Cyberzaun, Machinarium

Enoch chose the right time. Not long after he sat down, he saw Lady Midalda appear in the garden wrapped in a long robe.

The small garden now welcomed a magical lineup that no one could have imagined in their dreams. Scholars, politicians, generals, businessmen, and lunatics gathered together. This was very troublesome. Except for chatting, any private "tacit" communication could not be achieved here.

The most uncomfortable person here should be Jace. He is neither sophisticated enough nor crazy enough among this group of people.

"Ms. Medarda, I must say that the tea is just perfect. Thank you very much for your hospitality."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Never mind, Noxus has something better"

Enoch was silent. He had never expected that a polite remark meant to break the awkwardness would actually get two responses. What was this? Was it a tacit understanding between mother and daughter?

After a pause, Enoch asked the most concerned question, "Excuse me, Senator, I received data feedback from the Atlas Security Department. Recently, inexplicable conflicts have intensified a lot... I am a little worried that there will be unnecessary troubles. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I don't understand what you are referring to specifically. The law enforcement officers are still doing their job conscientiously to ensure the normal progress of various operations. It is also due to the efforts of Atlas Security that we can steadily get through the Evolution Day activities. Everything is going well now." Mel stirred the black tea in the cup lightly, watching the sugar dissolve bit by bit, with a look on his face that it should be so.

To some extent, Enoch gained some insights. It seemed that he was far from being a politician. He was so naive that he ran to Piltover and tried to get the truth out of these slick people.

At this moment, Enoch admired Hilco from the bottom of his heart. Who knew how he negotiated the contract with this group of people some time ago.

This also reminded him that if he played by the rules of this group, he would definitely work for them. The people of Zaun were indeed not suitable for this kind of occasion. Look at Jinx, who was originally there to scare people, but now she was busy laughing at Enoch.

He was very sure of this. Even though the girl's performance was not obvious, Enoch, who had been with her day and night, could clearly feel that she was enjoying it.

He simply gave up thinking and thought that Enoch was just running over to get a cup of tea. He had already made up his mind and would run away immediately.

The garden suddenly became extremely quiet. No one spoke for a while. Mel quietly exchanged glances with Mrs. Midalda and Jace, and gently placed the cup on the table. With a crisp sound, Mel asked Enoch:

"I remember that Mr. Enoch has always been a pioneer in scientific research and development. Do you two have any plans for cooperation? I think this may set an excellent example for the two cities."

Finally, they talked about their expertise. Jace looked up and exchanged glances with Enoch, and they reached a tacit consensus for the time being.

"Sorry, our research directions are different..."

"...taking over by force may lead to accidents, especially since both sides are researching high-energy materials."

“Considering the different application forms…”

“Maybe it’s better to separate for now.”

Jayce and Enoch were telling lies that would raise Heimerdinger's blood pressure, while Jinx, who knew what she was doing, was so happy that she was rocking in her chair.

"That's such a pity." Mel didn't care and still maintained an elegant smile, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Before Enoch could figure out how to say goodbye, Mel's assistant suddenly came up to Congressman Mel at the garden entrance and whispered something to him. The congressman's daughter stood up and said goodbye leisurely, taking Jace out of the garden.

To be honest, the look of pity that Jace left before he left made Enoch feel furious. When had he become so miserable that he had to be pitied by him?

"Okay, my politician daughter has left, let's have a good talk." Mrs. Midalda put the teacup aside, waved her hand, and the guards around her were pushed out, leaving a private space for three people.

"I guess you must have a lot of things to ask, otherwise you wouldn't come to this manor. My daughter is used to that way of talking, but I am different. Let's talk in a way that we are comfortable with. Tell me what you want."

Mrs. Midarda is undoubtedly a typical Noxian. Her words and actions easily remind people of a lion. To be honest, Enoch now prefers to communicate with Mrs. Midarda rather than the councillor.

"I'm concerned about one thing... I haven't seen Ms. Cassiopeia since she visited the factory. Is there any problem? I'm happy to provide corresponding assistance."

"No need to beat around the bush. We've studied you before, and you're not good at asking questions." Lady Midalda sneered. "Ever since you beat Swain into a pulp, there's a thick stack of information about the girls around you, not to mention the little secrets about you and your factory. So I know you very well."

Enoch and Jinx looked at each other, and the girl silently put the cup down and gently touched the pistol on the outside of her thigh.

"Thank you for your honesty... This is an answer I didn't expect." Enoch also slightly adjusted his body to reduce the focus on Mrs. Midalda's vital points.

"Because you deserve it from Noxus. That woman wants to pull you into the chariot just like me. I don't know where she ran off to. Maybe she was trapped by something." Mrs. Midalda took out a bottle of wine from under the table and bit off the cork easily. "Would you like to taste it? It's the fine liquor of Noxus."

"No thanks... Is it appropriate for you to tell me such confidential information? How can you tell me this when you are investigating me privately?" Enoch secretly patted Jinx, signaling the girl not to be so nervous for the time being.

Shaking the red wine in the glass, Mrs. Midalda looked at the girl's hands under the table and Enoch's sideways posture, and sneered with disdain, "Humph, Noxus's staff has collected your information, studied your weapons, and even obtained some of your weapons from some channels. I told you everything, so what? What will you do?"

After a moment of silence, Enoch sat back down. "I will thank Noxus for valuing me, and then change the subject to talk about something else."

"That's right," Mrs. Midalda nodded with satisfaction. "I've said it before, you are an ambitious person who knows how to advance and retreat. You are more like a Noxian, so you should come to Noxus."

"Is this a suggestion or a threat?"

"This is a recruitment." He stood up and threw the wine bottle on the table. The neatly arranged tea cups were knocked all over the place, and the Noxian general didn't even look at the messy table. He strolled in the garden as if he was patrolling on the battlefield.

"Look at this city. A few underground gangs can stir up the storm. You are all loyal to the same people, so why don't you choose a stronger leader?"

Chapter 118: Recruitment from Noxus (Part 2)

"Because I am a native of Zuan, I will do my best to dedicate my youth to this land and become firewood to build a bright future."

Enoch followed behind Lady Midarda, whose figure, taller than Enoch, looked particularly domineering.

"That's a good point. How long have you been practicing in private? As an arms dealer, what else are you selling besides death?"

"Oxygen pumps, air conditioners, radios, sports cars." Enoch looked at the tall figure in front of him, who was squeezing an unlucky flying insect to death at an unusual speed. After a pause, he spit out the words on his lips, "Selling all kinds of protective equipment."

"Oh, yes, protective equipment." The female general nodded and pulled out a highly customized STI 2011 from her waist. "This is my favorite little toy I found recently. Sometimes I want to use it to replace my speech."

Holding the gun with one hand, his finger on the trigger, he pointed the muzzle dangerously towards Enoch. The Noxian's dangerous action deeply hurt the nerves of the two people present. Jinx also drew out her electromagnetic pistol and stood in front of Enoch without hesitation.

After looking at Jinx for a while, Lady Midalda nodded with satisfaction, "Nice look, it seems you have tamed her well."

"I have to say, ma'am, your choice of words seems inappropriate..."

The female general ignored Enoch, simply put the gun back to her waist, pushed the girl who was blocking her way, stood in front of Enoch, and reached out to adjust his collar. "Your product is very interesting. Just click it lightly, and a soldier who has been training for many years will fall down. It makes everything simple...

But, Little Finger Enoch, have you ever plunged your blade into your enemy's body and watched him take his last breath?"

Enoch thought about his previous experience in Demacia and shook his head decisively, "No, I would never be so barbaric."

"Hmph, there's no need to deceive yourself. You are much more cruel than you think. You never care about these things. In your eyes, they are just objects that need to be cleaned up, just numbers."

Midalda turned his back with satisfaction and said, "Tell me, have you figured out how to deal with that Hilco who's hanging over you?"

Enoch suddenly became alert and weighed his words carefully. "The reason why Zaun can still rise today is because of unity. We trust each other and will not betray each other. I think your expectations may be dashed."

"I'll wait and see." As she spoke, Lady Midalda put her hand on the dagger she was best at using. "Now, please give me an answer. Will you be a friend or a dead person?"

"If I remember correctly, I caused a little trouble to Noxus's conquest of Ionia. Maybe that's why I'm more worried..."

"You are too modest. This is not an excellent quality. As far as I know, your little trouble directly destroyed two legions and left a lot of troublesome iron cans on the border of Demacia."

Lady Midalda interrupted Enoch's vague arguments and said, "Don't worry. Show your ability and loyalty, and there will be a place for you in Noxus."

"No, I think you misunderstood. I know who I defeated, the Imperial strategist Swain, a complete patriot, but from what I know, the Midalda family seems to have a strained relationship with him... So as someone who knows only a little about Noxus, I really can't bring it up and I don't have much interest. I don't want to go to the front line to fight."

Ignoring the blade that was already halfway out and flashing with cold light, Enoch reached out and pulled the girl behind him, taking the opportunity to speed up his explanation, "But I'm personally more interested in causing some trouble for Swain... Maybe Lothrian will become a friend of Midalda?"

With a swish, the blade was sheathed. Lady Midalda turned around and took Enoch's outstretched hand. She looked at him with satisfaction for a while, not paying attention to Jinx on the side. She sighed, "What a pity! I wish I had another daughter."

Enoch suddenly felt a little flustered, not because he couldn't hold Jinx, but quite the opposite. Jinx didn't have to use any strength at all. She just stood beside Enoch obediently and vigilantly, carefully holding Enoch's sleeve, ready to pull Enoch behind her at any time.

"I... don't think a lady like you believes in marriage."

"As long as it can produce an effect, we must learn to use it flexibly. Different people have different ways of dealing with it." Midalda looked at the young man and woman in front of him meaningfully, turned around, and walked towards the lounge in the inner house.

"Okay, let's have fun here, so that we won't be accused of being unceremonious and inhospitable... Also, it's time to prepare a badge ring for yourself, which you will use often."

"Wait, I want to ask you, regarding the conflict between the two cities these days, is Noxus planning something?"

The female general didn't even turn her head, she just shook the half-full bottle of wine and said, "The Midalda family is not involved."

"Thanks for the reminder," Enoch whispered his thanks and quickly turned around to check on the girl.

"Are you okay?" Enoch gently hugged the girl and pulled up her little hand. After a slight struggle, Jinx obediently handed the pistol to Enoch.

"I'm fine, why are you asking me this suddenly?" Jinx was a little surprised. She looked up at Enoch who suddenly became cautious and raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"I thought you would be unhappy."

Jinx chuckled and lay comfortably in Littlefinger's arms, "Oh, Littlefinger, you are so cute. I am not that fragile. Besides, you can't live without me."

Gently sniffing the chamomile scent on the girl, mixed with the fragrance of the surrounding garden, he had a wonderful new feeling. He tightened his arms slightly, feeling the petite and fascinating feeling in his arms, and he suddenly felt that his girl deserved a better environment.

After a moment of silence, the girl in his arms suddenly looked up and put her arms around the boy's neck. "I say, do you still need my help with your previous hex gem research?"

"I need it anytime, but don't you just dislike it? There's no need to force it."

Jinx looked up and touched Enoch's forehead skillfully. "I didn't force myself, otherwise Little Finger would definitely find it, right? Tell me about your latest work."

Enoch held the girl in his arms and sat her on the iron chair in the garden. He helped her take care of her hair as usual. "That's a long story. Why don't we think about what kind of badge ring we should design first?"

The two of them were bored and drinking tea to kill time. The owner of the mansion had disappeared. If it weren't for the cooperation they had just reached, Enoch would have wanted to leave without saying goodbye.

Seeing Mel and Jace rushing over, Enoch patted the girl's back gently. Looking back, the girl jumped off Little Finger's leg with understanding.

"Thank you for the hospitality from Councillor Meier. We had a wonderful afternoon. Please allow me to take my leave first..."

"Thank you for the compliment," Mel interrupted hastily, "but there is a problem with the Twin Cities that needs to be resolved immediately."

Chapter 119: The Fuse

When Enoch followed Mel to the Senate, he realized that things had suddenly become so urgent.

The congressmen who arrived earlier kept exchanging information, standing worriedly on the platform of the meeting room, looking at the huge smoke rising from not far away.

"We have contacted Baron Silco of Zaun and he will be here soon. Several other barons are also on their way. The route has been cleared and the meeting will not be delayed for the time being."

Senator Meier listened to the adjutant's report, nodded slightly, and then ordered, "Close the Hexgate immediately, separate the gem and the portal, and ensure that they will not be attacked."

Seeing the adjutant receiving the order to leave, Mel took a few steps forward and found Enoch, who was greeting several congressmen. He simply nodded and winked, and the congressmen tactfully left space for the two to talk.

"Where is the security you promised? Why hasn't Pilgrim's Gate returned to peace yet?" Mel's words were stiff, but she still retained her rationality. It was just that she felt a little tired to control the overall situation in such a short time.

"Atlas's personnel are all in place. My people have divided the crowd into several blocks for simple isolation. I ordered them to suspend their operations first." Enoch shook the note in his hand and reminded Congressman Mel.

"According to feedback, the most dangerous weapons in the hands of the gang on the street are sticks taken from the roadside. The fires in the shops that caught fire have been brought under control. The thick smoke you see is from the gang burning flags, portraits on street lamps, and puppets that were made at some unknown time."

"They were all ordinary civilians until this morning. Are you sure you want me to send the backup troops up? What result do you want? Suppress them? Disperse them? Or arrest them all?"

Enoch was unusually indecisive. He could indeed let the mobile team control the situation easily, but the details afterwards would be too much trouble. According to the congressman's previous cooperative nature, he would probably have to bear the blame himself. Anyway, the streets were full of marching crowds and there was no further bloodshed, so Enoch was happy to argue here.

Perhaps it was because the tone of both of them was too harsh, the surrounding councilors and the Alchemy Baron who had already arrived all gathered around quietly, but no one spoke.

In silence, a modified Huey helicopter landed on the newly built helipad on the roof. Hilco walked slowly into the meeting room with Sevika, looked at the silent congressmen around him, and slowly asked Enoch, "Have the casualties been announced? I haven't seen the accident report yet."

"It's still being counted." Enoch sighed, picked up the information on his seat, showed it to the congressmen, and then threw it heavily in the center of the conference table.

"Preliminary judgment is that there were two groups of people - one from Zaun and one from Piltover - who had a quarrel in the commercial street, and then a Piltover man suddenly rushed up and killed the leader of the Zaun gang. Then the remaining Zaun people rushed up together, smashed the shop of the Piltover man, and burned his family and the shop together."

Enoch looked at the other council members who had shocked or bewildered expressions on their faces, flipped out a few photos of the scene and threw them on the table, "That's what the eyewitnesses said. The Piltover guys attacked first, then the Zaun guys killed the entire family of Piltover and then ran away."

Heimerdinger hesitantly flicked the photo aside, looking at the charred inside, and asked tremblingly, "Do you know who it is?"

"I don't know. They say this is a newly opened store. No one knows the owner. The body was burned beyond recognition. Before we had time to investigate, they started the parade. The law enforcement officers had to withdraw first, and..."

"And what? Get the news out. Nothing worse can happen now."

After looking around at the councillors present and the staff watching in the front hall, Enoch made a slight gesture to Jinx, and waited until the girl closed the door before he slowly spoke, "The situation is still unclear, so I don't want to interfere with your judgment... The number of bodies we found is wrong."

There were 5 people in the shop in Piltover, including parents, a pair of children, and an apprentice helper. There were 7 people in Zaun: the leader died, and the other 6 people disappeared. In other words, there were 12 people in total at the time of the incident, but we found 8 bodies. The numbers just didn't add up.

"Maybe two people were involved while shopping?" Councilman Gilaman pondered. This was a very likely thing that happened.

"Maybe. It would be best if they were two unrelated unlucky people," Enoch echoed. "Anyway, because the parade happened so quickly, we can't immediately find out the identity of the deceased. The parade crowd has been controlled near the Star Avenue. The Sun Gate, the Zodiac Basement, the Hex Flying Gate, and the Clock Academy Workshop have all been controlled. They will not be in danger for the time being."

"The only high-value target still in the turbulent area is Blue Wind Courtyard. Do the councillors and barons have any good suggestions?"

Everyone around the round table suddenly fell silent. Enoch looked expectantly at Finn, who had just arrived, hoping that this guy could bring him some surprises.

Sadly, this metal chin is only sometimes silly, but not completely stupid.

"We need to calm them down first, find out the truth, and deal with the criminals according to the law." Jace pressed his forehead, looking a little painful. It was obvious that he could not accept the deaths caused by these conflicts. "First, take measures to quell the riots, and then hold a public trial. Everyone..."

Before the other councillors could react, Enoch interrupted Jayce and said, "Calm down? What do you think I should do? Water guns? Tear gas? I do have these things, but are you sure you want the law enforcers to open fire on almost half of the civilians in Piltover? When they are almost calm and starting a sit-in demonstration? How do you think we should deal with this, Mr. Genius?"

"The people need to release some pressure." Heimerdinger shook his head slightly at Jayce. "Let's do this. As long as these demonstrators don't cause any casualties, we'll allow them to demonstrate. If they're still gathering at night, we'll consider how to deal with them."

The meeting was interrupted for a while, and the participants gathered in twos and threes to discuss countermeasures, but the people on both sides had clear attitudes. Most of the Piltover council members gathered together to exchange opinions, while the barons of Zaun seemed indifferent and took a rest in scattered places. Anyway, they would eventually follow Hilco's opinion.

Before dinner, Enoch stopped Hilco who was smoking a cigar in the lounge, and tried to find out the answer. "How do we solve this problem?"

"We? What does this have to do with Zaun? If there weren't indeed people from Zaun who died in this incident, the Baron wouldn't even bother to come here for a meeting. There's no need to make a fuss. Anyway, Piltover and Zaun have hated each other for a long time. Any efforts now will be useless."

With a long sigh, Hilco extinguished his cigar. "The last one-day war ended too quickly. Both sides were only slightly injured and are holding their breath. If you don't let them bleed enough, they won't feel the pain and will never calm down. Just wait and see. If that congressman really publicly tries the Zaun people, the chaos will be the biggest at that time. No one will swallow this breath."