Chapter 117: A Bloom Beneath the Ashes
The tranquil lake mirrored the twilight sky, its surface undisturbed save for the occasional ripple from our fishing lines. But my mind was anything but calm.
A thought had been nagging at me since yesterday’s fight—something Vex had said.
"...Master," I spoke, turning back to Virion. "There’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask."
He raised an inquisitive brow.
"It’s about Vex," I said. "Back when we talked... he asked me something. He wanted to know where I hid the assassins’ bodies and their belongings. But not once did he ask who they were, or if they were alive at all. Isn’t that... strange?"
Virion’s tail stopped mid-swish. His eyes narrowed slightly before he gave a slow, understanding nod.
"It’s not strange in their line of work," he said. "People like him... they don’t waste thoughts on the dead. Only on what they can take from them."
He looked off into the sky for a moment before continuing, his tone deepening.
"Assassins, spies, agents of organizations like the Black Star... their loyalty is tied to incentives, not lives. Especially in a group like that. But you mentioning the bodies and belongings—hmph. That explains a lot."
My brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Virion turned back to me, emerald eyes glowing faintly.