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

Chapter 74 Ambesa

When viewed over a sufficiently long timeframe, many things become distorted.

Take, for example, the concepts of "new" and "old":

Now, in the year 772 of the Noxian calendar, could a family that began its bloody primitive accumulation from the very beginning of the Noxian Empire, building its prestige and influence through killing and conquest, be considered a long-standing "old noble family"?

Even if it doesn’t count.

The reason it qualifies is that, compared to other powers of the same era that were established too late and still had to use the Noxian calendar, a family that was the same age as the Noxian Empire had a truly profound foundation.

That's not entirely true, because as the current head of this family, Ambeza Middarda knows far too much about the great beings beyond the fragments of history.

Those things, if they spilled even a single drop of blood, would be enough to drown the ant-like Middarda family!

So she learned to be patient and patient.

Extreme restraint.

Even though some within the empire had already raised their knives against her and her family, she still had to maintain her dignity, endure the sharp blade hanging over her neck, and quietly search for all possible ways out!

Fortunately, she seemed to have found a way out...

"Say it again? Jess, right?"

Ambeza sat casually on the large chair covered with a bearskin, her legs spread apart.

She toyed with a dagger faintly stained with dried blood in her hand, looking at the maid who was reporting to her with a half-smile.

Through the maid, Ambissa learned that her spies, whom she had sent to Piltover, had almost fully grasped the situation there.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have known about her daughter's romantic relationship status.

She's dating a Piltover senator named Jayce Talisman.

"Yes, madam, the young lady is dating Jess Talis."

"Jace Talisman is not only a senator in Piltover, but also the founder of Hextech and holds the core of Hextech..."

"I know that."

Ambeza impatiently interrupted the maid.

She flicked her wrist, embedding the dagger into the wall behind the maid, then began rubbing her neck and muttering to herself:

"I didn't expect that, Mel."

"I only wanted you to steal the good stuff from Piltover, but I didn't expect you to steal the people who created it from them, haha."

"She truly is my daughter!"

After expressing her feelings, Anbesa seemed to realize something and tried hard to suppress her joy.

Normally, she never showed any kindness to her daughter within the family.

If you look closely at that subconscious praise, you can even see a hint of coldness behind it—she can't allow anyone to realize that she has actually accepted the daughter she "expelled"!

"..."

"Is there anything else? If not, I'm about to head to Piltover to collect my investment returns."

After a moment of silence, Ambissa composed herself and looked up at the maid again.

She seemed to be hinting that the other person should say more about Mel, but at the same time, she seemed to be implying that the conversation should end here.

This ambiguous attitude, coupled with the countless drops of blood on Ambissa's hands, was simply the ultimate test for a maid...

"There are indeed a few things that concern Miss Mel."

The maid maintained her smile and gave a fluent answer.

Clearly, she is not simple either.

Having grown accustomed to the oppressive atmosphere emanating from Ambesa, this maid could now speak without batting an eye, effortlessly uttering words that Ambesa wanted to hear but was unwilling to express her own.

"Hmm."

As expected, Ambissa had no objections.

She grabbed the roasted lamb leg from the table, stuffed it into her mouth, and began tearing and swallowing it, babbling incoherently as she told the maid to continue.

"The first thing is that Miss Mel is currently doing disaster relief in Zaun."

"Due to a recent natural disaster in Zaun, Miss Mel is organizing Piltover council members to raise funds and then personally go to the scene to provide relief."

"The incident began when the estuary of the Piltover River collapsed, causing the floodwaters to directly..."

"here we go again!"

Before the maid could finish speaking, Ambeza angrily interrupted her.

It wasn't that she was angry with the maid, but rather that the words "Mel is doing disaster relief" deeply stung her.

So many years have passed, and Ambissa has discovered that her daughter, who was unwilling to even slaughter prisoners cleanly, is still so kind and weak!

"Is this your philosophy? To be a pathetic, weak coward?"

Ambeza gritted her teeth and growled, as if questioning her daughter who was far away.

For her, teaching Mel to be as ruthless and resilient as a wolf was not just about family traditions and teachings.

More importantly, the horrific truth known only to Ambissa forces her to witness her daughter transform into a vicious wolf that no one can easily kill before she can…

"Alright, is there anything else? Let's finish it all at once."

Ambeza curled up her greasy hand and pressed her knuckles against her forehead.

Every time she discovers signs of "weakness" in her daughter, similar to what she just witnessed, she can't help but feel frustrated and agitated.

Today is no exception.

"Madam, there is indeed one more thing."

The maid obediently skipped over the topic that displeased Ambissa and hesitantly brought up another matter:

"Miss Mel is dating Jess Talis, but she also seems to be seeing someone else lately..."

"Oh?"

Ambesa immediately became interested.

She widened her eyes and pressed for an answer:

"Tell me! Is Mel having his cake and eating it too, while he's eyeing someone else?"

Clearly, Ambissa, a mother who seems rather awkward and irresponsible, is quite interested in digging up "dirt" on her daughter.

"Well, it's hard to say."

Ambeza's persistent questioning actually stumped the maid.

According to the latest intelligence from our spies, the young man from Zaun named "Aaron" seems to be making some kind of secret deal with Mel.

However, the maid could not confirm whether there had been any inappropriate behavior between the two.

after all……

"Madam, why don't you take a look for yourself?"

The maid hesitated for a moment before handing over a letter filled with tiny, densely written characters, detailing the recent movements of Mel, as discovered by the spies.

"We've gathered far too little information about that Zaunite named Aaron. And based on the information we do have, he seems to be quite extraordinary as well... very extraordinary!"

"Madam, do you remember those oddly shaped pliers that the Kokao family purchased last year?"

"Hmm. That thing is indeed convenient and easy to use. It seems the Kokao family has already modified it into a weapon?"

"That's right, that thing is called the Zaun Power Claw, and it does have a lot of potential for development."

"And its inventor..."

As she spoke, the maid took out another letter with many photos pasted on it.

She pointed to a photo marked "October 27th," which was yesterday's Piltover Progress Day.

In the photo, Mel, Jayce, and Aaron are standing together in flood-ravaged Zaun.

Beside them stood the loyal Shadow Tactical Mech, the one that Anbesa couldn't tear her eyes away from after just one glance—

"Their inventor was this guy from Zaun named Aaron!"