Chapter 49: Mutual Surveillance

  Ray refreshed himself, ate his meal in silence and far too quickly for comfort, then left the inn.

  He didn’t announce it.

  Didn’t linger.

  He simply stepped into the street and began to walk.

  “…..”

  “…..”

  The Brave said nothing as he strolled through the town.

  He wasn’t town security.

  He wasn’t on duty.

  But after yesterday, he couldn’t bring himself to just leave things to chance.

  So he walked slowly, casually eyes scanning corners, listening to footsteps, watching reflections in windows.

  The townspeople stared.

  Of course they did.

  Whispers followed him like a second shadow.

  The Brave.

  The boy with the sword.

  The one who intervened.

  Ray noticed.

  He endured it.

  For exactly three minutes.

  Then something felt… off.

  He stopped.

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  Turned around.

  And there she was.

  Ivaline.

  A little distance away.

  Too careful.

  Too obvious.

  She stiffened the moment their eyes met, glanced left and right, then shuffled behind a barrel.

  It was a terrible hiding spot.

  The barrel concealed nothing but her confidence.

  Her silver hair peeked out.

  One gray-blue eye followed him unblinking.

  “…..”

  Ray swallowed the retort that leapt straight to his tongue.

  Don’t say it. Don’t say anything.

  He turned and resumed walking.

  Behind him, soft footsteps followed careful, measured, practiced.

  Of course they did.

  After a while, the footsteps stopped.

  He didn’t turn back this time.

  “…Ah.”

  Right.

  Morning work.

  “So, your name is Ivaline, huh?”

  “Um.”

  Bakery owner Edwyn smiled warmly as he spoke, wiping flour from his hands.

  “Nice to finally know. I’m Edwyn. Properly, I mean.”

  “Yes.”

  The introductions were simple.

  Unceremonious.

  But something about saying her name aloud still lingered in the air.

  “Now then,” Edwyn said, clapping his hands once. “Let’s continue. Today I’ll teach you a few new tricks.”

  “…..”

  Ivaline nodded and stepped closer.

  From across the street, Ray watched.

  She listened carefully.

  Watched Edwyn’s hands.

  Adjusted her posture.

  Mimicked the motion kneading dough with more confidence than before.

  Ray nodded to himself.

  Diligent. Focused. Good.

  Then—

  Ivaline glanced back.

  Not fully.

  Just enough.

  Her hands kept moving.

  Her ears stayed on Edwyn’s instructions.

  And yet—

  her eyes were on Ray.

  Observing.

  Measuring.

  Learning.

  At the same time.

  “…WHY?”

  Ray clutched his chest like he’d been struck.

  That’s too efficient!

  Listening.

  Practicing.

  And studying him simultaneously?

  That wasn’t talent.

  That wasn’t discipline.

  That was terrifying.

  Edwyn continued explaining, completely unaware.

  Ivaline kneaded dough with an odd, uneven shape—

  but her gaze flicked back once more, calm and curious.

  Ray turned away sharply.

  No. Nope. Absolutely not.

  He took several long steps down the street, trying to compose himself.

  Behind him, unseen, a small girl smiled faintly—

  Not smug.

  Not playful.

  Just satisfied.

  Observation, after all, went both ways.