Chapter 138: Chapter 137: Disorder (Eight)_1
In an instant, the gaze of the entire team, including the Baroness, was drawn to the object in Fu Qian’s hand.
Oval-shaped, with strange dark red patterns, its surface was covered with unevenly sized spikes.
This was——
Most people were utterly perplexed, but a grave expression fleetingly crossed the Baroness’s face.
This scene did not escape Fu Qian’s notice.
The stone, of course, hadn’t come from the box; it was the one Fu Qian had gotten from the Skeleton.
When he had crouched down earlier to inspect, Fu Qian had quietly taken it out and held it in his hand.
Ingeniously exploiting a blind spot in their vision, Fu Qian had pretended to retrieve it from the box.
He had done this, naturally, with a purpose in mind.
From its effects when he used it, this object seemed to be linked to the Discoloration Curse in some way, which was why Fu Qian had kept it all this time.
But whether it was the Baroness or the other team members, it was clear they had anything but trust in him.
Just like he had said before, he was nothing more than a mascot to boost morale.
And information related to the Discoloration Curse was undoubtedly a significant secret.
Asking directly about it would hardly yield any answers, and might even arouse suspicion.
Therefore, Fu Qian chose to try this method.
To his relief, from the Baroness’s reaction, it was clear she knew something.
“If it’s not the Discoloration Curse… have you heard of any ability that could cause this effect?”
Fu Qian nonchalantly set the stone aside and shifted his concern to why the corpses looked that way.
The group still shook their heads, one bravely stepping forward to take a closer look.
“I’ve never heard of any malicious ability that turns people into this, but there indeed are no signs of the Discoloration Curse on the body.”
So, the Nun wasn’t killed for uncovering her lover’s secret?
Could it even be possible that the deaths of both people were by the same killer?
The situation suddenly grew more complicated!
The expressions of the team members became serious, each deep in thought.
However, due to his previous performance, their impressions of Fu Qian improved slightly.
Being able to analyze and search through that mess with such composure was something ordinary people couldn’t do.
While not very powerful, the psychological quality he displayed was indeed strong (and somewhat twisted).
…
“Speaking of which, there’s a question I’ve been meaning to ask you,” the Baroness said, looking pensive after they emerged from the room. She suddenly turned to Fu Qian.
“Awakening the Dragon Feast while struck with the Discoloration Curse, how exactly did you manage that? This has never happened before; it’s nothing short of a miracle!”
“You have to understand, in the dungeon below, you can’t even pray to the Divine Seven.”
At the Baroness’s words, the others also turned to look.
Indeed, despite the legendary inspiration he provided, to this point it was still unclear how he had achieved that.
“Right, you can’t see the Divine Seven and you have to use oil lamps.”
Fu Qian smiled at the Baroness as he spoke.
Hearing the word “oil lamp,” her face visibly contorted with unease.
It seemed that the Baroness knew exactly how the prison guards treated the Discolored Ones below.
Fu Qian shook his head inwardly without meaning to pass judgment.
He reached into his pocket, took out and flashed a metal piece.
“It’s quite simple, actually: just a devout heart plus this.”
“This is the token of the covenant with the Divine Seven, usually carried for indoor prayers. The Dragon Feast Mark is rare but not unheard of.”
Upon glancing at it, the Baroness’s reaction wasn’t very unusual.
“You guys go and investigate separately.”
Seemingly recalling something, the Baroness dismissed the others, then beckoned Fu Qian to follow.
“Come with me,”
Hmm?
The others looked at Fu Qian, then at the Baroness.
Seeing the latter’s face flush unnaturally red, they seemed to understand something and scampered off without asking any questions.
Is it happening again? If it’s an hour’s affair, the timing is about right.
From the slightly odd expressions of his teammates, Fu Qian realized something.
However, he wasn’t too worried about it; based on his understanding of her, she wouldn’t likely use him as a crucible.
Deliberately not hiding the anomaly, and even risking misunderstandings, she must have something important to discuss.
Huh!
Without looking at Fu Qian, the Baroness led the way to a secluded spot before finally letting out a long sigh.
“Sorry, please wait a moment.”
“Take your time.”
Upon hearing this, Fu Qian took a step back. The Baroness produced an illusory whip in her hand, adorned with spikes twinkling with starlight.
The next moment, she couldn’t wait to lash it against her back.
The whip pierced through her clothes, making a sound as it struck flesh.
The Baroness let out a pained grunt through her nose, her breathing becoming heavy in an instant, then she clenched her teeth and struck herself with several more lashes.
Minutes later, the Baroness slowly opened her eyes, her face returning to calm, and the ethereal light reactivated.
Holding the stone that Fu Qian had given her in her palm, the Baroness looked at him seriously.
“This is a Pustule Stone!”
“It’s a cursed object, usually only found on the corpses of Awakeners. Being stabbed by it can cause indescribable pain.”
Is this thing also a relic?
“I don’t know much about the Pustule Stone, but its presence here is very odd…”
“Along with the Discolored Ones’ despair that has been increasing for quite a while, I have a very bad feeling…”
“So there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
Gazing into Fu Qian’s eyes, the Baroness spoke with unprecedented sincerity.
“I’d like you to make another trip down to the prison.”
Hmm?
Fu Qian looked at her silently, hoping she would provide an explanation.
“There’s someone in the prison familiar with the Pustule Stone. I hope you can go see her, to find out if she’s still there, or—if she’s still alive.”
“Understood, but if I may speak frankly, why don’t you go yourself? Wouldn’t you be more reliable than a junior Awakener like me?”
“I know it’s a bit much, but you are the most suitable person for the job,”
The Baroness replied with a wry smile.
“Those in the prison don’t have a good relationship with those above. For many years now, we have not been permitted to enter down there, and correspondingly, they do not come up.”
“And you are the only one for years who has come out from down there.”
“Of course, I won’t let you take undue risks. Before you go, I will help you get promoted as much as possible to ensure you have enough strength.”
“Of course, the increased side effects of the promotion will be for you to overcome.”
“Understood, I’ll take on the task.”
Fu Qian didn’t dawdle and agreed immediately.
Naturally, no matter how sincere the Baroness may appear, Fu Qian didn’t fully trust her words.
This woman was quite shrewd, having already probed several times before. Although she spoke in such a way now, it did not rule out the possibility of using him for other purposes.
But that didn’t matter. The clue related to the prison was something he had to investigate regardless.
“Where is my target located?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“Yes, I haven’t been to the lower levels in too long. But I do know she must be locked up in the deepest parts.”