"Creak..."
Neo pushed open the door to the inner room. Miye came forward with a smile and asked, "Have you finished your meeting with the Dice Thrower?"
"Come inside first."
"Of course."
Miye walked in. The first person he saw was Leon, standing against the wall behind the door, looking utterly lost. Then his gaze shifted to the head placed on the gambling table.
"This..."
"This is her suicide note." Neo handed Miye a letter.
Miye took the letter but did not immediately open it. Instead, he performed the Ganarlad Church's mourning rites before the Dice Thrower's head.
After a while, Miye drew a deep breath and said, "I thought there would still be quite some time. I really never expected it all to happen so soon."
Leon froze for a moment. He had not expected this reaction from Miye. Nor did it seem like a compromise made out of fear that Neo would silence him. It seemed more as though he had foreseen this.
"The contents of the letter should be enough for you to answer to your superiors," Neo said.
Miye nodded. "I understand."
He heard the other meaning in those words, and Neo made no attempt to hide it. But he knew very well that following the normal reporting procedure would benefit him most. Gamblers often cared deeply about the capital they had already invested or lost.
Neo tilted his neck slightly, signaling for Leon to follow him outside.
Leon did not resist. He silently followed Neo out.
The Ganarlad Church clerics did not follow. The two of them walked from the inner street toward the road as though taking a stroll.
"Snap!"
Neo lit himself another cigarette, turned toward Leon, and blew smoke at him.
Leon did not react.
Neo said, "She was pretty good with