To everyone else, Angus’s expression seemed perfectly ordinary—just a casual smile.

But in Sylvia’s mind, a distinct mark from the lore surfaced: the signature trait of humans corrupted by the Abyssal Lair.

When fixated on their target, a faint psychic ripple would always flicker in their eyes.

This ripple, inherited from the Abyssal Elder God, served as a tool to monitor and control the corrupted.

Though ever-present within them, only those who had directly encountered the Abyssal Elder God’s true form could perceive it.

Thus, under normal circumstances, such corrupted individuals remained nearly undetectable.

But this was no ordinary situation. The toxin levels in Sylvia’s body… allowed her to constantly sense the Abyssal Elder God’s overwhelming corrupting aura.

Whether fortune or misfortune, the poison planted by the mole had mutated within her, granting her the uncanny ability to instantly identify the traitor.

Of course—only if she could keep her heart pure and resist true corruption.

“Apologize to the Archangel at once!”

While Sylvia hesitated, the scene shifted.

General Omas, enraged by Angus’s careless demeanor, roared and seized him by the collar.

Yet Angus remained utterly indifferent, tension thickening the air.

“Please stop, everyone! General Gene awaits treatment—let’s not waste another moment!”

Instead of exposing the mole, Sylvia raised her voice to halt Omas’s aggression.

“Archangel? But…”

General Omas froze visibly.

“It’s fine. Saving lives comes first.”

Reiterating their purpose, Omas dared not defy the Archangel and released Angus immediately.

“Heh…”

Angus chuckled lightly, said nothing, and continued toward the city lord’s manor as if untouched.

The group moved out. Sylvia declined Omas’s carriage offer and followed Angus directly.

Seeing the Archangel’s humility, Omas felt reassured. He ordered key-area generals back to posts and returned to command to handle border affairs.

In the end, only three brigadier generals remained to accompany Sylvia to visit General Gene at the manor—formidable even so, especially with Kroso.

So what overwhelming scheme had the mole prepared?

Watching Angus’s aged back, Sylvia’s thoughts raced.

She withheld the truth to exploit the information gap and counter the Abyss.

Still… the danger level was unknown. A risky move.

Her right hand clenched slightly. Recalling Kroso’s protection oath, a flicker of tension stirred.

“Hero,” she whispered, casting a silent soundproofing spell as she walked beside Kroso, “if I activate the Blink Rune with magic… can you arrive instantly?”

“Hm? Why ask this suddenly, Archangel? Did you sense danger?” Kroso, noticing the spell, tensed.

“Well… the feeling’s vague. I just need to confirm the Rune’s limits. If spatial barriers or arrays can block it, I won’t risk it.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest at his concern—but she held back. Revealing she sensed the Abyssal Elder God’s ripples might imply corruption. She wouldn’t burden him.

“My Flash Step isn’t of this world,” Kroso replied softly. “It bypasses this realm’s spatial laws. But Archangel… what are you planning? With so many generals here, why not share it? Why risk alone?”

Hearing the girl’s cautious tone, deep worry tightened Kroso’s chest.

“I’ll be careful, Hero. Danger isn’t certain—just intuition.”

Relieved the Hero would come instantly, Sylvia exhaled and turned to comfort him.

“I see… Stay vigilant, Archangel. I’ll be ready.”

Never doubting the Archangel would lie over trivialities, Kroso believed her—and every nerve snapped taut.

The central square lay close to the manor. Imperial knights cleared the path; soon, the ornate grand gates came into view.

“Huh? Where are all the guards?” one brigadier general exclaimed.

“Nothing unusual,” Angus smiled faintly. “I’ve applied to resign as city lord to the Holy City. The manor’s been cleared. Once my elder brother wakes, I’ll leave.”

Resign?

His firm tone stunned every general—and Kroso.

Only Sylvia’s eyes lit up slightly.

*He dismissed all his subordinates in advance…*

*So his humanity isn’t fully eroded yet…*

*Could she still avert this looming crisis?*

In a flash, she made a bolder choice.

“Stop!”

Just as they reached the gates, Sylvia spread her arms, blocking the entire group.

“Archangel? What’s wrong?”

Kroso, the generals—even Angus—turned back, puzzled.

*What is the Archangel planning?*