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The task proved more difficult than anticipated, however. Even with all this noise they were making, Hector didn't see any onlookers turning their way. And the aura was casting a wide enough net that it felt like it could belong to almost anyone in here.

But maybe if he concentrated a bit more...

Focused on what the Scarf was telling him, too...

Maybe...

Ah.

He sensed head movement while his back was turned.

A man by the far door. Sitting on a bench with people on either side of him.

That would've been much more difficult to notice if everyone else wasn't being so freakishly motionless.

Hell, even their breathing all seemed to be in sync, he realized. Wow, that was creepy.

But yeah, that guy was different. Not only had his head moved, but his breathing was off pace with the others, too.

Hector decided to approach.

The expression in the man's eyes was similar to everyone else's. And his clothes seemed about the same, as well. Layered. Full of holes. Could probably do with a good washing. And there was a pair of bags at his feet, seemingly belonging to him.

Long, frayed brown hair covered his head like an old mop, and a bushy beard hid his mouth completely.

All things considered, he reminded Hector of Leo before the guy had cleaned himself up. Minus the dreadlocks. And the stench.

"Pardon me, sir," said Hector. "We've just arrived in town, and we're... uh, quite confused about all the strange things going on around here. Would you be able to tell us about what's been happening in Andeyal, lately?"

The man made no response and just kept gazing blankly off to the side.

After a while longer of silence, Hector began to wonder if he was mistaken. Maybe this guy was just as influenced as everyone else. He decided to try another time, though. "Please. Anything you could tell us would be helpful."

Still, there was nothing.

Hmm.

Hector supposed that a powerful aura didn't necessarily mean that the guy would be completely immune to psychic manipulation. In fact, that might've been the main reason why psychics in general were so scary: because even very strong servants could be like putty in their hands. And it was possible that he was only slightly resistant to it, compared to the others.

But still. Hector's eyes narrowed inside his helmet as he decided that he wasn't ready to leave this dude alone just yet.