The next day.
After daybreak, inside a meeting room at Piltover's Hall of Governance, the councilors gathered and took their seats around the clockwork round table.
This council meeting had been convened by Heimerdinger, and on the way here, the councilors had already realized that the time had come to make a decision.
At this moment, Heimerdinger was supposed to lead the discussion. He looked around at everyone, then said, "It has been many years since Hextech was born. It has brought visible changes to Piltover, changes all of you have seen with your own eyes. And now, the product of a new era, the Hexgates, are about to be born."
"Regarding the proposal made by the Demacian prince several days ago, we have also reached the point where we must make a choice. Before that, I believe the developer of Hextech should have the right to say a few words."
As Heimerdinger spoke, he made room for Jayce beside him.
Jayce was not currently a member of the council, but with Heimerdinger bringing him along, he had already participated in the council's discussions many times.
And his outstanding achievements truly required the councilors to seriously consider his views.
Jayce came to the table. After pausing for one second, he said, "I have great confidence in Hextech. My dream is that one day, it will illuminate all of Runeterra. But on the road ahead, we are destined to encounter many obstacles. I believe a suitable ally will help us reduce that burden."
"Looking at Demacia as a whole, it has nearly seven hundred years of history. The world believes it has a proud and aloof nature, but there is one thing that is also universally recognized, it has never bullied the weak. This is in line with Piltover's original purpose. At the same time, it is not difficult for us to discover that the Demacia of today is also undergoing change."
"On the road ahead, we can absolutely support each other. In my opinion, the Secret Key is also a groundbreaking invention. And Demacia's current military strength is also at the leading level in Runeterra. Therefore, I support an alliance between Piltover and Demacia."
At this point, Jayce's eyes flashed, and he could not help raising his clenched fist. "I believe that under this trend, one day in the future, Piltover will become the torch that lights the world, and the beacon of the entire globe!"
His whole body radiated momentum, and his firm, powerful words fell across the council hall.
The councilors looked at one another, each silently weighing things in their hearts.
Mel looked at Jayce with a bit more appreciation in her eyes, nodding slightly from time to time as she listened to his speech.
Once Jayce finished speaking, he took a breath and stepped back behind Heimerdinger.
"I believe everyone should have a clear idea in their hearts now."
Heimerdinger once again took control of the discussion and led the way. "Then let us begin voting on this alliance with Demacia."
As he spoke, he raised his hand.
"I support Piltover's alliance with Demacia."
With a click, a white light lit up above his head.
Due to the special nature of the council system, whenever a major decision was encountered, the method usually used was voting. Every councilor's position was extremely important.
In other words, as long as there was one vote against it in the council, the matter would still need further discussion.
Usually, every councilor also had their own stance and views, but in the end, they would tend toward unity.
The second person to raise her hand was Mel. Her voice was calm as she said, "I support Piltover's alliance with Demacia."
As her words fell, the spotlight above her also lit up.
Cassandra then raised her hand as well. "I support it."
"I support it."
"I also support it."
"…"
Immediately afterward, the remaining four councilors present all expressed their positions one after another, meaning the vote had passed unanimously.
These days, the councilors had indeed carefully thought this matter over.
Piltover's reputation in Runeterra was growing increasingly prominent.
That also meant more and more people would start setting their eyes on Piltover. Forming an alliance with Demacia, which had displayed powerful military strength, was already quite a good choice.
Moreover, both sides had things the other needed.
For example, Demacia's rich mineral resources and farmland crops were both on no small scale.
After forming an alliance, both sides could also expand trade with each other. This would very quickly improve Piltover's economy.
On top of that, the most important point was Demacia's Secret Key technology.
These past few days, the councilors had already become skilled at using the Secret Keys. The ability to contact others at any time, no matter where they were, had allowed them to personally experience its tremendous convenience.
At present, no matter how they looked at it, forming an alliance with Demacia brought a hundred benefits and no harm.
Naturally, the councilors would not make the wrong decision.
"Good. Since we have passed it unanimously, the matters concerning our alliance with Demacia must also begin quickly."
As the leader, Heimerdinger spoke slowly.
In truth, he felt more deeply about this in his heart than most.
After all, Piltover could be said to be something he had personally founded. It was like his own child. Now, watching this child step onto an entirely new road, he still felt somewhat melancholy.
However, he had also realized that Piltover had grown strong and healthy for so long that it no longer needed him to worry over every little thing.
He could completely let go and watch this child continue walking forward.
"I have one more thing I would like to say."
At this moment, Mel slowly raised her hand, indicating that she had something to say.
Everyone's gazes could not help gathering toward her.
So Mel stood and began speaking. "The alliance with Demacia is imminent. Hextech can already serve as one of Piltover's sources of confidence and prestige. At the same time, from now on, I believe we should elect someone to take unified management over the various technologies derived from Hextech."
Listening to her words, the councilors all nodded slightly.
Indeed, Hextech had already begun to occupy an important position in Piltover.
Naturally, there should also be someone to serve as Hextech's representative.
Piltover's mechanism for electing councilors had always been based on whether that person or that family had once made an indelible contribution to Piltover's development.
Only with such achievements could one serve as a councilor.
Once everyone had acknowledged her idea, Mel's gaze turned toward Jayce. "Therefore, I recommend Jayce for this position. He should join the council and become a new councilor."
As her words fell, Jayce froze slightly, then quickly reacted.
Councilors represented power in Piltover. Once he became a councilor, it meant that from then on, he could truly express his views at this clockwork round table, and even influence important decisions.
At this moment, what Jayce was thinking about was not whether he had the qualifications.
Rather, it was whether he could do his absolute best.
The councilors also looked toward Jayce one after another, their eyes showing thought.
In truth, they felt that sooner or later, one of the council seats would belong to Jayce.
And the fact that Heimerdinger had brought Jayce to observe council meetings actually made his intention to cultivate Jayce quite clear.
What they were considering now was whether allowing him to become a councilor at this time was somewhat too early.
After all, in their eyes, Jayce was still a young man.
Mel was also very young, but she came from House Medarda and from Noxus. She had walked out of mountains of blades and seas of blood, and that had laid a solid foundation for her.
Seeing that the councilors were still thinking, Mel continued, "In the future, our focus will be placed on Hextech and the Hexgates, and all of you have already witnessed Jayce's ability. He is entirely qualified to shoulder the duties of a new councilor."
"Mel is right."
At this moment, Heimerdinger, who had been quiet for a while, suddenly spoke. "Jayce's ability has already been recognized by everyone. In that case, he should participate in Piltover's development process. I agree with Mel's proposal."
He slowly raised his hand, becoming the first to express his stance.
This was no different from urging the other councilors.
After the room remained silent for a while.
"I agree."
"Agreed."
"I agree as well."
"…"
As one vote of agreement followed another, the vote once again passed unanimously.
From this moment on, Jayce would join the council as a new councilor.
Excitement inevitably surged in his heart, but he quickly calmed down. After becoming a councilor, it meant he would need to consider many more things beyond invention.
"Jayce, you will serve as Piltover's representative for this alliance with Demacia."
Heimerdinger looked at Jayce and smiled.
Jayce nodded seriously.
Not long after breakfast time passed.
The carriage sent by the council brought Luke over from home.
Standing downstairs at Piltover's Hall of Governance, Luke knew that what came next would be the moment to see what decision Piltover had made.
However, he felt that smart people should not make foolish decisions.
And things were not much different from what Luke had guessed. After he pushed open the doors to the council hall, he was immediately welcomed by all the councilors rising to their feet.
Every face carried a smile.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Jayce stepped forward and gave a slight bow.
Luke nodded slightly. Noticing the councilor badge on Jayce's chest, he smiled. "Looks like you got promoted. Congratulations."
Jayce revealed a bitter smile and said humbly, "It also means I'm carrying more things on my shoulders."
Soon, he put away his smile and said seriously, "Your Highness, we invited you here because we wish to give a formal response to the proposal from several days ago."
Seeing this, Luke calmly waited for what came next.
With a solemn expression, Jayce extended his hand. "On behalf of the Piltover council, I formally declare that Piltover is willing to form an alliance with Demacia. I hope we can create a better future together. This will be a brand-new chapter in history."
Hearing this, a smile also appeared on Luke's face. He extended his hand and shook Jayce's. "May we all have a bright future."
Just like that, the alliance was settled.
Luke sat in his chair and said, "Then let's talk about what comes after the alliance. The first priority is the Hexgates. Fixed-point teleportation is very important, and I hope it will be two-way teleportation."
Sitting across from him, Jayce nodded. "Two-way teleportation will not be difficult. We only need to establish another Hexgate base station. However, if every teleportation point is converted into two-way travel, our investment will also increase many times over."
Luke thought for a moment, then said, "Then we will fix one point as two-way teleportation, while the rest will all be one-way. With that point as the center, the locations along the route can be replaced by other modes of transportation."
In other words, when the time came, only the base station here in Piltover and one base station in Demacia would be able to teleport both ways, while the rest would be one-way.
And both of these base stations would be able to teleport to any teleportation point.
Two-way teleportation was especially important. This way, people from Piltover could go to Demacia, and Demacians could come to Piltover.
Using this as the extension point, when Hexgates covered the world in the future, that would be when their true power would be displayed.
"Then we will proceed according to this." Jayce agreed with Luke's idea and said, "According to my estimate, Piltover's Hexgates can be opened within two months at the earliest. As our first ally, I would like to know where Demacia wants to set up its teleportation points."
After the map was presented, it was time to choose the locations of the teleportation points.
After Luke's campaign, Demacia's territory had indeed expanded quite a bit. After all, they had occupied the entire Silverrun mountain range.
Luke planned to set the location of the two-way teleportation gate directly outside the capital.
Then, with the capital as the center, multiple teleportation points would be established in all directions until they approached Piltover.
Of course, every Hexgate teleportation point would first require the construction of a bound base station. Only then could the main station lock onto the specific location.
Otherwise, even with a Hexgate, it was not as though one could simply teleport anywhere one wanted.
"Next, Piltover will send personnel to Demacia's capital to establish the Hexgate main station."
Jayce followed Luke's idea and decided to quickly send people out.
The distance between the two sides would take at least two months by sea alone.
Luke nodded slightly.
During this period, he could have Frey, Wenward, and Piltover get in contact ahead of time, then begin preparations from the moment they departed Piltover.
When Piltover's scientists arrived at the capital, establishing the main station would not take much time.
This was where the benefits of the Secret Key showed themselves. Without the Secret Key, just the first step of cooperation between the two sides would probably take at least half a year.
"Piltover can also begin building Dreamnet base stations."
Luke now brought up the second matter, which was also something the councilors were more concerned about. "After the base stations are built, I will open the same management permissions to Piltover. At the same time, there is something I hope to ask of everyone."
Hearing this, Jayce immediately said, "Please speak, Your Highness."
"The external materials used for the Secret Key are Demacia's petricite and some special magic crystals."
Luke explained the current problem. "And these cannot be mass-produced. If we want to produce Secret Keys in batches, we must first find something that can replace these two materials."
This was the problem he had encountered before leaving Demacia, and at that time, he had already decided to come to Piltover to search for a solution.
Hearing this, the councilors sitting across from him all began thinking.
Heimerdinger was the first to speak. "I believe neither of these two things is the key. Leave this matter to Piltover to resolve."
The councilors all shared the same view.
At the current stage, Piltover happened to have a way to solve this problem.
For example, magic crystals could not be mass-produced, but for Piltover, that was not difficult.
Because the hex crystals Jayce had developed through the combination of technology and magic contained more than ten times the energy of normal magic crystals.
Yet the cost was the same.
As for petricite, that was even less difficult for Jayce.
The main function petricite served for the Secret Key was to withstand and circulate magic while preventing it from leaking outward.
And Hextech just happened to be capable of the same function.
It simply could not defend against magic the way petricite could.
They had privately studied the Secret Key for many days now, so naturally, they knew what the most important thing was in this small object that fit in the palm.
It was what Luke had just mentioned, access to Dreamnet base stations.
That was the most important point. Without that, everything else was empty talk.
Because Dreamnet existed, the spirit realm had become a signal region capable of spreading across the entire Runeterra. As long as they were within this signal region, they could communicate with each other.
And the spirit realm was closely connected to the physical realm. As long as the physical realm did not collapse, the spirit realm would not collapse either.
In other words, they did not need to worry about losing connection.
The development of Dreamnet was full of infinite possibilities.
In the eyes of the councilors, its existence was even a little more important than the Hexgates.
Next, Luke and the councilors held a more detailed discussion regarding the alliance between both sides.
Everyone was full of anticipation for the future.
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810