Suzune made up her mind, but just then, she detected a nearly imperceptible ripple of Psychic Energy behind her.
Did Ivanka follow me again? Her first thought was that her younger sister had come after her, but she dismissed the possibility a moment later. The ripple was cold and sinister. It resembled the Psychic Energy within Ivanka, yet it was not the same.
Who are they with? Do they think they can take advantage of me because I'm hurt? Suzune frowned. She was in poor shape. The wound Marquis Belon had inflicted through his treachery had not healed, and she had underestimated his attack. To heal completely and purge the Psychic Energy that had entered her body, she needed somewhere safe to recover.
Besides, Suzune's outlook had changed as utterly as heaven and earth trading places. Before, she had not feared death. She would have sacrificed anything for revenge. But now she knew her younger sister was alive, she could no longer live only for herself. A new resolve had taken root in her heart: she had to rescue Ivanka.
So Suzune acted with far greater caution. When she realized someone was following her, she did not charge back recklessly. Instead, she concealed her presence and slipped away through the tangled terrain.
A few minutes later, several crows arrived where Suzune had stopped. Some perched on nearby eaves, while others circled overhead, searching.
Holding a hand over her wound, Suzune made her way through the streets of Stinnard. Not a trace of Psychic Energy emanated from her; she looked like an ordinary person. The people around her seemed unable to see her at all. Even when she bumped into someone, they merely swayed a little, then continued on their way without so much as a puzzled look.
Just then, a