The Malinois Under Surveillance

Sophia stared at John Wick, extending a hand to push the Blood Pact Badge back. "No," she said, "after this is done, you'll owe me."

She then stood up. "We leave in ten minutes."

Meanwhile, on the rooftop open-air balcony of the Morocco Grand Hotel.

Lord Charlotte and his group were gathered here. Below them was another two-story open-air balcony.

Standing above, they could see the entire situation on the terrace below.

This was the best room Burada had given him, with a balcony that was the only one with a view of the second floor.

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

Charlotte held a glass of White Horse whiskey, took a sip, and replied, "Understood."

He then looked down at the terrace below and murmured, "Why do people always want to kill dogs?"

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

Ginny heard Charlotte and walked forward, looking down. She didn't see anything and asked, "Boss, who wants to kill a dog?"

Charlotte pointed to the empty terrace below. "Soon a confident fool will arrive, wanting to do something stupid."

Ginny blinked at Lord Charlotte, her thoughts unknown. She looked down at the terrace with a hint of gravity in her eyes.

Meanwhile.

Sophia had changed her clothes and emerged with her weapon.

Seeing Sophia's attire and the weapon in her hand, John Wick said from the sofa, "We don't need to barge in like before."

"This time, we're just going to talk."

Sophia went to her Malinois, crouched down, and said to John Wick, "Getting involved with you is never just about talking."

Then, Sophia tucked the handgun into the bulletproof vest the Malinois was wearing.

She then said to John Wick, "Let's go!"

Sophia led John Wick all the way to the underground alchemy district, heading towards Burada's location.

They had to pass through the alchemy district and were stopped for a body search.

Just as the two were finished being searched, Burada walked over, spreading his arms wide and saying, "Sophia, it's always a pleasure to see you."

He then walked up to the two of them and said, "Of course, and your dog, aren't they magnificent."

"Can I pet him?"

Sophia looked at her superior and nodded in agreement, "Of course, his name is Daguilte."

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

Burada squatted down, petted the dog, and praised, "Wonderful!"

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

Burada stopped playing with the Malinois, stood up, and walked up to John, continuing, "Come, we have much to discuss."

Along the way, Burada spoke, "I must admit, I'm curious."

"What wind brought you to my territory? Tell me, are you here to kill me?"

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

Hearing that he wasn't there to kill him, Burada nodded. Today, he had met two legendary assassins, and neither of them was after him. He was satisfied and led the two to the terrace on the second floor.

Ginny, who had been staring at the second-floor terrace, murmured, "Someone really came, and there's really a dog."

Her gaze then shifted to Charlotte Doyle, her eyes filled with surprise, disbelief, and even a hint of admiration.

Having been born into the Brotherhood of Assassins, Ginny was very receptive to this kind of precognitive ability. Coupled with Charlotte Doyle's occasional cryptic riddles, Charlotte Doyle's image began to grow infinitely in her heart.

Hearing Ginny say that someone had arrived on the second-floor terrace, Charlotte said, "Everyone, come over here and watch. There's going to be a good show soon."

"Iruka, can you hear what's happening downstairs?"

Everyone strained their ears to listen. Besides the whistling wind, they could hear nothing. They all shook their heads at Charlotte.

Hearing that no one could hear, Charlotte shrugged. He could only express that everyone would have to watch a silent play.

Second-floor terrace.

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

Before John Wick could answer, Burada continued, "There are many theories about the word 'assassin'."

"The Order of Assassins, followers of Hassan."

"But others believe the word originated from 'believer'."

"Meaning, a devout person who adheres to the Faith."

Burada then pointed to a gold coin hanging up as a display, saying, "See that? That's the first gold coin minted here."

"The one next to it, the first blood contract."

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

"Of course, this gold coin no longer holds any monetary value."

"Instead, it represents business relationships, representing the social contract you agree to participate in."

"Order and rules."

Burada walked up to John Wick and continued, "You broke the order, and the High Table decreed your death."

"Why should I let you leave here alive?"

"Since you've already reaped what you've sown and lost your life."

John Wick knelt on one knee, head bowed, and said, "I want to do my best to make amends, to pay the price for my actions."

"I wish to meet the one who presides over the High Table."

At this moment, John Wick's mindset wasn't what Burada thought. John wasn't genuinely seeking the Elder's pardon, but rather to become a guide, to find the High Table's headquarters.

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

However, Charlotte Doyle hadn't asked him for the Elder's address; he had calmly checked into his hotel.

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

"Tell me, does it shed much?"

Not understanding why Burada asked this, Sophia still replied, "Occasionally."

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

"If he wants me dead..."

Before John could finish, Burada interjected, "Then we'll definitely ensure your corpse is left exposed to the sun."

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

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