Back to the main topic.
Luke looked at everyone seated opposite him and spoke again. "I believe I have sufficiently proven my sincerity. Forming an alliance with Demacia would absolutely be a good choice for Piltover."
He watched as several councilors exchanged glances.
"I know what all of you are worried about. But believe me, whether it is Demacia or Piltover, we have only just taken our first step. There are still higher places in the future waiting for us to climb. At the very least, I am confident that I can lead Demacia toward a better future."
Although his tone was not impassioned, when Luke said those words, the aura that radiated from his entire body was extremely powerful. Especially his eyes, which carried an unquestionable firmness and confidence.
The councilors could not help being slightly shaken by him.
Heimerdinger spoke at that moment. "Your Highness, please allow us some time to consider. In truth, the most important thing is still the attitude of these two young men. After all, they are the creators of hextech."
Everyone's gaze could not help gathering on Jayce and Viktor.
Viktor looked toward Jayce. He would support every decision his friend made.
Under so many gazes, Jayce's pressure suddenly increased. He thought seriously for a moment, then said, "I may need some time to consider."
He likewise could not give an answer directly, because he knew that whether it was himself or the councilors, all of them needed to consider this carefully.
This matter concerned the twin cities.
At this moment, the councilors present were indeed conflicted and wavering.
They were worried that after allying with Demacia, they would become the target of everyone.
Although with Demacia's current military strength, if it was only an alliance, there would be no need to worry about danger in the short term.
But no matter who it was, no one could easily make a decision that would affect the future of the twin cities.
"I didn't say I needed an answer immediately. I'll wait until you've thought it through."
Luke was not in a hurry either. What he feared least was dealing with smart people.
Smart people's minds worked. They would come to understand the benefits of forming an alliance with Demacia.
After thinking for a moment, he changed the topic. "By the way, I'm quite interested in the Undercity beneath Piltover. Since I'm already here, I can't exactly avoid going to take a look. There shouldn't be any issue with that, right?"
The topic was successfully shifted. The councilors looked at one another, and Councilor Harken asked, "Since you wish to see it, naturally there is no problem. When would Your Highness have time?"
Luke casually said, "We can set out this afternoon. It's only sightseeing, so I imagine it won't take much time."
Councilor Costin picked up the conversation. "No problem. When the time comes, we will send a carriage to pick you up."
"Then I'll return for now. See you this afternoon."
Luke stood and walked outside. However, before leaving, he seemed to remember something and walked toward Viktor, taking out an exquisite medicine bottle. "You seem to have very severe insomnia, and the depletion of your liver, kidneys, and lungs is also quite serious. Be kinder to your body. Take one of these pills before bed every day. It can effectively ease the symptoms."
At this moment, Viktor only looked pale, with dark circles under his eyes. He did not seem especially sickly.
However, Luke had seen at a glance that the internal wear and tear on his body was already very severe.
Looking at the medicine bottle being handed to him, Viktor subconsciously accepted it. For a moment, he looked somewhat at a loss, but he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for the gift, Your Highness."
"It isn't a gift. I'm just showing some concern for the health of my future partner."
Luke smiled, patted Viktor on the shoulder, then turned and left.
Watching him leave the room, Viktor stood there in a slight daze. The medicine bottle in his hand released a jade-like coolness, and judging by its appearance alone, it was clearly very valuable.
He knew this prince definitely had no intention of flattering him because of hextech. He truly was simply concerned about his health.
"I felt something was off with your condition some time ago, Viktor. Why don't you rest properly for a while?"
At that moment, Jayce came over and looked at Viktor with concern as well.
Luke's words just now had reminded him. He had also felt fairly early on that Viktor's condition was off, but Viktor had always said it was only insomnia and the influence of his congenital lung disease.
But judging from Luke's tone just now, it sounded rather serious.
"No need. I know my own body. I just look a little tired, that's all. It's fine."
Viktor smiled, indicating to Jayce that nothing was wrong.
"Let's return to the main topic."
At this moment, Councilor Harken spoke. "Regarding this prince's proposal, what do all of you think?"
"From a long-term perspective, if Demacia maintains its current state, forming an alliance with them may not necessarily be impossible."
Councilor Arianna thought for a moment before speaking.
"However, they declared war on Noxus not long ago. Although they are currently in a ceasefire, if Noxus breaks the agreement, we would absolutely be the first to be targeted."
Councilor Vaido said.
Councilor Costin said, "Breaking an agreement isn't that easy. Matters between nations aren't so simple."
Cassandra also spoke at this moment. "I looked into it last night. Demacia was founded nearly seven hundred years ago. Over these seven hundred years, its reputation across Runeterra has always been quite good, although it is also very proud. But I feel that the Demacia of today cannot be viewed through the lens of history books."
Councilor Vaido said, "That's right. This prince gives off a feeling of being far from simple. Although he seems approachable, don't forget that he is also the one who led troops to conquer an entire stretch of Noxus along the Argent Mountains."
"In any case, there are too many unknown roads. Everyone should think it over carefully."
As Councilor Harken spoke, he looked toward one person who had not spoken all this time. "Stevan, what do you think? House Ferros also participated in the investment of hextech. The attitude of your group is also very important in this matter."
Stevan's gaze narrowed slightly. Sitting in his wheelchair, he only spoke after a long while. "I also need time to consider."
It was still the same thing. No matter who it was, no one could easily make a decision on this matter.
Among those present, Heimerdinger and Mel had not spoken the entire time.
Heimerdinger merely watched silently, like an observer.
Mel, meanwhile, was considering. What she wanted to say had already been said by the councilors present.
Although she had once been Noxian, she had now cut ties with Noxus and stood from Piltover's perspective.
If they had to choose an alliance between Noxus and Demacia.
She might choose Demacia.
"The Secret Key is actually very crucial as well. Imagine this. If in the future, more and more people possess Secret Keys, then this would amount to a reform of information flow. It contains far too many possibilities."
Councilor Arianna spoke.
What had moved them somewhat was undoubtedly this Secret Key.
And the Dreamnet that Luke had mentioned just now.
"Let's set this aside for now. This afternoon, we need to take His Highness to visit the Undercity."
Councilor Harken spoke again. "Have Slap notify the Undercity that absolutely no trouble is to occur this afternoon."
The meeting dispersed afterward.
Jayce and Viktor were on the way to the laboratory.
Jayce asked, "What do you think about this matter?"
Viktor lowered his head and looked at the medicine bottle in his hand, then said, "Your attitude is my attitude, Jayce. Don't forget our original intention. Everything is for the twin cities, and for humanity to have a better future."
"Of course I remember."
Jayce took a deep breath. "It's just..."
After thinking for a moment, he still did not continue.
He did not want these worries to disturb the partner in front of him.
As his position in Piltover became increasingly important, many concerns apart from scientific invention had also entered Jayce's life.
At times like this, he could not even represent only himself.
After returning to the laboratory, neither of them was in the mood to continue research.
Viktor returned to the lounge. Although it was not yet noon, he wanted to rest for a while.
Looking at the medicine bottle in his hand, he thought for a moment, then still opened the stopper and poured a pill into his palm.
The moment the stopper was opened, he could already smell the rich medicinal scent inside the bottle.
He knew his own body. His lung disease was growing worse day by day, along with mental anxiety and the strain of high-intensity work.
Before this, he had thought about finding methods to ease the injuries and illness in his body, but none had been of any use.
He coughed a few times.
Without hesitation, Viktor put the pill into his mouth, endured the bitterness that spread through his entire mouth, then swallowed it.
After that, he drank an entire cup of water. Surprisingly, he soon felt the medicine take effect.
Warmth spread from his lower abdomen, then extended to every corner of his body. For a moment, he no longer felt the urge to cough, and even his throat became more comfortable.
"It's actually effective..."
Viktor had not expected that a single small pill could be so powerful.
Lying on the sofa and feeling the warmth in his chest, he quickly fell asleep.
After leaving the building and stepping outside, it was already almost noon.
Piltover was located at the central point between three continents, and both the climate and environment were excellent. Even though it was already almost November, it still did not feel very cold. The sunlight was also gentle, falling from the sky.
Luke got into the carriage, and soon the carriage drove back in the direction of the residence.
It did not take long for them to return home.
After getting off the carriage and just reaching the outside of the living room, he heard a burst of cards being slapped down from inside.
"Big Joker."
"Pass."
"Pair of threes."
"Pass."
"Pass? Then don't blame me for being ruthless. Pair of fours, pair of eights, pair of nines, pair of jacks, one five, and I'm out."
"Huh? How did you have a whole hand of pairs?"
"This is heaven's will. Say no more. Stick your head over."
When Luke walked in, he saw Lux standing on the sofa with her hands on her hips and an arrogant expression, two white strips of paper stuck to her face.
Clearly, the flurry of slapping sounds just now had been caused by this girl.
By comparison, Sona on the left had a faint smile on her face, while Caitlyn on the right was dejected, her face covered in white paper strips.
She could only lean her head over.
Then Lux mercilessly tore off a white paper strip, breathed on it, and with a snap, slapped it onto Caitlyn's forehead, producing a crisp sound.
Afterward, Sona gently added another one.
At this, Caitlyn's face was full of refusal to accept defeat as she revived her fighting spirit. "Again!"
"Caitlyn, the waters of Landlord are too deep. You can't handle it. Next time, remember to let me be it."
Lux's face revealed a smug and annoying smile.
Faced with this mockery, Caitlyn's face was full of humiliation, both displeased and unconvinced. "Stop talking. I'm definitely winning this round!"
The three of them were playing Fight the Landlord, and it seemed they were in high spirits. They did not even greet Luke when he returned.
Caitlyn's face was covered in paper strips, so perhaps she had not seen him, while the little blonde simply ignored him.
"We're going sightseeing in the Undercity this afternoon. Are any of you interested?"
Luke casually spoke at that moment.
"Your Highness?"
Caitlyn, who had been focused on shuffling the cards, only then noticed him. She lifted the paper strips that were somewhat blocking her vision and said, "I went to the Undercity once before, and I've actually always wanted to go take another look."
Lux said with great interest, "I'm going!"
Soon, the other girls also expressed that they wanted to go.
After all, they had only just arrived, and whether it was Piltover or Zaun, they were all very interested.
Seeing Luke return, Sona, who had wanted to practice music, directly made space for him.
Luke took the seat naturally and glanced at Caitlyn. "How did you get bullied this badly by this little blonde? Don't be afraid. I'll avenge you."
Seeing a new opponent appear, Lux's expression also turned solemn. "Since it's you, don't blame me for using my full strength."
As for Caitlyn, she was very moved by Luke's words and could not help nodding.
However, that feeling of being moved had not even passed yet.
Barely two minutes later, Luke, who had taken the landlord role and unleashed an unexplained combo, immediately let out an arrogant laugh.
"That's it? Stick your head over!"
He said he was taking revenge, but he did not even let Caitlyn off.
Looking at the bewildered Caitlyn, he mercilessly tore off a paper strip and slapped it directly onto her forehead with a snap. The sound was even crisper than before.
Next, it was the little blonde's turn.
Luke was even less polite with her. It was another snap.
Lux clenched her fists unwillingly, glared at Luke with resentment, then looked at Caitlyn and said, "This guy is difficult to deal with. Take this seriously."
Caitlyn nodded and took a deep breath. The paper strips on her face fluttered wildly from the breath, but they also represented her seriousness.
After all, Fight the Landlord was still largely a game of luck. When one had an absolutely peerless hand, even an idiot could win.
As long as Luke did not cheat, there was also the possibility of being locked down by a teammate, so naturally, it was impossible for him to win every round.
As time passed, two paper strips were also stuck onto his face.
But looking at Lux again, she had only three strips on her tender little face just now, and now it was almost covered.
As for Caitlyn, she was even worse off. Her face was already completely covered in white strips.
"If I keep winning, it'll be rude. I'm going to prepare lunch."
Luke stood with a smile, gave the two of them a contemptuous glance, left behind the back view of a master, and walked toward the kitchen.
At this, both Lux and Caitlyn were especially displeased.
Mainly because this guy showed no mercy when he won, and every time, he had to make sure the slap made a sound.
This kind of blow did not hurt much, but it was extremely insulting, leaving both of them with a belly full of anger.
In the end, this guy turned around and ran.
They were left full of anger with nowhere to vent it.
Fortunately, the lunch Luke made was delicious enough to erase their anger.
When Caitlyn saw the full table of sumptuous dishes, she was once again shocked.
This was a table completely different from breakfast, with all kinds of dishes.
She could not help wondering just how many things Luke knew how to make.
As someone born into a noble family in Piltover, Caitlyn considered herself someone who had eaten plenty of delicacies growing up.
But in just this short morning, her understanding had been changed.
Compared to the table before her, everything she had eaten in the past could only be considered ordinary, mediocre food.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810