Mutagen

<strong>Day 145 - 10:15 AM - Mountain Base, Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Quezon</strong>

Mark's group had returned to the base once more. Everyone was definitely happy to see them safe and sound. Their worry was not surprising considering that the workers that cleared up the dried trees around Chiyo in the Spirit Dimension witnessed the danger of facing the magical infected from there.

Of course, Mark's group did not return without conveying the news to the Stone Fortress about the destruction of the Kingdom of Black Duendes. Without a doubt, they were shocked by the news. Mark's small group managed to take down a whole Kingdom of Duende's? It was not easy to believe. Well, if they knew that Mark did most of the work and it was just because they were caught while escaping, they might plant their faces on the ground.

However, with the presence of Lumeria, it was hard to deny it. Not to mention that King Hieromano and Diwata Danaya would definitely not doubt Felenia, who was the princess of Brown Duendes that was Teremillio's first wife.

This news, however, put the representatives of the races in the Stone Fortress in an uneasy situation. They started to become more humble to Mark and his group, especially to Mei and the three girls. It was not out of respect, however, but fear. Their group that took down the dreaded Luserio and his Kingdom could do the same to their tribes with ease.

It was extremely lucky of them that Mark's group were their allies.

Nevertheless, not all of the news was good. It was because of the threat of the Demons that was still lurking in the dark. The destruction of the Kingdom of Black Duendes would only delay them at most but would definitely not stop their plans and goals.

Unfortunately, even though Mark's group brought back Il'vella for interrogation, there was not too much to learn from her. Yes, she was the latest Queen of Luserio and the bridge between the alliance of Luserio's Kingdom and the Demons. However, that was all. There was nothing more to her role. She was not even versed in battle or privy of the Demon's plans. And in fact, she was nothing but a Succubus with outstanding appearance until she was given to Luserio.

For most of the Demon's activities in the Kingdom of Black Duendes, it was Dregor that held the highest authority. And unfortunately, Mark already killed that Demon Lizardman.

All they managed to get from Il'vella that gladly cooperated to preserve her life, was information about the leader of the Demons that allied with Luserio and their primary goal.

Unexpectedly, the leader of these Demons was the infamous Trinity of Demons that reigned in the Bicol Region's darkest depths, Nagined, Magkabarubak, and Arapayan. These three Demons had a form of powerfully built handsome men filled with tribal tattoos on their bodies. But why just a leader but not leaders when there were three of them? It seemed that in the current situation, the three were in their true form of a Three-Headed Demon and was leading the Demons in search of something.

Sure enough, although Il'vella did not know what it was, the target of the Three-Headed Demon was located under the Stone Fortress. And there was only one thing sealed in that place.

Fortunately, as Mark destroyed the Kingdom of Black Duendes and killed all the spies he detected in the Stone Fortress, it would take some time before the Demons could make another move. It would give the Stone Fortress more time to prepare.

If lucky, the things that were predicted to happen would make the Demons not be able to make a move at all in the future.

Even so, there was no time to let their guards down. When Mark's group left the Stone Fortress, the representatives of the races were discussing methods to avoid Demons spies from entering the fortress in the future.

As for the imprint of Diwata Luwalhati, there were no words about her. It was not like she could leave the sealed area, and there was no reason for Mark's group to meet her either. Though as it seemed, as the imprint woke up because of Mark, Diwata Danaya started to seek advice from the ancient Diwata about many things.

Il'vella, on the other hand, begged for Mark to bring her with his group. She had nowhere to go anymore. Leaving her in the Stone Fortress would lead her to get killed for revenge. In fact, many of the races were asking for her execution. It was not surprising since many warriors of the Stone Fortress died in the ambush the Demons orchestrated. Even if she was let go and returned to where her race lived, she would be killed without a doubt. There was no reason to

Unfortunately for the races, Il'vella was captured by Mark. Only he would be able to decide her fate. And to that, Mark chose to bring the Succubus with him. In fact, this decision made some of the races think that Mark was being manipulated. It was commonly known how a Succubus could control men using their charm and abilities.

Of course, it was not the case. It was quite impossible to happen to Mark. Not only Il'vella was extremely afraid of Mark, but he was also surrounded by girls that would not get affected by her abilities. Mark was immune to mental attacks, especially against emotion controlling ones. He was wearing one piece of the pair of Agimats that he got with Mei during their date last time. Just this piece alone could ward off mental attacks.

But why did Mark bring her back? It was a question to many, even in Mark's group.

Lumeria was quite uncomfortable with Il'vella around. It was not surprising considering their situation before. The only difference now was that their positions were reversed entirely. Even so, now that she was also under Mark's command, there was nothing she could say about it.

Their return sure surprised the new members and the nine slaves.

Just the fact that Mark had his own Pure Spirit Tree filled Lumeria and Il'vella with awe. While the two knew that they would be following Mark to the mortal world, no one told them about this. Furthermore, it was a kind of Spirit Tree that they had not heard about.

However, what amazed them the most was Mark's base. A place where people gathered under the Night Everred Spirit Tree.

They had never seen a place that looked so dark but filled with vitality. The reddish-black walls made of unknown metal made the base appear to be impregnable, but the glow of lights and the leaves of the tree had filled it with life.

And now, the residents of the base were in awe as they stared at the humanoid contraption sitting in front of Mark's house.

"You brought something amazing again, Boss."

Huey said while observing the detail of the golem.

"We just found it abandoned inside a treasury."

Mark replied, making the others look at him with a sigh. Just where would you find something like this abandoned?

"What's wrong with you all? It's true."

Mark said, sensing their thoughts. What he said was true, after all.

"Mark, can this thing really move or it's just props?"

Alana asked, knocking at the arm of the golem.

"I don't really know. I'll study it first."

Mark replied once more, looking at the whole golem.

The golem was too big that he could not find a place to put it. That was why he took it out in front of his house. The only place in the base where it would fit was Aimee's house, but it would be inappropriate to store this huge thing inside another person's home.

"By the way, is there still space in the warehouse?"

Mark asked Huey.

The warehouse. It was one of the new additions to the base.

Initially, it was just a small building on the north side of the base where they planned to store the harvest once the crops had fully grown. However, because of the attack of The Great One that ruined the crops they painstakingly planted, the building was rendered useless.

In the preparation for the second wave, however, the warehouse was renovated into a large one where they housed the supplies that they gathered.

At Mark's question, Huey turned to Ed, the person in charge of the construction.

"Ed, it's almost full, right? Is the new room in the warehouse finished?"

"Not yet. I still need to do some fixes on the roofing." Ed replied, scratching his head. "The room can be used already, though, as long as no fragile items are placed. A few things could fall while fixing the roof and it's not good if things broke because of that."

"It's enough," Mark interjected. " We just need a place big enough to dump the things we found."

And there, Mark and Mei dumped the things they still had in their rings. Sure enough, that made the others gawk. Weapons, armor, even other strange stuff.

"Boss, did you raid a castle or something?"

Huey asked as he picked up a sword embedded with a yellow shining gem.

"We did, right?"

Mark replied, looking at Pefile, who could only shrug.

After that, they returned home. Teremillio led his mother to their new abode while Il'vella was called to follow Mark. On the other hand, the still confused slaves were brought by Huey to the dwelling and to brief them on the current situation of Earth.

At this moment, eating lunch early, everyone gathered at the dining table.

"Master, you still have another trip to do, right? Are you all going to stay for the night?"

Odelina asked.

"I wish I could." Mark shrugged. "We still have at least two trips to do."

"Two?"

Everyone turned at Mark, even Mei. From what they knew, only Pefile's request was left. Of course, it was not the quest to find the inheritors of the Crystals that Freed wanted to find. That would count as more than one trip. Who knows how many trips would it take to find all the inheritors.

"I just want to visit someplace. There's something I should check out."

"Is that so?"

Jaeya said, hearing his reply. Most of the time, she would ask annoying questions. But this time, managed to notice that Mark did not want to say it.

"By the way, Master," Aephelia spoke. "Did Miss Alana and Miss Karlene tell the news?"

"What news? I saw Alana but Karlene is not here right now, right?"

"Ah, right," Aephelia remembered. "Miss Karlene asked Spera to bring her to Infanta to see her father. Then, Miss Alana might have forgotten to tell you. They received news that Taal Volcano Erupted yesterday. Bay City Settlement seemed to be heavily affected by the ashfall."

"I see. That's another hurdle for them, huh."

Mark said with a sigh. Sometimes, things were already hard but life would just throw more rocks on you.

Still, Mark could not help but wonder if his friends there were still fine. Also, General Perez' wife, who seemed to have connections to Freed's bloodline.

In any case, there was nothing he could do about that. There was no way that he would be able to blow away all the ash or block the volcano with the crystals he currently had.

"Well, Odel," Mark turned to Odelina. "Well stay for the night and leave in the morning."

"Yes, Master." Odelina smiled. "I'll make sure to make a good dinner."

***

After the early lunch, time to deal with another business.

"Come with me."

Mark told Il'vella. There was only the two of them as Mark led the succubus to the lowest chamber of his house.

This made Il'vella a bit nervous. At places like this was where dark things happen, after all.

"Don't worry. As long as you behave, nothing will happen to you." Mark said, looking at the Succubus behind him from above his shoulder. "I just brought you here to show something and ask your opinion."

Il'vella nodded as they headed at the furthest cell. Sure enough, this place was a prison. However, what was imprisoned were not humans but infected.

And at that furthest cell. The moans of pleasure echoed. Even Il'vella that was a Succubus could not help but shudder at those noises.