Reborn: Apocalypse Ready. War Goddess by My Side novel Chapter 545

Chapter 545 The One Behind the Betrayals

In Steven’s memory, that was the worst catastrophe of them all.

It came down to a defection. A powerful figure from one of Orroux’s noble houses had turned traitor and leaked classified mission intel.

The fallout cost the military and the Awakened task forces over three hundred lives.

Several Divine Kings had died in that single incident.

The whole nation had reeled from the shock.

And now, standing here, Steven finally understood what had really happened.

The traitor had been controlled by the God Eaters the entire time. A puppet turned against his own people.

A single name whispered through Steven’s mind. Griffin…

Then it hit him like a physical blow.

No way. Griffin!

Thirty years down the line, this man would become the headmaster of Orroux Academy.

No wonder the name rang a bell.

Steven had never actually met him in his last life, but he’d heard the name mentioned once or twice. He was a famous prodigy, known across the continent.

He’d spent years fighting on distant fronts before finally returning to Orroux around the age of 50, taking the headmaster’s seat at Orroux Academy itself.

Steven fell silent for a long moment, weight pressing down on his chest like a stone he couldn’t set aside.

He’d never realized the God Eaters had burrowed this deep into their homeland. Nobody had.

And it had taken awakening his Eye of Insight in this new life just to uncover the truth buried right in front of everyone.

Fellaria…

Steven’s gaze shifted, locking onto the girl standing nearby.

Memories of her name surfaced too.

SSS-rank. A monster of raw talent, a genius among geniuses. And in his last life, a traitor. A defector.

Slowly, the full shape of the God Eaters’ plan clicked into place.

Their numbers were too small to ever crush Draconia head on. So instead they worked from the shadows, corroding it piece by piece, infiltrating one handshake at a time.

14:59 Wed, Aug 5 MOJ.

Chapter 545 The One Behind the Betrayals

The shock in Steven’s chest refused to fade.

Before long, Griffin noticed him watching and started walking over, all warmth and easy smiles.

Fished

Steven knew exactly what kind of scheme this man was running, but he couldn’t afford to let it show.

He forced himself to hold steady.

As they approached, he buried the shock churning inside him and put on the act of a student/scanning the crowd for his own teammates.

“Excuse me, are you the Steven who put on such a show at Orroux Academy a few days back?” Griffin’s voice rang out, smooth and cultured, every bit the gentleman.

A knot tightened in Steven’s chest. If this man offers a handshake, do I take it?

Will I end up marked too?

But the doubt passed as quickly as it came.

No risk, no reward.

The only way to study this power was to make contact with it himself.

That was the only path to finding a way to break it.

Griffin approached with Fellaria and a cluster of classmates trailing behind him, all headed straight for Steven’s group.

Griffin’s movement across the platform naturally drew plenty of eyes.

Steven’s name had become the hottest topic around.

He was a single competitor who’d taken on over a hundred students from Orroux Academy and walked away undefeated.

Even Lola, Orroux’s own top prodigy, had gone toe to toe with him and come up short.

And with Lola standing right beside Steven now, that only confirmed exactly who he was.

Plenty of people were already whispering the same question. Would Steven actually compete in this tournament?

Because if he did, what was even the point of anyone else showing up?

Steven watched Griffin approach, practically glowing with easy confidence.

A smile spread across Steven’s own face. “You must be Griffin. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Griffin’s eyes lit up with surprise. “You know who I am?”

Steven kept smiling. “My academy director mentioned you just a bit ago. Griffin, Oakridge’s top prodigy.

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14:59 Wed, Aug 5 MO.

Chapter 545 The One Behind the Betrayals

Told me I should keep an eye on you.”

Griffin laughed warmly. “Steven, you really don’t hold back, do you?

“Though I doubt you need to keep an eye on me at all. What you did at Orroux left me speechless. I wouldn’t stand a chance against you.

“I just hope you’ll go easy on me if we happen to cross paths in the tournament.”

Steven nodded, still smiling. “Of course, of course.”

Griffin stepped forward and offered his hand.

Frushed

“I heard you’re already a member of an Awakened Squad. That kind of achievement puts you leagues ahead of the rest of us.”

Steven felt his whole body tense, though nothing showed on his face as he took the offered hand.

Both of their grips came firm and steady.

Like two old friends who’d only just found each other.

Steven kept his tone light and modest. “Please, I heard you already reached Four-Sigil. Getting into a squad can’t be that far off for someone like you. Nothing worth all this praise.”

Griffin’s smile widened. “You’re too modest, Steven.”

On the surface, the two of them kept trading pleasantries.

But underneath it, Steven felt that dark power inside Griffin surging straight toward his own Divine Sigil.

Right as Steven scrambled for a way to counter it.

The Beast-Type Divine Sigil resting on his chest gave a faint pulse of its own, a ripple spreading outward.

And in an instant, it crushed that intruding power flat.

Relief flooded through Steven’s chest. That was close. Too close.

He had no idea if Griffin had caught it happening.

He studied Griffin carefully for any reaction.

But the man hid it perfectly. Not a flicker out of place, nothing to give him away.

The two of them let go of each other’s hands.

“Steven, this must be your teammate, Bianca. Just as stunning as the rumors say. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Griffin turned, all charm, and extended his hand toward Fiona with a warm smile.