Chapter 145 Chapter 145 Spedo and I have completely broken up...
Putting aside the accusations of sexual orientation and the ethical issues—which everyone knew wouldn't truly affect the cooperation between the two interest groups—if Ross truly was, as Elio said, a lunatic who advocated "extreme freedom," collaborating with him might damage the Vongola's diplomatic reputation. Not to mention the fact that he could easily break the contract and switch allegiances on a whim.
Even Spedo was ultimately forced to reluctantly agree to replace Ross as his partner and find another channel to import London arms. Whether this was because he didn't want to be attacked by his partner's lips and stubble was, of course, unknown to others.
Elio triumphed greatly.
An assassin didn't care much for his reputation. He was already a wanted criminal, a shameful thing to say. Could pretending to have been kissed by a man be more shameful than murder? Only Nakel insisted on holding a small Mass for him. After being politely declined, he compromised and invited him to at least attend the regular weekend Mass, "to receive God's grace and strength, and to heal his spiritual wounds."
Elio finally agreed to go because the priest showed genuine concern for him. To his surprise, Giotto, who was supposed to be busy that morning, also showed up at the event with a serious expression.
"Why are you here?" Elio asked him in a low voice.
Giotto, uncharacteristically keeping his distance, whispered, "I need to confess."
Elio was astonished. They had already killed countless people, so why did Giotto want to repent today?
"I'm sorry, Elio," Giotto confessed sincerely, "I didn't know you... I didn't know why you didn't like physical contact. I shouldn't have used cultural differences as an excuse to get so close to you!"
Elio almost laughed out loud. Fortunately, Knuckle, who was reading the scriptures, did not notice this disrespectful corner in the back row.
"You mean that time you kissed me on the cheek a few years ago?" Elio whispered.
Giotto remained silent, pretending to look intently at the priest in front of him, but his ears turned red.
"It's nothing, Giotto," Elio reassured him. "I know you were just drunk!"
"That's the point!" replied Giotto.
Elio had no idea what Giotto was worried about. Perhaps it was the religious requirement not to get drunk at the bar. The Gotham-born assassin, with little understanding of religion, remained respectfully silent, observing the entire mass. They chanted, sang, smiled, shook hands, hugged, and told each other, "May the Lord be with you!"
After the Mass, Giotto did seem much calmer. When asked by Nakel, Elio smiled and said he felt his soul had been cleansed.
The priest was satisfied and let Elio go, thinking that he had done a great favor to his friend. On this point, Elio was always happy to cooperate with his friend.
After training the Vongola assassination squad, Elio bid farewell to Giotto. This time, Giotto didn't try to keep him, but simply spent the evening drinking with him. They talked about the past and joked about the absurdities they had gotten into in their youth. When Elio woke up again, it was already the next morning.
He slid down from the bed silently, took out the hidden blade from under the pillow, and strapped it to his wrist. Perhaps the sound of his routine inspection of equipment and the trial use of the hidden blade woke Giotto, so when Elio changed into his trousers and fastened his suspenders, Giotto yawned and got up, while helping him from behind.
"So early?" muttered Giotto. "The bells haven't even rung yet..."
But even as he was complaining, the grandfather clock a few rooms away chimed. Elio raised an eyebrow at him, and Giotto silently sank back into bed, pulling the covers up over his face. In the hazy morning light, he could hear the subtle sounds of Elio putting on his vest and tying his scarf.
The clock struck six.
Elio hung up his watch and put on his coat. He fired his Hidden Blade twice more, experimentally.
He's leaving, thought Giotto.
"Giotto," but Elio moved closer to the bed and patted where his head was, "I have something else to tell you."
"What?"
"About the Templars."
Giotto used his newly awakened brain to work with great difficulty and successfully recognized the smell of business, so he pulled down the quilt, revealing a listless face, "I understand, Elio. As long as I am in Vongola, I will not..."
But Elio laughed. "What did you think I was going to say?"
Interrupted, Giotto looked at him in confusion.
"I never met my parents, but I believe they spent their lives fighting the Templars and the forces of evil." Elio sat down on the edge of the bed. "I grew up an orphan. My brothers and sisters, who were not related by blood, were all victims of the Templars' human experiments. I was the only one who escaped. I won't deny that I deeply hate the Templars, just like every assassin who suffered such torture. But I also have to tell you that this world still cannot do without them."
Giotto sat up, too. His hair was still a mess, but he was completely awake. He looked deeply into Elio's eyes and took his hand.
"When order is too strict and oppressive, people need freedom," Elio told him. "But when freedom has won a peaceful future and they can lay down their arms, people need the protection of order again. Don't reject all Templars because of my experience, Giotto. Perhaps there are some among them who are worthy of cooperation and trust. I believe in your eyes and your heart. You will identify every trustworthy friend. As for their faction, sometimes it doesn't matter."
At this point, Elio winked at Giotto, "After all, this is what you've always believed in, isn't it?"
Giotto couldn't help but tighten his hand, "Elio..."
Elio shook his hand gently. "I'll write you a letter. Don't send me one."
Giotto had no intention of getting up to see him off. He quietly slipped back into bed. It was only when Elio reached the door, about to open it, that Giotto suddenly spoke up, "Elio, if your conflict with the Templars can be reconciled... you and Damon..."
He didn't finish his words, but Elio understood. The assassin paused in thought, then smiled. "I simply cannot tolerate someone pretending to be my friend while attempting to betray me. Don't even try, Giotto! Spedo and I are completely at odds."
"I don't want to embarrass you," Elio said finally, gently.
In 1866, Elio left Italy by ship and began to travel around the world. He visited any country or city where there might be an Assassin's Guild, exchanging history and exploring the Creed with them; of course, he also participated in "activities" and fought for the local people.
In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War broke out. Faced with a fierce attack from the Prussians, the French were forced to withdraw their troops from Rome to fight. Italy seized the opportunity to recapture Rome, finally achieving national unification.
Upon hearing of this, Elio sent letters to the Italian Brotherhood and the Vongola to express his congratulations. Maria, who had already become the de facto leader of the Sicilian Brotherhood, quickly replied, but the Vongola remained silent. Puzzled, Elio sent another letter, but it was Elena, who remained in Italy, who delivered the Vongola letter. The assassin then learned that the Vongola had become embroiled in the Franco-Prussian War, embroiled in dire straits.
Elio investigated and discovered that the cause lay with General Garibaldi, who had long battled the French. Far from seizing the opportunity to declare war on France, Garibaldi believed that with the fall of Napoleon III, it was time to support the French Republic and drive the Prussian army out of France!
Elio was shocked when he heard the news.
You know, Napoleon III didn't just fall, he was practically surrendering to Prussia and becoming a prisoner; the Prussian army had already reached the gates of Paris, and at this point in time they were going to intervene in a war that was doomed to fail - no, a war that had already been miserably lost. He simply couldn't believe what the Vongola were thinking!
But he thought about it again and realized that this was indeed something that Garibaldi could do, and even more so something that Giotto could do. Elio held the letter and laughed to himself in the candlelight for a while, then stood up suddenly.
At the end of 1870, Elio returned to the battlefield.
The French Brotherhood, also fighting bravely, burst into tears upon seeing him: because of France's reluctance to let go of Rome, the two Brotherhoods had not been in touch for a while. They had never expected that Elio would come even when France was in danger of national destruction and they hadn't dared to contact Italy!
"In 1848, you French also helped us Sicily!" Elio said with a smile. "Have you forgotten that?"
The French assassin burst into tears.
"Okay, okay," Elio patted his shoulder, "Tell me where the Vongola is?"
"The Italian Volunteer Army is stationed in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy!" the French assassin quickly told him, "The Prussian Army is trying every possible means to retake it..."
Needless to say, Elio immediately rushed to Dijon. Along the way, he heard news of the siege of Dijon and Giotto's entrapment, which only deepened his conviction of the Vongola's dire situation. However, when the Master Assassin managed to infiltrate Dijon and establish contact with the city's temporary headquarters, General Garibaldi flatly denied the existence of the Vongola.
"But I heard..." Elio was confused.
At this moment, the adjutant outside the door announced, "General! Chief Simon wants to see you!"
Garibaldi immediately agreed, "Please let him in!"
Elio turned back in even greater bewilderment, and met Cozart's gaze as he pushed the door open. They were both stunned.
After so many years, Cozart didn't look any older, but he had obviously just come back from the battlefield, covered in dust and injured; the military coat with tassels was loosely draped over Chief Simon's shoulders, barely covering his bandaged arm.
Seeing that his wound was still bleeding, Elio immediately reached out to him, wanting to heal him; but Cozart seemed to have forgotten his own wound and grabbed Elio's hand in surprise, his eyes shining, "Did Giotto send you?"
"What? I thought..." Elio was even more confused. "Wait, why are you here? I thought you would never go to war again!"
Cozart looked at him in astonishment, his lips moving several times before finally letting out a helpless laugh. He let go of Elio's hand and said with a self-deprecating smile, "Yes, if I hadn't thought Giotto was in trouble!"
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The author has something to say: Spedo: How can someone walk into the muzzle of a gun? (scratching head) Well, now that you're here, don't leave.
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