Arcane: TTB: Ch. 142

"Wait, don't rush off just yet, Jayce. I need you to do me a favor."

Cipher caught up with him, placing a hand on Jayce's shoulder with a smile.

"What kind of favor are we talking about?"

Jayce raised an eyebrow, already sensing that something complicated and probably dangerous was about to be dropped on his plate.

"You see those four warriors besides Emystan? The ones in the crimson armor?"

"Their combat skills are impressive. My regular drone attack mode can't handle fighters of that caliber, but if I switch to maximum firepower mode, the damage would be catastrophic, definitely not suitable for operations inside a populated area."

"I need you to help me subdue them. I have great plans for those soldiers."

He pointed at the main display screen, where the Crimson Elite were clearly maintaining their defensive positions.

Riven had caught not only Cipher's attention but even earned praise from Swain, who had specifically requested that they be captured alive if possible.

The truth was that soldiers like Riven represented the true backbone of Noxian military strength, honorable, skilled, and utterly loyal to their principles rather than to corrupt leadership. And as the leader of Zaun, Cipher currently lacked a proper elite guard unit for protection. He couldn't remain safely hidden in Zaun forever, eventually duties would require him to travel, and without reliable bodyguards, his safety would become a problem.

Riven's sudden appearance provided the perfect solution to fill that gap.

"Yeah, no problem at all. That should be easy work."

Jayce agreed after studying the situation for just a few seconds. Based on the Crimson Elite's demonstrated capabilities, his Hextech Dragon could definitely subdue them without serious harm.

But for some inexplicable reason, the moment he gave his agreement, the hair on the back of his neck stood up as though some terrible predator was stalking him from behind.

Yet when he turned around to investigate the source of his unease, all he could see was Powder smiling sweetly at him.

As fellow students who had both learned under Heimerdinger's guidance, he had always been fond of his brilliant colleague. Assuming his instincts were just stress from the current crisis, he shook his head to clear it, then boarded the airship with Caitlyn to return to Piltover.

---

Meanwhile, in Piltover's grand Council chamber, the debates were still raging. The room echoed with raised voices and passionate arguments, resembling nothing so much as a chaotic marketplace where each councilor was loudly hawking their own opinions.

Standing quietly behind Mel's chair, Ambessa caught the eye of Salo across the circular chamber.

Salo gave a subtle nod, confirming he had received her signal and was ready to play his assigned role.

"We are supposedly tasked with maintaining order and protecting this city, yet we've grown so dangerously complacent that today Zaun's forces have occupied our Hexgate facility!"

He struck the council table forcefully with his fist, instantly commanding the attention of every person in the room.

"I hope none of you have forgotten that the Hexgate represents Piltover's lifeline! Every single aspect of our commerce relies on its transportation capabilities."

"Every day that facility remains shut down costs our city an astronomical sum of money!"

"This situation is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue!"

After delivering his passionate speech, Salo sent Mel a discreet look.

Mel immediately understood the subtext, her mother had clearly been working to orchestrate this performance.

After considering her options for a moment, she decided to support her. At present, they were fighting on the same side of this conflict; she had no reason to oppose the strategy.

"Councilor Salo raises a valid point. The losses from the Hexgate's shutdown are indeed unsustainable. I'm curious to hear whether he has developed any solutions to propose."

"Though I hate to admit our weakness, Zaun's recent display clearly surpasses anything Piltover currently possesses."

She massaged her temples, clearly overwhelmed by the crisis they were facing.

"Since we find ourselves at war, I believe it would be prudent to seek guidance from someone with battlefield experience and expertise."

Salo gestured toward Ambessa.

"General Medarda has fought across countless battlefields throughout the Noxian campaigns, earning a legendary reputation for tactical brilliance and decisive victories. The forces under her command are renowned for their discipline and effectiveness."

"If she were to assume responsibility for coordinating Piltover's emergency defense, I have complete confidence that our current crisis would be resolved swiftly."

Another councilor, one whose extensive trade relationships with the House Medarda made his loyalties quite obvious.

"I wholeheartedly support this recommendation. We desperately need action to resolve the current emergency before it spirals out of control."

Cassandra glanced toward Ambessa, and upon receiving a subtle confirming nod, also voiced her agreement to the plan.

"Very well, I concede we appear to have no alternatives remaining. It's clearly time to request assistance. We simply cannot afford to let the Hexgate situation deteriorate further."

Mel reluctantly agreed.

With four votes secured, the opinions of the remaining councilors became irrelevant to the outcome.

"In that case, General Medarda, we would be honored to formally invite you to serve as Piltover's Emergency Military Commander."

Salo leaned back comfortably in his chair, spreading his arms in a gesture of welcome as he addressed Ambessa.

"Please, allow me to say something important first. When facing a crisis of this magnitude, our most urgent priority must be unifying our stance and providing clear leadership to reassure our citizens. Personal feelings and individual ambitions must be completely set aside."

Ambessa raised her hand, declining the offered position of Military Commander.

For someone like herself, a foreign general completely unfamiliar to Piltover's population, to suddenly assume such a leadership role would be highly inappropriate and counterproductive.

Her true objective was to coordinate Piltover's defensive capabilities with Zaun's forces, working together to achieve the goals that Swain had established, goals that would inevitably put them in direct opposition to the current Noxian imperial regime.

Therefore, for the role of Piltover's military leader, she had identified a much more suitable candidate in mind.

"And who exactly did you have in mind for this position?" Salo asked.

"I propose we announce to the entire city that we are appointing a General to lead Piltover's defense until this crisis has been resolved."

Ambessa stepped forward into the chamber's central spotlight.

Salo couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Wasn't this essentially the same proposal he had just made? Was the title "Commander" somehow inadequate? Did it absolutely have to be called "General" instead?

Ignoring Salo's sulking completely, Ambessa continued, "This General must possess the courage to face any threat, demonstrate firm determination under pressure, and must also represent a respected pillar of our society."

"Her family has consistently supported progress and innovation throughout their history, and she herself has proven her skills in both planning and leadership."

"I, along with all my available Noxian forces, pledge to serve under her command without question!"

THUD!

The moment her declaration was complete, her family's private soldiers positioned throughout the chamber stamped their feet in perfect unison. The crisp sound reverberated through the space.

"Only through this approach can everyone's safety and security be guaranteed."

"Therefore, this responsibility can only be entrusted to someone truly worthy of—"

BANG!

Before she could finish revealing her chosen candidate, the chamber's doors were suddenly smashed open.

WHOOSH!

The violent intrusion immediately triggered the trained combat instincts of her soldiers.

Without waiting for specific orders, they instantly formed protective ranks to shield Ambessa and the councilors from threats.

Tower shields raised, spears braced at the ready, crossbows aimed directly at the doorway, awaiting only Ambessa's command to transform the intruders into pin cushions.

As the dust and debris settled, an imposing figure wielding a massive war hammer became clearly visible. Behind him stood a substantial force of enforcers, all equipped with Hextech weaponry and looking ready for serious combat.

It was Jayce, personally leading the faction of Piltover's enforcement officers who had declared their loyalty to him.

"Jayce?"

"What do you think you're doing?"

"You ignored our summons and skipped what might be the most critical council meeting in Piltover's entire history, and now you have the audacity to smash down our doors and march in here with armed enforcers? Are you attempting some kind of coup?"

Salo slapped the council table furiously, his face red.

Jayce said absolutely nothing. Instead, he simply raised his hammer-wielding arm high above his head.

ROOOOOAAAAR!

A dragon's roar shook the building and echoed across the entire district. Not far away, the top floor of the council laboratory that had once belonged to Heimerdinger began to open.

From the revealed opening, a colossal dragon burst forth, launching itself into the sky. After completing several circles above the council chamber, the beast landed heavily on the building's rooftop.

Through the chamber's crystal skylight, the dragon's enormous head peered down at the assembled politicians. The creature fixed its blazing azure eyes directly on Salo and released a deep, threatening rumble.

Those glowing eyes were utterly cold and merciless.

"I am a duly elected councilor of Piltover, a founding developer of Hextech technology, and the chief engineer responsible for this city's defense infrastructure. I suggest you show me the respect I've earned, shut your mouth."

Jayce twisted the grip of his war hammer, brilliant blue lightning beginning to coil around his muscular frame. With the massive dragon looming overhead, he looked every inch like a god of war preparing for battle.

Mel crossed her arms and rested her chin thoughtfully on her hand, her eyes narrowing as she studied him.

This domineering, utterly confident Jayce was incredibly attractive.