Arcane: Thicker Than Blood

Cipher suddenly asked curiously, "Which big figure from Noxus have you been doing business with all this time?"

The manufacture of firearms capable of firing explosive rounds required high-quality steel, which Zaun lacked in terms of advanced metal processing.

Although his weapons research lab could do it, its production output was only enough to supply a few high-level individuals with self-defense pistols.

Smuggling from Piltover only brought in small quantities, and large-scale imports were impossible. So he thought of Noxus. Their industrial might could be the key to breaking Piltover's stranglehold.

This empire had highly advanced steel smelting technology, and he could completely place orders with Noxus through Silco's connections.

"It's a newly rising military noble from Noxus, Jericho Swain, who is highly trusted by the Noxian Emperor." Silco watched Cipher's reaction carefully as he spoke the name.

"He's very interested in the self-destruct robots and advanced explosive technology we have. He even invited us to join Noxus and promised me the position of head of the Mechanical Weapons Development Department, along with sufficient research funding."

Before reconciling with Vander, Silco wouldn't have mentioned a word about Noxus. But now that they were all family, he didn't mind sharing and trusted Cipher to handle it well. The bonds of family had changed many things.

"It's actually him? You've really given me a huge surprise!"

Cipher's pupils widened in shock. He was truly stunned by the name. This man was the future Grand General of Noxus, with immense power and influence. To someone like him, the rivalry between Zaun and Piltover probably seemed like mere child's play.

"Is he that special? Noxus has plenty of other military aristocrats like him," Silco asked curiously, noting Cipher's unusual reaction.

"Swain's far-sightedness might be the best among all Noxians. If it's him, we can afford to take some risks."

Cipher took out the detailed plans and handed them to Silco. "Contact this General Swain and place a large order for these special steel pipes detailed in the blueprint. Their quality must meet all the specified parameters. At the same time, request that he send personnel to escort the steel into Zaun. Tell him it's for the explosive rounds we're developing."

Silco glanced at the blueprint but, lacking any knowledge of mechanical engineering, couldn't understand it. "What's the purpose of these steel pipes?"

"Current mainstream firearms can't handle the high temperatures produced when firing explosive rounds. These are meant to upgrade the firearms. Once we have a finished product, we can demonstrate the effectiveness of the rounds to the Noxians escorting the steel. I believe General Swain won't be able to refuse."

"You're thinking of using their presence as protection?" Silco raised an eyebrow.

"And as witnesses," Cipher confirmed with a slight smirk. "Once they see what these weapons can do..."

Silco nodded, signaling that he would take care of this matter. The plan was elegant in its simplicity.

"Have you all forgotten that we still have three enforcers locked up? What are we going to do about them?"

Seeing that Cipher and Silco seemed to have finalized all their plans, Vander, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

"Do you have any thoughts?" Cipher knew Vander wouldn't speak without reason. He studied his father's face carefully.

Vander hesitated for a moment before saying, "Sheriff Grayson is a good person and a friend of mine. If possible, I hope those three enforcers can be returned to her alive."

He emphasized the word "alive."

"No problem. That's exactly what I planned to do." Cipher agreed without hesitation.

He hadn't intended to kill the enforcers anyway. Keeping them alive was more about sending a message—the main issue was their inability to control their loose tongues.

"If I'm not mistaken, the sheriff will be here soon. You'll handle the negotiations. She's only allowed to take the enforcers. Sevika and Uncle Silco, keep an eye on Dad. Don't let him mess up. After dinner, I'll make a trip to Piltover!"

"A trip to Piltover?" Silco's mechanical eye whirred as he focused on Cipher. "That's rather bold."

 "The best place to hide is right under their noses. Besides, I have some business that needs handling personally."

"And what business would that be?"

"Just a friendly visit," Cipher said with a smile.

---

The Last Drop was quiet.

Sheriff Grayson of Piltover's law enforcement, a woman in her forties or fifties, sat across from Vander, her face filled with anger.

The worn wooden table between them might as well have been a canyon.

"Do you know what your son has done? Assaulting enforcers is a serious crime. Do you understand what this means? The Council won't let him off the hook."

Vander could understand her position, but there was nothing he could do. He had already been overthrown by Cipher, and even if he hadn't, he still couldn't hand his son over. That was his child, and he simply couldn't bring himself to do it.

Blood is thicker than water, Grayson. Even you must understand that.

"I'm sorry. I can't hand him over. You can only take the three enforcers."

"You…" Grayson stood up in anger, but when she saw the apologetic expression on Vander's face, she managed to control her temper and sat back down, her face still tense.

The chair creaked under her sudden movement.

"Let's not talk about the attack on the enforcers for now. You asked me to give you five days before, and I stood up to the Council and bought you that time. But if you don't give them a reasonable explanation, the fragile peace we've worked so hard to maintain will collapse completely."

She took a sip of her chilled drink to calm her throat before continuing, "I know you desire peace, just like I do. For so many years, our cooperation has been fruitful. But this time, the situation has gotten too big. The Council has issued an ultimatum: someone must be held accountable. You can't protect him."

Her eyes softened as she leaned forward. "The Council doesn't understand Zaun."

"You know me. I'm committed to upholding justice and the law, not pointing weapons at the people of Zaun. But if you don't want to see more people die and more lives sacrificed, you'd better cooperate with me. Otherwise, the ashes and devastation of the past are likely to return."

"The skies shrouded in blood-red haze, rivers stained with blood, fires raging everywhere, corpses strewn about, and the cries of homeless children. Neither you nor I want to see that scene again."

Vander's expression shifted from apologetic to deeply guilty. He poured Grayson a glass of his best liquor, but he couldn't say a word. No matter what, he wouldn't hand over his family.

Was Grayson a good person? Of course, she was. She wasn't like those arrogant and oppressive enforcers. She respected the lives and dignity of Zaun's people and sympathized with their suffering.

But at the end of the day, she was just a sheriff, not a high-ranking figure. She had no real power against the pressure of the Council.

Similarly, Vander was also a good person. He maintained order in the Undercity and did his best to ensure the safety of the people he cared about.

Yet in this chaotic world, fate was cruel. Grayson and Vander, both good people, met tragic ends in the original story, dying miserably.

"Grayson, take the enforcers and leave. I really can't hand him over to you."

Vander downed a glass of liquor in pain. He couldn't even offer himself up as a scapegoat—Cipher wouldn't allow it and had specifically tasked Silco and Sevika to keep an eye on him.

"Vander, I suggest you think this over carefully. Neither of us can afford a war. It will cause countless deaths and rivers of blood," Grayson pleaded, still unwilling to give up. Her hand reached across the table, stopping just short of touching his.

"Zaun doesn't fear sacrifice or bloodshed. Sheriff Grayson, please leave. My Vander won't agree to your terms."

Silco emerged from the shadows, holding a glass of liquor, his mechanical eye glowing ominously red in the soft light of the bar.

Behind him, Sevika threw the unconscious enforcers at Grayson's feet. Their bodies hit the floor with a dull thud.

"Silco? Why are you here? Have you taken control of Vander?"

Grayson instinctively reached for her gun to take down this dangerous terrorist, but Vander grabbed her hand, shaking his head to signal her not to act recklessly.

"I haven't done anything of the sort. The new leader of the Lanes is Vander's son."

Silco raised his glass toward Grayson, a strange smile on his face.

"Sigh…"

Grayson let out a long sigh. The moment Silco appeared, she knew she wouldn't be able to take Cipher away.

"Take care of yourself. If you ever face a danger you can't handle, come find me in Piltover," Grayson whispered cautiously in Vander's ear.

As his friend, she didn't want to hear news of him dying on the streets.

Then, she called for her people to enter and left the bar, taking the unconscious enforcers with her.

After Grayson left, Vander remained at the table, staring into his empty glass. 

"She was right about one thing," Silco said, settling into Grayson's vacant seat. "The Council won't let this go."