Chapter 70: Elias’s Preparations

Days passed, and Marcellus remained busy, never returning home. This gave Alia more time to solidify her resolve.

During these days, she carefully reviewed all the clues in her mind, organizing her goals and plans. If answers wouldn't come to her, she would have to uncover them herself.

On a new morning, Alia sat in her bedroom with a map spread out before her. It marked the location Adrian had mentioned. Her fingers traced the marks on the map, a determined flame igniting in her eyes.

"No more delays. It's time to act."

Standing before the mirror, Alia deftly disguised herself. Taking advantage of the servants' busy routines, she slipped out of the manor unnoticed. Familiar with every path in the estate, she climbed over the back wall, evaded the patrolling guards, and made her escape.

Following the map's directions, Alia eventually reached the place Adrian had mentioned. As she stood there, an inexplicable sensation stirred in her chest.

She froze, instinctively placing a hand over her heart. "This feeling… is it a calling?"

Her brows furrowed, confusion clouding her mind. This body—Livia's—seemed connected to the land itself, the sensation originating from deep within its flesh and blood.

"So, it's not my soul but this body…" Alia murmured to herself, her expression a mix of complexity and unease.

As she tried to make sense of the situation, faint footsteps reached her ears. Alia immediately became alert, retreating into the shadows to observe.

A group of mysterious figures came into view. Dressed inconspicuously, they moved with practiced ease, their intent clear despite their lack of overt action. They appeared to be scouting the area. After some time, seemingly unable to find what they were searching for, they departed. Alia quietly followed.

Trailing them from a distance, Alia noticed something alarming: their destination was the residence of the General of the Second Army Group.

"The General of the Second Army Group? What connection could he have with these people?"

Her mind raced with questions, but she refrained from acting rashly and continued her silent observation.

Exploring other expansion sites, Alia found similar figures at every location. They appeared to be conducting some sort of investigation or exchange. Each group, without exception, ultimately converged on the General of the Second Army Group's residence.

Standing on a concealed high ground, Alia gazed down at the residence below. The mysterious figures moved like silent phantoms, carrying out their hidden orders under the cover of night.

"As I suspected…" Alia's eyes narrowed. "Eryx and Master… they're both after the 'Holy Grail.'"

She took a deep breath, steadying her thoughts, though a chilling resolve began to harden within her gaze.

"If their goal truly is the Holy Grail… the upcoming game will only grow more intricate."

But Alia quickly dismissed these thoughts.

For now, finding the Holy Grail was not her today's concern. Whatever schemes her master and the Eryx had, she had no desire to become entangled in them. She had more pressing matters to attend to now.

Alia slipped away into the night, ensuring she remained undetected.

When she reentered the familiar alleyway, a chorus of cheers erupted from the street thugs.

"He is here!"

Several scruffy figures rushed up to greet her, their faces lighting up as if they'd seen a deity of wealth. Red stood off to the side, arms crossed. Though his lips curved into a smile, his eyes betrayed a mix of respect and awe.

"Red, it seems you've been doing quite well recently," Alia remarked, her gaze sweeping over the group with a hint of appraisal.

Red nodded, a trace of excitement in his voice. "You wouldn't believe it. Ever since our last meeting, Elias has been visiting us often. Not only does he reward us, but he's been training us. We're nothing like we used to be."

Red launched into an eager recounting of recent events.

Shortly after Alia had left, Elias had come to the alley seeking out Red and his crew. Knowing there were many like Red in the city—capable yet lacking opportunities—Elias decided to recruit them.

Alia smiled faintly. "He certainly has ambition."

Red, however, hesitated, his expression growing more complicated. "At first, I wasn't convinced. The day he arrived, we were being harassed by a local gang from the eastern district demanding protection fees. Of course, I wasn't about to back down. Who were they to extort us? But then, they started a fight."

He took a deep breath, his tone turning solemn. "We were about to lose when Elias appeared. He tossed a gold coin their way, and instantly, their leader changed his tune. The man dropped to his knees, apologizing profusely and saying he didn't know 'you' were backing us."

Alia raised an eyebrow. "Then? I assume you were grateful?"

Red chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "Grateful, sure, but seeing it was Elias? I couldn't stand it. A noble's son teaching us street rats? So…"

He paused, his gaze flickering with mixed emotions. "So we fought him. A bunch of us together. And guess what? Not one of us could beat him."

Red's tone carried a grudging admiration as he scratched his head.

"He was fast, precise, ruthless. Every time I thought I had an opening, I'd be on the ground the next second. When we were all down, he just looked at us coldly and said, 'If you don't want to be bullied, then gain the strength to protect yourselves.'"

Alia chuckled softly. "And that convinced you?"

Red shrugged. "What else could we do? He had the skills, the means, and the ability to make us stronger. In just a few days, we learned more from him than we ever had before. Plus, with the treasures he gave us, it wasn't long before we followed him. But he also said one thing."

"What was that?"

"He said the benefactor we'd been serving before—meaning you—is his friend. So we're to keep listening to 'you,' too."

Red's gaze lingered on her, a trace of anticipation in his eyes. "So, are you here today to give us new orders?"