237 CONSPIRACY OF THE ROSE SCEPTER
"No, unfortunately not. And we broke the scepter while trying to figure it out," Dassa admitted, frustration evident in her voice. "That's why I came to ask for it to be repaired."
Leo considered her words before nodding. "Let me hold onto this scepter for you. I'll check it later."
He took the scepter and stored it in his magic space.
Dassa opened her mouth to speak, but Leo had already turned away.
"Leave your contact information in Sodom City. If I fix the Rose Scepter, I will return it to you," Leo said as he walked off.
Dassa watched him go, a flicker of curiosity crossing her face at his distant and cold demeanor. As she stood in contemplation, Grammers approached to collect her contact details.
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"Isn't she one of your old girlfriends?" Petunia asked, eyeing Leo.
"No, she's not my girlfriend. Just an old friend—the oldest friend I have in this world," Leo replied.
"You're acting quite cold toward her," Petunia observed.
"Isn't that what you want, my jealous wife? To keep a distance from other women," Leo teased.
Petunia smirked. "I was hoping you'd talk longer. I need to refill my Envy Counters."
Leo chuckled. "I can take care of your envy once we return to the Jade Throne with Sujira."
She playfully slapped his shoulder, rolling her eyes in irritation just as Grammers returned.
"Did you get her details?" Leo asked.
"Yes, she's staying at the local inn," Grammers reported.
"Assign some of our best spies to tail her," Leo ordered before he added, "never mind, only the best can do this." He had someone in mind for the mission.
Grammers frowned. "Did she do something wrong?"
"No, but I must be cautious with people who reappear out of nowhere," Leo said.
Petunia crossed her arms. "Must you be that wary? She's your old friend."
Leo's expression darkened. "I'm a villain now—I can't afford to be careless. Besides, she betrayed me once before. That makes her far from entirely trustworthy. Remember Lillsa?"
"Right, Sakema was also your girlfriend from before", Petunia noted.
"Friends", Leo protested.
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[In the Palace of Willows]
"You'll never believe who's arrived in Sodom City," Petunia said, her voice tinged with intrigue as she turned to Yun-Yun.
"Who?" Yun-Yun asked, her curiosity was piqued.
"Dassa. From Gomorrah," Petunia replied.
"Dassa? Here?" Yun-Yun's eyes widened in surprise.
At that moment, Leo stepped forward, holding the Rose Scepter.
He handed it to Yun-Yun, and as soon as her fingers wrapped around it, the scepter began to emit an eerie, otherworldly glow. Before their eyes, roses began to bloom across the palace floor, their crimson petals unfurling in a mesmerizing display.
"What's going on?" Leo demanded, his voice sharp with alarm.
Yun-Yun's gaze fixed on the scepter, her mind racing as she deciphered the magic at play. "The Rose Scepter… it's trying to bond with the dungeon's magic," she explained.
"What?!" Sujira exclaimed, her voice rising. "Is it trying to steal our dungeon?"
"The Rose Scepter was once the magic core of this dungeon," Yun-Yun clarified. "It's attempting to reclaim control."
"Will it succeed?" Leo asked, his tone tense.
Yun-Yun hesitated, then shook her head. "No. It won't."
As if in response to her words, willows began to sprout around the roses, their long, sinewy stalks intertwining with the blooms and pulling them into the ground. Within moments, the roses vanished, and the dungeon reverted to its original form, dominated by the willows.
"Can someone please explain what just happened?" Petunia asked.
"Someone has tampered with the Rose Scepter's magic," Yun-Yun explained. "Once it's brought here, its magic activates and attempts to bond with the dungeon."
"But why would anyone do that if the scepter is in our possession?" Sujira interjected. "If they wanted to steal the dungeon, wouldn't they need the scepter themselves?"
"You're right, Sujira," Leo said, his expression darkening. "They were counting on me to return the scepter to them. If I had, they would've gained control over not just this dungeon, but Court La Mood as well."
"Would we really have been that fucking stupid?" Petunia asked, raising an eyebrow.
Leo paused, then sighed. "Honestly? Yes. I would've returned the fucking scepter to them."
"Are you serious?" Sujira exclaimed, her disbelief evident.
"Don't worry," Yun-Yun reassured them. "The Rose Scepter failed to bind with the dungeon. This place is tied to the Jade Throne—it won't accept another magic core."
"But is the scepter's magic still active?" Leo pressed.
"Yes," Yun-Yun confirmed. "It connected with the dungeon's magic and activated. If you return it now, the ones who gave it to you will think their plan succeeded."
"I see," Leo said, his voice low. Yun-Yun nodded, understanding his unspoken thoughts.
"Who gave you the Rose Scepter, anyway?" Yun-Yun asked.
"It was Dassa," Petunia answered.
Just then, the doors to the palace swung open, and Letcha strode in, his expression one of mild discomfort. "Why did you have to summon me here? This place gives me the creeps," he complained as he approached.
"We're being targeted," Petunia replied. "It's not safe to talk upstairs."
"What did you find out?" Leo asked, turning to Letcha.
Letcha shook his head. "I couldn't get close. Their rooms are protected by magic wards—powerful ones. If I'd tried to breach them, they'd have known immediately."
"What? Are they really that cautious?" Sujira asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"The real question is, how are they so capable?" Petunia countered. "Setting up wards that even Letcha can't bypass isn't easy."
"Who's behind Dassa, and why has she returned?" Yun-Yun mused aloud.
Leo's gaze fell on the Rose Scepter once more. "Whatever she's planning, it's tied to taking control of this dungeon."
Letcha cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "There's something else. As I was leaving, I saw someone interesting arriving at the inn."
"Who?" Petunia asked, leaning forward.
Without a word, Letcha transformed before their eyes, his appearance shifting into that of an opulently dressed court official.
"Special Eunuch Colleen?" Leo asked, his voice tight with recognition.
"Yes," Letcha confirmed, reverting to his usual form.
Leo's jaw tightened. "This reek of fucking conspiracy."
The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over them.
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