Progress Day, the most important annual festival in Piltover, was a celebration of innovation.
On this day, all factories stopped operations. Aside from the enforcers who maintained order, all Piltover citizens dressed in new clothes and took to the streets to enjoy the festivities. For one day, the city shed its industrial grime and became a showcase of prosperity.
Even the usually stingy elites generously donated to the council. But their charitable gestures were as much about public image as genuine goodwill.
Organized by the Piltover Council, the city was adorned in beautiful bright red decorations, basking in manufactured glory.
"Happy Progress Day!"
People all over the streets greeted each other warmly, with smiles on everyone's faces.
In addition to the grand celebrations across the city, Progress Day was also an exhibition day for showcasing Piltover's cutting-edge technology. Basically, it was diplomacy through demonstration.
On both sides of the bustling streets, major families hosted tech expos to display and explain their products to business representatives visiting from around the world. The competition between houses was fierce, if politely concealed.
Unlike the more closed-off Zaun, Piltover's elites opened these exhibitions to the public on Progress Day. Not only were civilian industrial products on display, but there were also public military weapon exhibitions for guests to browse and select from.
Bread and circuses, with a side of arms dealing. How enlightened.
Undoubtedly, the most popular exhibits were various Hextech devices developed by Jayce. Crowds gathered around his displays like pilgrims at a shrine to the future.
Whether industrial equipment or weapons, Hextech stood far ahead in terms of technology, its only flaw was the astronomical price that kept it exclusive to the wealthy.
Jayce also built the miracle known as the Hexgate, which was an achievement that had fundamentally reshaped global trade and communication. It generated immense wealth and brought unimaginable prosperity to Piltover, connecting distant regions in ways previously thought impossible.
It was no exaggeration to say that calling the Hexgate a "money printer" would be an insult to how fast it generated profit. It had practically become a giant minting facility; the Sun Gate Canal operated like a cash machine.
With the backing of massive wealth, Piltover exerted an irresistible pull, attracting brilliant minds from all over Runeterra. The arts and sciences were experiencing a new renaissance built on Hextech foundations. Again, it was no exaggeration to say that Jayce had elevated Piltover to a new height, though the cost of that elevation was becoming increasingly apparent.
His name was known by every citizen. His image appeared on streets, on airships, and even on everyday items, his face was used to decorate things like mugs and commemorative plates.
He had become the spiritual figure of Piltover, and every citizen believed this great councilor would safeguard their future.
Hero worship was a dangerous thing. Heroes had a tendency to disappoint.
"Our most renowned innovator, Jayce, the dreamer behind the Hexgate, and the guiding light behind this city of progress and prosperity."
At the House Kiramman's tech exhibition, Councilor Kiramman gave a passionate speech, while and Jayce, who was endorsing the House Kiramman for the day, stood nearby.
A large number of business delegates gathered around the exhibition, including some Vastaya from Ionia whose presence hinted at the expanding reach of Piltovan influence.
Jayce stood there looking bored, serving as mere background decoration. He wasn't used to such commercial events, and his discomfort was visible to anyone paying attention.
The Houses Medarda, Ferros, Kiramman, and Bolbok had all invited him to participate in their exhibitions, which was a clear sign of his value. Their competition for his endorsement underscored just how much of a symbol he had become.
Jayce ultimately chose the House Kiramman, the only one not primarily selling weapons. It was a small act of conscience in a sea of moral compromise.
Indeed, he had been pushed by Piltover's elites to keep developing weapons, but he wasn't stupid. Those families were clearly selling Hextech weapons out of selfish desire for profit rather than genuine defense needs. But there was little he could do about it without risking everything he'd built.
He once protested Piltover's arms trade and even threatened to stop developing Hextech entirely. And to be frank, it was a naive ultimatum that revealed how little he understood the forces he was dealing with.
In response, under instructions from the elites and Camille, the houses said nothing meaningful, except for handing him financial reports and bluntly stating, "If you can solve our financial problems, we'll stop selling weapons."
There was no way he could solve that. His political skills were still immature, and the web of economic dependencies was beyond his comprehension. The entire city's livelihood now weighed on him, threatening to crush him under expectations he'd never asked for. Even if he took on that responsibility, the elites would band together to teach him a lesson in how "professionals handle professional matters."
Scientists belong in the lab, not in politics! The refrain echoed in his mind.
Even Mel couldn't help him on this issue due to her own political constraints and family obligations.
The House Medarda had encountered serious trouble, her brother Kino had nearly been assassinated and they were in urgent need of a large amount of funding to maintain their position and security.
So, even on Progress Day, a time of city-wide celebration, Jayce was in a terrible mood. The festivities felt hollow when you understood the what was beneath them.
All this pageantry, and he was just another cog in a machine he helped build but couldn't control.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Sorry, coming through!"
Jayce suddenly spotted Caitlyn on patrol, and his mood improved slightly. Here was someone real in a day full of performance. Not caring about the setting or diplomatic protocol, he gave Councilor Kiramman a casual nod as a token of apology, then left straight away.
Watching Councilor Kiramman negotiate with those business delegates at the expo was less appealing than spending time with someone who reminded him of simpler days.
"Ah~ he's always swamped with affairs lately."
Councilor Kiramman looked helplessly at Jayce, who had walked off abruptly. She had no choice but to clasp her hands and explain to the surrounding business guests on Jayce's behalf.
Jayce and Caitlyn, two adults, yet still behaving like children, never thinking about the consequences of their actions.
She let out a long sigh, her expression full of worry. The next generation was brilliant but naive, and that combination could be dangerous.
---
Jayce crouched and snuck up behind Caitlyn, who was on duty, and tried to flick the brim of her enforcer hat.
"Hey!"
"?"
Just as his fingers flicked Caitlyn's hat, she instinctively reacted to what she thought was an attack, grabbing his hand and twisting it hard.
"Ow, ow!"
Jayce winced and nearly doubled over from the pain. Although he was muscular from years of forging and lab work, thanks to his family's crafting business, he was no match in combat against someone with proper training.
Caitlyn, on the other hand, had received professional combat training since childhood, the House Kiramman had always believed in practical preparation for their heirs. In reputation, she was skilled enough to have earned respect from seasoned warriors, her marksmanship was legendary even among enforcers.
Even without her rifle, her hand-to-hand combat skills put her far ahead of Jayce, who didn't even have his Hextech hammer with him.
"Hmm?"
Her initially stern face softened the moment she saw it was Jayce fooling around. But she still didn't let go of his hand immediately.
"Agh, Caitlyn!"
Jayce hissed from the pain and immediately surrendered.
"You brought this on yourself."
Caitlyn smiled, she was genuinely happy he had come to find her. But her smile suddenly vanished like a candle being snuffed out.
She had just spotted her mother from a distance. While introducing guests, Councilor Kiramman kept her usual cold, stern face, yet was staring daggers at Caitlyn playing around with Jayce during what should have been professional duty.
She pulled up the nearly-collapsed Jayce, turned around, and walked a few steps away to resume her post.
"Still hiding from her?"
Jayce noticed her sudden change and rubbed his wrist while asking.
"I'm on duty."
"Sure looks like it. Especially since there are so many criminals waiting outside your family's tent to be caught."
Jayce grinned teasingly, gesturing at the well-dressed crowd of dignitaries and merchants. He could understand Councilor Kiramman's point of view about her daughter's career choices.
What mother would want their daughter in danger when safer, more prestigious options were available?
Being an enforcer wasn't exactly a safe job, especially in times of growing tension between the cities.
"Do you have any idea how many connections she used to have me stationed here specifically?"
Caitlyn, however, didn't share that sympathy. She believed her mother shouldn't interfere with her pursuit of justice.
"Now that's on you," Jayce said gently. "You should've listened to her and taken a job more fitting for your status."
He didn't really approve of Caitlyn becoming an enforcer either, though his reasons were different from her mother's.
As the daughter of a councilor and the sole heir of House Kiramman, working as an enforcer seemed like a waste of her talents and potential influence.
She ought to be doing something more meaningful.