While Kojo reveled in the chaotic charm of his new teaching role, Lin was engaged in a far more subtle, yet equally vital, operation. Her objective in Ezkanur was clear: to understand the intricate web of power and influence that governed the Holy Land, and to ascertain whether its key players would be assets or obstacles in Kojo's inevitable clash with Chaos Lord Minatori. The Moonshadow, after all, existed to clear the background noise, to pave the way for Kojo's grand performances through clandestine operations. And to do that, she needed intelligence.
She had already made contact with the 'Serpent Pirates' under Loch and now had a connection to Oceania she could use should the need arise. Her initial thought in her current endeavor had been to approach the elves within the Glory Knights.
Elves were subject to other elves of a higher, more pure bloodline. Their inherent sensitivity to lineage made them a tempting target for her Machiavellian nature. As a royal, her words carried a certain resonance, a compulsion that few of their kind could truly resist.
But that was precisely the problem.
Any information gleaned under such an influence would be tainted, as they had a means to resist giving out information or give out false information when under the influence of any compulsion. Aside from that, any alliance formed would be built on a foundation of manipulation, not trust. They would resent her for it, and actively work against any future collaboration due to a lack of genuine connection. Besides, Lin needed genuine insights, not coerced confessions.
So, she opted for observation. Dressed in a simple, unadorned robe of gold and grey, her short green hair neatly tucked beneath a headpiece, she moved through the sprawling temple complex like a specter.
Her attire was a result of her having Kojo make new clothes, as she had him make a wardrobe for her as well. The soft fabric didn't rustle when she moved, allowing her to blend seamlessly with the backdrop of the stone corridors and moon-drenched courtyards.
She emerged into one of the temple's expansive courtyards, a tranquil space paved with ancient flagstones illuminated by the moon. Sculpted fountains trickled softly, their gentle murmur a counterpoint to the distant sounds of training knights and chanting clerics, as well as other people who went about minding their business. Her gaze swept over the various figures scattered across the courtyard – a few junior knights sparring, a group of religious scholars deep in discussion, and then, her eyes landed on a familiar shock of black hair.
Archsaint Yukio, the formidable leader of the Saints, was perched on a stone bench beneath the shade of a tree, its pale bark and icicles forming in its branches making it appear like an ice sculpture, her usual stern demeanor softened by a strange, almost dreamy expression. She wore a simple white robe, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders like a silky black waterfall. In her hands, she held a letter, her eyes tracing the script as if it held the secrets of the universe. Lin, her curiosity piqued, moved closer, her footsteps silent on the ancient stones.
"Reading something interesting, Yukio?" Lin's voice, calm and even, cut through the peaceful hum of the courtyard.
Yukio yelped, a startled, un-Archsaint-like sound. The letter flew from her grasp, then, with a flash of incredible speed, she snatched it out of the air before it could touch the ground. She stood up and spun around, her face a mask of wide-eyed panic, the letter clutched behind her back like a forbidden treasure.
"L-Lin! I… I didn't see you there!" Yukio stammered, her cheeks flushing a faint rose against her pale skin.
Lin's smirk widened. "I'm pretty sure you could have sensed me approaching."
"Y-yeah."
"But you didn't because your attention was on something else?" Lin asked.
"Y-yeah." Yukio answered. Lin walked around and came to sit on the bench.
"I was bored. Kojo's off playing teacher, so I decided to explore the temple. And then I saw you, looking rather… preoccupied."
"Oh! Right!" Yukio laughed, a nervous, high-pitched sound.
"Just… admiring the scenery. You know. As one does," Yukio replied with confidence.
"But as an Archsaint who lives here, don't you see this scenery everyday?" Lin asked.
Yukio's initial confidence deflated, her eyes darting around the courtyard.
"Well, you see, I, uh..." Her words trailed off.
Lin's smirk became a full-blown, knowing smile.
"Indeed. So, who's 'L' ?" she asked, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Is he your boy-…?"
Yukio's eyes went wide again, and she clamped a hand over Lin's mouth, her gaze frantically sweeping the courtyard.
"Shhh! Not here!" she hissed, her voice barely audible. She grabbed Lin's hand, her grip surprisingly strong, and practically dragged her across the courtyard, away from the other curious onlookers whose attention had been drawn by Yukio's involuntary yelp. They watched the two women disappear into a secluded alcove off the main hall, a small, dimly lit room usually reserved for quiet meditation.
Yukio slammed the heavy wooden door shut behind them, leaning against it, breathing heavily as if she had just run a marathon. Her face was a deeper shade of crimson.
Lin, still smirking, leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed.
"So," she purred, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "Who is 'L'? And don't even try to deny it. If you're this obvious, everyone in the temple probably knows by now."
Yukio flinched, her shoulders slumping. She let out a long, defeated sigh.
"Fine," she mumbled, her voice muffled by her hands, which she had brought up to cover her reddened face.
"I… I have a boyfriend."
"Aha! I knew it!" Lin exclaimed, snapping her fingers.
"Is it Leonard?"
Yukio recoiled as if struck. "Gods, no!" she practically shrieked.
"Leonard? He's so… uptight! He's a good partner to work with, true, but he's too... socially stiff! Every conversation with him feels like a formal sermon on the proper alignment and ethics!"
Lin chuckled. "I know, right? My thoughts exactly. He's a good man, but a bit… rigid."
"A bit?" Yukio groaned, peeking through her fingers.
Leo,who had happened to be passing by at that moment heard that point in the conversation. His jaw tightened and he turned and walked away heading towards the training ground to spar.
"So, if it's not Leo," Lin continued, tapping her chin thoughtfully oblivious to Leonard's departure, "then who else could it be?"
She closed her eyes for a moment, an image forming in her mind, piecing together subtle glances, hushed conversations, and a certain knight's unusually vigilant gaze on Yukio—one that was not unkind, but had... what's the word? Passion within its depths. Her eyes snapped wide.
"Oooooh, I see."
Yukio's face turned an even deeper shade of scarlet. She pressed her hands harder against her face.
Lin wrapped an arm around Yukio's shoulder, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And speaking of secrets, you promised to tell me what you and Kojo were referring to when we were going to meet with the other Knights the other day, didn't you? Add that to the list. I'll visit you in your quarters this evening. We'll have a proper chat. Girl to girl."
"You… you promise not to tell anyone?" Yukio pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.
Lin raised an eyebrow, a picture of feigned innocence.
"Obvious or not," Yukio insisted, "we both agreed on keeping things a secret for the time being."
"I understand," Lin said, nodding solemnly. "I'm only going to tell Sharone and the others. So…"
Yukio's jaw dropped, and she looked at Lin, her eyes wide with horror.
"You wouldn't!"
Lin giggled, a bright, clear sound that echoed in the small room. She pulled away from Yukio and darted out of the alcove, a flash of gold and grey against the muted stone.
"Lin! Get back here!" Yukio shrieked, her voice echoing through the temple as she burst out of the alcove and gave chase, her usual Archsaint dignity completely abandoned. The sounds of her exasperated shouts and Lin's delighted laughter faded down the corridor, leaving the courtyard in a state of amused confusion.
Cyrus stepped out into the courtyard and stretched, his eyes a bit bloodshot from sleep.
"Oh my." He said, noticing the ongoing game of tag.