The moon light draped over the cathedral, making the red marbles faintly simmer with a hazy glow.

Melodious music flows all over the place as members of both house Valentine and cathedral enjoy themselves forgetting all the recent incidents.

Leon followed behind Luthan, outside the cathedral hall. He led him through a white Lilly garden.

Leon looked around the cathedral, admiring every detail of the construction. For someone who had spent a lot of resources in rendering this architecture, Leon felt pride.

'My millions were not wasted…' He can't help but admire the details all the time. He knew how hard it was for his team to come up with this level of detail with the new patch update. They had to hire an actual architect at the time of the latest patch version.

Leon still remembered all of the interiors and layouts of important monuments, such as all the royal palaces, and main cathedrals.

Till now the map and interiors were the same as described in the game. Leon didn't yet encounter any layout difference.

"This place should do it." Luthan stopped at the far end of the Lilly garden. On their left there was a wooden framed bench, and a light lantern pole to illuminate the surroundings.

As Leon stopped, he sensed a sudden shift of mana surrounding them.

'A barrier?'

It was a sound blocking barrier. Upon casing, all the sounds, such as the music coming from the cathedral vanished.

Clearly, they were alone here, but even so Luthan took such measures.

One hand in his pocket, and another on Moonblade, Leon stared back at Luthan's emerald eyes.

That smile and pleasant expression from his face shifted to a cold stare, and serious expression.

The change was so sudden that it made even Leon gulp.

A soft breeze drifted through the lilies as Leon shifted his stance.

"That is a strong barrier you created," Leon said while glancing at the faint distortion in the air.

Luthan's eyes narrowed.

"It is necessary. You cannot trust most nobles now."

Leon loosened his collar and released a slow breath. "Did my sister put you up to this?"

At the mention of Veronica, Luthan's eyes flickered ever so slightly.

The movement was too small for a normal observer to notice, but Leon caught it instantly. Even then, Luthan did not allow a single shift in his voice.

"Now why would Lady Veronica be doing that?" He replied with a smile.

Leon stared at him quietly.

They both knew the truth that Luthan worked for Veronica. But he would not speak it aloud.

After a short silence, Leon spoke again. "Give me the names."

Luthan's gaze sharpened, approving of Leon's directness.

The reason he called Leon out here was simple. He intended to warn him. Assassination attempts were already arranged for tonight.

Leon did not look surprised, as among high nobles, this sort of thing was common. A power shift like his was enough to trigger immediate hostility.

His Light affinity, the sudden rise of the Light Messiah title, and Eula openly declaring her support for him had tilted a delicate balance.

Those who opposed Eula would see Leon as a threat. They will think that removing him would weaken her before she could move further. And at the same time, they would also want to crush the so-called new Messiah before he had a chance to grow.

Luthan grinned slightly at Leon's calm posture. "You are rather composed. It's a rare thing today's youngsters lack."

"I learned it from my sister," Leon replied.

"No wonder." Luthan breathed out slowly and sat upon the wooden bench.

"Haah. This old age is killing me." He joked despite the youthful smoothness of his skin.

Leon glanced at him. The man's complexion did not show a single crease. If Luthan had been on Earth, he would have surpassed any supermodel without effort.

This youthful skill of Luthan was because of an unique skill, which allowed him to shapeshift his appearance, and allow him to control his metabolism to however he fits.

[Mirage Persona]

It's quite a handy skill for someone who had a job which required hiding identity. Leon too wanted this skill, but for him to copy it, he needed the skill to see in action.

Leon walked closer and sat beside him.

If Leon asked him to show his skill out of the blue, then Luthan would get suspicious. So, he decided to do it differently.

Luthan began glancing at his direction.

"You heard how House Vallahail fell recently."

Leon nodded. "Of course. My sister and I played a big role in that."

Luthan chuckled. "I know. But do you know House Vallahain was not the only noble house that received a clean chit from the king."

Leon's eyes sharpened.

Luthan continued in a calm voice.

"You can uncover their identities if you backtrack the unusual deaths and disappearances throughout the kingdom for the past three decades."

Leon stored every word. He already knew the king had been involved indirectly with the Demon God's vessel. If other nobles were also linked, then the king's faction was larger and more dangerous than expected.

Leon and Eula need to be careful of whom to trust now.

Several names surfaced in Leon's memory. Some were mentioned deeply in the game, while others were infamous for corrupting the kingdom.

Luthan and Leon continued their discussion. Luthan slipped one noble name after another into their casual conversation as if mentioning meaningless topics. But each name was a suspect, and each name wanted Leon dead tonight.

He even told Leon that the first assassination attempt would happen during the carriage ride back to Eclipse.

Leon exhaled slowly and leaned back on the bench.

"I ended up forgetting you are a high priest," he said with a faint smirk. "Are you sure you did not end up in the wrong profession? An informant would suit you well."

Luthan blinked once, then let out a quiet laugh. "How rude. I take pride in my devotion, you know."

Leon shrugged. "I am only saying what I see."

Luthan lifted his gaze. "An informant, is it. It has been a long time since someone called me that."

Leon glanced at him then asked casually, "Tell me something, High Priest. How do you manage to walk through the cathedral unnoticed whenever you wish?"

The cathedral was the second most secure place in the Shinra, right after the Royal palace. Even if the high priest were to go out casually, he would be taken suspicious.

Luthan blinked, not expecting that question.

Leon continued as if it were nothing special. "Just now, you told me all of this. Surely you didn't get this level of detailed information if you didn't put up quite a fight to gain it. That is impressive."

Luthan's posture straightened slightly, a hint of pride slipping into his expression.

"Years of training," Luthan replied, closing his eyes.

Leon nodded slowly, as if actually considering his words. "Is that so… I was just wondering if all the high priests could get youthful life once they get recognised by Goddess Silvernoon."

Luthan looked at him for a long moment. "Your perception is sharp, Master Leon."

Leon shrugged. "I am simply curious. It must be troublesome to maintain this appearance, right?"

Luthan exhaled softly, almost amused. "Troublesome… yes. But necessary. Why do you think I did?"

Leon tilted his head. "I have a theory… do you care to hear?"

Luthan smirked faintly and settled deeper into the bench. He gave a small shrug, giving Leon the signal to speak.

He looked confident like a man certain that no one could ever figure out what he hid.

Leon studied him for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Well… you are not exactly subtle."

Luthan raised an eyebrow.

"..."

"Lets see… you walk around the cathedral without being detected. You gather intelligence no priest should have. You still look like you are in your thirties, yet everyone knows you are an old man."

Luthan's expression remained calm, but Leon noticed the way his fingers paused for a brief second.

Leon continued as if he was simply thinking aloud.

"People assume your youthful appearance is due to Silvermoon's blessing. But that does not explain the rest. Disguising your movements. Concealing entire nights of your absence. Evading surveillance from both nobles and cathedral staff."

Leon narrowed his eyes slightly. "If someone wanted to achieve all of that… there is only one real possibility."

Luthan's posture stiffened for one heartbeat. Leon saw it.

He smiled.

"It would require the ability to alter your form, your features, and your presence. To slip into anywhere you want without raising suspicion. Haha, the way you describe things, about those nobles, it was as if you heard them in person..."

Luthan's eyes twitched.

Leon leaned back a little, held his gaze steady, and said. "A skill that lets you change your appearance at will."

He looked at Luthan,

Leon let out a quiet chuckle. "You can do that, right?"

There was silence for the time being.

Seeing Leon's steady gaze, Luthan chuckled quietly. "You want me to agree to this? A skill that alters appearance… very bold of you to assume. But let us say you were right. Why are you asking?"

Leon rested his arm on the back of the bench, posture relaxed.

"Nothing important, I am a research scholar. Things related to unique skills interest me. I am simply curious how it works."

Luthan scratched his cheek faintly. "You want to see how it works?"

Leon nodded once. "Precisely. I will be returning to Eclipse tonight. A little motivation might help me work on something new. And who knows, I might even help you refine that skill of yours."

Luthan blinked at him. "Refine… my skill?"

Leon smiled lightly. "I study things. That is all."

Luthan exhaled, almost amused. "Is that so? Well, I do not mind actually. I have allowed a few others to witness this skill before. And beside… you are her younger brother."

Leon's eyes sharpened for a split second.

'Perfect.'

Luthan whispered something under his breath.

A faint glow shimmered across his skin.

Leon's vision shifted instantly. His pupils contracted as the world around him broke into cascading streams of 0s and 1s.

Luthan's skin quivered like ripples on water. His youthful complexion warped, bubbled, and slowly turned wrinkled. His hair faded from blond to pale white.

Within seconds, he looked like an actual man in his old age.

Leon's eyes stopped glowing.

A translucent notification flickered briefly in his mind.

[1 Fate Point consumed]

[Skill Deconstruction → (Mirage Persona–Rank B) copied]

Leon blinked once, letting the notification fade.

They talked for a few more minutes. Leon listened, nodded, and matched the flow of conversation until Luthan finally stood up and walked off in another direction.

Leon returned alone.

The music returned slowly as he stepped past the garden, washing over him like warm water. The chatter, the laughter, the clinking glasses. All of it came together again.

He walked back into the hall at a calm pace. His eyes scanned the room only once before pausing.

Ren stood alone at the corner, clutching a drink, looking completely out of place.

Leon's lips curved.

'Perfect timing.'

He walked straight toward him.

"Hey."

Ren jerked at the sound like a startled cat.

"Big Brother Leon?"

Leon stood beside him and glanced down. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Ren stiffened. "Y-yes. Here."

He fumbled into his coat and pulled out a small black box, holding it out with both hands. Leon sighed softly as if mildly disappointed and took it from him.

He opened it just enough to peek inside, then closed it again.

Good. Exactly what he wanted.

"Thanks," Leon said calmly. "Also, let us duel a few more times as well."

Ren froze. His face drained of all color.

"Umm… haha… I am good, Big Brother. No need."

Leon almost laughed. He really enjoyed bullying this kid.

"Hey now, you look like a bully, Leon."

A voice cut through their exchange.

Leon lifted his gaze and saw Layla walking toward them with her arms crossed, staring at him with a suspicious look.

She stopped right in front of him.

"What are you two doing?" she asked. Layla looked at Leon's face, at his hand holding the black box which had the elven core emblem in it.

She understood. "Haaah…anyways, Leon."

She looked at Leon with a fidgeting expression, then asked in a low voice.

"I will be leaving tomorrow."

Leon raised his brow, "oh, I thought you will stay for at least a month."

"No, too much happened, and I also have to prepare for the entrance test for Eclipse."

"Oh, right." Leon noticed her expression, then asked, "what do you want?"

Layla stared at him straight and then asked. "How about a dance with me?"

"Huh?" Ren blinked. "Layla—"

"Shut up Ren." Layla said, her eyes didn't leave Leon.

Leon thought for a few seconds, then said. "Fine. Let's go."

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