"Councilor Kiramman, before we officially begin the talks, I'd like to invite you to visit our research and development facility."
On the second floor of The Last Drop, Cipher smiled warmly as he extended the invitation.
There was no need to rush directly into negotiations. Since the House Kiramman intended to align themselves with Zaun, it was only appropriate to allow the family matriarch to witness the true scope of Zaun's capabilities firsthand.
Otherwise, once Swain inevitably failed in the Ionian campaign and was dismissed from his position, their newly acquired ally might begin experiencing dangerous second thoughts about the partnership.
Flip-flopping would prove extremely awkward for all parties involved.
"These past years, Jayce has continually developed Hextech innovations, pushing Piltover to new heights. I'm curious to see what kind of revolutionary technologies Zaun has to offer."
Cassandra suppressed the excitement building in her chest and replied with a smile, maintaining the harmonious atmosphere.
She had absolutely no intention of refusing this opportunity. She was committing everything, betting her family's entire future on Zaun's victory. Her goal was to secure a position at the highest levels of power while Zaun was still in its developmental stages, achieving a transformation of her family's status and influence.
If she waited until after Zaun had successfully conquered Piltover to pledge her allegiance, even if she managed to join their cause quickly enough, Cipher might offer her a mid-level administrative position at best.
As for access to core governmental power and decision-making? That would be completely out of reach, and even harboring such ambitions could be considered treasonous.
"Please, right this way."
As soon as Cipher finished speaking, a section of the wall in the corner suddenly split apart, revealing an elevator bathed in a soft glow.
"How unexpected."
Cassandra was truly surprised. She had initially assumed the rundown appearance of The Last Drop had been maintained because Cipher possessed sentimental attachment.
It turned out the building had been renovated, just so thoroughly disguised that no external observer could detect the modifications from street level.
The elevator proved impressively spacious; even with all seven members of their party inside, there was considerable room to move comfortably.
Most remarkably, it possessed no visible control panel or manual interface. Once everyone had positioned themselves properly, the door sealed automatically and the elevator began its descent into the depths.
Cassandra's eyes narrowed slightly.
This automatic elevator that required absolutely no manual input already demonstrated technology that surpassed Piltover's.
Before achieving her councilor position, she had worked as a senior mechanical engineer with exceptional knowledge of theoretical mechanics and practical engineering principles.
She understood precisely how extraordinarily difficult it was to achieve reliable intelligent automation.
Jayce's Hextech Gates had already changed global commerce and transportation, but in the industrial manufacturing field, they represented primitive technology compared to this degree of smart automation.
"Welcome to Zaun's heart, Councilor Kiramman."
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator into the underground facility, she immediately encountered a steam-emitting figure.
The humanoid robot was rubbing its polished metal head while greeting her.
"This..."
Cassandra instinctively covered her mouth to hide her shock, trying to maintain her composure.
What was this?
"Allow me the honor of introducing you to a creation developed by Viktor, meet Blitzcrank, our resident artificial intelligence lifeform."
"He's also as a full member of The Last Drop."
"Although he hasn't existed for very long and is technically the youngest among us, the learning capacity and analytical capability of an intelligent lifeform is beyond our imagination. You should consider him one of the senior advisors."
Cipher's introduction carried enthusiasm and obvious pride. This was the first major demonstration he had prepared, a display of Zaun's supremacy.
The appearance of Blitzcrank shocked not only Cassandra, but would have stunned any observer regardless of their background.
Among all the leading scientists throughout both cities, excluding the fully informed inner circle, absolutely none would fail to be awed by Blitzcrank's existence. He represented something fundamentally different from conventional data-driven, algorithm-dependent artificial intelligence systems.
He was a genuine cybernetic lifeform, possessing his own autonomous soul and independent consciousness, completely breaking free from the traditional constraints of programmed code.
"Hello, Blitzcrank. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Cassandra quickly composed herself and took the initiative to extend her hand for a handshake.
This gesture worked just as she had hoped, immediately earning Blitzcrank's goodwill.
"Greetings! The pleasure is mutual!"
Blitzcrank shook hand with her.
At the same time, a display screen integrated into the front of his chassis lit up, showing a charming cartoon representation of Blitzcrank with a friendly, goofy smile.
Currently, neither Piltover nor Zaun had successfully developed liquid metal nanotechnology, so they couldn't craft a fully expressive, biologically realistic facial structure for Blitzcrank.
His metallic features couldn't display nuanced emotions naturally, so he relied on the integrated screen system for social communication.
After the handshake, Blitzcrank left. As the central hub of Zaun's defense network, he maintained an extremely demanding schedule, his appearance had been specially arranged by Cipher.
"Absolutely incredible... Viktor, your achievements have already far surpassed Jayce."
Cassandra observed Blitzcrank's departure, unable to hide her astonishment.
Only now did she realize she had underestimated Viktor.
In her judgment, Blitzcrank alone was enough to completely overshadow the prestige of Jayce's Hextech development. Not to mention Viktor had contributed research to Hextech's original development in the first place.
"You're far too generous with your praise. Blitzcrank's birth remains something of a mystery even to me. He's a miracle, it wouldn't be accurate to claim I simply developed him."
Viktor shook his head, clearly disagreeing with Cassandra's assessment.
He understood the truth about Blitzcrank's origins. He was one of a kind. But Viktor had no intention of elaborating further or explaining details to a visitor.
Seeing this, Cassandra wisely chose not to pursue the topic further.
"Come, allow me to continue our demonstration."
Cipher resumed his role as guide through the facility. With his biometric presence, the numerous overt and hidden security systems throughout the base automatically deactivated as their group passed, creating safe corridors through what was clearly a heavily defended installation.
"These are mainly part of Viktor's industrial automation research. We're currently in the early stages of intelligent manufacturing."
The party arrived at an observation corridor flanked by transparent reinforced glass walls that provided clear views into active production areas.
Through the crystal-clear barriers, they could see fully automated production lines inside.
There were no human workers anywhere in the demonstration, only robotic arms, operating on their own.
Everything appeared highly organized and extremely efficient, performing at levels far beyond what traditional human labor could possibly achieve even under optimal conditions.
"To what extent can it operate?"
Cassandra practically pressed her face against the observation glass, studying the complex operations with intense interest. After several minutes of analysis, she finally asked, "It can already handle complex machining, grinding, and product assembly?"
"At present, it can completely replace low-skill manual labor that doesn't require technical expertise or creative problem-solving. Precision work still relies on expert technicians and master craftsmen."
Cipher answered frankly. Zaun was no longer the desperate underdog it had once been, they possessed strength now, eliminating any need for exaggeration or misleading claims.
Besides, Cassandra clearly possessed a discerning technical eye and engineering experience. Overstating their capabilities might damage credibility and backfire.
"Nevertheless, this is an impressive achievement. It could drastically reduce labor costs for manufacturing companies while improving quality control and production consistency."
Cassandra couldn't restrain her admiration for what she was witnessing.
If Piltover could achieve this level of industrial automation, there would be absolutely no need to maintain that morally repugnant and dangerous indentured labor system.
"Ah, Councilor Kiramman, we're not planning to introduce automation technology into the civilian industrial sector too qickly. For now, it's only applied in military manufacturing."
Cipher shrugged. Developing too aggressively could create unintended consequences and disruption.
Runeterra didn't yet possess a mature market economy. Recklessly introducing widespread automation into industrial production might trigger massive unemployment and unrest rather than prosperity.
Hearing the words "military manufacturing," Cassandra wisely refrained from continuing her questioning.
There are things one can ask, and at least for now, things one absolutely cannot.
In negotiations between experienced individuals, the most important principle boils down to just two words: boundaries matter.
This applies equally well to interactions between organizations or even between nations.
What should be asked, and what should remain unspoken, you need to develop that intuitive sense yourself.
Crossing those invisible lines not only makes the other party question your competence, but also invites unnecessary contempt, without gaining any valuable information in return.
Similarly, Cipher didn't intend to elaborate on the complexities. Higher industrial output wasn't always beneficial.
He didn't claim expertise in macroeconomic theory either, possessing only general understanding. Even if he attempted to explain the nuances, his explanations wouldn't be particularly clear or convincing, so he simply chose discretion.
At present, Runeterra still lacked the objective socioeconomic conditions necessary to implement widespread factory automation.
Their tour didn't pause, the group continued moving deeper into the facility, soon arriving at the first integration of military-industrial laboratory and an automated manufacturing facility.
A designed placard was positioned at the entrance to explain the facility's purpose and scope.
The factory primarily focused on the research, and mass production of various elemental attribute-based munitions.
Besides explosive rounds, there were also lightning-charged silver bullets, frost grenades, and armor-piercing rounds designed to penetrate heavy defensive materials.
A variety of specialized munitions existed to fulfill different tactical warfare needs and could deliver focused saturation strikes against specific targets.
Inside the laboratory, researchers in sterile white coats and protective face masks worked. Their main area of focus was enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of attribute-based ammunition.
After all, the principles behind these elemental munitions were actually quite straightforward, largely falling under applied chemistry and energy manipulation science.
With access to research data acquired from Piltover, Zaun was fully capable of cultivating its own specialists in elemental weaponry.
Currently, these munitions weren't yet sufficiently powerful to pose serious threats against high-level magical powerhouses or legendary warriors, but they proved incredibly efficient for neutralizing weaker enemies and establishing battlefield dominance.
And the fully automated manufacturing facility guaranteed steady ammunition supply chains, enabling sustained saturation firepower.
"Aside from the explosive rounds, you've developed all these other specialized munitions too? You really do excel at keeping secrets."
Cassandra raised one eyebrow slightly after reading through the introduction.
When revealing sensitive information, cracking an appropriate joke could help ease potential tension, and also build rapport.
This being the first military-industrial product introduced implied that, from Zaun's perspective, these weapons represented merely standard-issue military equipment.
In recent years, the battlefield reputation of explosive rounds had risen dramatically with Swain's expeditions, becoming renowned. Who knows how many of Noxus' enemies had been consumed by flames.
But the lightning bullets, frost grenades, and armor-piercing rounds had never leaked even the smallest whisper of information.
To suggest that Zaun had researched and developed all these behind Swain's back in secret? That was difficult for Cassandra to accept.
She placed great importance on science and technology.
So, she understood the level of difficulty involved in constructing a fully equipped, large-scale underground ultra-high-security laboratory, not to mention the immense resource costs and logistical challenges.
Without a major external financial backer offering support, Zaun alone could never have managed it.
This wasn't something a single city-state could accomplish. The required wealth was one consideration; many rare materials and components couldn't be acquired with money alone.
Yet Swain clearly knew about these developments, and chose to keep them hidden from broader Noxian leadership. The implications behind that decision were worth pondering very deeply indeed.
"Just like General Swain always says, we're living in an era of warfare and constant threat. If conditions and resources allow, the more thoroughly prepared we are, the better our chances of survival. The more trump cards we possess, the better our position."
"And I have to express gratitude to Camille. Her aggressive actions helped me make up my mind and take a step forward."
"With the selfless assistance of our allies, Zaun will rise, and no force will be able to stop us."
Cipher extended a fist and clenched it tightly.
"I'm looking forward to witnessing that," Cassandra said.
She didn't pick up on Cipher's remarks, she hadn't yet grasped the complete picture behind the information he was revealing, and it wouldn't be appropriate to respond too directly.
They continued moving forward through the complex, arriving next at a subsidiary facility dedicated to attribute munitions, which specialized in producing various categories of enhanced grenades.
Compared to elemental bullets, grenades offered significantly larger explosive payloads and greater destructive potential, but because they lacked delivery systems like precision firearms, they weren't valued as highly.
Cassandra understood this limitation perfectly and only gave the grenade production area a brief glance before moving on.
They proceeded deeper into the facility, arriving at the heavy firepower equipment section. The first thing to catch her eye was an imposing laser cannon, redesigned and improved by Viktor's engineering expertise, featuring extreme long-range targeting capabilities.
Zaun had even established a classified task force specifically trained to provide long-range heavy firepower support using these weapons.
"The laser cannon is powered by three series-linked Hextech crystals and can fire concentrated energy beams with destructive elemental properties. It maintains precise shooting accuracy within five kilometers of range."
"The disadvantage is the great recoil force, meaning the operator must possess exceptional physical strength. Without a suitably user, the laser cannon can only be deployed as a stationary defensive weapon. Which defeats the original design intent, a mobile long-range heavy support weapon."
Since Viktor was the engineer who had improved the weapon's design, it made perfect sense for him to provide the technical introduction.
"How is the production rate?" Cassandra asked with a peculiar expression as she stared at Viktor.
She knew his original dream had been to benefit humanity. Yet now he had harnessed Hextech innovation to produce such terrifying instruments of warfare and destruction.
This was far more dangerous than anything Jayce had ever developed using Hextech.
With a high-powered optical targeting scope, this weapon could completely eliminate a target from five kilometers away with a single shot.
"Manufacturing the weapon isn't a challenge. The real difficulty lies in training suitable operators," Viktor replied, shaking his head.
With blueprints acquired from Piltover in hand, once the energy source problem was solved, the production of laser cannons wasn't particularly challenging.
Zaun had relied on specialized shimmer serums, but even with those advantages, in recent years they hadn't managed to cultivate many truly capable laser cannon operators.
It wasn't until they developed power-assist exoskeleton devices designed to work specifically with the laser cannon that the situation began to improve.
"The Scorch Tank Cannon, a portable infantry weapon, optimized for destroying heavily armored targets and fortified positions. Easy to operate, compact design, and convenient."
"The Focused Flame Projector, emits high-temperature flames that ignore terrain obstacles and cause effective area damage. Excellent for clearing trenches and bunkers, but because it's flame-based, it's generally not recommended."
"The FM-92 Fragmentation Mortar, utilizes a cluster-bomb design. After the main explosive detonates, it releases multiple submunitions that cause secondary explosions. Not suitable for single-person operation, more effective when deployed for aerial bombardment missions."
Viktor smoothly introduced several other heavy firepower weapons like someone reciting a well-memorized list.
These were all standard weapons that could be openly displayed. But their true trump cards remained hidden, like the Quantum Bomb, and the X-1 Compressed Quantum Cannon.
One was essentially a precision-guided missile with devastating yield, the other involved energy compression technology, both represented top-tier experimental weaponry that pushed the boundaries of known science.
Even without witnessing those classified systems, Cassandra was already becoming numb to the revelations. She had long suspected Zaun was concealing significant military capabilities, but not anything approaching this arsenal.
Even without counting the hidden trump cards, just the openly displayed weapons alone were sufficient to completely overwhelm Piltover.
With laser cannons that could eliminate targets from five kilometers away, Piltover possessed no effective countermeasures, only passive defensive strategies that would inevitably fail.
They continued their tour and arrived at the intelligent machinery development sector, which represented perhaps the most impressive technological achievement.
Most of this research area had been developed through collaboration between Heimerdinger, and Powder.
There were intelligent combat machines, aerial mechs, the modular-transformable G-series unmanned combat units, and the relentless mechanical Pursuers, which were advanced TICK-MK3 Hunters.
The mechanical engineering division also maintained two major classified trump cards.
First was a high-speed, heavily armed combat aircraft capable of providing rapid firepower support, able to deploy swarms of self-detonating Pursuer drones.
It could also be equipped with various bomb types, missiles, elemental ammunition, and other payloads for ground strikes and area-saturation bombardment.
The second was the G-series machines, which could be upgraded and combined into massive war machines.
Cassandra, now completely stunned, remained silent for a time.
She finally understood, betting her family's entire fortune on investing in Zaun had been the right choice.
The current Zaun... forget challenging Piltover, even Noxus might struggle to achieve victory in a direct, no-holds-barred confrontation.