Outside the checkpoint, team members who’d finished dinner began returning to their carriages one by one. The squad leader, who’d been chatting with soldiers at the post, started gathering everyone to prepare for departure.

"Everyone, we’re clearing inspection soon. I’ve settled things with the guards. Get ready—we move out in ten minutes. Back to your carriages."

"Got it. I’ll handle the reins." Captain Ina’s form blurred for a moment, shifting to resemble the carriage owner. She slipped out the front door, took the driver’s seat, and grabbed the reins.

*Disguise* skill. If I’d doubted her class before, this confirmed it: she was undoubtedly an assassin-type. Combined with her carriage-handling skills, she must have undertaken all kinds of missions.

The checkpoint went smoothly. Guards merely glanced at our documents, gave the carriage a cursory look, and waved us through.

The tunnel behind the gate led straight into the mountainside, crystal lamps hanging every few meters along the walls. At the end stood a second checkpoint—this time manned by soldiers in the familiar uniforms of the Empire of Aifei. After a brief exchange with our leader, they let us pass even more casually than the outer guards. No document checks. No luggage inspections. They just watched the carriage roll by.

"How can border guards be so lax? Taking a few coins to look the other way—even Habsburg Kingdom’s guards aren’t this careless," Anan grumbled bitterly. Her mood had been sour since the mission began.

"They’re more like Lord Serpent City’s private army. But thanks to them, we got in easily." Unlike Anan, I was in high spirits, even peering out the window to admire the underground scenery.

Beyond the tunnel’s end, the view opened dramatically. A massive cavern sprawled outside the window. Nothing like the damp, shadowy underworld I’d imagined—this was a dazzling, bustling city. Lights dotted every corner of the hollow. Crowds flowed endlessly. Towering stone pillars, hollowed out and lit from within, stretched from the cavern floor to its ceiling, transformed into multi-story buildings.

After the caravan checked into an inn, we slipped out quietly to find lodgings for the night. The family we’d been traveling with was already settled on the sofa, soon to wake from their enchanted sleep.

"What a wretched place! So noisy and filthy. No wonder they say it’s a den for criminals and slaves. Look at their clothes—no manners at all. Just a bunch of paupers. I’ve had enough!" Anan’s simmering frustration finally boiled over.

"You think they’re poor? Look over there." I deliberately needled her, pointing to a raucous casino. The gamblers wore garish, cheap outfits and looked utterly unkempt. Yet they threw gold coins by the hundreds into the pot. A burly man with facial tattoos had just lost a fortune but laughed it off, pulling out another heavy pouch to draw his next card.

"They’re desperate men. Unlike Imperial Capital nobles with their fake airs, they might be richer—but they’d rather spend it on cheap thrills." Unlike other nobles, I’d rubbed shoulders with all sorts of people. I understood the tragic logic behind such lives.

"But if they have so much money," Mistflower asked, puzzled, "why not live in a proper city? Or buy land and become estate lords?"

"You don’t understand. Some people can only survive here. Nowhere else will have them. Like cattle content on land—fish can’t breathe on shore." Captain Ina’s voice stayed flat, but I sensed old memories stirring behind her words.

Suddenly, a hand brushed my waist. I thought it was a pickpocket. Useless—they’d find nothing; all my belongings were stored in my Collar.

But then the hand slid toward my backside. I slapped it away sharply. Turning, I saw a flashy-dressed thug leering beside me, his hands still reaching, face twisted with lust.

"What do you think you’re doing?" I stepped back. Bold, harassing women in broad daylight—and we were four strong.

*Thwip.*

Before I could react, Mistflower let out a flustered squeak. She pressed close to me, cheeks burning crimson, flanked by two more thugs.

I scanned the street. A dozen thugs had encircled us. No wonder they were so brazen—it was a team job. Bystanders watched with amused smirks, treating it like street theater.

*Fine. If you want a show, I’ll give you one.* I cracked my knuckles, itching to move. Anan was practically vibrating with rage—perfect outlet for her fury.

"Hold. Wait." Captain Ina’s voice cut into our minds. We froze mid-motion.

"Hey, little ladies~ Lost in this city? How ’bout playing with us big brothers?" The thugs hadn’t heard her. Their taunts continued.

"Fighting exposes us. Lure them somewhere isolated. One of you stall them." Her mental command was crisp.

I glanced at the others. Captain Ina stood icy and silent. Mistflower looked near tears. Anan bit her lip hard, fists trembling, fighting the urge to swing.

*Guess it’s me.* I forced wide, innocent eyes and softened my voice.

"U-um… we just got here. We don’t know the rules… please don’t trouble us?" Stiff, but convincing enough for street rats.

"Haha! No trouble, little sister. Just wanna play~" They reached again. I dodged their groping hands, pleading with a trembling voice: "Too many people here… can we go somewhere private?"

"Perfect. Let’s find a quiet spot for fun." Even thugs avoided public scenes. They herded us into a side alley, then into a derelict warehouse—clearly their nearby hideout.

"Captain? Can I *move* now?" Anan’s restraint snapped the moment Captain Ina nodded. She seized two thugs and hurled them aside. I charged the leader.

"Angel! Quick—*urk!*" He glimpsed my wings unfurling but never finished his command. My fist slammed into his face. He crumpled, unconscious.

Thugs surged to protect him, clubs raised. My six wings flicked lightly—*whoosh*—sending them flying. Their clubs clattered harmlessly against my Divine Power-infused feathers.

I glanced back. Captain Ina had wings spread but stood motionless. Mistflower gripped her Scepter, chanting fervently. Anan was pure fury—she swung her Scepter like a club, raining blows on fallen thugs who howled in pain. *Poor fools. Picking a fight with her at her breaking point. May the Breath of the Sun spare your bones.*

*Dong—*

A resonant chime filled the warehouse. Golden light flooded the gloom. Halos blazed above the thugs’ heads, echoing like church bells. One by one, they collapsed, unconscious. Mistflower’s Divine Art finished its work. Ancient, solemn chimes reverberated as angel feathers drifted down. Every thug dropped, senseless. *Impressive progress. That Divine Art’s power is no joke.*

"All clear. What now?" I asked Captain Ina. She seemed almost pleased.

"Good work. Clean and efficient. Though a touch too gentle." She smiled faintly—unnervingly. Then her wings snapped open. A dozen feathers shot out like arrows. Before I could blink, they pierced every thug’s skull. *Thousand Feather Judgment*—the first offensive talent we’d learned. Captain Ina’s aim was flawless: one feather per head. No more. No less.

But the horror wasn’t over. The feathers yanked free, streaking back to embed themselves in her eight wings. Blood seeped along the feathers, tracing down to the wingtips, dripping onto the floor. The crimson trails formed a chilling pattern across her plumage.

*Now I know why her wings are stained that eerie color. How many has she killed with Thousand Feather Judgment to leave blood that won’t wash away?*

"Excellent. No need to hunt for lodgings tonight." Captain Ina surveyed the warehouse. "We rest here."