At the northernmost tip of Piltover's North Ward stood a grand architectural ensemble. It seamlessly blended azure polished granite, bronze grids, countless mechanical gears, and flawless transparent glass, exuding an elegant yet solemn and unique style.
This was the heart of power in Piltover, where the Council of Seven, composed of representatives from the six major families and Piltover University, convened.
The morning sun cast its slanted rays, dispelling the gray haze that had settled over the Upper City during the night.
In the central circular table of the Piltover Council Hall, six early-arriving councilors were busy with their respective tasks.
"Your birthday gift, Councilor Salo."
A tall, elegantly graceful young woman with dark skin placed a cylindrical metal box in front of an elderly man, short and bald with a thick beard, whose head shone brightly.
"Oh! Mel, you're too kind!"
Councilor Salo's expression brightened as he carefully examined the small box on the table.
Smiling, Mel replied, "I heard that this little trinket was specially designed for someone as sharp-minded as you."
At that moment, another young man with yellow hair, who was leaning on the table and eating snacks, overheard their conversation. He hesitated for a moment, holding a small bag in his hand.
Then, with a beaming smile, the yellow-haired councilor quickly walked over to Salo and handed him the bag of pastries.
"Councilor Salo, I've also brought you some roasted silver chestnuts..."
"Ah! Councilor Hoskel, don't you know I'm allergic to those?" Salo pushed away the hand of the yellow-haired councilor with a look of disgust. "What were you thinking? Are you trying to harm me?"
"It's a pity not to taste such delicious food."
An unamused Hoskel pouted, picked up the bag that had fallen on the table, and returned to his seat. He raised his slender fingers, picked up a roasted silver chestnut, and put it in his mouth.
Salo, catching the sarcastic tone in his words, suddenly grew agitated. "Hey, you...!"
"Don't be angry, Councilor Salo. I don't think Councilor Hoskel meant anything special."
Mel placed both hands on Salo's shoulders and gently massaged, extinguishing the flames of his rising temper.
"Well, since Mel says so, I won't argue with that kid." Salo continued to play with the small toy in his hand, his eyes fixed on it. "By the way, Mel, when was our last council meeting?"
"Five days ago, we discussed the arrangements for Progress Day," Mel patiently replied.
"So, didn't we already settle everything related to Progress Day? Why did Councilor Kiramman call for another meeting?"
"I heard it was because her daughter was attacked by gunmen yesterday."
"What?! Someone dared to attack a councilor's family member? Who did it? It's outrageous!"
Salo's tone suddenly grew agitated, attracting the attention of everyone present.
Mel maintained her perpetual smile. "That seems to be the reason for Councilor Kiramman's meeting today."
A Yordle covered in yellow fur, with white whiskers around his lips, spoke sharply, "I remember Councilor Kiramman's daughter is named Caitlyn, right? She seems to have a good relationship with one of my students."
On the other side, a bald woman with mechanical gears around her neck and golden nail covers on her fingers, her skin equally dark, replied, "That's right. I heard your student is considered the youngest genius recognized by the entire academy... of course, compared to Councilor Heimerdinger, you are far less impressive."
"Oh, haha, you're flattering me too much, Councilor Shoola," Heimerdinger replied, his beard fluttering proudly.
Several councilors exchanged compliments, and as the doors to the council hall rang, everyone's attention turned to the entrance.
Cassandra, with a grave expression, walked ahead, followed by a young man and woman. Among them, Caitlyn, the daughter of Councilor Kiramman, was known to all the councilors.
However, their focus shifted to the other young man with Ionian features. Who was he? Why had Councilor Kiramman brought an unrelated person here?
Questions filled the minds of the councilors simultaneously.
Cassandra turned back, whispered a few words to the two of them, and then sat down at her seat alone.
"May the gears turn in your favor, Councilor Kiramman," Mel greeted her with a smile.
Cassandra nodded in acknowledgment, her gaze sweeping over the six seated councilors.
"I'm sure you've all heard," she began calmly. "My daughter, Caitlyn Kiramman, was attacked by five armed thugs yesterday."
"Guns? How did they get their hands on controlled items like that?" a councilor covered entirely in metal, resembling a robot, exclaimed in surprise. "This is a serious matter."
"Is Miss Kiramman all right?"
"Did they catch the thugs?"
"This was undoubtedly a premeditated attack... Have the enforcers identified the culprits?"
For a moment, apart from Mel and Heimerdinger, the other three councilors bombarded Cassandra with concerned questions.
"This is what I've called the council meeting for today," Cassandra raised her voice, drowning out the others. The entire council hall fell silent once again.
She glanced back at Caitlyn, and taking advantage of her skill in reading people, Mel seized the opportunity to inquire, "I don't suppose you could tell us who this young man is?"
"Li Lin, the genius craftsman recently welcomed into our family."
"Genius craftsman?"
A thoughtful look flickered in Mel's eyes.
However, it seemed that Cassandra didn't want to delve too much into this, swiftly changing the topic, "He carried a gun for my daughter and saved her life yesterday."
"What a brave gentleman," Mel praised with a smile.
"He's a witness, aware of everything that happened at that time," Cassandra beckoned for Li Lin to stand at the center of the circular table and said, "Li Lin, please recount what you saw to everyone here."
"Of course, Councilor Kiramman."
Li Lin's gaze lingered briefly on Heimerdinger, then swept the room before taking a deep breath.
"The situation was like this..."
He took a few minutes to vividly "recount" the scene.
In the narrow, deserted alley, a fierce battle unfolded between five hoodlums armed with Mauser rifles and him.
Fortunately, he carried a new invention, allowing them to escape the crisis.
This was the story he and Caitlyn had agreed upon yesterday.
Not only that, this morning, Lady Cassandra specifically asked him to exaggerate the situation in exchange for a larger share of profits and a favor from the Kiramman family.
Although Li Lin was reluctant to become a pawn in the power games between families, it wouldn't greatly affect him. Moreover, he would gain favor from the Kiramman family, so he agreed.
"A new type of weapon?" Gears turned on Bolbok's metallic face, emitting a deep mechanical sound.
Shoola showed keen interest in the weapon Li Lin mentioned, "Can you describe its use in detail?"
"Why develop weapons, young man? What we need is peace..." Heimerdinger also chimed in.
"Everyone, I think our main focus should not be this," Mel noticed Cassandra's increasingly gloomy expression and quickly intervened for Li Lin.
Then, she shifted her gaze to Cassandra and asked softly, "Councilor Kiramman, have you investigated who sent those thugs?"
"The Oderleng family planned this attack," Cassandra slowly said a name.
Salo immediately denied, "Them? No, no, how is that possible? I have a good relationship with them..."
He was cut off by a glare from Mel while he was speaking.
Realizing that the Kiramman family would definitely use this opportunity to strike against a hostile family, Salo dared not intercede for the Oderleng family anymore.
"I think, since the Oderleng family dared to attack my daughter, they clearly do not regard our council," Cassandra sneered, "So, I propose to sanction the Oderleng family. Let's vote on it, everyone."
The six councilors looked at each other and exchanged simple glances.
Then, everyone slowly raised their hands.
...
...
In a dark secret room of a mansion in the northern district of Piltover.
"Lord Oderleng, you have failed," a voice of undetermined gender echoed in the room, "I advised you long ago not to target Councilor Kiramman's family for now."
"That little wench went to the Undercity without a gun. It was a perfect opportunity; how could I let it go?!" an elderly man with graying hair shouted angrily, "It's not my fault; your hired mercenaries were too weak!"
"Don't blame your stupidity and incompetence on others."
The mysterious person chuckled, then shifted the focus of the conversation, "I've paved the way for you, but you ruined it... Though the Kiramman family might not necessarily know it was you, as their sworn enemy, you should know what consequences you'll face next, right?"
Thinking of the large number of enforcers seen outside the Kiramman family's residence reported by his subordinates last night, Lord Oderleng's face turned incredibly pale.
"Please, you must help me! I can't be arrested by the enforcers; otherwise, our Oderleng family is finished!"
"Of course, of course, I'll help you," the mysterious person chuckled, "After all, we're allies..."
"Thank you so much!" Oderleng breathed a sigh of relief, "The enforcers will likely come for me soon. What do you..."
Before Lord Oderleng could finish, a flash of light briefly illuminated the dark, lightless chamber.
In that split second, the terrified expression of Oderleng and another face wearing a metal mask with intricate engravings were captured.
A loud gunshot reverberated in the secret room, leaving a blood hole on the elderly man's temple.
Accompanied by a gentle footstep, the mysterious person approached the lifeless Oderleng, squatting down and gently placing a handgun into his lifeless hand.
"Lord Oderleng committed suicide due to his involvement in planning the kidnapping of Councilor Kiramman's daughter..."
A smile curved under the mysterious person's mask, "A very reasonable way to handle it, don't you think?"