The three of them stared silently at the overlaid map where all three diagrams converged.
Livia's finger still hovered over the clear overlap—the marked well—located just north of Marcellus's castle, in an old district that had been sealed off years ago but never completely filled in. According to rumors, an early attempt to dig subterranean canals in that area had failed, leaving behind numerous undocumented deep wells.
"This is it…" Elias murmured, as though afraid to disturb some ancient, long-dormant secret. But none of them knew how to proceed from here.
Marcellus abruptly straightened up, his weariness replaced by sharp resolve. "Adrian, do you understand what your map means?"
Adrian, who had still been slightly dazed after his rushed arrival, looked at the light in their eyes—undeniable and intense—and finally grasped the weight of what they'd found. He swallowed and nodded. "I do now… We're almost at the end, aren't we?"
Livia gave his shoulder a firm pat, her eyes sincere. "You've been a huge help. We got every step right."
The four exchanged glances—relief, excitement, and tension all mingling in the air.
But now came the hard part—baiting Edgar.
"We have to seize the initiative," Marcellus said. "We'll offer him a copy of the document, but in exchange for a 'compromise'—he pulls Eryx back."
"And we mustn't let him think we've found the location," Livia added. "We need to make it seem like we're offering cooperation out of 'trust' and desperation. That way, it's easier to sway him."
Adrian nodded and then turned to Livia. "When do we move?"
Livia glanced out the window at the deep night sky and smiled. "It's late now. At first light tomorrow, I'll start making arrangements."
—
After packing up, the three men left the hospital, but Livia lingered behind.
She walked softly back to the bedside and sat down, her gaze resting gently on Marcellus. He leaned back against the pillow, a trace of fatigue still in his eyes, though his brow had finally relaxed.
"Can I stay with you tonight?" Livia asked softly.
Marcellus didn't answer. He simply took her hand and held it. The warmth of his fingertips was a silent "don't go."
Elias and Adrian understood and quietly took their leave.
For a while, the room was silent. Then Livia spoke, her voice slow and low: "I've never asked you… why you're so obsessed with the Grail. I won't ask today what you plan to do with it. But I want to know—after you get what you want, what will you do then?"
Marcellus looked at her, something luminous stirring in his eyes. His voice was quiet, almost meltingly tender: "Tell you the truth. Then… if you'll have me, I want us to go home. Live quietly. Maybe even raise a few kids—with you, and laughter."
Livia's eyes misted, and she squeezed his hand gently. "Then I'll tell you my truth too… all of it."
The moment her words fell, they became an unspoken vow—weighted with hidden truths and unknown consequences.
Marcellus looked at her, not quite understanding. He chuckled, thinking she was teasing him, and said lightly, "Then you'd better start writing one thick confession letter."
Livia laughed too, but said nothing more.
Night deepened. The light grew soft. The two leaned into each other's shoulders, slowly drifting to sleep in the rhythm of shared breath. As if this fleeting peace was a gift, offered before the coming storm.
—
Elsewhere in the city, in a dimly lit chamber, Elias stood before a heavy wooden door.
The clock on the wall pointed to 1 a.m., and the air smelled of metal and damp stone.
He spoke quietly, his tone calmer—and deeper—than it had been in daylight. "…That's the situation. We've pinpointed the location. And you… are the only one who can retrieve the other key piece."
Across from him…