Arcane: Winds of Change

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Chapter 19: Plunder

"Powder!" Vi lunged toward the cell door, the violent movement causing her wound to reopen, and blood began to flow uncontrollably.

Vi hadn't had it easy in Still Water Prison. Being young, combined with her fierce personality from Zaun, made her a focal point in this prison. Officers were always paying special attention to her. Powder was her hope to endure all of this, although seeing Powder being taken by Silco at the end made survival seem difficult.

"Where did you get this?" Caitlyn, unaware of the situation in the undercity two years ago, asked directly. "Answer my question first, do you work for Silco?"

"There are many who work for him; everyone knows that! Where did you get this?" Vi's voice grew urgent.

"A massive explosion occurred in the upper city, causing major disruptions," the officer explained. "And this person, do you know them?" 

"Phil?" Vi recognized the face, adorned with a gentle smile in the photo, wearing formal attire.

"Good, you recognize them. After investigating the explosion in the upper city, we found the explosive pattern and Phil appearing on stage. I suspect these were orchestrated by Baron Silco, but lack evidence."

"Baron Silco? I can give you evidence, but you have to let me out first," Vi was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. Before the explosion, Vander had cooperated with Silco, but everyone knew it was because of Vi and the others that Vander had to shoulder everything. After the tragic explosion, no one knew what happened to the undercity. Vi only wanted to see her sister, no matter the cost.

"I may be foolish, but I'm not about to trust someone like you," the officer said with disdain. 

"Someone like me? You enforcers are all the same; you look the part, but you're worse than pigs and dogs. Go find Silco yourself then," Vi said impatiently.

"I will, thanks," the officer said expressionlessly, walking away.

"The undercity will chew you up and spit you out," Vi muttered, struggling against the cell.

Caitlyn paused a few steps away, sighed, and turned back around.

"This is an order from Councilor Talis, regarding inmate 516," Caitlyn handed a document to the warden.

"Heh, she's not cooperating, is she? Want us to have another chat with her?" 

"No need!" Caitlyn's tone was urgent. "This is her pardon."

"When did this happen?" the warden asked slowly, knowing Jayce Talis had gained great fame due to the Hextech Gates.

"Just today," Caitlyn replied straightforwardly. "How many times have you 'chatted' with her?" she then inquired.

"Well... who keeps track of that?" the warden chuckled.

The two left the prison and traveled back to Piltover by boat. Caitlyn briefed Vi on the current situation.

"How do we get to Zaun then?" Caitlyn asked, as tensions between Piltover and Zaun had led to the bridge being completely sealed off. The upper city residents couldn't enter, and the lower city residents couldn't leave.

Hearing Caitlyn's question, Vi glanced at her with scorn. Nearby, a small, frail-looking old man walked by. To Caitlyn's utter shock, Vi leaped over the edge, jumping right down. Due to the structural stack of Piltover and Zaun, aside from a connecting bridge, the cities also had an upper and lower relationship. Jumping from Piltover meant entering Zaun. Seeing that Vi had gone down, Caitlyn gritted her teeth and slowly jumped down as well.

When Caitlyn reached the undercity, Vi had already dealt with a group of thugs and acquired clothes. Meanwhile, the small old man, who had been in the upper city, once again walked past the two.

"The alleys welcome you," Vi said, looking at a panting Caitlyn. 

"You almost killed me."

"My sister could do this when she was seven."

The two squared off, staring each other down for a while, but eventually, Caitlyn gave in. "Fine, you're the boss. So, what's next?" Caitlyn asked, compromising. 

"First, we get a good meal," Vi said earnestly.

Following Silco's orders, Jinx took a boat to the Sun Gate. Before leaving, Phil specifically advised Sevika to target only the easy ones. If they saw military supply ships from Noxus, they should pretend not to notice. But if they encountered merchant ships from other families, they would raid them without mercy.

Jinx stood fiercely at the prow of the ship, her Pow-Pow gun spewing flames, aiming at a medium-sized merchant vessel. She laughed wildly as she fired, while a few sailors on the merchant ship tried to fight back; however, Jinx's unrelenting firepower was overwhelming for them. Flintlock pistols against a light machine gun—what kind of genius thought up that scenario? 

As more sailors fell and a surrender flag was raised, Sevika quickly intervened. Phil had specifically instructed that there must be survivors left to return to Piltover to put pressure on the leaders. But Jinx, consumed by her bloodlust, turned back towards Sevika, causing Sevika to take two steps back. Sevika knew that even if Jinx "accidentally" killed her, at most Silco and Phil would just scold Jinx. Sevika swallowed hard, but still forced herself to speak, "This is Phil's command. If you don't obey, you'll have to explain to him yourself."

Jinx and Sevika locked eyes for a few seconds, the ferocity in Jinx's eyes slowly fading. She made a funny face at Sevika and returned to the cabin. "Gather all the goods, give the survivors a small boat, and let them head to Piltover," Sevika sighed with relief, seeing Jinx retreat back to the cabin.

Originally, Phil was supposed to accompany Jinx on this operation. However, he was busy researching how to enhance the stability of Hex crystals. If the prototype mechs he was working on malfunctioned due to strong impacts, causing Hex stones to explode, it would be a disaster. Thus, he decided not to go for the time being and sent the steady-handed Sevika to oversee the interception of the ships to avoid any incidents with Jinx.

Sevika watched the sun rise slowly in the east. Such a sunrise was rare in the undercity; only those from the upper city were privileged to bask in sunlight. "The goods on the ship have all been collected, Sevika," a tattooed, bald strongman jumped back from the tattered merchant ship and reported to Sevika. Due to the emergence of Hex Gates, ships carrying valuable goods mostly used them for transport. Only ships transporting daily necessities with lower profits still traveled the sea routes. 

"Understood, find the next target," Sevika instructed coldly.