Maxime and Adeline had been walking together for about twenty minutes. Despite her blindness, Adeline seemed to have no trouble navigating. She moved as if she could see, deftly avoiding those who passed by and sometimes even making Maxime feel slightly self-conscious with her uncanny sense of his gaze.

“Is there anything you’d like to eat?” Maxime asked.

From what little he’d observed in their short time together, Adeline rarely, if ever, insisted on her own preferences outside of their official duties. Rather than asserting a choice, her responses were always like the one she gave now.

“I’ll follow wherever you wish to go.”

Her reply wasn’t a simple expression of indifference or lack of preference—it was a clear willingness to go wherever Maxime led. While it could sound ordinary to some, to Maxime, it felt profoundly unsettling.

‘Am I becoming overly sensitive?’

It might have been because he was dealing with a potential enemy, but every word exchanged with Adeline felt like a razor blade gliding across his mind. Still, he needed to focus on the mission, which required him to develop at least some level of rapport with the enigmatic knight.

He drew an invisible line in his mind: he’d allow himself to grow just close enough to have a casual conversation, but no more. After all, if it came down to it, he’d need to be able to take her down without hesitation.

“I’ll take you to my usual spot,” he said.

“Understood.”

Maxime’s attempt to bridge the gap between them with a bit of courtesy faltered against Adeline’s detached, almost robotic attitude. He looked at her with a mix of frustration and confusion, but of course, she couldn’t see the expression on his face.

“Ah…”

Even if she couldn’t see, her heightened hearing picked up on his faint sigh.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

“…Nothing. Nothing at all.”

He decided to swallow his discomfort for now.

“Do you have any favorite foods?” he ventured again.

“Are we close enough to be asking such personal questions?”

Ah, of course. He should’ve expected that.

Maxime bit down to suppress another sigh. Would they even be able to discuss the mission properly at this rate? He resolved to keep quiet until they reached the restaurant.

“…This way.”

They reached a junction where several narrow alleys branched off. The restaurant he chose was hidden down one of those alleys, a place he frequented back when he was Deputy Commander of the Raven Knights. It still bore its old, worn sign, and through the dusty windows, he could see a few patrons quietly eating their meals.

“Aren’t you going in?”

Adeline’s voice pulled him back from his thoughts. She waited patiently as he stood in front of the sign, lost in memories of someone he used to bring here. He recalled how she used to complain about the creaking door but would always wear a smile as they entered.

He forced himself to relax his furrowed brows and opened the door. “Let’s go in.”

The owner barely glanced up as they entered, offering no greeting, perhaps because Maxime looked so different from the last time he was here.

“Order at the counter,” the owner grumbled.

Maxime pointed out a few dishes to Adeline, asking her preference, but her response was, as always, the same.

“Whatever you choose.”

Her tone held no hint of emotion. Although it wasn’t mocking, her lack of opinion grated on him. Suppressing his irritation, he ordered two of his usual dishes. The owner’s response was equally indifferent.

“Now, about the investigation…” Maxime began, wasting no time on small talk.

Adeline nodded, appearing to listen intently. At least her dispassionate demeanor hadn’t changed, which provided him some comfort.

“Are you capable of stealth?”

Adeline tilted her head, as if wondering why he would ask that. Her deep indigo hair flowed as she did, but Maxime paid no attention to her appearance.

“I can do it if required.”

“Good. Then, do you think we can sneak into the Tower during peak hours without being noticed?”

She straightened her head, shifting her posture slightly. “You really intend to sneak in.”

“As I said, if the senior knights begin the official investigation first, we won’t be able to review the research records thoroughly. It’s better to move before the mages can cover their tracks.”

“So, you’re not planning to use the official investigation team at all?”

When she raised the issue of how risky this could be, Maxime shook his head.

“We can go public with the investigation once we have a better idea of what’s going on. That will make the process quicker.”

Adeline nodded but then offered her first real objection.

“You realize that increases the risk if we’re caught. This would be an unofficial intrusion, not a sanctioned investigation. Are you sure it’s worth it?”

Her concern wasn’t directed at the kingdom’s reputation but at him specifically. The risk of being discovered might mean he’d bear the full responsibility. If the kingdom decided to cut ties, it would leave him exposed.

“If you don’t agree, you’re free to proceed with the investigation on your own.”

His response was matter-of-fact, lacking any attempt to persuade or reassure her. Adeline replied in an even tone, matching his bluntness.

“Do as you like,” she replied. “Whether you get yourself killed or captured in the Tower is of no concern to me or the Count.”

“And you seem rather impatient,” she added, cutting to the heart of the matter.

Maxime fell silent, aware she’d hit a nerve. His urgency was indeed genuine. He had a personal reason to act quickly, though he wasn’t about to admit it to her.

“It’s a time-sensitive situation,” he said, deflecting her observation.

Adeline’s expression stiffened, though her eyes were hidden. He could sense her disapproval.

“…It’s not as though time is running out,” she noted. “Or is there something else driving you?”

“I’m following orders. And until you give me a definite answer, I’d rather not waste time discussing it. So, are you coming along or not?”

He spoke coldly, pressing her for a response.

Adeline hesitated, lightly biting her lower lip as if weighing her decision. Before she could reply, the owner returned with their food. They both fell silent, plates of steaming potatoes and thick cuts of meat now before them.

“Careful, the potatoes are hot,” the owner cautioned as he set the plates down.

The owner cast a curious glance at Adeline, his gaze lingering a moment before shifting back to Maxime.

“Is she your… girlfriend?”

The question caught Maxime off guard. He stared at the owner, momentarily stunned.

“What?”

“You and the young lady,” the owner clarified, giving Adeline a sideways glance.

Maxime rubbed his temples, exasperated. Why did people always ask such questions just because a man and a woman were seated together?

“She’s a colleague.”

The owner raised an eyebrow, seeming to recall a similar exchange.

“…Years ago, someone else said the same thing. A tall guy with a beautiful blonde lady. I wonder what they’re up to now.”

Maxime’s memory took him back to that day, her playful grin and his awkward response. He pushed the thought aside, knowing now wasn’t the time for nostalgia.

“They’re probably doing fine,” the owner muttered, moving away.

Maxime watched him retreat, then turned back to his plate. The smell of the potatoes and meat was familiar, but this time it carried an unwelcomed reminder of the past.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” he asked Adeline, noticing she hadn’t touched her food.

“I was waiting for you to start.”

Maxime scowled, finding her habit of mirroring his actions grating.

“Stop doing that,” he said. “Acting like you can’t eat until I do—it’s like I’m your superior or something.”

Adeline tilted her head again, as if trying to show a facial expression she couldn’t physically make.

“…I didn’t think of it that way. It was unintentional.”

Maxime stifled a sigh. He was tempted to ask what kind of life she’d led at the Count’s estate but held his tongue.

“Go on, try it. It’s a good place.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Adeline picked up her fork and knife, gingerly slicing into the meat. She took a small bite, chewing slowly and reacting with mild surprise.

“About our previous conversation…” Maxime began again, cutting into his own meat.

He let her chew in peace, then continued.

“Like I said, even if I have to go alone, I’m determined to uncover what they’re hiding. What about you?”

Adeline paused, recalling the Count’s instructions. She was to discover whatever secrets the Tower hid, at any cost, and to monitor Maxime as closely as possible.

“I’ll accompany you.”

Maxime nodded, taking her answer without probing further.

“…Do you have a plan for the infiltration?”

“If it’s just the two of us, I’ll adapt as needed,” he replied, crossing his arms.

“The first two floors are open to the public. Entering the Tower itself shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“…Not exactly what I had in mind for sneaking into hidden areas,” she remarked, her tone slightly skeptical.

“We’re not aiming to learn everything today. Observing the mages is our priority. With your heightened senses, you should be able to detect their movements quickly enough.”

Adeline sighed, nodding in agreement.

“So you’re using me as a detector, then?”

“That’s what the Count said, isn’t it? You’re more sensitive to magic than most people.”

She stiffened slightly, but then relaxed. For a while, only the clinking of cutlery filled the silence between them.

“What’s your plan once we’re inside?”

Maxime wiped his mouth before responding. “We’ll start on the first floor. There’s a rumor of a basement level, and if anything happens, it’s likely to begin there.”

“Do you think the mages will let us wander around freely?”

“That’s why I propose we put on a little act,” he said with a smirk.

Adeline’s head tilted once more, in what had become a familiar motion.

“An act?”

“A helpless blind sister act.”

At this, Adeline’s expression hardened, but she remained silent.