Because Tendo uses his 'deletion authority' every time he reveals his true face, even though he's shown his real appearance several times in the second season, to the dimensional viewers, Tendo hasn't truly appeared in the second season. However, towards the middle and late stages of the second season, some of the undelated footage will appear in the form of 'memories.' At that time, the dimensional viewers will suddenly realize that the 'Big Brother Tendo' from the first season has, unknowingly, become the biggest mastermind of the second season. And the people Tendo calculates include not only Chen Kong and others, but also the three cadres of the Hidden Star Society.
[City of Steam, A Hidden Villa]
"Alright, I've said pretty much everything I needed to say. You guys can head back if you have nothing else. After all, though I don't mind, it would still be a headache if people found out the Fifth Squad's captain secretly met with a few mysterious individuals late at night."
The three Hidden Star Society members exchanged glances, then nodded. Just as Scorpio–Leyton, was about to leave, Tendo oddly called out to him.
"Leyton, wait a moment."
Hearing Tendo call him, Leyton stopped. As for the other two, Tendo gave them a look, signaling them to quickly leave. Though curious about why Tendo kept Leyton, Andromeda and Hydra obediently departed.
Tendo stood up, activating his 'Myriad Manifestations Concealment' to ensure that his and Leyton's conversation wouldn't be overheard by Little Danica nearby.
"Leyton, although I just said that Yuchen knowing about the Hidden Star Society's intelligence likely means he has an informant within the Hidden Star Society, not just me, but even Euphemia and Hydra, Taan, know that's just a formality. The real problem lies with you three."
"Because only you three, aside from a few high-ranking Hidden Star Society members, knew about my joining the Hidden Star Society."
Tendo suddenly leaned forward, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes. "Leyton, guess what I found after my investigation?"
Leyton's heart plummeted, but for some purpose, he ultimately feigned ignorance with a glimmer of hope. "Found what?"
Tendo said with a half-smile, "Leyton, some things can't be hidden, no matter how hard you try."
"Do you really think that something even I, a newcomer to the City of Steam, could uncover, Saintess Euphemia of the Steam Church and Taan, the logistics company owner, couldn't find out?"
Despite his words, Leyton still furrowed his brows, maintaining a bewildered expression. Seeing that this guy wasn't catching on, Tendo clicked his tongue and casually tossed a stack of documents over.
"Leyton, it seems you won't shed a tear until you see your coffin."
Leyton took the documents, opening them with a heavy heart. The contents of the documents were just some photos and simple descriptive information. Yet, that was enough for Leyton's heart to sink completely to rock bottom. His fingers trembled uncontrollably, and even his breathing became erratic. The contents of the document were, shockingly, photos of his daughter on a date with Yuchen. In the photos, his daughter was walking side-by-side with Yuchen on a twilight street, both talking cheerfully, the scene warmly glaring.
Seeing his reaction, Tendo leaned back onto the sofa, crossing his legs as he said, "Leyton, now, will you tell me the truth?"
Though no emotion could be discerned from Tendo's words, Leyton was still somewhat flustered. For a high-level intelligent Star Beast, this was undoubtedly very rare. Leyton hastily looked up, his voice filled with urgency: "Lord Tendo, I can assure you, my daughter absolutely did not leak your information."
"Of course your daughter didn't leak it. She was just led on, she doesn't even know your true identity after all."
Tendo picked up a bottle of Soda: Bluestone City from a nearby surface and tossed it to Leyton.
"Don't be nervous. If I truly intended to do something, I wouldn't have specifically kept you behind."
"After all, given my personality, do you think you alone could stop me if I decided to do something?"
Feeling the cold touch of the soda bottle in his palm, and Tendo's smiling tone, Leyton finally completely calmed down. Though unwilling to admit it, Leyton knew Tendo was right. Even though he had joined the Hidden Star Society earlier than Tendo, and he was currently the strongest of the three Hidden Star Society cadres in the City of Steam, compared to Tendo, who was highly favored by the higher-ups, he was no match for Tendo in terms of either strength or connections with the leadership.
Thinking of this, Leyton immediately prepared to explain himself, if only to make Tendo spare his 'daughter.' However, he was interrupted by Tendo raising a finger as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Lord Tendo, I…"
"Shh!"
Tendo stopped Leyton from speaking further, revealing his true purpose for keeping him behind.
"Leyton, among the three Hidden Star Society cadres in the City of Steam, I actually think most highly of you."
"Because the other two: one appears tender-hearted but is actually as venomous as a snake."
"The other seems smooth-tongued but is full of schemes."
"Only you are different; you are consistent through and through, from inside to out."
Leyton's eyes were blank. He didn't understand why Tendo suddenly shifted the topic here.
"After I leave the City of Steam, I will need a suitable person to help me manage things here."
"After all, while I can certainly achieve a high position in the Association alone, if I can have more people helping me, I can save a lot of time."
"Not to mention, I have many things that still require the Hidden Star Society's cooperation."
"And you are the person I have chosen."
Hearing these words, Leyton vaguely guessed something and said in a hoarse voice, "Why me?"
Tendo smiled and said, "Because you are the most human-like, and at the same time… only you have a weakness."
"Is that so…"
Looking at Leyton, who was deep in thought, Tendo directly laid out his cards.
"Your current identity is one of the Twelve Brass Nobles of the City of Steam, and once I purge the 'rust' from this city, you will also be the most suitable person to rule this city."
"And at that time, you will only need to obey my commands, understand?"
Hearing Tendo's words, Leyton's heart immediately tightened. It was the confirmation of his internal suspicions. Tendo… he truly intended to become an enemy of the Hidden Star Society. And no one, as a Hidden Star Society cadre himself, understood the power of this organization better than he did.
Even now, he was acting under Tendo's orders. But that was based on Tendo still being a member of the Hidden Star Society. What if the other party left the organization, or even betrayed the Hidden Star Society? Such a promise of personal loyalty was tantamount to putting himself in the fire.
Tendo seemed to see through his hesitation. After a light chuckle, he threw out his final trump card.
"Leyton, I assume you wouldn't want your wife and daughter to know that you killed their husband and father, and then took his place, would you?"
Hearing this, Leyton was silent for a long time. A moment later, he raised his bloodshot eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "Do I have a choice?"
Tendo smiled and said, "Actually, no."
"Because if you don't agree, you won't even walk out of this villa's door today."
"After all, I wouldn't want what I just told you to be heard by a second person."
Although Tendo was smiling, Leyton felt a distinct killing intent from him. It was clear that if his next words didn't satisfy Tendo, this mysterious and unpredictable monster would turn into the most terrifying nightmare and swallow him whole.
And Leyton… he didn't want to die. Especially after he had truly experienced the taste of 'happiness.'
Thus, with hardly any hesitation, Leyton gave Tendo the answer he wanted.
"Lord Tendo, Leyton awaits your command."
Seeing this scene, the smile on Tendo's face became even brighter. Because at this point, the 'Glimmer' that the Doctor had instructed him to create finally had a basic prototype. After all, before this, 'Glimmer'… had only him, Tendo, as a single, unsupported commander.