(The Next Day, The Eternal Garden, Leo’s POV)
The next day, while Leo sat peacefully upon the cliffs of the Eternal Garden overlooking the serene ocean below, Shadow Number One quietly approached him from behind carrying a sealed report within his hands, as the unusually grim expression visible across the Shadow’s face immediately made Leo realize that something unpleasant had happened once again.
For several moments, Shadow Number One remained silent while extending the report toward Leo respectfully, as even without opening it yet, Leo could already sense that whatever information rested inside had deeply disturbed the man standing before him.
"What happened, eh?
What is it this time?"
Leo muttered while finally accepting the report calmly, as Shadow Number One lowered his head slightly before replying.
"My Lord...
The report contains a message from the Deceiver Mauriss."
Shadow Number One informed as Leo’s eyes narrowed faintly hearing those words.
Without wasting another second, he immediately opened the report and pulled out the contents resting within.
However, the moment Leo saw what rested inside the envelope, his expression immediately stiffened slightly, because instead of finding some elaborate written threat or negotiation proposal from the Deceiver, there was only a single photograph placed quietly within the report, as the image showed Mauriss standing casually beside Caleb somewhere deep within the void of space.
For several moments, Leo simply stared silently toward the image while countless thoughts immediately began surfacing inside his mind one after another.
Because what disturbed him most was not the photograph itself.
But rather the fact that Caleb never informed him that such a meeting had even taken place.
And that alone immediately felt wrong.
Because throughout all these years, Caleb had always informed him regarding every major development unfolding around him regardless of how insignificant it initially seemed.
So him breaking tradition like this felt surprising to Leo to say the least.
"So have we confirmed whether this meeting actually happened?"
Leo questioned eventually while continuing to stare toward the photograph silently.
As hearing that question, Shadow Number One immediately lowered his head further.
"I received the photograph roughly eighteen hours ago, my Lord."
Shadow Number One explained while his voice carried visible hesitation.
"Initially, I chose not to immediately present it before you because I believed there was a strong possibility this was simply another one of the Deceiver’s psychological games."
He continued while Leo quietly listened.
"And because of that, before disturbing you with such a serious matter, I wanted to confirm its authenticity personally first."
Shadow Number One explained as Leo slowly nodded in acknowledgement.
"So I waited for Lord Caleb to emerge from his chambers before discreetly having members of the Shadow Network question him regarding the matter."
A heavy silence lingered briefly before the Shadow finally continued further.
"And unfortunately...
The meeting did indeed take place."
Shadow Number One admitted as Leo’s fingers slowly tightened around the photograph unconsciously.
"According to Lord Caleb’s explanation, Lady Sophia was abducted by the Demi God Terrence.
After which, he received a threat ordering him to travel alone toward deep space in exchange for her safety, which he plied with immediately."
Shadow Number One continued while the atmosphere around the cliffs gradually became heavier.
"Lady Sophia has since safely returned unharmed, however the fact remains that Lord Caleb and the Deceiver did meet privately within deep space exactly as shown within that photograph."
Shadow Number One concluded as for several moments, Leo remained pletely silent.
Then slowly...
He began chuckling with gritted teeth.
Not because he found the situation amusing.
But because deep within himself, he already understood exactly what kind of game Mauriss was attempting to play now.
"So..."
Leo muttered while staring toward the skies above silently.
"What price did my son pay to retrieve his wife safely?
What kind of deal did he make with the devil?"
Leo questioned as hearing those words, Shadow Number One lowered his gaze once more.
"I don’t know, my Lord."
He admitted honestly.
"Lord Caleb insists repeatedly that he made no agreement whatsoever with the Deceiver, and personally speaking, I genuinely struggle to believe that he would willingly betray either you or the Cult intentionally."
Shadow Number One explained while visible conflict surfaced within his expression.
"However..."
He paused briefly.
"According to Caleb himself, before the meeting concluded, Mauriss apparently told him something rather disturbing."
Leo’s eyes slowly shifted toward the Shadow.
"What exactly did he say?"
Leo questioned quietly as Shadow Number One inhaled deeply before answering.
"The Deceiver reportedly told Lord Caleb...
’You already betrayed your father the moment you chose to e here alone.
By appearing before me today, you already set events into motion that can never again be undone.’"
Shadow Number One quoted while even repeating the words seemed to visibly disturb him internally.
"And because of that, my Lord...
I genuinely don’t know what to think regarding this situation anymore."
He admitted while frustration surfaced within his voice naturally now.
"My mind tells me it makes absolutely no sense for the Deceiver to abduct Lady Sophia, only to release her again without demanding anything in return."
His expression darkened further.
"And yet at the same time...
My heart genuinely refuses to believe Lord Caleb is the type of man capable of betraying you willingly."
Shadow Number One concluded as silence gradually settled across the cliffs afterward.
Only the distant crashing of ocean waves echoed throughout the Eternal Garden while Leo quietly continued staring toward the photograph within his hands.
Because although he still trusted Caleb deeply...
The doubt planted by Mauriss had nevertheless succeeded in entering his mind.
As what worried Leo was not the meeting itself, but rather the fact that Caleb chose to hide it from him.
’Is history repeating itself once again...?’
Leo wondered silently while unconsciously tightening his grip around the photograph further.
Because despite everything...
Despite still believing in his son more than almost anyone else within the universe...
The more he attempted convincing himself not to dwell on the matter...
The more impossible it became to stop thinking about it at all.
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