The Malinois That Was Targeted

Sophia fixed her gaze on John Wick, reached out, and pushed the Blood Pact Badge back to him. Then she said, "No. After this, you'll owe me."

She then rose to her feet and said, "We leave in ten minutes."

Elsewhere, on an open-air balcony atop the Continental Hotel in Morocco.

Charlotte Doyle and the others had gathered there. Below them was the second-floor open-air terrace.

From where they stood, they could take in everything happening on the terrace below.

This was the best room Burada had given him. Its attached terrace was also the only one with a view of the second floor.

Iruka walked up beside Charlotte Doyle and respectfully said, "Lord Charlotte, John Wick has arrived at the hotel."

Charlotte held a glass of White Horse Whiskey. After taking a light sip, he said, "Got it."

He then glanced toward the terrace below and murmured, "Why does someone always want to kill a dog?"

"Don't they know dog lovers are terrifying?"

Hearing Charlotte's words, Ginny stepped forward and looked down, but she saw nothing. She then asked, "Boss, who wants to kill a dog?"

Charlotte pointed at the still-empty terrace below and said, "In a moment, a confident fool will come here and try to do something stupid."

Ginny blinked at Charlotte Doyle, her thoughts unreadable. Yet her gaze toward the terrace below carried a trace of gravity.

Elsewhere.

Sophia had changed clothes and emerged with her weapons.

Looking at Sophia's outfit and the weapons in her hands, John Wick sat on the couch and said, "We don't need to storm in like before."

"This time, we're just talking."

Sophia walked over to her Malinois and crouched beside it. Then she said to John Wick, "When you get involved, it's never just a talk."

Sophia then tucked a pistol into the bulletproof vest worn by the Malinois.

Then she said to John Wick, "Let's go!"

Sophia led John Wick all the way to the underground alchemy district, heading toward where Burada was.

As they passed through the alchemy district, the two were stopped and required to submit to a search.

Just as the search was completed, Burada walked over with his arms spread wide. "Sophia, it's always a pleasure to see you."

After approaching them, he said, "And of course, your dogs. They're wonderful."

"May I pet one?"

Sophia looked at the superior before her and nodded in agreement. "Of course. His name is Daguilte."

At that moment, the Malinois named Daguilte walked out on his own and came before Burada.

Burada crouched down, petted the dog, and praised him. "Wonderful!"

Then, while rubbing the dog's head, he said, "John Wick, I heard you've set foot on our shores."

Burada stopped playing with the Malinois, got to his feet, walked up to John, and continued, "Come along. I'm sure we have much to discuss."

As they walked, Burada said, "I must admit, I'm curious."

"What wind blew you into my territory? Tell me, have you come to kill me?"

John Wick looked at Burada and said, "No."

Hearing that John had not come to kill him, Burada nodded. Today, he had met two Legendary Assassins, and neither had come for him. He was quite pleased as he led the two of them to the second-floor terrace.

Ginny, who had been watching the second-floor terrace, murmured, "Someone really came. And there really is a dog."

The way she looked at Charlotte Doyle changed. There was surprise, disbelief, and even a faint trace of admiration.

Ginny, who had come from the Brotherhood of Assassins, was highly receptive to such prophetic abilities. Combined with Charlotte Doyle's occasional cryptic remarks, Charlotte Doyle's image in her heart began to grow infinitely taller.

Hearing Ginny say that someone had arrived at the second-floor terrace, Charlotte said, "Everyone, come over and take a look. A good show is about to begin."

"Iruka, can you hear the voices below?"

Everyone strained their ears, but aside from the howling wind, they could hear nothing. They all shook their heads at Charlotte.

Hearing that no one could hear anything, Charlotte shrugged. It seemed they could only watch a silent pantomime.

The second-floor terrace.

Burada said, "Mr. Wick, do you know the origin of the word assassin?"

Without waiting for John Wick to answer, Burada continued, "People have all sorts of theories. Assassin."

"The assassin order, Hassan's followers."

"But others believe the word came from believers."

"It means those who are devout, those who hold fast to their faith."

Burada then pointed to a Gold Coin hanging on display. "See that? That was the first Gold Coin minted here."

"And the one beside it, the first Blood Pact."

"Believe me, they weren't easy to collect."

"Of course, this Gold Coin no longer has any monetary value."

"Instead, it represents a business relationship, a social contract you agreed to take part in."

"Order and Rules."

Burada walked up to John Wick and continued:

"You broke the order. The High Table sentenced you to death."

"Why should I let you leave here alive?"

"Since you have already reaped what you sowed and lost your life."

John Wick dropped to one knee, lowered his head, and said, "I want to make amends. I want to pay for what I've done."

"I want an audience with the one above the High Table."

John Wick's intentions were not what Burada assumed. John was not truly seeking the Elder's pardon; he wanted to become a guide and find the High Table's headquarters.

Hearing John's words, Burada frowned slightly. This was the second person he had encountered today who wanted to see the Elder, and both were Legendary Assassins.

Charlotte Doyle, however, had not asked him for the Elder's address. He had simply checked into the hotel without concern.

Looking at John Wick before him, Burada felt that things might not be so simple. He ignored John for the moment, walked over to Sophia, and said, "I really like this dog."

"Tell me, does he shed much?"

Not understanding why Burada would ask that, Sophia still answered, "Occasionally."

After glancing at Sophia, John Wick said in a deep voice, "After I leave, you can tell the Elder I'm coming to find him."

"If he wants me dead..."

Before John could finish, Burada said, "Then I'll certainly make sure your corpse is left in the sunlight."

"I understand. You're asking me to give the Elder a choice: kill you or not."

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