Ravencrown answered Ace's question with a hint of intricacy, "It was in the legacy we acquired. The owner of the legacy left a message for those who might stumble upon it if they're not the Heaven's Stealer.
"In the message, the owner expressed that the 'Owl' is the hallmark of Heaven's Stealer, and it'll only appear in the place of theft, and on victims of Heaven's Stealer. Furthermore, there was even an image of the 'Owl' etched in the second-level entrance, which almost matched yours.
Lastly, the owner also specifically requested to be informed about this legacy to Heaven's Stealer if the inheritor found any trace of it or simply kept passing the legacy among our descendants until Heaven's Stealer emerged.
"That's why we also designed our hallmark, the 'White Raven', like the Owl we saw in the legacy grounds. We've been hoping to draw Heaven's Stealer's attention, but thousands of years passed, and there's no clue.
"We even started thinking it was just a trick of the legacy owner until you suddenly showed up. That's why we were searching for you."
'It has to be a Heaven's Stealer or someone who knew Heaven's Stealer quite well, like Malservus…' Ace thought as this was becoming quite complex.
Still, he had already learned what he wanted from Ravencrown and finally understood why the Nightfall Ravenhood was searching for him.
At this moment, Eva suddenly said with a sharp look in her eyes, "I guess you guys were quite lucky to get such a legacy. But you were still greedy about the rest of it, right?"
Ravencrown narrowed her eyes as she looked at the 'ordinary human' woman, "What do you mean?"
"Heh, don't pretend to be ignorant. You weren't searching for Heaven's Stealer out of the kindness of your heart or to fulfill the legacy owner's wish. You were searching for Heaven's Stealer because you wanted to use him to get the rest of the legacy.
"After all, just with the first level, you guys managed to achieve so many things, so I won't be surprised if you want the rest of it for yourself. Why would you let an unknown person get your lucky opportunity? Because I would've done the same." Eva smiled coldly as she exposed the Nightfall Ravenhood's real intentions.
Ace also didn't seem surprised because he had reached the same conclusion as Eva and looked at Ravencrown, who were flurried.
Ravencrown knew her usual trickery won't work with Ace and his group. She bit her lips and said, "It doesn't matter now, does it? I've already told you everything and revealed the secret of the legacy ground. Now, as long as you let me go, I'll have Raven deliver you the map and the key to this secret realm.
"We never keep our most important treasures with us because we are already in danger whenever we are on a mission. Not even the members of Nightfall Ravenhood know about this hidden location."
Ace narrowed his eyes. He didn't detect any lies in Ravencrown's words, but he didn't seem anxious at all, which was out of Ravencrown's expectation.
"You know if it was someone else, they might've gone for it. But you have no idea who I am and what I'm capable of. You have underestimated me, the Heaven's Stealer." Ace coldly stated.
"So, you're admitting it now!" Ravencrown glared at Ace as she argued, "I know we have offended you, but we have not harmed you. Working with us only brings you benefits. Why are you insisting on going against us?"
Ace shook his head. "First, it's not about offending or harming me. It's about winning and losing. Since we are all thieves, there is either a win or a loss for us; there is no third option.
"If I had lost, I would be in an even more miserable state than yours, and I'm pretty sure you guys are quite ruthless, even to your own. However, I also respect that, and I know it's not my place to point fingers.
"However, I'm the one who is in the winner position right now, and I could quickly dispose of you both, but I'm willing to give you a chance to join me. As for working with the Nightfall Ravenhood, I won't trust others with the lives of my house members.
"So, just like before, you'll be our 'guest' until you officially join my Thief House. Furthermore, I'll show you what a Heaven's Stealer is capable of, and once you learn about me, you'll be begging me to let you in and lead me to that legacy."
Ravencrown was speechless by Ace's overconfidence and unreasonable behavior. Although she was ready for Ace's rejection, he surpassed her expectations and left her wondering about the source of his confidence and what exactly Heaven's Stealer was capable of.
On the other hand, Eleanor, who had been silently listening all this time, finally seemed to have regained her composure, especially after she heard Ravencrown's confession and the secret of the Nightfall Ravenhood.
"I'll join you!" She declared decisively, which was completely unexpected, and everyone looked at her.
"What are you doing?!" Ravencrown almost clawed Eleanor's face. She was so frustrated she could die because half of this was Eleanor's fault, and now she had suddenly betrayed her in this perilous situation!
Eleanor glared at Ravencrown and coldly retorted, "I'm just switching sides to survive!"
"What if they're lying and use you as cannon fodder!" Ravencrown murderously glared at Eleanor.
"Like you wouldn't?" Eleanor scoffed with disdain, "You and Raven had too many secrets, and sometimes you won't even tell us the entire task and just give us instructions. Then we have no actual say in the mission, or decide to take part in it or not. So, even if I switch sides, it'll be the same, so I don't care anymore!"
Ace, Eva, Alina, and even Zaria were startled by Eleanor's sudden disloyalty, and she seemed filled with grievance against the Nightfall Ravenhood.
Zaria pursed her lips as she looked at Eleanor and said, "If you think you could use deceit to trick us into letting you go, you're thoroughly mistaken. Once you choose to become my Thief Acolyte, there is no leaving the Thief House!"
Eleanor glared at Zaria begrudgingly, "Who said anything about becoming 'yours' acolyte or whatnot!"
She then looked at Ace and demanded, "I'm willing to work for you or anyone else under you, but I won't agree to work for this overly boorish woman. I would rather commit suicide after screwing her!"
Silence reigned in the Thief's Space as everyone looked at Zaria, whose eyes were wide open before thick veins protruded over her temple. She murderously glared at Eleanor.
"You harlotry swine you're fucking done!"