When questioned, Bevforcelis merely glanced back at Luthes. Her usually clear eyes were now filled with bloodthirsty malice.
Something was clearly wrong with this inheritor of the Guardian Aura.
In theory, the Guardian Aura drawn from the earth could protect her from all harm. Within the earth's embrace, its strength would increase severalfold.
They were truly deep within the earth now. Even if this wound flowed with the Mother Goddess's blood of suffering, she would still protect her children.
So while Bevforcelis was deep underground, she should have been able to ignore all negative conditions and injuries.
Yet now, she seemed to be under some kind of curse. Not only could she not focus her thoughts, she could barely gather her mana.
The Guardian Aura, which she normally wielded effortlessly, now refused to obey her, as though it loathed her.
She took several rapid breaths. "The elf from the Orpheus Family planted an unknown magic plant inside me. I can't control my thoughts now."
"It must have been him. He must have affected the Frontline Base's defenses. Only he could do something like this."
"We're deep within the earth. How could anything affect your mind here?" Luthes asked in shock.
The Guardian Aura had one fatal weakness: when its wielder's will ceased to be as steadfast as rock, it could no longer function.
Usually, this was hardly a concern. The Guardian Aura could ward off most mental magic. Even a Legendary-Tier Mage would struggle to influence her.
Yet she was being affected even deep within the earth. This was simply... absurd.
More importantly, very few people knew about this fatal weakness. If the mighty Guardian Aura could be broken so easily, there really was a traitor within the Church.
"What exactly is Icarus trying to do?"
"He already gave His