Twin Cities: Who says scientists can't be conquerors?

Chapter 55 Purpose of the Visit

Upon hearing the words "by accident," Aaron felt embarrassed for the woman opposite him.

is it possible?

Located in the heart of Zaun's mid-level plaza, Fugan Tavern is the central hub of the entire Hilkor team and the origin of almost all social activities in Zaun.

Even though it still needs to operate on a daily basis, Hilko did not deploy a high level of security forces outside of the main building complex and underground laboratory.

But Aaron was certain that getting around those seemingly dead-end obstacles and making his way to the backyard of Fugan's Tavern couldn't be explained by a simple "accident."

In other words, this seemingly elegant chocolate-skinned woman in front of you definitely came here intentionally... um?

Aaron suddenly thought of something.

He took another careful look at the woman opposite him:

Her dignified demeanor, coupled with exotic makeup, dark skin, and the keen sense to pinpoint the backyard of the Fugen Tavern...

A somewhat absurd, yet plausible, conjecture popped into Aaron's head, prompting him to frown and ask, "You wouldn't happen to be... Councilor Mel, would you?"

"Looks like I don't need to introduce myself."

The woman smiled and readily admitted it.

She showed no sign of panic, and even casually tidied her hair, as if she were completely in Piltover's upscale banquet hall.

What are you doing here?

Aaron's attitude did not improve at all after hearing Mel admit his identity.

He was even colder, throwing new questions directly at the other person, practically writing "I don't welcome you" on his face.

The reason is not complicated:

Unlike the passionate Jayce and the daughter-caring Lady Giramann, Mel Middarda, though also a Piltover council member, had no weaknesses that Aaron could exploit.

If we even take into account Noxus's background, Mel can be said to be the most transcendent being in the entire Piltover.

Now the other party has quietly circled around to the backyard of the tavern, and it is highly likely that they witnessed the entire process of me using the black box to repair the mech.

Aaron felt that if he didn't adopt a tough stance, things would likely end badly.

Zaun's most threatening trump card has been seen by the other party, but he cannot kill Mel on the spot. Making the other party realize his cold attitude and back down is the best option at present.

After all, he couldn't possibly actually kill someone to cover it up.

In that case, not to mention whether he might cause Mel to awaken the dormant magical power within her prematurely, leading to a complete feud between the two;

Even if you succeed, the first person to celebrate with you will probably be that pale lady in the Immortal Fortress who loves to come up with ideas...

"Don't be so unapproachable, sir."

Unfortunately, Mel did not follow Aaron's script at all.

She was very polite in her words, but her feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, standing firmly at the back gate, her eyes filled with curiosity mixed with admiration.

"After I saw my two friends across the Bridge of Progress, I heard quite a few interesting stories about you along the way."

"Multi-functional electrician's gun, force pliers, shotgun chainsaw sword... there are so many that I can't even count them all."

Mel took half a step forward.

She exuded the same elegance she had when she extended a helping hand to the desperate Jayce years ago, raising an eyebrow and calmly emphasizing her words:

"Am I right? Young Master Aaron, the genius."

……

In fact, Mel's arrival in Zaun with Jayce today was never for love or any other ordinary purpose.

Even if Caitlyn and Jinx hadn't gone to Piltover to find Lady Giramann, she would most likely have found some other reason—"accidentally getting separated from her companions"—to try and meet Aaron.

She and Urgot are essentially no different; they both came for Aaron.

The difference is that Urgot values ​​certain qualities that Aaron himself is unaware of, and wants to turn Aaron into the best vessel for his grand ideals.

Mel, on the other hand, was there to "seek sponsorship"—

"I encountered considerable resistance while investigating information about you, and it's clear you've gone to great lengths to conceal yourself."

"Fortunately, you've done enough in Zaun, so by following the clues, I can still roughly grasp your movements."

Mel tapped the rim of his teacup, showing no disdain for Zaun's simple living conditions, his eyes fixed intently on Aaron sitting opposite him.

Although she didn't understand why Aaron showed no intention of attacking her after recognizing her, which was not in line with the usual habits of the Zaun people.

But this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

At least now she's sitting in Aaron's room, where she can properly persuade the boy in front of her in her area of ​​expertise.

"I didn't mean to threaten you, I just want to see you with my own eyes."

"Look at me?"

Aaron crossed his arms and asked a question in return, his refusal clearly implying strong rejection.

He couldn't understand Mel's purpose in coming, let alone why the other party was interested in him.

Logically speaking, as an original shareholder of Hextech, Mel should be able to wield considerable influence in Piltover, so why would he specifically seek out me?

"Yes, I have to see you in person."

"Only in this way can I confirm whether Mrs. Giramann's judgment was wrong; only then can I confirm whether I should..."

Mel narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"I'm investing more in you!"

"..."

Having said that, Aaron, though still silent, couldn't help but become serious.

He had his own expectations:

Ever since he insisted on "making trouble out of nothing" in order to study at Piltover University, he provoked Caitlyn by investigating the burning cargo ship accident.

He immediately realized that his nine years of trying to keep a low profile would soon be exposed by various powerful and scheming people.

That's why Aaron never questioned why Mrs. Giramann insisted on continuing to claim that he and Caitlin had some kind of special relationship.

Because someone has taken a liking to me!

It's not just the kind of "mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law" kind of evaluation.

Rather, as an excellent Piltover auditor and a discerning family investor, Lady Giramann had already noticed that Aaron possessed qualities that could be readily converted into social status and immense wealth.

He single-handedly transformed the once desolate place of Zuan into a quiet and continuously generating revenue through foreign trade.

Which Piltover capitalist wouldn't be tempted?!

Because of Piltover's consistent arrogance towards Zaun, these statistics were never paid attention to by those council members in the past.

And now, looking at Mel, at this woman who is probably the most qualified to be arrogant in Piltover.

Aaron knew that the other party, like Madam Giraman, was probably secretly targeting him, this "little guy" who was changing Zaun and even the balance of power between the two cities!

"Should I feel honored?"

Aaron made a lukewarm joke.

He didn't relax; instead, he became even more tense, staring intently at Mel.

Because even now, Mel hasn't revealed his true purpose in approaching him!

What is "additional investment"?

What do you mean by "look at you"?

Just listen to it.

Aaron didn't believe that this woman, who had once risked violating Piltover's laws to cover for Jayce and Viktor just because of a crazy fantasy, would only offer empty flattery after approaching him.

And she also saw the mecha.

Thinking of this, Aaron felt even heavier.

His positioning of the Shadowcraft Tactical Mech Zaun was "the backbone of the Zaunites themselves," a strategic deterrent sufficient to support him in resisting pressure from Piltover when he wanted to carry out reforms in Zaun later.

Even if Jinx uses the mecha to cause a big problem as soon as it appears, it probably won't be able to hide for long.

Even so, Aaron was unwilling to let it be noticed by the Piltover people so hastily.

So...he has to at least get something in return—

"Congressman Mel, let's stop with the pleasantries and get straight to the point."

Aaron took a deep breath.

"You investigated so much about me, don't tell me you just suddenly felt good and decided to 'give young people a chance' like last time."

"Oh?"

"You even know that?"

Mel was about to answer when she suddenly paused.

She looked at Aaron with some surprise, completely unaware that a fourth person knew the promise she had made to Jess and Victor on the night Jess was desperate and stole the lab key.

Could it be that this Aaron...?

"Please speak."

"If you want to sign any trade agreement with me, I must inform you in advance that all my research and development achievements are for the benefit of Zaun, so there are no preferential terms."

The moment Aaron heard Mel's questioning look, he knew he had accidentally said something inappropriate and quickly drew Mel's attention back.

In the film, the audience can see everything Mel did that night from a god-like perspective.

So Aaron, who had experienced both physical and mental shocks tonight, blurted it out without thinking.

But this is reality.

Aside from the parties involved, no one should know the details of that night.

This left Mel quite astonished.

"Heh, interesting."

Mel was very "thoughtful" and didn't dwell on it. Instead, he smiled and said, "I think I know why Urgot is so determined to have you," before moving on from the topic.

"Trivial matters like trade agreements are not something a genius like you should be concerned with."

She shook her head in denial, then pointed to the Cheng Ying mecha in the courtyard, which had been restored to its original state, and her eyes finally revealed the sharpness they should have:

"I bet this big guy is the one that took over the Stillwater Prison tonight..."

"Please get to the point."

"Ha, don't be so nervous, I'm not threatening you or trying to hold you accountable."

"I was trying to say..." Mel moved closer to Aaron, the gold glitter on her eyelids shimmering.

"Would you be interested in cooperating with me to make another batch of similar weapons?"