bilgewater bounty hunter who had a grudge against Gangplank." Ji Xing said, "I can't drive the ship back alone."
"Did they see the 'secret weapon'?"
“Well, they won’t talk too much.” Ji Xing held up a finger, and the breeze swirled on the tip of his finger.
"...Janna?"
"It has nothing to do with the goddess."
"Talent?" Camille looked down at the flooded cabin. This was a power that was enough to rewrite the story of a war on its own!
No wonder Seville was so confident. Although she had seen many wizards with innate magical powers in the Twin Cities throughout her long life, their naturalized combat capabilities were far inferior to hers!
But what is in front of us... is not necessarily the case.
He actually hides such power.
Not only is he a scientist, but he is also a powerful wizard. Even though Sewell said that this power has nothing to do with Janna, Camille couldn't help but think of it in the direction of the 'Son of God' or the 'Son of the Two Cities'.
She was not worried despite being shocked, or rather, she had never thought of becoming the highest and strongest queen, her only goal was to 'make Philos better'.
Instead, she was pleasantly surprised. This way, Philos and the Twin Cities would be able to face Demacia and Noxus more calmly. Bilgewater, where the fishery industry is most developed, could perhaps be a candidate for the third city besides the Twin Cities to build a more prosperous and bustling commercial archipelago?
Take it one step at a time and plan for the long term.
Her eyes suddenly turned to the cabin door, and Ji Xing had pulled it open without warning.
"Woo..." Catherine stumbled in with a low groan and almost fell. She looked up at Ji Xing and Camille and smiled embarrassedly.
"Lady Camille, Seville, you are here. I was just about to search this side. This seems to be... the first mate's room on the ship, right?"
"There's nothing to see. Everything has been soaked and damaged. I'm afraid the Dark Abyss will have to be repaired for a few months before it can be used again." Ji Xing greeted, "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Catherine."
"Please call me Officer Catherine or Law Enforcement Officer. This is what I should do." Catherine stepped back with a smile, and suddenly said, "By the way, Seville, I may need your help with a small matter in the next two days. When the time comes..."
“Just come to me.” Ji Xing said enthusiastically, “I will do my best no matter what. After all, Officer Catherine saved me before.”
"Thank you so much." Catherine thanked them and said goodbye. When she turned the corner and no longer saw the two people, her delicate face suddenly fell.
Saved you? Although I didn't hear the specific content, I really don't believe it at all!
Soon after, Ji Xing and Camille returned to the deck after "retrieving" the secret weapon impact force.
Jorge walked over with a gentle smile on his serious face. "I didn't have time to say hello just now. This is Mr. Seville, the chief technician of Philos who developed the universal capsule, right?"
Camille said, "I just mentioned General Jorge Brie of Demacia."
Well, a Demacia noble who is full of arrogance, prejudice, and rudeness. I don’t know why Prince Jarvan IV sent him.
Ji Xing smiled and shook hands with Jorge who also smiled: "Hello, General Jorge Burri, I am Seville."
The smile shows the friendship between both parties.
Smiles are also contagious.
When they stepped off the Abyss, they met several councillors and upper-class nobles of Piltover on the dock. They all congratulated Philos on his "great victory" with a smile and asked to visit the legendary battleship Abyss.
The smile quickly spread to the faces of every resident of Piltover. A prosperous business needs a strong military force to protect it. Many small merchants have suffered from the Bilgewater pirates for a long time. They have low risk resistance. If a ship is hijacked, it may lead to bankruptcy and the decline of their family business.
"Hahaha, this is truly the greatest gift I've received on Evolution Day!"
"Long live Piltover!"
"May the gears turn forward, and may there be more Sevilles and Jayces in Piltover!"
"Long live the Gray Lady!"
The festive atmosphere is becoming more and more lively.
On the Technological Magic Bridge, a woman in sexy leather armor hurried by, her long burgundy hair fluttering. She turned her head casually to feel the festive atmosphere. A long, fierce vertical scar passed through her left eye, adding a sharp color.
“It’s very happy and lively.”
……
Some people are happy that someone is worried.
Old Fulgrim's Tavern, Zaun.
The Alchemy Barons gathered together again and fell into deathly silence.
Zaun is also celebrating Evolution Day. The first floor of the tavern has entered a singing and dancing environment since last night, but it feels like another world apart from the others.
Sitting behind his desk, Hilco suddenly sighed, "I'm really disappointed to see you guys come to me."
The alchemist barons in front shuddered, remembering how they had been on the verge of death last time when they refused to cooperate, and remembered what Hilco had told them about the greatest magic weapon for Zaun's rise: loyalty.
But they did not move, because they were afraid of Hilco and they were afraid of death.
"Hilco, we're here to discuss... with you." Finn stuttered, "You must have heard about what happened in Upper City. Even a guy like Planck was easily dealt with. Should we... take a long-term view? Or should we get help from General Amistan and then..."
"General Amistan can't come to Zaun." Hilco interrupted hoarsely: "The value we show now is not worthy of her coming. Only by taking back the glimmer with our own strength and maintaining a stable supply for a period of time can we make her look at us in the right eye. This is how the world has always worked. You should understand this best."
"But……"
"What?" Hilco interrupted: "I don't know what a secret weapon is, but a secret weapon should be kept secret, rather than letting everyone know that they have such a thing, but not letting anyone see the true appearance of the weapon.
I guess it's not even necessarily a technological weapon, but some kind of magical item that's expensive to activate? It's not surprising that the long-standing Ferros family has something like that, and in any case, they wouldn't use it against Zaun."
Hilko was emotional: "Our actions will not be affected in any way, or rather, when the people of Piltover are united, we should tell them about the existence and demands of Zaun!
Do you know why I didn't choose the Dance Corridor this time? Look out the window, look at the stinking ditch that runs almost through the entire Zaun!
The polluted air that is impossible to breathe without a mask, and the average life expectancy of less than 20 years! The children of Zaun need a better environment!
Facing the threat of Piltover, we have been retreating. After today, they will become more prosperous, and we will only fall into a deeper abyss, and there will be no day to turn over. Jinx can be sacrificed, and even I, if you really want, I can take responsibility for the smuggling case, but you don’t have the courage to face the upper city, so are you ready to go back to the underground?"
The alchemy barons remained silent.
Hilco waved his hand and said, "Tonight's actions remain unchanged. I don't want to see you waver again, no matter what happens."
"..." The alchemy barons who were worried about losing everything were finally persuaded by Hilco's true feelings, and retreated bitterly one by one.
Only Sevika was left, looking at the silent Hilco facing the window, and asked, "Are you hesitating?"
"No, I won't hesitate." Hilcombe said silently, "I just don't understand why the situation is getting worse. After several years of hard work, all was lost in a few days. Doesn't Zaun really have a chance to stand up again?"
Because of what? Because of Seville?
"Alas, Seville...I should have found a way to meet him sooner."
……
"Oh~ Seville, I heard about your heroic deeds, but I still want to give you some advice."
At night, under the grand stage, Heimerdinger's head suddenly appeared in front of Ji Xing and pointed at his own head: "We scientists should be more committed to using technology to improve people's livelihood and the world. Your brain has greater value than others. You should protect yourself instead of performing some three-man show of seizing a ship."
"I understand, I will definitely do it next time."
Jisung smiled and turned to introduce, "Sarah, Raven, this is Professor Heimerdinger."
"Hello, Professor Heimerdinger, the great inventor. I have heard of your name since I was very young." Sarah said.
"Really?" Heimerdinger stood on tiptoe and could tell at a glance that the two people did not belong to Piltover: "Welcome to Piltover, and happy Evolution Day. Are you the two heroes who defeated the Great Pirate together with Sewell? It must have been a magnificent battle, really amazing."
"Professor, you really discriminate."
Heimerdinger naturally replied: "Everyone has different responsibilities. Just like tonight, Jayce's responsibility is to do a good job in his Evolution Day speech, so that the people of Piltover and Zaun will have a greater sense of belonging and make the future of the two cities better."
At this moment, they were in a corner of the Piltover Tower conference hall, where guests from all over the world had gradually taken their seats.
The higher the status, the further forward one sits. For example, the senators, Camille, General Jorge of Demacia, etc. sit in the front row.
Of course, Ji Xing was qualified to sit there, but he felt that he had already been in the spotlight enough today, so he would not steal the show at night.
As for Heimerding, he found Ji Xing in the corner, so he sat over, "complained" about Ji Xing's adventure in the morning, and started chatting with Ji Xing about the latest scientific research.
Sarah inherited her mother's skills and talent in making firearms, but after listening for a while, she still felt confused and couldn't help but look at Raven.
Even now, she still felt absurd because she didn't believe that 'Mage Roger is the universal capsule Seville'. This is outrageous.
Time passed slowly, and when the venue suddenly became quiet, Heimerdinger stopped his unfinished discussion with Ji Xing and looked towards the stage. As expected, the main character of the night appeared.
"Won't you go up front?"
Heimerdinger shook his head, hugged his pet Poro that was jumping under the chair, and said, "Just sit here... Where did you go just now?"
Whoosh~ Whoosh~ With the cute calls, Ji Xing also reached out to tease the Poro.
As the handsome Jace, who was dressed in a neat suit, waved his hand on the stage, the venue burst into warm applause and even whistles.
Jace was obviously a little nervous. When he stood behind the lecture table and supported himself with his hands, his shoulders slumped somewhat unnaturally, and his hands really used force.
"Uh..." He paused and said, looking at the familiar but unfamiliar faces below, "I know that many people may be surprised to see that I am the one giving a speech tonight, because there are many people who may be more qualified than me, such as our dear Professor Heimerdinger, my greatest helper Victor, or Sewell..."
There was a slight commotion in the audience. No one expected Jace to start his speech in such an unconfident way.
But then Jace straightened up and said, "But I am standing here tonight and I will not let you down. I have prepared the latest technology to share with you, the latest achievements of Hextech!"
"Oh--"
"really?"
"Let's see quickly!"
The crowd was immediately filled with enthusiasm, except for Heimerdinger, who couldn't help but frown. He spread his hands and whispered, "Oh, how could this happen? This morning I advised Jayce and Viktor not to bring out those unreliable inventions, and that it would be better to concentrate on research for another ten years... It seems that they have their own ideas, or... "
He held Poro in his hand and looked at Ji Xing: "Are you inspired by you, Sewell?"
Ji Xing kept silent and refused to take the blame.
But he knew that perhaps it was really because of his own "stimulation" that Jace made a different choice.
He took out a crystal-clear glass ball and showed it to everyone: "I call it 'Hex Gem'. It is a more stable and more powerful energy source than Hex Crystal.
Believe me, even if you hit it hard with a hammer, nothing will happen. Viktor and I have confirmed this repeatedly and demonstrated it to Professor Heimerdinger, but on this occasion, I will not demonstrate it to you again. "
"Why use a hammer as an example? Haha, some people may know that I was born in an ordinary family and make hammers for a living. I have a special affinity for hammers."
He joked to himself and said, "By the way, I have been familiar with various minerals since I was a child, and I understand the hard work of miners. That's why I came up with the invention that I will show you first tonight."
As he spoke, two people came up from the back of the stage with props, a huge 'fist' and a huge stone.
"This is the Atlas glove."
He put on boxing gloves, put on gems, and crushed the stone into pieces in full view of the crowd, causing exclamations from the audience.
“It allows miners in the rift to work more easily and tirelessly.”
"This is the Hex Claw, a mechanical arm that can emit high-energy rays..."
Everyone was amazed by Jace's demonstration, praising the amazing progress of technology.
The Demacia general Jorge, who was sitting in the front row, thought that this was all that Piltover had brought. At this moment, he could not help but straighten up again with his eyes wide open.
This thing... is used for mining?
If you can crush stones, you can crush heads!
These guys in Piltover have actually developed weapons to this extent? !
This can already affect the situation in Valoran!
Camille was also slightly surprised. She looked at Jace on the stage with admiration and tilted her head to look at Senator Gilaman who was smiling.
The emergence of more stable Hextech gems and the further development of weapons are also of strategic significance to her. Her equipment... can be considered for an upgrade!
After Jayce took out the two inventions, everyone except Heimerdinger felt that the trip was worthwhile. Mrs. Piltover once again felt excited and proud, and praised Heimerdinger, Jayce, Sewell and other scientists in her heart who supported the continuous progress of the City of Progress.
Non-Piltover residents were ready to shell out money.
The Evolution Day speech came to an end in a heated atmosphere. Ji Xing turned around and comforted the sulking Heimerdinger: "I admit that you are right. Except for special cases like the universal capsule, ten years is not a long time for a risky invention to be put into civilian use."
"I'm glad you understand, Seville..."
"But for some people, ten years is too long." Ji Xing said, "Have you ever thought that Victor's body can still hold out for another ten years?"
Heimerdinger was stunned for a moment, then gradually became depressed: "I always forget these things."
"You've seen too much. Now that it has happened, let's work together to help them reduce the risk, how about that?"
"Well~Okay, I'll listen to you. You are always as mature as my peers, Seville."
“Maybe I’m aging prematurely.”
Taking advantage of the convenience of sitting in the back corner, after the Evolution Day speech, he took Sarah and Raven out of the venue and sent them to the arranged hotel: "This is it, you just go in and report the name of the Philos family."
"Thank you for your hospitality today." Sarah smiled and said, "Actually, this is my first time in Piltover. It's really nice here."
"Aren't you planning to settle down?" Ji Xing asked.
"Being your subordinate? It's very attractive and promising." Sarah waved her arms casually. "But forget it. Although Piltover is beautiful, it doesn't belong to us. There are people waiting for me to return to Bilgewater. The news of Gangplank's death has not been reported back yet. We should return to grab the territory tomorrow morning!
As for you, please come to Bilgewater when you have time, and we will treat you well."
"Will go."
"It's a deal!" Sarah said, and then she seemed to be thinking about something. "There might be a big event in Bilgewater in two months. Do you want to join us? I won't tell you what it is yet. If you're interested, you can go there around November 11st."
Ji Xing looked at her slightly twinkling eyes and smiled, "I will definitely go if I have time."
"It's a deal." Sarah repeated, "Goodbye, great wizard."
"Goodbye."
Ji Xing watched the two of them enter the hotel and stay in two luxurious suites arranged by Philos. He turned and walked on the street which was gradually getting quieter as the night deepened. The wind brought Sarah and Raven's conversation into his ears.
"Hey, Captain, is it really okay to trick him away near the Haunting?"
"Although we don't know the scale of this year's Haunting, the island will definitely be in chaos and danger after Gangplank's death. Alas, that thing can't threaten his life. At most, I can let him shoot me a few times... We won't find another helper like him."
“Soul-Erosion Night…” Ji Xing murmured, “What the hell is that?”
He shook his head and continued to return to Lanxun Manor.
At the same time, Jorge and other Demacians had returned to Blue Smoke Manor with Camille and moved into the houses that had been prepared for them.
Alone, Jorge took off his heavy armor and thought about what he had seen and heard today.
It's a bit embarrassing.
As a general of Demacia, he came to a remote city-state like Piltover and felt as if he had never seen the world before. He was shocked many times.
But the universal weapons, the secret weapons that created the storm, and the Hextech weapons have truly demonstrated their value.
Let's put the Hextech weapons aside for now, as they use evil magic after all, but the other two...if the Bree family can get them...
“This may be an opportunity.”
How can I obtain the technology of the Ferros family at the lowest cost and with the least effort? Demacia is not Noxus, I can't...
As Jorge entered the bathroom thinking, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck.
Hmm? How can I...
The world is spinning!
Without being able to see anything clearly and without having time to put up any resistance, the beheaded Demacian general Jorge Brie fell to the ground and died, his blood quickly covering half of the bathroom!
The blood seemed not as red as the burgundy hair. The female assassin who had been lying in ambush for a long time calmly cleaned the blood off the strange-shaped blade.
"Commander Swain, mission accomplished."
But it seems... it's not enough.
7k4 two-in-one chapter.
(End of this chapter)