Shaking her head, Livia felt a surge of exhilaration rise within her. She knew she had to inform her "allies" immediately and announce the victory she had secured in this political battle. Under the night sky, she strode forward with unwavering determination, as if each step she took was carving out the path to the future.
The scene shifted to the dimly lit hospital corridor, where the flickering lights cast fragmented shadows on the walls. By Marcellus's bedside, the atmosphere was both heavy and intimate. After a day of rest, his condition had noticeably improved—his complexion looked rosier, and the bandages wrapped around his wounds hinted at the beginnings of recovery. But what stood out the most was the gleam in his eyes, as if he had already learned of Livia's success. His lips trembled slightly, and a faint murmur escaped them:
"I knew you could do it."
That simple remark struck Livia straight to the heart like a wave of warmth. She sighed lightly, her tone laced with both relief and lingering doubt. "Only now do I realize… it hasn't been easy for you either." She paused, her gaze reflecting a tangle of emotions before she continued, "Ever since you were injured, I tried to take over the plan, but I faced resistance like never before. It made me wonder… I always thought you and my father had a deep, trusting partnership, but why does it seem like this time, he wasn't willing to hand over the leadership to me? Or rather, was he trying to take it away from you?"
Marcellus's brows knit together briefly, a flicker of hesitation passing through his eyes. But soon, he lifted his weary shoulders and said in a low voice, "Perhaps… it's because while our goals align, what we intend to do with them differs. We have only been searching for the same thing, but when it comes to how we use it… we have vastly different intentions."
The moment she heard those words, Livia's heart clenched. The Grail. That legendary object they had been seeking for so long instantly surfaced in her mind. But what perplexed her was the uncertainty—what exactly did each of them plan to do with it? And from the look in Marcellus's eyes, he had no intention of revealing more. A surge of frustration and indignation welled up within her, making her feel as if she had been thrust into a game where the other players' hands remained forever hidden.
Just as the tension in the room reached a standstill, the door to the hospital room creaked open. Elias stepped in soundlessly, his lips curved into a subtle smile as he broke the silence. "Congratulations. So, what's our next move?" His voice carried a hint of anticipation and urgency.
Livia took a deep breath, steadying her emotions. She knew Marcellus was always hiding something—he would never lay out the full truth so easily. In the end, she could only rely on her own instincts and judgment. Smiling slightly, she responded with firm resolve, "Naturally, we take control of the entire plan. Then, we sift through everything carefully and pinpoint what truly deserves our attention."
A long pause followed before Marcellus, deep in thought, finally spoke. "You both know the journal in my study. Beneath it, there's a hidden compartment. Inside, you'll find a document that details every possible location where the Grail might be hidden within the expansion plans. I've already sent people to search those places, but so far… nothing. If either of you have any other leads, it may be worth another try. But be careful—above all else, stay safe."
Livia and Elias exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. Neither of them had expected Marcellus to be harboring such a crucial secret, let alone that he would willingly share it with them.
"You… you're actually telling us this?" Livia asked, her voice tinged with astonishment. "I thought you would keep it hidden forever."
At that moment, even the dimly lit hospital corridor seemed to fall silent, as if it, too, were holding its breath in anticipation. Suspense filled the air, tangled with the countless uncertainties of what lay ahead. Livia understood—everyone had their own agenda. But if she wanted to seize control of the situation, if she wanted to claim victory in this high-stakes struggle, she had to be the one steering the game.