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Sure, it was almost certainly the work of psychics, but what was the exact method of observance? And how far did the range extend? Could it be disrupted? Did Bartholomew have a direct line to these psychics, somehow? Was he actually psychic himself?

...Or were these unseen psychics actually just evading his senses?

Unsettling questions, the more Hector thought about them. As much as he'd been relying on these new senses lately, he didn't want to fall into the trap of thinking they were infallible--that no counters to them existed. Just because the Sparrows in Atreya didn't seem to be aware of them didn't mean that these Vanguardian Sparrows--or whoever else--would be unaware, too.

Before they'd left, however, Hector had asked after the possible locations of the senators that "Prince David" had mentioned. He'd been a bit reluctant to do that, figuring that Bartholomew probably not even answer, but to his surprise, the captain actually did.

He gave some rather precise directions to all three of them, in fact.

And now, with the new context of everything the little man had told them about the current state of the city, Hector had a much clearer picture of what his senses were telling him.

Senators Jacobson, Leoric, and Morris. Apparently, Hector had his pick of them, now. Between the powerful auras that he was sensing and the intel from Bartholomew, Hector felt like he could pinpoint each of their locations.

Shame he didn't know anything about their actual temperament, personalities, or reputation. He might've been able to make a truly informed decision here, rather than just picking one and hoping they weren't an insufferable asshole.

He decided on Jacobson. That was the one "Prince David" had mentioned first, after all.

The big cathedral in the center of the district was the destination. The Basilica of the Heavenly Ending.

Okay, maybe that had played a small role in Hector's decision, too. But they had to visit this place before leaving Andeyal, didn't they? Especially after seeing it from so high up in the air like that earlier? Hector would've been thinking about it all the way back to Atreya, if they didn't.

As soon as they touched down in the walled-off property, Hector sensed people beginning to head in their direction.

'Well, they know we're here,' advised Garovel publicly. 'Lotsa guards coming this way.'

Uncomfortable but still fine, Hector figured. He was pretty sure they'd be able to negotiate here.