"After forming the Assassin Brotherhood, they followed the guidance of the Loom of Fate and began practicing the Assassin's Creed," Morin said slowly as he walked with Lucy along the pedestrian street.
"That Loom of Fate does, in fact, point out people who deserve to die under the standards of law and morality, because it's tied directly to destiny and the laws of time in this world. If it weren't man-made and was instead a pure accident, the probability of something like this existing would be roughly the same as what happened to you."
"That probability is extremely low," Lucy said.
"Yes," Morin replied. "In your world's entire history, you might be the only person able to adapt to that drug. And the drug had to break and leak inside your body at exactly the right moment. But as long as a probability exists, there's always a chance it will happen. And once it does happen, it becomes an inevitability."
"Have they continued like this until now?" Lucy asked.
"No," Morin said. "Countless years ago, the organization split in two because of internal disagreements. The faction that broke away pursued profit. They believed that since they possessed power, they deserved higher status, money, and authority, rather than being shackled by a mysterious belief system."
He continued calmly.
"The other faction insisted on preserving the original creed. They believed in becoming guardians in the shadows-those who work in darkness to serve the light, protecting the future of human civilization."
"The first approach sounds more practical," Lucy said evenly. "The second... I don't really understand. I can understand profit, but faith... Without emotions, is faith a kind of mental satisfaction?"
"Yes," Morin nodded. "That's why I'm bringing you to see it. I want you to experience their faith and gain insight naturally."
He went on.
"Because faith is purely mental satisfaction and brings no real benefits-aside from attracting enemies-most assassins followed a legendary assassin who advocated profit. But in the end, both sides paid a heavy price."
"Why?" Lucy asked, startled.
"Because the longer someone practices the Assassin's Creed, the deeper their understanding of its meaning becomes," Morin said. "Those people often become Master Assassins-legendary figures. Younger assassins, who haven't trained as long, are more easily tempted by profit and are less loyal to the creed."
He paused briefly.
"Although the profit-driven side had greater numbers, the individual combat strength of the faith-driven side was higher. The conflict ended in a stalemate, with both sides severely weakened."
"In that situation, both leaders realized that continuing would erase the Brotherhood's legacy entirely. So they negotiated. In the end, both sides compromised."
Morin glanced at Lucy.
"The Assassin Brotherhood remained. The faction that split off became the High Table-a commission-based hitman organization. Normally, the two avoid each other and sometimes even cooperate, but their principles differ. The High Table works for money. The Brotherhood works for faith."
"By now, the High Table must be doing far better," Lucy said without hesitation.
"Exactly," Morin agreed. "Over time, the Assassin Brotherhood declined. Today, it has only thirty or forty members left, though they still possess the Loom."
He continued evenly.
"The High Table, driven by profit, expanded aggressively. Many nations are forced to restrain themselves around it. Continental Hotels operate openly. Officials and military figures are already under its influence. They've become kings of the underworld."
"That level of power won't last," Lucy said. "No country will tolerate such an organization forever. They just haven't found the right opportunity yet."
"That's inevitable," Morin nodded. "Eventually, they'll unite and act. But before that, something unexpected happened."
"The Assassin Brotherhood collapsed first?" Lucy asked.
"Yes," Morin said. "Sloan, the Brotherhood's new leader, grew increasingly dissatisfied with the Creed. What he hated most was obeying a loom while gaining neither wealth nor the life he wanted."
He spoke calmly, without judgment.
"So he began secretly taking commissions, manipulating assassins under him to carry out paid hits by forging the Loom's commands. But that couldn't stay hidden forever."
"Eventually, a Master Assassin named Cross discovered the truth. Sloan learned of this first and struck preemptively, forging a command that made Cross the target of every assassin in the Brotherhood."
"But Cross was exceptionally powerful. So powerful that he eliminated multiple assassins without injury. If it continued, he could have wiped out the Brotherhood alone."
Morin's tone remained flat.
"Only a legendary assassin can kill another legendary assassin. So Sloan devised a plan-train Cross's son, Wesley, into a hitman. Because of bloodline inheritance, Wesley possessed talent equal to his father's."
"In the original course of events, Wesley would be deceived into believing Cross killed his mother, kill his own father, then discover the truth and wipe out the Brotherhood."
He paused.
"But another turning point appeared."
"But..." Lucy echoed.
"But I arrived," Morin said, smiling faintly as he led Lucy into the Assassin Brotherhood's headquarters.
"Mr. Morin?" Wesley popped out from a corner, noticing Lucy. "Who is this-"
"A friend," Morin said. "She's interested in the Loom of Fate. I'm showing it to her."
"Sir, the Loom of Fate isn't-mmph!"
Fox appeared from the side, only for Wesley to clamp a hand over her mouth.
With the strength of a legendary assassin-and the natural difference in physical builds-Fox's counterattack was quickly suppressed. She was pinned firmly to the ground.
"Mr. Morin, it's fine," Wesley said with a strained smile. "This is just... a normal exercise between me and Fox. Please, go ahead."
"...Your exercise routine is certainly unique," Morin said.
Given his position, he didn't blame Fox. Her reaction was normal for a devout believer.
He only glanced at Wesley with a hint of pity, silently wondering how many days it would be before Wesley was allowed back into bed.
Morin and Lucy walked deeper into the headquarters, toward the Loom of Fate.
"After I arrived, I naturally didn't allow things to continue as planned," Morin said. "I took some actions. Told certain people things they needed to know ahead of time. Changed the future that was supposed to happen."
"You know the future?" Lucy asked.
"The world I grew up in produced movies that correspond to these worlds," Morin replied.
"Including... me?" Lucy immediately caught the point.
"Yes," Morin said softly, meeting her gaze.
"... "
Lucy's eyes flashed with shock.
Then she froze.
"Looks like we got lucky," Morin said with a smile. "The emotion of surprise."
He nodded slightly.
"That makes sense. Whatever you were thinking before, this would naturally surprise you."
"Did you... know in advance?" Lucy asked. There was finally a trace of vitality in her eyes.
"No," Morin shook his head. "I didn't see the movies I'm in."
"Then... was my world originally just a movie too?" Lucy asked.
"No, you misunderstood," Morin said, laughing lightly as he explained. "Your world isn't a movie. The fact that movies in my world matched your experiences is just coincidence."
He continued evenly.
"The universe is vast. How many worlds exist? Is it truly impossible for a movie to coincidentally share the same story, names, and personalities as a real world?"
"No. It isn't impossible."
"As long as the probability exists, it can happen. And once it happens, it becomes fact."
"But if I really am a movie character..." Lucy looked lost.
"That's no different from what we're doing right now," Morin said. "Is it possible there's a world where a slightly handsome author is typing these exact words?"
He shook his head.
"Does that mean we were created by him? No. It's just reflection. Coincidence. Anyone and anything can appear."
"That's... an incredible idea," Lucy said softly. "This emotion... it's strange. It makes one... surprised."
"That's because surprise is the only emotion you can feel right now," Morin said. "But it's a start."
He smiled.
"As long as there's a 'one,' there can be more. It just requires constant attempts."
Morin took out two glass cups, poured red wine, and handed one to Lucy.
A small celebration.