After a dozen minutes, other council members and representatives sent by their families gradually arrived.
Li Lin, Caitlyn, and Jayce, who had just arrived, stood together with other attending representatives.
As the mechanical gears and chains at the top of the council hall produced friction sounds, the metal plates on the ceiling and walls slowly separated.
The morning sun, rising on the horizon, penetrated through the thick glass with bronze grates, refracting and diffusing in the vast interior space.
People who were whispering to each other stopped talking, and the bustling council hall gradually quieted down.
Councilors Salo, Hoskel, and Shoola wore gloomy expressions.
Heimerdinger puffed his mustache and stared, looking equally upset after the events of last night.
Councilor Bolbok, having transformed himself into a machine, showed no expression.
Mel, accustomed to maintaining a smile, also restrained her expression. She sat on the chair, supporting her chin with her right arm, expressionless.
After a while, Karina surveyed everyone, her voice firm and powerful, slowly speaking:
"I believe most of you are aware of what happened last night, or rather, a considerable number of you experienced it firsthand."
As the most direct victim of the events last night, she had the right to speak, so she chaired this meeting.
Since the enforcers and council members had not yet revealed the true target of the mastermind behind the scenes, Corina Veraza, being Kiramman, only those capable of understanding the truth of the case themselves had accurate information.
Coupled with several council families intentionally leaking false information, many truly believed that last night was an intentional attack by Zaun against the upper city families.
"This incident has had a severe impact. Not only the aristocrats of the Upper City but also everyone who participated in Progress Day, including the citizens, have been affected..."
Then, Cassandra took the list prepared on her desk and read aloud the names of all the families affected.
After some time, she cleared her throat and continued:
"Piltover is the City of Progress, a city of wealth and dreams. Since the day of the opening of the Sun Gates over two hundred years ago, which marked the birth of Piltover—Progress Day, we have been undergoing technological revolutions and innovations, possessing world-leading technology.
"Progress Day is our most important annual festival. Every year, the most significant technological innovations are announced on this day, and these new technologies are put into use, collectively propelling the City of Progress forward...
"But on the night before!" Suddenly, Cassandra 's tone became intense.
"Just as we were about to announce this year's greatest breakthrough, a group of Zaun thieves used an Ionian sleep-inducing flower to incapacitate all of us and looted our research achievements!"
Li Lin, standing on the attending seat, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Even though Mrs. Cassandra had briefed him in advance, saying it out loud in public still made him unable to help but criticize in his heart:
This is too exaggerated!
Damn, how would those few mercenaries move everything from such a large warehouse...
Next to Li Lin, Caitlyn's expression seemed absent-minded, clearly not focused on her mother's speech.
Jayce's expression remained unchanged because he had received a voice transmission tube from Mrs. Cassandra last night and knew the agenda of today's meeting.
And he didn't like politics. He didn't like to think about things unrelated to science. Today, he was just here to fulfill a task.
Then, when Mrs. Cassandra successfully stirred up the emotions of the attending representatives, Councilors Salo, Bolbok, and Shoola immediately listed various recent actions taken by Zaun against the Upper City.
Some Zaun thugs with guns robbing, some gang members beating up lone enforcers, and even Zaun's slum orphans "smuggling" into the Upper City to steal things could be used as examples.
In fact, these cases occurred every Progress Day.
Gradually, the emotions of the attending listeners were stirred up by the solemn words of the councilors, and they began to discuss in a low voice.
Seeing that the timing was about right, Councilors Salo, Bolbok, and Shoola signaled to Cassandra.
"Cough, cough..." Cassandra clenched her fist against her mouth and cleared her throat.
The scene quieted down again.
Then, she cast her gaze toward Li Lin, Caitlyn, and Jayce in the front row of the attending seats and said:
"Next, I would like to invite Miss Kiramman, Mr. Li Lin, and Mr. Talis, who rescued me from the hands of the criminals in the Lower City last night, to tell us about the situation at that time."
Amidst the various emotions mixed in the gazes of the crowd, the three walked to the center of the council's round table.
"These three are my daughter and the two genius craftsmen of the Kiramman family. As I mentioned earlier, the two of them have researched a revolutionary invention. And last night, they assisted my daughter in rescuing us."
Cassandra briefly introduced the three to everyone.
Immediately afterward, there was a commotion among the attending representatives, filled with astonishment.
In the midst of the crowd, some expressed admiration for their youthful achievements, while others were astonished that Councilor Kiramman's daughter turned out to be the one who rescued them. Many wondered about the kind of device they had invented to earn such favor from the Kiramman family.
The clamor of conversation was brief; they all had a sense of self-awareness, realizing that now wasn't the time for them to speak.
"Li Lin, you were the hero of last night. Please, share your thoughts," declared Cassandra.
Li Lin nodded to Cassandra, casting a glance at the nervous Jayce standing with folded arms. Then, his gaze shifted to Caitlyn, whose gem-like eyes met his.
Her eyes shimmered with complex reflections, seemingly worried about what he would say next.
Li Lin reassured her with a glance, then turned solemnly to the audience.
The eyes of over a hundred people focused on him, including those from families with wealth and influence, although not at the forefront.
It would be wrong to say that Li Lin wasn't nervous.
He took a slow, deep breath, trying to relax, and began to articulate the script he had prepared in his mind.
After a brief preparation, he spoke, "I believe the arguments of some councilors are biased."
Chaos erupted again.
Upon hearing this, Salo, unable to contain his temper, forcefully slammed the table. "Do you even know what you're talking about?!"
Immediately after, Hoskel, who often clashed with Salo, furrowed his brows, questioning, "After the events of last night, why are you advocating for the people of the Undercity?"
Heimerdinger tilted his head, exhaling, his beard swaying as he looked at Li Lin in bewilderment.
While Councilors Wosradon and Bolbok didn't speak, their furrowed brows and rhythmic tapping of fingers on the table indicated their dissatisfaction.
Even Mel, though rarely expressing discontent, raised an eyebrow, showing her displeasure.
Cassandra, feeling a blow to her pride, stood up with both hands on the table. Her eyes hinted at Li Lin, and she deliberately emphasized as she questioned him, "Li Lin, you should disclose the true situation at that time."
However, Li Lin seemed oblivious to their words. He continued, "I think that Piltover and Zaun share a closely intertwined destiny; they are mutually dependent city-states, a concept that we all should recognize.
"Zaun's development cannot be separated from Piltover. Most of Piltover's industry is concentrated in Zaun, and a significant portion of cheap labor comes from Zaun. If we detach Zaun, how prosperous can Piltover be?
"Though I haven't personally experienced the Day of Ashes several years ago, I've heard about the tragic events of that day—rivers of blood, corpses covering the land. Even the air in the entire Piltover was thick with the scent of blood.
"If we exploit the people of Zaun in this way, it will only lead to more severe consequences, bringing about a second 'Day of Ashes.'
Li Lin paused for a moment, not giving others a chance to speak, and continued, "Our pursuit of progress and development is for what? It's for peace, for the betterment of people's lives! If technological advancement does not benefit the people, what's the point of progress?
"Piltoverans are people, but Zaunites are equally human. Why should those born in Zaun be naturally inferior to Piltoverans?
"I find this unreasonable and contrary to our original intention of seeking progress! Moreover, we should know that when Piltover was first established, the two city-states were one entity, and its name was Zaun.
"In other words, without Zaun, there would be no Piltover..."
Li Lin delivered his words in one breath, including the incredulous expressions on the faces of Councilors Salo, Hoskel, Wosradon, and Bolbok, who now wore grim expressions.
The representatives in the audience remained silent, unwilling to be the first to speak out at this moment and incur the wrath of the councilors.
"Absurd! This is absolutely absurd!" Councilor Salo's face turned red, and he shouted toward the entrance, "Guards, where are the guards?! Get him..."
"Hold on, Councilor Salo," Mel interrupted, stopping Salo from calling the guards.
"What's wrong, Mel? Do you still want to listen to this guy's nonsense?" Salo's tone softened slightly, as it was Mel who spoke.
After hearing Li Lin's speech, Mel had relaxed her furrowed brows, and there was even a hint of curiosity on her face.
She paid no attention to Salo and instead calmly turned Li Lin around, scrutinizing him with an examining gaze.
"So... what are you trying to convey with all this?" she inquired.
Facing Mel's gaze, Li Lin spoke confidently, "I wish.. for peace."
(End of the Chapter)