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What is the most important thing to the High Table?
In the beginning, it was assassins.
And even now, it still is.
Although the High Table has grown into a massive underworld organization, the true core that binds everything together has never changed.
Assassins.
The twelve Continental Hotels spread across the globe form the core hubs of the High Table's power. Combined with supporting organizations like the Moles, Hawkeyes, and Vultures, they allow the High Table to project its influence worldwide.
And now-
Morin's Templar Knights were targeting the assassins themselves.
In the past, once you appeared on a High Table bounty list, your only option was to rely on your own strength. Official forces would never intervene.
But now, someone had stepped forward.
If the bounties issued by the Continental Hotel failed too many times, then the High Table's greatest weapon-the certainty of death-would lose its meaning.
Over the past few days, the Templar Knights had proven their strength twice in New York.
Ezio had no doubts.
They could protect their clients from assassins.
And if the Templar Knights succeeded.
If they succeeded repeatedly-
Then the High Table's power would be fundamentally weakened.
A thousand-mile dam can collapse because of an ant's nest.
But Morin wasn't digging an ant's nest.
He was tearing down the dam directly.
Ezio understood the severity of this better than anyone.
That was why he was so agitated.
He needed to snuff out this spark before it became a wildfire.
"Get me a phone," Ezio ordered, already dialing numbers belonging to officials he had leverage over.
Mobilizing the High Table alone wasn't enough.
Official power had to move as well.
The most dangerous attacks were always the ones that came from behind.
On the streets of New York.
Gilbreth stared at the broadcast that had just returned to normal.
For a long time.
When he finally snapped out of it, he looked toward the Continental Hotel.
The sign was gone.
In its place-
New York Templar Knights.
Gilbreth remembered the words spoken by the Templar Knight on television.
Could it really be true?
Could he really get revenge on the High Table?
Or was it just empty talk?
After a brief hesitation, Gilbreth started walking toward the building.
Even if it was false-
He had to try.
"Sir?"
After passing security, Gilbreth approached the front desk. Charon looked up from the documents he was reviewing.
"I... I just saw the broadcast," Gilbreth asked cautiously.
"Is it true?"
"It is," Charon replied with a polite smile.
"Do you need our services?"
"What?"
"Would you like to hire a Templar Knight to fight for order?"
"...Yes." Gilbreth swallowed.
"Can you accept a contract for something that happened a long time ago?"
"Of course," Charon said calmly.
"Justice delayed may no longer be justice, but revenge."
"And to protect order, it is still worth doing."
"Then I..." Hope surged in Gilbreth's chest, but panic followed.
"I don't have much money..."
"That won't be an issue," Charon said.
"We'll assess the assets of your target."
"After the task is completed, those assets will become our fee."
He adjusted his glasses and smiled.
"Our apologies. Even protection comes at a price."
"If that's the case-then that's perfect!" Gilbreth said, overjoyed.
"If you're certain," Charon continued, "please present your identification. We need to verify some information to ensure the authenticity of your request."
"Sir, you may leave now. We'll notify you once the contract is complete."
Even after stepping outside the New York Templar Knights, Gilbreth felt dazed.
Moments earlier, after returning his ID, Charon had handed him a printed document.
It contained everything.
What had happened back then.
Who was involved.
Detailed profiles of each person.
Complete.
Thorough.
After signing, fingerprinting, and having his photo taken, he was told to go home and wait.
Just like that.
It was done?
Was it really possible?
Without question, the names Eric, Morin, and Templar Knights were everywhere.
In less than an hour, the story spread across the internet worldwide.
Ezio had anticipated this.
But when he ordered government departments to suppress the narrative, he received a blunt response.
It was impossible.
They had been "hacked."
They were "forced."
Ezio knew that was a lie.
When he threatened them, the reply was simple.
This was a conflict between the Templar Knights and the High Table.
Official forces would not intervene.
The agreement between the High Table and the government remained in effect.
Outside that agreement, the government would not restrict the High Table.
But-
They would also not restrict the Templar Knights.
Which meant one thing.
If Ezio retaliated against officials, the High Table would be the one breaking the agreement.
At that point, the government would be free to openly support the Templar Knights.
Ezio understood.
The government had already chosen its stance.
But as long as the agreement still stood, and no evidence surfaced, the High Table couldn't move against them.
If it did-
It would be facing both the government and the Templar Knights.
Compared to that, dealing with only the Templar Knights was far preferable.
So Ezio made no further calls.
He didn't need to.
If the High Table, after reaching this level, couldn't suppress a newly emerged Templar Knights-
Then perhaps it deserved to be destroyed.
Besides, Ezio was confident.
All he had to do was crush them before they gained momentum.
And it would be over.
Especially since they had made such a public spectacle of it.
If the Templar Knights failed and the High Table prevailed, its authority would only be reinforced across the world.
Every coin has two sides.
The greater the crisis-
The greater the opportunity.