Chapter 127: Legend or Reality?

Adrian furrowed his brows, his eyes filled with contemplation and doubt as he continued,

"But unexpectedly, after Elise and I hid here for so many days, that strange feeling returned. And this time, it wasn't just fleeting—it grew stronger and stronger… Yet, I still couldn't find the source. I don't know what's affecting me."

He lifted his head, fixing his gaze on Livia, his voice deep and serious. "This is the second time I've experienced this. So, Livia—don't you think it's time you told me what's really going on?"

Livia looked at him, her eyes darkening slightly as she sighed inwardly. Seems her brother wasn't foolish—he had long sensed something was wrong.

She remained silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly, "…You're not the only one who has felt this."

Both Adrian and Elise froze, exchanging glances full of confusion.

Livia lowered her gaze to the floor, as if carefully considering how to explain, then spoke again, "I didn't keep this from you because I didn't trust you, but because this matter is beyond what you can comprehend… But now, perhaps it's time you knew something."

She slowly raised her head, her gaze deep and unfathomable. "Have you ever heard of the Holy Grail?"

Adrian and Elise both stiffened. The term was both familiar and foreign to them.

"The Holy Grail? Isn't that just… something out of legends?" Adrian frowned, clearly skeptical.

Livia was momentarily taken aback. She hadn't realized that 'the Holy Grail' had already made its way into myths and stories. In her previous life, she had been a thief, with little opportunity to read books, so she was unaware. Perhaps she should look into how the legends depicted the Grail—she might find new clues. But for now, there were more pressing matters. "Then tell me, how do those legends describe the Holy Grail?" she asked in return.

Elise hesitated for a moment before murmuring, "They say it can grant a person's wish…"

Livia let out a soft chuckle, a trace of mystery in her smile. "Legends… are not baseless."

Both Adrian and Elise widened their eyes in shock.

Livia didn't keep them in suspense and continued, "And I can tell you something else—the city's expansion project is actually a search for the Holy Grail."

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Adrian and Elise were completely stunned, disbelief written all over their faces.

"You're serious?" Adrian's voice was hoarse, as if he still couldn't accept this revelation.

Livia looked at him calmly. "Of course."

Elise instinctively covered her mouth, exclaiming in disbelief, "But… but how is that possible? Something like the Holy Grail… really exists?"

Livia's tone was indifferent. "Of course. Adrian's strange sensations are linked to the Holy Grail—it's calling to him."

Adrian's heart trembled at her words. Recalling all the odd sensations he had experienced before, a storm of confusion and shock swirled within him.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he asked in a deep voice, "Then why would expanding the city lead to finding the Grail?"

Livia didn't answer immediately. Instead, she cast him a meaningful glance before saying softly,

"I don't know the details, but the Holy Grail was first discovered during the last expansion project."

Adrian took another deep breath, regaining his composure before asking, "So… if the Grail really holds such power, who else knows about it? Who's after it?"

Livia remained silent for a moment before replying in a quiet voice, "Marcellus and Edgar… and some unknown forces operating in the shadows."

The atmosphere grew even heavier. Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly. "…They're all after the Holy Grail?"

Livia nodded, her expression unreadable. "Not just them. Anyone who knows of the Grail's existence will never let it go so easily."

Adrian and Elise's expressions remained frozen, their eyes filled with disbelief and uncertainty.

"This… how can this be real?" Elise murmured, as if struggling to accept this reality that defied common sense.

Adrian, too, frowned, still finding it difficult to believe.

Seeing their reaction, Livia sighed. Then, reaching into the small pouch at her waist, she pulled out a few photographs.

She selected one and handed it to Adrian and Elise, speaking slowly, "It's fine if you don't believe me. I expected that. So—take a look at this."

Adrian took the photograph and glanced down.

The image showed several pages describing the power of the Holy Grail—the same ones Livia had found the last time Adrian had that strange sensation. At the time, she had taken pictures just in case, and as expected, the original pages had later been stolen. Now, these photos had become crucial evidence.

Elise's head snapped up, staring at Livia in shock. "This… this can't be real…"

Livia met their gazes calmly. "The writings on these pages describe the Holy Grail. And those very pages gave me the same feeling Adrian experienced."

Adrian's fingers tightened slightly around the photograph. He glanced around before lowering his voice, "So this place… really is connected to the Holy Grail?"

Livia didn't answer directly. Instead, she slowly put the photos away and said softly,

"That's not the main issue."

Adrian was taken aback. "What?"

Livia lifted her eyes, her gaze deep and piercing as she spoke in a measured tone,

"The real issue is—these pages were stolen. Which means… someone else is searching for it too."