Chapter 165: A Place for Everyone to Call Home

Livia turned her head to look at Marcellus, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly—he really was the kind of person who could never be ignored. She and Emma had come to their suspicions only after comparing their differing sources of information, cross-checking details, and reasoning things through again and again. That's when they began to sense something strange about the whole situation, suspecting that someone else might be behind it all.

But Marcellus had reached nearly the same conclusion entirely on his own, through nothing but personal observation and logical analysis—and his certainty even surpassed hers. That kind of insight and sharp instinct… truly impressive.

Her gaze softened a little without her realizing it, though she quickly reined in her emotions and returned to her usual calm.

At that moment, Elias spoke as well. His eyes narrowed slightly, and there was a cautious, skeptical tone in his voice. "I had my men re-examine the blast site. To be honest—if that explosion was Eryx's work, then the execution was far too crude. The explosive mix, the detonation mechanism… it just doesn't match his style. Unless he was deliberately making it look that way to throw us off."

He paused, a cold glint flickering in his eyes as he lowered his voice. "But I'm leaning toward a different theory—it could've been someone acting on impulse, using the chaos as a cover. Maybe this wasn't part of Eryx's plan at all. Maybe he wasn't even the original target. I've already ordered a trace on the chemical residue and the triggering device. If we can pinpoint the source, we might find a lead on who's really behind this."

Livia gave a small nod, quietly committing the clue to memory.

"That's going to be difficult," Marcellus said at that moment. His voice was low but steady. "If they've been hiding for so many years without leaving a trace, and still managed to strike at a critical moment so cleanly, then it means they're extremely cautious. Even if it was spontaneous, I'm sure they've already erased every clue. We're likely up against an organization that's been laying groundwork in secret for a long time."

After speaking, he let out a soft sigh, his brow furrowing slightly with the weight of his thoughts.

"I know." Elias's expression was just as serious, but his tone remained resolute. "But we can't afford to overlook even the smallest trace. A single fiber, a speck of debris—any of it could be a breakthrough. We don't have many advantages here. All we can rely on is patience and a little luck, peeling back that layer of disguise bit by bit."

Marcellus nodded, a flicker of admiration passing through his eyes. "It's in your hands, Elias."

At that, Livia also spoke up, her voice clear. "We all need to be prepared. Things are only going to get more complicated."

After a brief silence, all three of them turned their gaze to the documents and maps spread across the table—blueprints and personnel rosters, the very heart of the expansion project.

The atmosphere shifted from suspicion and alertness to a more pragmatic focus on the task at hand. Marcellus began methodically handing over responsibilities to Livia and Elias. As he flipped through the documents, he explained each detail in a low, steady voice.

"This here is the first phase of the outer-ring expansion. The crew from the south will handle it. I've already had a private talk with the team leader. He seems trustworthy, though he's got a few new recruits that'll need some close supervision."

"This section is for the technical group in charge of the pipeline upgrade—Livia, Adrian's overseeing this part. Just let him handle it. He's still someone we can count on."

Livia and Elias listened intently, taking notes, asking questions, and verifying the details. Every point of transition was cautious and tight. While war brewed quietly in the shadows, they had to maintain flawless order on the surface and keep the expansion running smoothly—only then could they have any hope of finding the "Holy Grail."

Livia's hand tightened slightly around her pen. These seemingly mundane blueprints were actually key parts of a much larger plan. She focused harder—there could be no mistakes. Even the smallest misstep could give the enemy an opening.

Elias flipped through the folder in his hand, then paused. He looked up at Marcellus, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Didn't think you were this invested in the expansion plan itself."

His tone was half-teasing, half-serious. In the past, Marcellus had always been the type to prioritize strategy, intel, and big-picture goals. This expansion plan was only a cover for the real search for the "Holy Grail," and Marcellus had never shown much interest in so-called "minor details."

But from the way he explained things just now—from his familiarity with even the smallest construction issues—it was obvious he'd put in quite a bit of work.

Marcellus nodded calmly, as if he had expected Elias's reaction all along. His voice didn't waver. "Of course. I have another reason."

Livia blinked at him, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "What reason?"

She had asked casually, but didn't expect Marcellus to answer so directly—he didn't hesitate at all. In fact, his reply was so firm it felt almost like a declaration:

"To make sure everyone has a place to live."