Also, these two looked perfectly healthy. Why had they retired?

Holding many questions like these in his head, Daneel first rejoiced that he now had the opportunity to talk to two top a.s.sa.s.sins instead of one before saying, "I don't need to explain to you. I'm someone who follows my heart. I was interested in the flowers and this lizard's story, so I risked my life for it. Now, cough up."

Chuckling, the slim man replied, "Please don't say 'lizard' elsewhere on the Mountain. Us older folk have gotten used to such comments, but the younger ones might end up attacking. Not that they will do any harm to you, but we prefer that our younglings stay alive. Anyway, let me introduce myself. I'm Stefan, a friend, and peer of Jaggrv's. He doesn't like to talk about his grief, so let me. But first, let me say that I was very surprised to hear that you managed to dodge his attacks for that long. I can't wait to hear you cough up your end of the bargain. Jaggrv, go water some plants."

Saying so, Stefan watched as the reptilian got up and left the college.

While he was doing so, Daneel noticed the emotion of extreme sadness that was reflected in his eyes.

As he heard Stefan talking, he focused his attention back on him.

"As you are someone from the Big 4, you must have heard of their member called the 'Eternal Bloom'?"

Of course, Daneel had no choice but to nod, even though he was hearing the name for the first time.

"Then I don't need to explain much! You must know more about them than I do. All I know is that they are the most mysterious organization in all the Big 4, and that even their location is a mystery to those who are not cleared to know such information. I have no idea why they remain closed off to the world, but it is said that they entertain no visitors. If someone is selected by them to enter, they don't leave until they reach a certain level. Pssh, why am I telling all this to you? Anyway, all this started when my friend here got a contract to kill someone inside the Eternal Blossom Sect."

Stefan was clearly someone talkative, and Daneel really felt glad about that, as he had just obtained knowledge about another member of the Big 4.

G.o.ddess's Sanctum and Eternal Blossom.

2 down, 2 to go, he thought, while Stefan continued.

"It was one of the strangest contracts we ever received, as we normally never deal with the Big 4 except in rare cases. The Sect Leader was going to say no, but it turned out that the one who gave the contract had offered something that the Sect dearly wanted. I don't know what it was, and neither do I know the ident.i.ty of the person who gave the contract. These records were sealed, and this topic is only talked about in hushed tones inside this sect unless someone wants to attract the ire of the Sect Leader."

It was here that Stefan paused and sighed with sadness, before looking out at his friend who was carefully tending for the plants outside.

With another sigh, he continued.

"Then, Jaggrv was the most talented a.s.sa.s.sin in the Sect. He had just broken through to become an Exalted Human, and the contract stated that this level was perfect as the Eternal Blossom Sect had just started a round of screening for individuals below that level to take up the post of acting as sparring partners. They promised to deliver endless resources and techniques in return, so it was a dream for any Exalted Human who was stuck. Jaggrv made the decision to go in a heartbeat, although it was quite clear that there was a possibility that he might never return. The contractor had designed a plan and an exit route, but no one knew if they were reliable. Besides, it was also written that it might take years to complete the a.s.signment. I told him he had a bright future ahead. I told him not to go. But he did. And everything changed."

Saying this, Stefan stood up and walked to the window that was there on one side of the cottage.

"He was gone for 5 years. 5. When he came back, he had become the youngest Warrior out Sect had ever seen. But there was a problem. He reported that the mission had failed. And he told the Sect that he couldn't go into the details due to oaths he had sworn there."

Here, Stefan turned around and looked straight into Daneel's eyes before continuing.

"I know the story, though. He succeeded in the a.s.sa.s.sination. But he did not want to admit it. His mission was to kill her. And he ended up doing that-by loving her."

Hearing this, Daneel's eyes opened wide.

"Yes, he fell in love with his target. But this love ended up killing her, as it was forbidden. It was ironic. All he wanted to do was save her, and he would have done that if he hadn't entered her life. Yet, he ended up fulfilling his mission. It destroyed him, and sent him into such a rage that he recklessly took many, many contracts after coming back. These flowers, all of them, are the only things that remain of her. He still trains with the hope of going back and taking revenge, but he knows it isn't possible. So, that's his story. Now, what's yours?"

Daneel was deep in thought by the end of the narration.

He couldn't imagine how much love this reptilian must have had for that woman to still remember and pine for her by taking care of these flowers even though decades had pa.s.sed.

Love like that was…rare.

Precious.

And it had to be admired.

Looking up at Stefan, Daneel made a decision.

No matter what, he needed these two on his side. If he managed that, he would only need one more vote to win when the time came for the bylaw to be invoked.

So, he prepared to gamble.

"Call your friend in."

As Daneel said this, Stefan nodded and went out to call Jaggrv.

After both of them sat down, Daneel took a deep breath and said something that made both of them look at him with shock and disbelief.

"I went through your 'crash course', and I learned something from it. I used it to win. Now, you two need to tell me what it is."