Sylvia's confidence stemmed from her own strength.
For a family faction to hold Penacony as long as theirs had, it was almost certain they had the backing of an Emanator behind the scenes.
But even so, Gallagher was unlikely to be on that level.
Emanators didn't grow on trees.
As long as she wasn't facing an opponent of Emanator caliber, Sylvia could manage to escape even if she couldn't win a fight.
Seeing Sylvia be so direct, Robin felt a twinge of worry.
But honestly, there weren't any better options at the moment.
After repeated assurances from Sylvia, Robin finally agreed to her risky plan—though she added one condition: the two had to check in regularly to make sure neither came to harm.
They briefly exchanged information.
From Robin, Sylvia got a rough idea of Gallagher's usual haunts.
Then, they parted ways for the time being.
Only...
Watching Robin return to her workplace, Sylvia turned back, her gaze lifting slightly.
She caught sight of a pitch-black crow perched high on a streetlamp, nearly vanishing into the night.
The [Truth-Seeking Sigil] surfaced within her pupils.
That strange sensation returned—as if something had been triggered, yet nothing seemed to happen.
Sylvia had worried activating the sigil might jerk her awake from the dream right then.
But it appeared the sigil, guided by her own will, didn't break the Reverie Hotel's dreamscape.
Though she could sense that if she wanted to, she could use the [Truth-Seeking Sigil] to force herself awake.
Seemed the skill was pretty smart, after all.
But more importantly, as Sylvia observed more closely, she quickly realized—this crow wasn't some animal prop built to simulate urban wildlife.
Its head bobbed slightly, but those ink-dark eyes were fixed squarely on Sylvia.
The moment their gazes met, Sylvia sensed something off.
This crow had probably been observing her meeting with Robin from the moment they'd first connected.
Someone was monitoring her?
Who, though?
Sylvia wasn't sure right away.
Sunday? Or Gallagher, who'd noticed something amiss?
Sylvia didn't think her actions had caused any friction with The Family.
At most, it was Sunday—because of Robin—who might be keeping an eye on her.
As for Gallagher, he might have noticed Robin's attention and started surveilling in return.
Both were possible.
But Sylvia leaned toward Sunday being the more likely culprit.
After all, this was The Family's turf.
And anything bird-related naturally brought Sunday to mind.
Sylvia didn't dwell too long on the crow.
Penacony held too many secrets; what Sylvia needed was for those hiding in the shadows to make a move.
Only when they acted could she seize a clue.
The crow was a welcome surprise, but Gallagher took priority.
Now that someone had chosen to watch her, she'd wait and see.
See which side the person behind this bird belonged to.
For now, Sylvia intended to meet Gallagher face to face—to see for herself what kind of man this Peacekeeper was.
According to Robin, Gallagher often lingered in lively areas.
Places like the Golden Hour, the Grand Theatre, and Clock Studios Theme Park.
Sylvia decided to start by wandering around the Golden Hour.
But just as she was about to set off, a well-dressed woman in a suit and sunglasses from The Family approached her.
"Miss Sylvia."
Seeing the Family member bow, Sylvia recognized the emblem of the Oak Family.
Sunday's people?
Sylvia's eyebrow arched. Could it really be because he's an overprotective brother spying on me?
"You're from the Oak Family, right? What can I do for you?"
"My apologies for disturbing you. The head of the Oak Family wishes to meet with you privately. Would Miss Sylvia happen to have time?"
"Did Sunday say what it's about?"
"Ah, sorry, the head didn't specify."
The woman in black apologized somewhat awkwardly.
She knew this woman was a guest invited by Robin, and that Sunday regarded her with caution.
She might not know Sylvia personally, but she understood Sylvia must have influence or strength—or both.
So she treated Sylvia with great courtesy.
"No matter. I'll go now—I've got nothing else going on anyway."
Thinking this, Sylvia glanced up again, but the crow from earlier had already flown off somewhere.
"Thank you for your understanding. Um, was there something you were looking at, Miss?"
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Sylvia turned back and smiled at the Oak Family member.
"Understood. Please follow me."
The Oak member didn't press further, focusing instead on her duty as a guide.
Their destination—was the Dewlight Pavilion, established by Sunday himself.
The place was quite well-known, serving as the official residence of the Oak Family head.
Though ordinary people could never set foot inside.
Sylvia had only heard of it; this was her first time visiting.
Led inside by the Family member, Sylvia was presented with a sizable pavilion that appeared to house rather intricate mechanisms.
Of course, with a guide leading the way, Sylvia only sensed the presence of those mechanisms—the path itself remained unobstructed.
Passing through a hall, she even spotted a miniature model of the Golden Hour.
"…Sunday has this hobby? Building a miniature inside a dreamscape?"
Sylvia studied the model curiously.
Dreamscapes were constructed by people anyway, so a complete model wasn't strange.
But who kept something like this in their home, complete with a bunch of mindless NPCs placed inside?
What kind of psychology was that?
"…"
Her guide kept her eyes down, showing no intention of joining Sylvia in poking fun at her own Family head.
"…Just ahead is where the head is waiting."
The woman gestured toward the staircase straight ahead.
Sylvia tilted her head slightly, glancing aside.
Within the shadows of the pavilion, Sylvia keenly detected a familiar sensation—that feeling of being watched, almost identical to before—and caught a glimpse of a dark figure.
A crow again.
So it really was Sunday's doing.
Calling her over so urgently… was it because she'd discovered his surveillance method?
And at the same time—
In his office, Sunday's face was dark as storm clouds.
"That instant… she noticed me and pierced through that layer of the dream?! How is that possible… What is she trying to say? Warning me? Or showing off her power?"
He'd only meant to keep an eye on his sister, to see what dangerous thing she was up to.
Who could have imagined he'd stumble upon Sylvia's secret like this?
Shattering that layer of the dream so effortlessly—it had nearly thrown Sunday off balance.
So he'd hastily ordered his subordinate to bring Sylvia to the Dewlight Pavilion.
He had to sound out Sylvia's intentions!
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.