Chapter 559: The Application of Marks

"Little Fiso, it's been a long time."

The interrogator Fiso was clearly delighted by Luo De's arrival.

She even threw away her beloved tooth-puller, stained with dried blood, and flew around his head.

Her dragonfly-like translucent wings stirred white specks of light, complementing her bright dress.

Just like a tiny fairy beside a princess in a fairy tale.

If only Fiso weren't covered in blood.

And if she weren't hanging two bloody, mangled incisors from her waist, it would be perfect.

"Lord Luo De!"

Fiso replied excitedly.

Her Common Tongue was poor; she only began learning it properly after Rosalia the Tooth Fairy left.

Now she could manage basic conversations.

Rather, the Tooth Fairies here were either limb-challenged or mentally deficient.

They seemed to be survivors rescued by Rosalia from the massacre.

Fiso turned to look at Sharon, the dog-man gnawing on Luo De's palm.

She asked, puzzled: "Lover?"

But clearly, her vocabulary was imprecise in some areas.

Luo De's face darkened, and he gently guided her:

"Not a lover. A relationship built on physical and emotional bonds, freely chosen—what is that called?"

"Lover!"

"No, it's companion or spouse."

Sharon's teeth, still chewing his palm, froze.

She released her grip.

She glared at Luo De: "In this dark, damp dungeon, you propose to me through the mouth of a mute little fairy? I won't accept."

"What are you thinking? Keep biting."

"Hmph, don't fidget. If you're going to gnaw, just gnaw. Why keep moving around?"

Dogs like to chew fingers and palms.

Luo De always liked to tease the dog with his fingers, tickling her warm tongue.

Fiso flew to his face and kissed his cheek.

She tilted her small head.

Her delicate face, streaked with blood, bore a cruel yet innocent expression.

"Lord Luo De, are you done with Rosalia?"

"Rosalia and I aren't like that."

Because Rosalia the Tooth Fairy entrusted these little Tooth Fairies to Shi Ying and Luo De, even telling them they could seek Luo De's help if needed.

So these creatures assumed Luo De and Rosalia shared an extraordinary bond.

Seeing the little fairy's face, on the verge of tears,

Luo De sighed helplessly.

He pulled a tiny fang from his spell satchel and handed it to her.

The fang was dull yellow.

Radiating a terrifying aura that intimidated living beings.

It was one of the dragon teeth of the Black Dragon Mikhail, the smallest of them all.

Too large, and Fiso couldn't carry it.

"D-Dragon tooth!?"

The little fairy froze, then burst into delighted cheers.

She clutched the dragon tooth and flew in circles, kissing Luo De's face with every loop.

"Lord Luo De, you've become more likable!"

"Hmph."

Sharon seemed annoyed by the little thing; she glared at her and bit down harder on Luo De's palm.

"Alright, alright, I'll bring you more teeth later."

Fiso shook her head:

"Not that. On your body, Lord Luo De, there's a new, special, cruel scent—the kind Tooth Fairies love."

"Oh?"

Cruel

【Cruel Mark】?

During his battle with Asmodeus.

Luo De had activated 【Rage】, and in that instant was pulled into another dimension and branded with the 【Cruel Mark】.

But so far, his immense mental resistance had kept the mark outside his body, never fully penetrating.

"Can not only the Holy Fire Cult sense it, but also little Tooth Fairies?"

"Long ago, among Tooth Fairies, there was this scent!"

Fiso stood on his shoulder, speaking seriously.

"Fifty years ago?"

"Yes. More than one had it."

Hearing this, Sharon fell silent for a moment.

Still chewing his palm: "Hmm, I heard that ancient Tooth Fairies were the most brutal and warlike of all the little fairies. Because their minds were pure and simple, the energy they returned to the other dimension was purer—perhaps that's why they were more favored by the Mark's power."

"There's such a theory?"

"Just speculation. There are too few Tooth Fairies now to support data. Perhaps the little fairy massacre fifty years ago is connected."

"I see."

Fiso glanced at Luo De's slightly somber expression.

She didn't understand.

She drifted closer, gently touching his cheek, whispering softly:

"Lord Luo De, don't be sad. Fiso will teach you to become stronger!"

"Teach me?"

Luo De and Sharon thought she'd misused another word and paid no mind.

But then,

she began haltingly describing methods to use the Mark.

The more they listened, the more strange it sounded—and the more plausible it became.

Each of them subtly activated their own Mark.

Immediately,

a new entry appeared on their panels.

【Favor of the Cruel Mark: "Infinite Strength."】

Then, the Mark outside their bodies emitted crimson energy streams, seeping into Luo De's limbs and bones.

Slowly and steadily enhancing his physical strength.

"Oh."

Luo De looked at Sharon.

She wore the same expression—shocked and excited.

Her 【Plague Mark】 had been inside her longer; perhaps she'd discovered more skills and applications.

Luo De quickly calmed himself and warned:

"Use it cautiously, Sharon. This is still an artifact of the other dimension."

"Precisely because it's from the other dimension, we should explore it. Plague isn't as heartless as Cruel—it's always compassionate. I just learned a technique to stimulate the nerves. Don't you want to try?"

Saying this,

she cast him a sultry glance, her exquisite white face teasing, and deliberately licked his finger.

"... ine, I'll try."

They did not continue discussing the topic.

Soon,

they arrived at the underground prison's office.

Through the magical vision used for observation, they could see the condition of the half-goat Einala's cell.

All four walls were damp stone; only a small ventilation window in the iron door.

Einala was chained by two magic-infused chains.

But the cell contained all furnishings: books, musical instruments, a private toilet, and a shower.

The food was delicious, and she was dressed cleanly and neatly.

It was less a prison than a vacation cottage.

Her mind was somewhat unclear, staring blankly into the empty air.

This was caused by Philso's hallucinogenic drug.

Since Einala's imprisonment, she had been kept isolated from all others.

Luo De's method was to select a condemned prisoner and, day by day, "accidentally" reveal false information that a high-ranking official who had wronged him had been brought here.

No direct guidance, no indirect incitement.

Strengthen the impression through treatment.

And by neglecting discipline and allowing laxity, let the condemned prisoner seize the opportunity to kill Einala himself.

According to Philso's account.

The condemned prisoner's "education" was nearly successful.

Just as Luo De and the others came to visit, they could again pressure the condemned prisoner by claiming "someone wants to pull her out."

(End of Chapter)