Chapter 43 Disagreement

Several quiet days passed, and life in the castle remained as tranquil as ever. However, Alia's mind was already brewing her next course of action. During these days, Marcellus was often busy, and their encounters were few and fleeting. Each time she saw him, it was only briefly before he hurried off again. From an offhand remark by Elise, she learned that Marcellus was spending most of his time at Edgar's estate, discussing the city expansion plans with several key figures.

This piece of information stirred Alia's thoughts into motion. Her father's estate was not only a repository of secrets but also a crucial target for gathering information. Rather than recklessly sneaking in, it would be wiser to approach in a seemingly harmless way. An idea struck her: she could personally prepare a delicious meal and deliver it to her father's estate. On the surface, it would appear as a thoughtful gesture for Marcellus, but it would also provide her an opportunity to gather information.

Yet as this plan formed, another matter surfaced in her mind—Elias. Since their agreement in the training hall, Alia had yet to talk to Elias about this. Now that her abilities were gradually recovering, it was indeed time to follow through. Moreover, she urgently needed more information, and Elias was undoubtedly a critical source.

The only problem was how to "casually" reach out to Elias. She did not want to appear overly eager, as that would seem too passive. Standing by the window, Alia lightly tapped the table, her gaze drifting to the azure sky outside. Suddenly, inspiration struck: she could use her own "network" to create an opportunity.

On the other side, deep into the night, Edgar's study remained brightly lit. The room was filled with the musty scent of old tomes lining the bookshelves. At the center of the room, a desk was strewn with maps and a thick dossier on the city expansion project. Even the corners of the documents were weighed down with small soil samples, evidence of a recently heated discussion.

Edgar sat in a high-backed chair, his face grim, but his eyes burned with determination. With hands clasped, his gaze rested on the map before him as though he could see deeper secrets beyond the symbols. Opposite him stood Marcellus, who looked weary, his brows furrowed, and his tone laced with suppressed frustration.

"This expansion project could undoubtedly elevate the city to new heights," Edgar began in a calm tone, pausing deliberately before raising his eyes to Marcellus. His voice turned sharper as he continued, "But we both know this is not the true purpose of the expansion."

Marcellus didn't respond immediately. He stared at the map in silence for a long moment before sighing. "Edgar, haven't you given up yet? Unearthing that 'artifact' last time was an extraordinary fluke. Moreover, we both know what it brought wasn't fortune—it was calamity. Are you truly willing to risk seeking it again? And are you certain there's anything left to find?"

"You don't understand," Edgar replied coldly, his tone resolute and unyielding. "I've never been after wealth. My goal is singular—if the Holy Grail could take away what was most precious to me, I believe there must be something out there capable of reclaiming it."

His voice dropped, tinged with pain and anger. "If the Holy Grail were still in our possession, I wouldn't need to expand the city to search for similar artifacts. But after what happened, it vanished entirely, didn't it?" Edgar's meaningful gaze bore into Marcellus, probing and faintly accusatory.

Marcellus's expression stiffened at Edgar's words. Lowering his eyes, he hesitated before replying in a low voice, "Yes, after that incident, the Holy Grail disappeared." His tone carried a mix of guilt and unspoken truths.

"In that case, this plan is imperative." Edgar abruptly stood, striding toward the bookshelf. He pulled down a heavy tome and opened it to a marked page. "The expansion isn't merely for the city's development—it's to dig deep and uncover buried secrets."

"But—" Marcellus looked up, his voice tinged with worry. "I just hope, no matter what you do, you won't bring harm to Livia."

"Livia is my daughter. How could I harm her?" Edgar's tone turned icy, his brows knitting tighter. "But you—why did you let her nearly die last time? Do you have any leads? If you're incapable of protecting her, I'll bring her back and guard her myself!"

At the mention of the incident, a flicker of guilt crossed Marcellus's face. Yet he quickly straightened and replied firmly, "I've uncovered some leads, and I can assure you such an incident will never happen again."

"Hmph. Let's hope so." Edgar snorted, clearly dissatisfied with the response. His gaze returned to the map spread on the desk, his tone growing more resolute. "No matter what, I must find the Holy Grail, or at least an artifact with the same power. That is my sole objective."

The study fell into a heavy silence. The tension between them was palpable, and the weight of their differing priorities hung in the air. Eventually, Marcellus refrained from further persuasion, nodding quietly instead. Both men harbored their own thoughts, yet at this moment, they reached a fragile consensus—despite their differing goals, the expansion project was a mission neither could abandon.