Chapitre 20: The Mystery on the Street of Athens
As they strolled through the vibrant streets of Athens, David couldn't contain his curiosity. "Grandpa, why don't you just hand over the magical animals you've rescued to those officials?"
Newt let out a derisive snort. "Hand them over? To them?" he replied, shaking his head. "They've barely started caring about magical creatures in the last decade. Before that, all they did was study old relics and ignore the real issues. They've only just set up a department for magical creature protection."
Tina, walking beside them, shot Newt a knowing glare. "He's always been this stubborn," she said to David. "Now, enough about that. Where do you want to go next?"
"Somewhere with lots of good food!" David blurted out enthusiastically.
Newt opened his mouth to respond, but Tina interrupted. "Don't look at him! He wouldn't know. The last few times he was here, he spent all his time with magical animals. There was no time for exploring or eating!"
David laughed, imagining his grandfather wandering through Athens with his head buried in his suitcase. Newt gave a sheepish grin but didn't argue.
Under Tina's guidance, the three of them wandered the city, savoring various delicacies from street vendors and admiring the beautiful art, sculptures, and bustling market scenes.
As the sun climbed high in the sky, David lagged behind, clutching a small box filled with leftovers. His stomach was protesting from overeating, but he couldn't help himself. Tina's cooking back home, while decent, was limited by its simplicity. Years of the same dishes had left him desperate to try new cuisines whenever they traveled.
"Maybe I should convince Grandma to visit China," David muttered to himself, daydreaming about exotic flavors and masterful cooking techniques.
Just as he was about to call out to Newt and Tina to slow down, a hooded man dashed out from a side street, accidentally colliding with David.
"Whoa!" David stumbled forward, nearly dropping his box. The golden-brown croquettes inside tumbled dangerously close to the edge. With quick reflexes, he steadied himself and secured the box with one hand, using a fork in his other hand to stop the escaping snacks.
"Sorry!" the hooded man muttered hastily, his voice shaky. He didn't even wait for a response before hurrying off, his head low and his movements erratic.
David stared after him, puzzled. The man kept glancing over his shoulder as if afraid of being followed.
The man disappeared into a narrow alley, stopping briefly in front of a small, unassuming café. David watched as the hooded figure nervously looked around, then approached a bearded man seated at one of the outdoor tables.
The bearded man, who had been leisurely reading a newspaper, seemed to say something that made the hooded man visibly agitated. The hooded figure pulled something from his cloak, revealing a small corner of the object before the bearded man angrily gestured for him to put it away. After a few tense moments, the two disappeared inside the café.
David's eyes narrowed. Something about the situation felt off. He wracked his brain, trying to place the object the hooded man had briefly revealed. Suddenly, it clicked.
"The mask!" David whispered. It looked eerily similar to the broken piece he and Newt had found in the forest—the one Newt had said belonged to the mysterious R Organization.
Heart racing, David made up his mind. He needed to investigate.
Glancing ahead, David saw Newt and Tina walking several meters away, completely unaware of his absence. He jogged to catch up and tugged at Tina's hand.
"Grandma, can we stop for a drink? I'm full and need a break," he said with an innocent smile.
Newt raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we just come from eating?"
David ignored him, focusing on Tina instead. "Please, Grandma?"
Tina laughed softly. "Alright, alright. Do you have a place in mind?"
"Yes! Follow me!" David exclaimed, leading them back toward the café.
Newt trailed behind, shaking his head. He had finally decided to spend the day exploring the city with Tina, but now their plans were being hijacked by his mischievous grandson.
The café was quaint and quiet, decorated with retro touches. Oil paintings adorned the walls, and green plants filled the corners, giving the space a cozy atmosphere. A young woman wearing an apron greeted them warmly as they entered.
"Welcome! What can I get for you?" she asked with a cheerful smile.
David glanced around. There were only a couple of other patrons, neither of whom were the hooded man or the bearded stranger.
"Is there a quieter spot we could sit?" David asked.
"Of course! We have private rooms upstairs," the woman said, gesturing toward the staircase.
"Perfect," David replied. He ordered three coffees, then led Newt and Tina upstairs.
As they settled into a private room, David's mind raced. He needed to figure out a way to observe what was happening downstairs without drawing attention. If those two were part of the R Organization, this could be his chance to learn more.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone