Gallagher spread his hands and let out a helpless sigh:
"Lately, I've felt that young lady has been paying me an unusual amount of attention. Seems like this is why."
"Of course," Sylvia replied, her eyes fixed on Gallagher. "The security officer for the Charmony Festival turns out to be someone from who-knows-where. It'd be hard not to notice."
Of course, Sylvia didn't really believe that.
In fact, before she and Robin had sensed something off and questioned Sunday about it…
Every person involved with the Charmony Festival who had interacted with Gallagher…
Not a single one had ever shown any suspicion.
No one had ever questioned Gallagher's origins.
Even though nobody could say whose subordinate he actually was.
Clearly, the man before her must have had some remarkable method to evade everyone's notice.
Including Sunday himself.
"Haha, is that so? I think there might be some misunderstanding here," Gallagher replied with an easy laugh, showing neither tension nor any unnecessary reaction.
"Misunderstanding?"
Facing Sylvia's questioning, Gallagher began to explain:
"If I remember correctly, that young lady may have grown up in Penacony, but she left here long ago to make her way across the galaxy. She only returned recently because of a family invitation."
"That's true," Sylvia gave a slight nod.
Gallagher spread his hands again with a soft sigh:
"I was actually drafted because they were short-handed. Strictly speaking, I've already retired. So it's normal that the young lady and her brother don't know me."
As he spoke, Gallagher suddenly wore a subtle smile, adopting an expression that seemed to say, I hope you understand.
"As for the security officer position… the Bloodhound Family did pull some strings behind the scenes. I'd appreciate it if you could let that slide."
Sylvia offered no judgment on Gallagher's explanation.
It sounded plausible enough.
If she hadn't obtained that Light Cone, and if she hadn't just met with Sunday, she might have accepted that story for now.
But before Sylvia could respond, Gallagher suddenly added:
"By the way, you weren't hired by the Family specifically to investigate me, were you?"
"I'm only here because of my personal connection to Robin. Besides, the Family wouldn't hire an outsider to handle internal affairs," Sylvia replied, giving Gallagher a curious look.
The question felt like a deliberate probe into her relationship with the Family.
Gallagher, however, seemed relieved.
"I'm glad to hear that, Miss Sylvia. So, what brings you to Penacony this time?"
"The Watchmaker's Legacy?"
Sylvia didn't bother hiding it. Any major faction already knew about it anyway—there was no point in keeping it secret.
But speaking of that…
Sylvia suddenly remembered something she had nearly forgotten.
Back when Robin first spoke to her about the Watchmaker…
She had mentioned one thing.
Those invitation letters with hidden ciphers—even the Family didn't know who was behind them.
Robin suspected an insider, and until now, Sylvia had thought the same.
But after meeting Sunday just now…
Judging by his attitude, Sylvia felt the insider's actions couldn't be solely related to the Watchmaker.
If the Family's traitor referred to the Watchmaker's faction…
Then Sunday had no reason to keep it from Robin.
The Watchmaker was a legendary figure who liberated Penacony. If Sunday, as head of the Family, supported the Watchmaker's side…
There'd be no need to operate in secret. He could openly vie for influence within the Family.
Wouldn't that be the legitimate way? Why work in the shadows?
The name "Watchmaker" wasn't some forbidden word in Penacony.
So if she discarded that assumption and considered another possibility…
What if Sunday was the insider, but had nothing to do with the Watchmaker's affairs?
What if the one sending the ciphered invitations was someone else entirely…
Sylvia's gaze toward Gallagher turned slightly peculiar.
This man before her—of unknown origin, yet somehow able to hide from the entire Family and secure a high-ranking position like peacekeeper…
Wouldn't it be just as plausible for him to secretly send out special invitations?
If he could serve as a security officer right under the Family's nose, swapping a few invitation letters would be child's play.
And besides…
A legendary figure like the Watchmaker.
Even if the Family gradually seized his authority by some means…
Wouldn't it make sense for him to have left a few hidden agents within Penacony?
When the time came, someone like "Gallagher" could emerge to carry out plans and actions.
That seemed… rather easy to accept.
"Hey, hey—Miss, you're staring at me with a look that's honestly a bit frightening."
Gallagher's voice snapped Sylvia out of her thoughts.
When she refocused, she saw him scratching his head with an awkward expression.
"Your eyes were really sharp just now, even though you look quite cute. I almost felt like you saw right through me."
"Sorry, I got a little lost in thought," Sylvia offered a brief apology.
"You shouldn't get too absorbed in thought out on the street like that. It's dangerous."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Well, since the misunderstanding is cleared up, I should get going—I've got things to attend to. If you need anything, you can always find the Bloodhounds patrolling the streets."
Gallagher politely bid Sylvia farewell.
Then he turned and walked away.
Sylvia didn't stop him.
But as she watched him leave, within the shadow at his feet…
For just an instant…
Sylvia thought she saw a vicious, distorted silhouette flash through the darkness.
"Huh?"
It happened so fast that even Sylvia's keen eyes doubted whether she'd imagined it.
"Is something wrong, Miss Sylvia?" Gallagher turned back, his voice filled with concern.
Sylvia shook her head without replying.
Once Gallagher was far enough away…
Sylvia turned and left, her expression growing serious.
That instant—she didn't think it was a mistake.
Because that silhouette felt faintly familiar in a strange way.
It reminded her a little of… the creature from the game's storyline, the one that stabbed Firefly to death near the end of the chapter.
Both carried that same grotesque, menacing aura.
Was that monster connected to Gallagher? Could Gallagher be controlling it?
Gallagher was suspicious—deeply suspicious.
Sylvia didn't expect to uncover the whole truth from a single meeting.
But after meeting both Sunday and Gallagher today, she already felt like she'd absorbed too much information.
If only I could get stabbed once like Firefly did…
Then at least I'd know what really happens after you die in the dream.
--+--
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.