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[The Temple of Assassin]
"What brings you here today, Lord Lilleo?" the Deacon of Death asked, his voice echoing faintly in the shadowed chamber.
Leo bowed respectfully before speaking. "Deacon of Death, I've come to seek your counsel on a matter of great importance."
"Speak," the Deacon replied, his tone neutral but his piercing gaze fixed on Leo.
"I need to know where the Temple of Assassins stands in the current turmoil," Leo began, choosing his words carefully.
The Deacon's brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent, allowing Leo to continue. "There's a conspiracy unfolding in the city—one that involves the Koresh Empire and, I suspect, the Temple of Hera. I must know your position on this."
The Deacon's expression darkened. "Are you planning to oppose the Temple of Hera?"
"That depends on where the Temple of Assassins stands," Leo replied evenly. "If it is your wish to claim Court La Mood, then we will yield it to you. You know we are partners, and if you require anything from me, even Court La Mood, you need only ask."
The Deacon of Death fell silent, his fingers steepled as he considered Leo's words.
After a moment, he spoke. "Do you suspect that we are behind the actions of the Temple of Hera and the Koresh Empire? You know our ways, Lord Lilleo. The Temple of Assassins does not involve itself directly in the affairs of the families. We prefer to exert our influence… indirectly."
"I do not suspect you," Leo assured him. "But I must know where you stand. We are still partners…. Are we?"
The Deacon leaned back, his expression was thoughtful.
"We have business dealings with the Temple of Hera. They supply us with skilled assassins and bodyguards. In return, we provide them with information."
Leo was shocked and replied, "you would allow a rival gang to supply you with your muscles?"
Deacon of Death merely smiled before explaining, "That is the only way we can assure the Temple of Hera we would not be a threat to them."
Leo pondered about the arrangement.
"By using bodyguards from the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Hera would not worry about any threats from them. That would keep the peace between the two powerful hidden force in Koresh Empire", Death emphasized again.
"What happens if the Temple of Hera have any idea on the Temple of Assassin?" Leo asked.
"There has always been a tacit agreement that they would not operate within our territory," Deacon of Death replied.
"Yet they are already encroaching on your domain," Leo countered. "The infiltration of Eoloth, their support for the Cergontyn family, and possibly even the Toledo family's involvement… They all point to their growing meddling in Sodom's affairs."
"And let us not forget Lady Sakema's schemes," the Deacon added, his voice tinged with disdain.
The Deacon of Death wasn't unaware of the schemes of the Temple of Hera nor was he pleased about it.
"Indeed," Leo agreed. "We discovered too late that Sakema came to the Lotus family with the backing of the Temple of Hera. They provided her with all the evidence she needed to pose as Madam Chantrieri … Lotus's long-lost daughter."
After Sakema or Lillsa, was captured by the Jade Throne, Yun-Yun interrogated her.
The truth spilled out: the Temple of Hera orchestrated her arrival in Sodom City, arming her with forged documents and a fabricated identity. Her goal had been to seize control of the Rose Garden, and Court La Mood, thereby neutralizing two major families in Sodom city, the Lotus and Gullee.
Killing two birds with one stone.
The Deacon of Death's expression grew troubled. "We've been aware of the Temple of Hera's schemes for some time, but we've been powerless to act. Many of our most skilled guards are supplied by them. If we move against the Temple of Hera, these guards will turn on us."
Leo paused, his gaze steady. "I may have a solution to that problem."
The Deacon's eyes narrowed, a flicker of interest breaking through his stoic demeanor. "Go on."
-----
[In the Inn of Travellers]
"Leo, did you fix the scepter?" Dassa asked bluntly the moment Leo stepped into her room at the inn.
True to Letcha's warning, the room was protected by a powerful ward. Leo had only been able to enter because Dassa had personally invited him in.
He could see the marking of magic codes all around.
"No, I didn't," Leo replied, his tone casual. "Like the artificer from Toledo said, it's beyond repair."
"Then give it back to me," Dassa demanded immediately, her voice sharp.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "What do you want with a broken scepter? It's bloody useless now."
Dassa hesitated, her eyes flickering with unease. "I still need it. It's the only way to break the curse on the unicorns."
"The unicorns' curse?" Leo repeated, his voice tinged with skepticism. "That curse isn't hard to break if you find the right people to do it. The Rose Demon wasn't that powerful to begin with… her curse shouldn't be difficult to undo."
Although the Rose Demon's curse was a particularly tough task to break during Leo's early adventure, with experience, he now knew that magic wasn't that advanced. Even mages from the Temple of Assassin could neutralize those spells … with the right number of coins of course.
"This is our problem, Leo. Just give me the fucking scepter back," Dassa insisted, her tone growing more urgent.
"The scepter doesn't belong to you in the first place," Leo countered coolly.
He had given the scepter to her previously before he understood its true use, and now he wasn't about to let it go so easily.
"Please, Leo," Dassa said, her voice softening. "It's important to me."
"Why should I?" Leo asked, his gaze steady and unyielding.
Dassa stared at him, her expression a mix of surprise and frustration. "You've changed. You would never have refused me like this before."
Leo paused, his eyes narrowing. "That was before you stabbed me in the heart. After that, we're even. If you have nothing more to say, I'll be leaving."
"No, don't go," Dassa called out, desperation creeping into her voice.
"Why not?" Leo asked, turning back to face her.
In a sudden, calculated move, Dassa let her gown slip from her shoulders, revealing her naked body.