How did he... come straight in? Was that a rapid movement ability of the Spectator pathway?
Angel's gaze lingered on Hvin Rambis. Under his calm scrutiny, she emptied her mind to keep this Manipulator from noticing anything unusual in the slightest changes to her expression or movements.
It was not as though she had made no contingency plans. Even upon encountering this Spectator demigod without Mr. Fool's protection, she maintained her basic composure and made an initial response, but she had yet to think through what she should do next.
Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Audrey beside Hvin. Upon discovering the elderly man in the carriage, Audrey first looked startled, then seemed to awaken from a long dream and recover her lost memories, revealing the friendly smile of someone greeting an acquaintance.
"Mr. Rambis, what brings you here?"
With the carriage so cramped, Audrey did not rise to greet him, but her tone and expression still fully conveyed her respect for a venerable elder.
Right, Audrey underwent hypnosis under the protection of an angel's blessing, retaining only her deepest sense of self. That means she's currently under his complete control, and I should be too... Angel immediately imitated her movements and tone, offering Hvin the same greeting.
The elderly gentleman, dressed as though he had just left the ball, nodded slightly and answered the two beautiful women with a smile.
"Audrey, Christine, we left the ball together. Perhaps you were so engrossed in your conversation just now that you forgot about me."
Did we... yes, I think that's right. Mr. Rambis got into the carriage with us and said he wanted a ride... Images of the three of them boarding the carriage one after another involuntarily surfaced in Angel's mind. They were