LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 27: Threads of Betrayal
Strange silence overcame the city during the morning. Bright streets, which had only yesterday vibrated with excitement from the Feast of Lupercal, were quiet now; the city was holding its breath. Whispers of political tension were there, subtle yet unavoidable. Even the merchants and beggars seemed to be more subdued; their cries for attention had muffled into murmurs.
Leo strode through the Forum, the sun climbing above his head casting long shadows behind the towering marble columns. He could feel the weight of the city on his shoulders, the stakes of his choices becoming more and more real with each step.
System Notification:
Quest Updated: The Fractured Blade
Brutus's resolve is weakening. Keep pressure on him.
New Objective: Disrupt Cassius's next meeting with the conspirators.
Leo let out a sigh as he closed the system screen. "No pressure, right?" he said to himself.
Mark Antony approached him near the main steps of the Senate, his face lined with both exhaustion and keen alertness. "You're becoming something of a sensation," Antony said dryly.
"Not exactly the kind of fame I was looking for," Leo quipped. "How's Cassius?
Antony nodded grimly. "He's rallying more senators to his cause. There's talk of a meeting tonight in a villa on the outskirts of the city. It'll be small, private, and guarded."
Leo frowned. "He's not wasting time. Do you know who that spy was?"
"Not her name," Antony said with an admission. "But she is one of his trusted agents. If she's reporting back to him, then Cassius already knows you're a threat.".
Fantastic," Leo said, rubbing his temples. "So, we crash the meeting?"
Antony chuckled darkly. "I like the way you think. But it's risky. Cassius is clever, and if we misstep, it could backfire.".
Leo's mind was racing. Pieces on the board changed, and it all became a game of chance. "We don't have a choice," he said. "If Cassius can get Brutus entirely on his side, we'll lose our best chance to untangle this conspiracy."
Antony looked serious. "So then we need a plan. How to get in quietly, do as little damage as possible, and then how to cause Cassius to reveal his hand without him knowing we are watching.".
New Side Quest: The Web of Conspiracy
Objective: Collect evidence of Cassius's betrayal at the secret meeting
Reward: +500 XP, scroll of unique skill.
Leo smiled to himself. "Guess it's spy time".
It was such a great structure whose white stone walls faintly gleamed in the moonlight. Hedges and trees were very dense all around, giving ample cover for them to sneak in unnoticed. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Leo and Antony made their way to the villa.
Antony crouched low behind a cluster of bushes, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We'll have to move quickly. If we're caught—"
"We won't be caught," Leo interrupted, his voice more confident than he felt.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Silent Step
Your movements become nearly undetectable for a short duration.
Leo's increased dexterity made scaling the outer wall unexpectedly easy. He landed softly on the other side, his senses heightened. Antony followed with practiced precision, the two of them slipping through the shadows like wraiths.
Voices echoed from a large chamber inside. Leo crept closer, peering through the narrow opening of a partially ajar door.
Cassius stood center stage, his small coterie of senators grouped around him. His tone was mild, yet laced with a sting unmistakable by any.
"It seems to me, friends," he began to say, "Caesar's ambition is too much. Let's hope not now or evermore to hand Rome to tyranny.".
Brutus sits at the edge of the group, arms crossed. His face is etched in lines of inner conflict as he listens to Cassius speak. He says nothing through the words, but a tension lies within his very posture.
Another senator broke in. "And what of the people? The people love Caesar. Do we provoke their anger?
Cassius's lip curled in a sneer. "The people are sheep. They follow where they are led. Once Caesar is gone, they will mourn briefly and then move on. We will make sure it."
Leo clenched his fists. This was not just a game of political maneuvering-this was out-and-out treachery.
Antony nudged him toward a stack of scrolls on a nearby table. He was too far to read, but his positioning gave the impression of importance.
System Notice
Objective Update: Get proof of Cassius's betrayal.
Plan 1: Take the scrolls.
Plan 2: Spy on the meeting to know more.
Leo hesitated. He could steal the scrolls; that would be very risky, but they may contain proof of Cassius's intentions. On the other hand, staying hidden and listening would bring out all the critical information.
He looked at Antony who gave a slight nod. Whichever plan Leo had chosen, Antony was going to follow his lead.
The game was on, and Leo's next move would decide the balance of power in Rome.