The Chief's Resolve

Chapter 71 The Chief's Resolve

Feeling Tallinn's gaze, Caitlin couldn't help but swallow, then instinctively said, "The Giramanen family has deep roots in Piltover, and the three auditors all have their own powerful vassals within the family. The operation of related procedures cannot be separated from—"

"It's irrelevant."

Tarlin didn't give Caitlin any face, shaking his head bluntly and saying, "You don't need to worry about the Giramanen family's background in front of me. It's ridiculous that the program can't function without them."

Tallinn looked calmly at Caitlin and said, "You should know that power abhors a vacuum."

Upon hearing Tarlin's reply, Caitlin, who had grown up under the family's tutelage, almost immediately realized the murderous intent hidden in Tarlin's seemingly calm words.

If all the opponents are eliminated decisively, people will naturally fill the gaps for the sake of power.

Caitlin understands Tarlin's strength and its confidence, but Caitlin is not Tarlin, nor does she believe that one person's strength can rival the entirety of Piltover.

Even including Ixtal, their effectiveness is limited. Ixtal is located deep in the mountains, and in case of an emergency, it would be better to seek help from Noxus, which is closer to home.

Thinking this, Caitlin took a deep breath and looked at Tallinn, saying, "I'm not questioning you—my lord, but the situation in Piltover is rather unique. Losing too many people in a short period could allow other families to take advantage of the situation—which would be detrimental to your interests."

"That means the killing wasn't fast enough or ruthless enough."

Tallinn wore a peaceful smile, but the coldness in his words sent a chill down Caitlin's spine.

An instinctive feeling told Caitlin that Tarlin was not joking with her.

This terrified Caitlyn, because the Piltover Council's predictions suggested that an ancient kingdom that had been hidden away for thousands of years would have a closed, conservative, and xenophobic culture.

But now it seems that, putting aside the issues of isolation and xenophobia, there is a significant difference between their assumptions and reality regarding conservatism.

Along with the fear, Caitlin also felt a strange sense of panic and—regret.

Because given the current situation, once Tallinn and his group arrive in Piltover, no matter how Caitlin explains, even if Tallinn and his group don't raise the issue of "preparing for aggression under the guise of diplomacy," they will be able to stop the attack.

It's just that Caitlyn brought Tarin and the others to Piltover. Once the Ixtals leave, Caitlyn, having lost her support, will be...—

Even other factions within the Giraman family became targets of their attacks.

One could sense the fear, unease, and regret in Caitlin's eyes, while Tallinn appeared remarkably calm.

"Are you worried about being purged after we leave Ixtal?"

"————" Upon hearing this, after a moment of silence, Caitlin took a deep breath and said, "Yes———— Even if the family and the council can understand that this is a choice that had to be made due to the current situation, public opinion will still engulf me."

Upon hearing Caitlin's reply, Tarlin was not angry at all; instead, he smiled with satisfaction.

"The fact that you can say these things suggests that you already know you have no other choice."

Upon hearing this, Caitlin chuckled a few times, though her laughter sounded somewhat dry.

Although I knew from the beginning that this mission might be a trap—no, it definitely was a trap.

Not to mention the risks and dangers that might be encountered when conducting investigations deep into the Kumanggu jungle.

If it were discovered that Caitlin was merely using diplomacy as a pretext for intelligence gathering, she would certainly be abandoned as a pawn.

Caitlin was well prepared for this situation. As the head of the younger generation in the family, she was a thorn in the side of all her peers and juniors.

To reduce risk, the family—or rather, the mother—also hired a large number of adventurers and mercenaries to mitigate foreseeable risks.

Unfortunately, we still couldn't have predicted that this time our opponent would be so far beyond our expectations.

Now, Caitlin clearly finds herself in a situation worse than the worst she had anticipated.

Upon returning to the family, should they immediately reveal the truth? Then, should they pool their wisdom and resources to find a solution to the predicament?

Stop joking. Even if the other factions in the family don't kick Caitlyn when she's down, Caitlyn should be thanking Janna for protecting her.

Sensing the despair and resolve in Caitlin's eyes, Tarlin said with interest, "Besides going down a dark path, you have another option, don't you?"

Upon hearing this, Caitlin was taken aback at first, and then realized what the other option Tarlin was referring to was.

Turning back halfway, jumping ship midway, defecting at the last minute.

Caitlin couldn't help but chuckle softly at this, then shook her head listlessly.

Others in the law enforcement force might make this choice, since they are just insignificant figures, and could even be rewarded and honored for defecting, which could be used to win people over.

But Caitlin is different—she is the daughter of three auditors, the current family representative Lady Cassandra, and the head of the Giramanen family.

Her defection at the last minute was simply a case of betrayal upon betrayal, which would only become a stain for other factions within the family and other families outside the family to attack and smear.

Thinking this, Caitlin's expression gradually relaxed.

Although she appears more relaxed in her demeanor and behavior, a closer look reveals that Caitlin's current ease stems from a deeper despair.

It stems from a profound realization that he is now bound to Ixtal, with no possibility of severing ties.

Thinking about it, perhaps because she knew she had no other choice, Caitlin felt inexplicably relaxed.

Looking at Tallinn in front of her, Caitlin simply shook her head and said, "Going all the way down a path may lead to victory, but turning back halfway only leads to defeat."

Looking towards Tallinn, Caitlin's eyes gradually returned to their usual calm after the previous look of despair.

"As the head of the Giraman family, I'm more used to thinking about how to win."

Hearing Caitlin's answer, Tarlin nodded in satisfaction.

"Not a bad answer." With that, Tarin glanced at the mountains behind him—or rather, after glancing at the mountains for a while—and then, on the other side of the sea in Piltover, he said unhurriedly, "In Runeterra, there are indeed people stronger than you, and heavens beyond heavens. Every region has monsters and demons that should not be underestimated—but..."

'

Tallinn looked at Caitlin and said calmly, "Piltworth is not included."

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