115 BETRAYAL?
The Deacon leaned back in his ornate chair, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "We did as you suggested—sent Petunia to test him. It's confirmed: he's no demon practitioner."
Grangya nodded. "I've completed my mission. Shall I return to the Assassin Workshop?"
The Deacon waved a skeletal hand dismissively. "No. Remain at that new establishment of his, Court la Mood, for the time being. The place is a hub of information, and it would be foolish to let such a resource go untapped."
"As you wish, Deacon," Grangya replied.
A thin smile crept across his lips. "But I'm curious... How did Lilleo Gullee establish Court la Mood so quickly in the city, almost overnight? What kind of magic is he employing?"
Grangya hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I don't know. He keeps his secrets close. I'm merely his accountant."
"Lilleo Gullee remains under suspicion," the Deacon said, his gaze piercing. "Even if he's not a demon practitioner, he may possess secrets of value to our organization."
"I understand. I will continue to observe him closely," Grangya assured him.
"Good. Now, go."
With a respectful bow, Grangya turned and exited the chamber, her footsteps echoing down the dimly lit hall.
Unbeknownst to her, two camouflaged figures moved silently behind her, their forms nearly invisible in the shadows.
As she approached the entrance, the guard looked up. "Finish so soon?" he asked before swatting at the back of his neck. "Damn it, another one of those blasted insects!"
Grangya offered him no reply, slipping into the darkness beyond.
Behind her, Leo and Yun-Yun—still cloaked in their magical camouflage—exchanged a glance, then followed her back into the marketplace. The guard was temporarily blinded and didn't stop them.
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"What the fuck was that about? Is Grangya a snitch?" Leo muttered under his breath as he and Yun-Yun crouched in a dark corner, listening to Grangya's footsteps fade away.
Yun-Yun shook her head slowly. "I don't know... It doesn't seem like her. Maybe she has her reasons. Should we confront her?"
"No," Leo said firmly. "We can't risk it. Right now, we don't know if she's an ally or an enemy."
Yun-Yun's expression darkened. "Yeah, I've been betrayed by those close to me before. I don't want to go through that again."
Leo's gaze drifted toward the Temple's shadowed corridors where Grangya had disappeared.
"She didn't say a word to the Deacon about my Dungeon of Lust or my coding skills. If she had, they'd be swarming that place by now. So, she's not completely against me... but we can't trust her anymore, either."
"So, what's the plan?" Yun-Yun asked, her eyes scanning their surroundings warily.
"We carry on like before," Leo replied. "At least now we know the Assassin Temple doesn't have any hard evidence against me. But we need to stay ahead—one wrong move, and they'll bring me down."
"Understood," Yun-Yun said with a nod.
Leo's eyes flickered with determination. "And we watch Grangya. If she turns on us, I want to know before it's too late."
With that, they melted back into the shadows, more cautious than ever.
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"Young Master, we have news that the Old Master is coming back from the frontlines after a long detour. What will he do to find his house in Gomora gone?" Kasshyek asked Leo.
"Leave people in the old house and tell father to come to Sodom City", he said.
"And ask him to live in the brothel with all the girls and the courtesans? He wouldn't like it at all," Kashhyek asked.
"Didn't we set up a security escort firm in Sodom? Its operation shouldn't be any less than the one we ran in Gomora. Father can stay in our family mansion", Leo said.
"Yes, Business is good our biggest customer is Court la Mood," he said.
"See, everything is fine", Leo said.
"What about the other Liutenant Generals?" Kasshyek asked.
"Who? Lillann?" Leo asked.
"Yes, he came to Sodom and wanted to stay in our new House of Gullee. Many family members came too asking for refuge in the new house", Kasshyek asked.
"Take them in. As long as they don't cause trouble, we can feed a few leachers", Leo said.
"Don't worry I control everything in the new House now and will return the control to old master when he returns", Kasshyek said.
"No, that is not a good idea", Leo said.
"Why, don't you trust me?" he asked.
"Not that," he said then he placed his hand on Kasshyek's shoulder, "Now, Kasshyek you are now promoted as the Liutenant General of the Gullee family."
"What? I'm only controlling the family temporarily for the old master", he said.
"That is the thing. I want you to continue running the family after my father comes back. You know his character, those scums in the family will make use of his soft heart and start trouble again", Leo said.
"That is true."
"What about our soldiers and new recruits?" Leo asked.
"After the time we drew 'C.I.A.' in the bodies of the KGB gangsters, our soldiers are dead obedient including all the new recruits. You may be right, a little fear is more effective than the most rigorous training", Kasshyek said.
"Continue recruiting skilled and loyal people into the family," Leo instructed. "And make sure to fully support Megane in establishing our licensed pharmacy in Sodom City."
"Aye, sir. At the rate we're expanding, we'll soon stand among the nobles of Sodom City," Kasshyek replied confidently.
"Good," Leo said, nodding. "The Gullee family's future is in capable hands. I'll be transferring the shares of Court la Mood and the pharmacy to the family's holdings. Hire professional accountants to settle accounts with Court la Mood every month and collect our share."
Kasshyek frowned slightly. "But isn't Court la Mood technically your personal property? Why bother with all the paperwork and accounts?"
Leo's eyes sharpened. "You're the head of the family now. You need to be diligent with finances, no matter who you're dealing with—even if it's me."
"Yes, young master," Kasshyek acknowledged with a bow.
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