Chapter 112 Chapter 112 You are obviously interested in this secret cult...
Giotto's tone wasn't harsh at all; it was even gentle. But the question, which could have been a question, was like a hammer hitting Elio in the face, leaving him blinded and bewildered. Didn't he trust them? How could that be possible? If he didn't trust them, why would Elio stay? But if he trusted them—yes, if he did, he should actually rely on them more—that was precisely what Elio had never considered.
“…Is that why you’ve been leaving me alone?” Elio muttered. “Because you think—because you think I’m not good at cooperating?”
"You seem to have always considered yourself an assassin, Elio," Giotto said softly, avoiding Elio's question. "I think it's precisely because of this that you've always positioned yourself as a 'sharp knife'; a knife sharp enough to rip through all defenses, a knife ferocious enough to break through all obstacles, intimidating all who stand before you and reassuring all who stand behind you... That's good, Elio, and very powerful, but do you know the definition of an 'assassin' that I read in books?"
Elio looked at him.
"Risking one's own life to kill, one for another," Giotto said, his voice rising involuntarily. "Then using your own tragic sacrifice to turn the situation upside down, buying everyone a moment's respite—that's my understanding of an assassin. If I've misunderstood anything, feel free to tell me! But I must tell you, Elio, as long as you remain with me, I will not allow you to use yourself like a tool."
Giotto had never spoken so harshly to Elio before, even to the lazy and playful Rambo, whom he had always treated with a smile. Elio stared at him, stunned. For a moment, the room was silent. But soon, the sternness faded from Giotto, leaving behind only sadness.
"I wish you would take care of yourself a little more, Elio," Giotto said to him, "and rely on us a little more. None of us are the kind of people who can comfortably let you go to the front, do you understand?"
Elio looked at him for a moment, then laughed. Giotto frowned, clearly disapproving of his behavior; this was a complete reversal of their usual interactions, where Giotto was always the one laughing and the others disapproving. But Elio didn't do that for long, and soon his smile faded.
"I understand, Giotto," Elio said. "I'm sorry to have worried you."
Giotto studied his expression carefully and came to a reassuring conclusion: although his brow was still furrowed, his lips relaxed and stretched into a soft smile.
"but……"
Elio had just opened his mouth when he noticed Giotto's eyebrow raise again. It was just a simple change in facial expression, but Elio somehow stopped talking immediately, even almost swallowing his words back.
"Hmm?" Giotto gestured.
"…or about that secret cult that Spedo is tracking down."
"Um."
Elio bravely explained what he knew. He revealed most of the Templars' secrets (after all, it wasn't his own organization that was being sold!), and as Giotto listened, he quickly realized that Elio wasn't speaking without reason. This was crucial information; they really shouldn't let Spedo investigate further without knowing anything, even though they all knew how skilled Spedo was at concealing himself.
So, after careful consideration, Giotto quickly decided to set out to find Spedo. This guy never left any traces when he moved, let alone the recipient's address, and it was difficult for them to keep such secrets from others. Perhaps only Giotto and his unerring "intuition" could find the illusionist who was always hiding in the mist.
"I'll leave the manor to you and Rambo," Giotto said. "Remember, if anything goes wrong, we still have a bunch of energetic young men from the militia."
"Where's Ugetsu?" Elio asked, crossing his arms. "Giotto, I don't mean to criticize you, but you also tend not to like to delegate tasks to your friends."
At that time, Giotto had already mounted his horse. Hearing this, he grabbed the reins and laughed.
"That's different, Elio!" he said. "I'm sure Ugetsu would agree if I asked. But that's exactly what I'm worried about. He's more interested in music than fighting, and as his friend, I certainly want him to be free to indulge in his art. Why drag a friend into this mess we're in when he could have walked away?"
Elio found it difficult to refute Giotto's words. So he just looked at Giotto with a less than approving look, and Giotto just winked at him and smiled playfully, "Let's go!"
With that, Giotto set off. He deliberately let his horse move a few paces before galloping off, so as not to let the dust splash onto Elio. Elio, of course, noticed this and smiled and shook his head. He stood there, watching Giotto go away.
"Has he always been like this?" Yu Yue asked.
"Always," Elio said. When Giotto's figure gradually shrank into a tiny dot, Elio turned his head and looked at Yu Yue, who had appeared beside him without him noticing. Yu Yue was still gazing at the horizon, lost in thought.
"You should know what he's doing," Elio said.
He didn't say the whole thing, but Ugetsu knew it. He just didn't understand the language, not that he was stupid. Moreover, with the help of Elio and the others, he was now very proficient in this foreign language. Besides, to understand what Giotto was doing, he didn't even need words to understand.
Just look at this estate and the welcoming Giotto always received when he travelled! He was truly a hero to the Sicilian people.
"I know," Ugetsu sighed, "but I still can't understand why he didn't ask for my help. 'Bushido is the way of death.' If I received his kindness and didn't repay him, I'm afraid I would commit suicide out of shame!"
"Because he considers you a friend, Ugetsu," Elio smiled, "He's just that kind of person, he values life above all other rewards. And then you'll find that you somehow stayed for him."
"Is that the same with you?" Ugetsu asked. He was as sharp as ever. Elio didn't answer the question directly, but he patted Ugetsu's shoulder and replied in a tacit tone, "'Everyone who knew him loved him in their own way.'"
A few days later, Spedo returned alone.
Upon seeing Elio, he didn't show the slightest bit of surprise, as if he hadn't been the one shocked to learn from Giotto that Elio had returned from the dead. The illusionist simply nodded grimly at Elio, as if they hadn't seen each other for a few days (though that was true), and then got straight to the point. "About the Templars. How much do you know?"
"I've told Giotto most of what I could think of," Elio said, pouring him some tea. "I'm sure Giotto has told you as well. Anything new?"
"Yeah, 'new discovery'," Spedo drank it all in one gulp, sat down and began to complain, "I just found out that those idiots who are oppressing us are not so stupid! Can you imagine how surprising this is?"
"That's really amazing," Elio agreed.
"I thought there was no reason for such deep-rooted corruption," Spedo continued in one breath. "Besides the rebellious Mafia, the idiot nobles who pretended to have achievements in the army—Elio, don't think I can't see you raising an eyebrow—the low-class people who can't wait to show off when they get a little authority, the priests who sell faith for business in the church, the judges who weigh the law and sell it in the courts, the politicians who can 'adapt' and change their minds for a few coins, and the 'glorious' squires who can stir up family feuds for trivial matters, and the speculators who are scheming and pursuing the 'future' everywhere. Until today, I discovered that hidden within the dynasty and religion, there is actually a secret sect that claims to maintain order! What an astonishing achievement!"
"Any Templar with a bit of a thick skin would probably be mortified to death after hearing what you said," Elio laughed. "It's a pity that the word 'shameless' is practically a designation for them."
"I don't expect to kill them with my words," Spedo said gloomily. Elio poured him another cup of tea, and this time Spedo put two sugars in it, obviously not intending to drink it as water.
"It's not just the Mafia. I've discovered that the Templars are spread throughout the military, government, and business circles," Spedo said, taking a sip of his tea. "I even suspect they have members close to Ferdinand II. What a multitude of obstacles."
"Perhaps this Ferdinand II is one of their own," Elio said. "Why? I'm just making a wild guess. The essence of the Templars is order, and there's no title more fitting than 'king' to aspire to the pinnacle of this order."
Spedo nearly choked. He was surprised by Elio's frankness in speaking of the elite, but he quickly realized that he did have a certain privileged mindset. He took a breath and decided to consider the matter more deeply, from Elio's perspective. But the king had indeed surpassed Spedo's current expectations. He quickly remembered how Elio had recognized the Templar's presence.
"You're obviously quite knowledgeable about this secret order," Spedo asked. "How did you learn about them?"
Elio was stunned for a moment.
"Why," said Spedo, "do you think I would be as blind to all the doubts about you as that fool Giotto?"
Elio grumbled, "Uh," and awkwardly poured himself some more tea. If he'd known Galahad had spoken like this earlier, he'd probably have realized that such a blunt question was the limit of trust a man like Spedo could express. But Elio didn't know. He lowered his head, pretending to study the beautiful pattern on the porcelain teacup in his hand for a moment before saying, "I'm bound by some oath and can't tell you the whole truth. But I can tell you that I was once their victim."
Spedo's expression froze.
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The author has something to say: Spedo would sit up in bed in the middle of the night when he thought about this:.
And the chapter notes:
*Bushido means death. From the Hagakure Monsho, the ultimate pursuit of Bushido is to face death while remaining loyal and righteous.
**Everyone who knows him loves him in their own way. From The Lord of the Rings x, Legolas described Aragorn. And indeed everyone loves him...including me...(?)
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