The Bazaar of Secrets slowly grew more crowded as the morning advanced.
Merchants shouted louder to attract customers, while travelers from distant regions bargained loudly over rare items. The narrow market streets were packed with movement—robes brushing past each other, carts rolling through tight spaces, and colorful fabrics swaying above the stalls.
Yet despite the noise and activity around him, Arivaan felt an unusual sense of calm.
For the first time since the destruction of the Kaal-Chhaya Sangh, he was thinking clearly.
Information.
That was what he needed most.
The old merchant's words still echoed in his mind.
Relics that bind the will of others.
Forbidden by the Rakshak Sabha.
Arivaan walked slowly through the market while Devika followed behind him under the cloak.
Her presence still felt strange.
A Rakshak warrior—an elite hero—forced to walk quietly beside him like a shadow.
Devika suddenly spoke.
"You're being watched."
Arivaan didn't turn his head.
"Where?"
"Behind the spice stalls. Two men."
Arivaan's eyes shifted slightly to the side.
Without appearing suspicious, he glanced toward the row of colorful spice vendors.
Between two crowded stalls stood a pair of men wearing plain travel robes.
At first glance they looked like ordinary merchants.
But their posture was wrong.
They stood too still.
And their eyes moved too carefully through the crowd.
One of them was watching Arivaan.
The other was watching Devika.
Arivaan sighed quietly.
"That was faster than I expected."
Devika frowned.
"You know them?"
"No."
"But I can guess who sent them."
"The Rakshak Sabha?"
"Probably."
Devika studied the men more carefully.
"They're not ordinary guards."
"Of course not."
Arivaan continued walking as if nothing had happened.
"If the Rakshak Sabha is already investigating the destruction of the fortress…"
"…they would send scouts into the city."
Devika's voice remained calm but tense.
"They're looking for survivors."
"Yes."
"And if they recognize me—"
"They won't."
Devika looked at him.
"You're very confident."
Arivaan smiled slightly.
"That's because they're not looking for you."
Devika blinked.
"What?"
"They're looking for villains who escaped the fortress."
Arivaan tapped his chest.
"People like me."
Devika fell silent.
She had not considered that possibility.
The Rakshak scouts probably assumed that any surviving villains would try to hide in nearby settlements.
But they wouldn't expect one of their own heroes to be walking beside the enemy.
Arivaan suddenly turned down a narrow alley between two market buildings.
Devika followed automatically.
The noise of the bazaar faded slightly behind them.
Now the alley was quieter.
Stone walls rose on both sides, casting long shadows across the ground.
Devika spoke softly.
"You're planning something."
"Of course."
Arivaan leaned against the wall and looked back toward the entrance of the alley.
The two scouts appeared moments later.
They had followed.
Devika noticed them immediately.
"You're cornered."
Arivaan chuckled.
"Not exactly."
He focused briefly on the floating panel in his vision.
The familiar text appeared again.
Target: Devika AgnivarnaImprint Stage: 1Assimilation: 38%
The number had increased again.
The connection between them was growing steadily stronger.
Arivaan looked up at Devika.
"Let's test something."
Devika frowned.
"What now?"
Arivaan pointed toward the entrance of the alley.
The two Rakshak scouts were approaching cautiously.
"Walk out there."
Devika's eyes widened slightly.
"You want me to confront them?"
"Yes."
"And reveal myself?"
"No."
Arivaan's smile returned.
"You're going to act."
Devika narrowed her eyes.
"Act?"
"Yes."
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"You're going to convince them that you're just another traveler."
Devika stared at him.
"That won't work."
"Why not?"
"Rakshak scouts are trained to recognize warriors."
Arivaan shrugged.
"That's why you'll do exactly what I say."
He activated another command.
Devika felt the familiar force take hold of her body.
Her muscles stiffened slightly.
"You're controlling me again."
"Only a little."
Arivaan looked toward the approaching scouts.
"They're almost here."
Devika took a slow breath.
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
Arivaan's voice became calm and precise.
"When they ask questions…"
"…you will answer like an ordinary citizen."
Devika's jaw tightened.
"And if they recognize me?"
Arivaan smiled.
"Then we improvise."
The two scouts stepped into the alley.
Their hands rested casually near their weapons.
One of them spoke.
"You two."
Arivaan turned calmly.
"Yes?"
The scout's eyes moved between them.
"We're investigating travelers from the northern mountains."
Arivaan nodded politely.
"Of course."
The scout looked at Devika.
"And who is she?"
Arivaan opened his mouth to answer—
But Devika spoke first.
"She's my sister."
Both scouts paused.
Devika blinked.
That wasn't the answer she had intended to give.
Arivaan grinned.
The command system had subtly altered her response.
The scout raised an eyebrow.
"You're siblings?"
Arivaan nodded quickly.
"Yes."
The second scout stepped closer.
"You came from the northern road?"
"Yes," Arivaan replied.
The scout studied them carefully.
Devika remained perfectly calm.
Her posture looked relaxed.
Her voice steady.
Arivaan almost laughed.
Even he was impressed by how natural the control appeared.
After a few tense seconds, the first scout finally nodded.
"Very well."
"But the city is under investigation."
"If you see anyone suspicious…"
"…report them immediately."
"Of course," Arivaan said.
The scouts turned and left the alley.
Once they disappeared into the crowd, Devika slowly exhaled.
"You manipulated my words."
Arivaan pushed himself off the wall.
"Just a little."
Devika looked at him with new understanding.
"That ability…"
"…is far more dangerous than I thought."
Arivaan glanced at the floating panel again.
Assimilation: 40%
His smile widened slightly.
"Good."
Because deep down, he had begun realizing something important.
This power was not just useful.
It was terrifying.
And if he learned how to control it properly—
It might allow him to control far more than just one hero.