A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 541 Such a Quick Entrance

The fact that the Beya people's planet was attacked by space pirates and they were forced to migrate to the main planet of Karen was something that would have definitely become a hot topic in the Karen Kingdom.

However, once the news of the Queen's passing spread, no other topic in the entire Kingdom of Karen could compare to it.

Although this generation of Queen Karen was a dictator with supreme power, she had not encountered any major problems in governing the entire Karen Kingdom for hundreds of years. On the contrary, some of her decrees covered many aspects of people's livelihood and military affairs.

Most policies, once implemented, are proven to be beneficial to the entire nation.

The people of the Kingdom of Karen may still have various troubles in their daily lives, but their overall living environment is peaceful, harmonious, and quite prosperous, which can be described as a rare sight in the entire interstellar society.

Therefore, even if their daily and verbal respect for the Queen is merely a habit, it may not necessarily be genuine.

When news of the Queen's passing spread, they were all genuinely saddened and deeply mourned Her Majesty.

On many planets under the rule of the Kingdom of Karen, numerous spontaneous events have taken place to mourn and bid farewell to Her Majesty the Queen.

At this time, the atmosphere of mourning on the main planet of Karen was obviously the most solemn, but in this heavy and sorrowful atmosphere, there were inevitably some things that made people frown.

"Was it not yet decided who would succeed to the throne when Her Majesty the Queen passed away?"

"We have repeatedly questioned all the ladies-in-waiting who were present that day, and in Her Majesty's last few words, whenever she mentioned the Duke and the eldest princess, she listed them as equals, and there was no indication of any bias."

"Princess Corliss is the first in line to the throne of the kingdom. Since Her Majesty the Queen has not explicitly chosen a new heir, it is only natural that the princess should succeed to the throne."

"I have a different opinion. Since the Queen listed the princess and Duke Attila on equal footing in her will, she obviously did not consider the princess to be of higher priority than the duke."

"Does Her Majesty the Queen intend to reform the system? To change the situation where there is only one supreme leader?"

"Insolence! What nonsense are you spouting? The ancestral system of the Kingdom of Karen has proven its superiority in interstellar society time and again. How can it be so easily altered?"

"All the kings of the past have been able to connect with the Source of Karen, drawing upon the wisdom of all their ancestors when necessary to consult together. You want to reform the system? Do you think you're smarter than that whole group of forefathers?"

The minister's words resonated with the vast majority of people.

"A single Connector can utilize all the power of the Karen Source to observe the overall situation of the interstellar era and provide us with the best guidance."

"However, if there are two or more connectors at the same time, this ability will inevitably be diluted, making it impossible to guarantee the wisest decisions, and may even lead to internal conflicts."

The Source of Karen refers to a unique spring on the main planet of the Karen Kingdom.

This spring is said to lead directly to the deepest part of the main star, where it flows not with water, but with the most concentrated life energy. The ancient Karen people called this liquid, which exudes a mysterious glow, "Mana".

In the ancient legends of the Kalen civilization, even a single drop of "Mana" extracted from the source of Kalen, after being diluted 100,000 times, is still a potion with miraculous effects, capable of regenerating severed limbs and healing injuries caused by any poisonous plants or insects in nature.

The civilization on this planet once developed various arts known as "witchcraft" around the source of Karen.

Later, with the rise of science and technology and exchanges with civilizations on other planets, Karen witchcraft was incorporated into the field of biotechnology, and countless ingenious ideas emerged, making this culture even more prosperous.

The people of Karen have changed their attitude toward the source of Karen from simple worship, taking, and exploitation to a virtuous cycle of giving back and continuous support.

The current Source of Karen is far more powerful than the Source of Karen of the ancient civilization. It no longer contains just simple life energy, but is mixed with extremely rich spiritual energy and intelligent information.

Every so often, a massive amount of artificial intelligence, carrying the latest information and technology mastered by the Kingdom of Karen, is implanted into the Source of Karen, becoming a new type of "sacrifice".

With this basic framework of electronic intelligence, heroes, scholars, and kings who emerged throughout the history of the Kalen civilization had the opportunity, after death, to slumber in the source of Kalen in a mystical form, carried by electronic intelligence.

When the new King of Karen needs it, he can integrate this intelligent information, sage spirit, and life energy, briefly entering a "divine" state to guide the entire Karen Kingdom.

However, without a new king ascending the throne, no one can effectively awaken the power within the Source of Karen, and the dormant spirit within the Source of Karen cannot awaken on its own.

Seeing that these ministers, each with their own agendas, were about to start arguing, Duke Attila finally lost his patience.

He angrily rebuked his ministers, arguing that with Her Majesty the Queen having just passed away, these ministers were already focusing on the distribution of power, and that such character was unworthy of being role models for the kingdom's citizens or leaders.

The eldest princess also showed unusual firmness, stating that for at least a month, she did not want to hear anything about the struggle for power, except to mourn her mother.

The filial piety of the two heirs to the throne aroused the shame of the ministers, who wept and expressed their grief, declaring that all their actions were in accordance with the Queen's style and that they had no other intentions.

Chief Beya also attended the Queen's memorial service. She did not speak throughout the ceremony, but at the end, when the ministers recounted the Queen's achievements with great emotion, Chief Beya could not help but shed some tears of emotion.

When he returned to his temporary residence in the royal city, he said to Dr. Xiangyang, "I think it's not a good time to talk about our people."

"Don't mention it for at least a month, otherwise it might leave a bad impression on the new king."

Dr. Xiangyang thought about it and agreed with his view, but said with concern, "The clansmen are all sealed in the warehouse of the pirate warship in a slumbering state for a month. There is no need to worry about their health."

"But Mr. Luoyang has already left, and the two of us are now living in the royal city. There is no one to look after that pirate warship. It is just sitting in the port, which is still worrying."

"What if, what if something unexpected happens?"

The spaceport of the Kingdom of Karen has an excellent reputation, but when it comes to the safety of all its people, even the best reputation is extremely fragile.

Chief Beya pondered for a moment and said, "The ladies who brought us here before are Her Majesty the Queen's close ladies-in-waiting. They may not be able to decide on our relocation, but it shouldn't be difficult for them to look after that warship."

"I'll go look for them tomorrow during the day."

Dr. Xiangyang had no other choice but to do this.

They tossed and turned for two nights, unable to fall asleep, when unexpectedly, a palace guard approached them.

The blond youth, dressed in silver openwork armor and wearing a sky-blue tie, with earrings that resembled silver wings, left a deep impression on anyone who saw him.

Chief Beya had seen this handsome palace guard before; he seemed to be the head guard of the princess.

"Your Highness, you were so grief-stricken this afternoon that you went to bed early. You just woke up and asked me about Chief Beya."

The palace guard politely said, "Her Majesty the Queen's last words instructed that the people of Beya should be properly settled. The princess has already sent another team to the port to welcome them. She asked me to invite the chieftain to see if he is satisfied with the temporary accommodations prepared for the people of Beya."

Chief Beya was both surprised and delighted, never expecting that the eldest princess, amidst her busy schedule and grief, would still be able to attend to these matters.

He exchanged a glance with Dr. Xiangyang, and then the palace guard spoke up at the opportune moment, inviting Dr. Xiangyang over as well.

They traveled in their spaceship, traversing vast cities and plains, and ventured deep into the mountains north of the royal city of Karen.

When they stepped off the spaceship and onto a platform halfway up the mountain, Dr. Xiangyang first showed a puzzled expression.

Throughout this mountain range, enormous totem poles stand tall, some of which are almost as tall as the mountain peaks themselves.

The gray-white pillars and exquisite carvings make the forests, meadows, and waterfalls become the backdrop for these totem poles.

With Dr. Xiangyang's keen eye, he could certainly see that those seemingly ancient totem poles were actually the latest technological products of the Kingdom of Kalen, capable of constructing a very powerful alert and defense system, and also having the function of storing energy on a large scale.

"This place..."

Dr. Xiangyang, with his vast knowledge, immediately thought, "Could it be near the Source of Karen?"

The palace guard smiled and said, "That's right, the source of Karen is located in this mountain range. Just go forward and pass through three defensive arrays, and you will see the temple built to resemble the sacred mountain of ancient legends."

"Inside the temple are statues of sages and heroes who are qualified to let their spirits slumber in the Source of Karen, and in the center of the temple is the spring of the Source of Karen."

Chief Beya asked doubtfully, "Is the eldest princess asking our people to stay here temporarily? Isn't that inappropriate?"

The head of the palace guards simply smiled and led the two of them forward. After crossing a hill, they saw a huge warehouse at the foot of the mountain ahead.

Dr. Xiangyang recognized it as the warehouse inside the pirate warship used to store the Beya people.

All the people of Beya Star were asleep in that huge warehouse.

Chief Beya and Dr. Xiangyang had even more doubts.

At that moment, another voice came from behind them. Duke Attila had also arrived, led by several court ladies.

"It seems the princess has arranged to meet with more than just me here."

Duke Attila's face looked somewhat somber, with a white bandage around his forehead.

A few hours ago, when Chief Beya met him, he seemed fine. No one knew what had happened or what kind of injury he had suffered that required bandages to be wrapped around his head.

With Karen Wang's medical skills, most injuries heal quickly without leaving scars, so there's absolutely no need for the new Mana bandage, which is the highest-grade medical product.

Chief Beya's expression turned somewhat tense as she looked around.

The eldest princess's several invitations made the atmosphere in this place somewhat strange, and even made Chief Beya sense a dangerous aura.

However, he couldn't understand why, with the remaining population and technology of the Beya clan, they were merely an insignificant force under the rule of the Kingdom of Karen.

He is more famous than the average citizen, but he doesn't have that kind of real influence.

Whatever happens between the eldest princess and Duke Attila, it seems unnecessary to involve the Beya clan.

Dr. Xiangyang was also very nervous, and subconsciously curled his right knuckles and bit down lightly with his teeth to relieve the pressure.

A sudden thought flashed through his mind: "Could it be that the eldest princess also believes in that nonsensical medical secret?"

Overwhelmed with nervousness, Dr. Xiangyang blurted out the thought as soon as it crossed his mind.

Duke Attila glanced at Dr. Xiangyang, then at the palace guards, and chuckled coldly.

"It seems my dear sister knows more than I thought, while you people really know nothing."

Duke Attila seemed to have given up on concealing his feelings. The sadness and depression that had arisen because of the Queen's death had vanished. He stood tall and walked two steps with composure and ease.

Several palace guards blocking his way, despite their obvious hostility towards him, instinctively stepped aside, not daring to hinder his progress.

"The curse created by the Soul-Devouring Fungus civilization at a huge cost wiped out the frontline army of the Kingdom of Karen in one fell swoop. Even your powerful ancestors were unable to stop it and could only let the curse worsen and spread to the entire race."

Duke Attila stood beside a totem pole, looking out at the warehouse filled with Beya people.

"Have you never considered why, after all your ancestors perished, and with each generation of your people becoming weaker than the last, the curse deeply ingrained in your blood and soul has not continued to worsen?"

Neither Dr. Xiangyang nor Chief Beya had considered this question.

Isn't it because the curse is weakened as it is passed down from generation to generation, and has lost its ability to continue to worsen?

wrong!

Dr. Xiangyang vaguely recalled that Guan Luoyang had mentioned that the curse within their race was slowly growing, becoming more complex and sophisticated than when the curse was first cast.

The fact that the curse is growing, yet the damage suffered by the Beya people has not worsened, is indeed a problem.

"It seems you've figured something out."

Duke Attila glanced back at Dr. Xiangyang, "The answer is actually quite simple, because it wasn't just the army on the front lines and you Beya people who bore this curse."

"These curses, though seemingly existing within different creatures, are deeply connected and can be seen as a whole. What exists within you are merely small tendrils emanating from this curse, while the true 'heart' is contained and suppressed by the Source of Karen."

"Because with the change of thrones and the advancement of technology, the Source of Karen is also constantly growing stronger, and its rate of growth surpasses that of the curse. So one day, the Source of Karen will be able to obliterate the core of that curse."

"But the problem is, if things continue as they are, neither I nor the princess may see the curse eradicated during our terms. In other words, we cannot truly utilize all the power of the Source of Karen to do certain things."

Ta-da!

Chief Beya retreated several steps in a panic, and Dr. Xiangyang's face also turned pale.

As the truth was revealed, the palace guards around them seemed to be watching them with a sinister gaze.

Those handsome faces, those armors as radiant as the rising sun, seemed to be shrouded in a deep shadow when they glanced at him from the side. They remained tall and strong, but also harsh and dark.

"You all had a feeling about this, didn't you?"

Duke Attila chuckled softly, "Actually, solving this problem isn't difficult."

"If I sacrifice you Beya people when I inherit the throne and hold the ceremony to connect with the source of Kalen, I can absorb the core of the curse from the source of Kalen."

"Furthermore, I can take advantage of the disturbance at the core of the curse to completely transform the entire Source of Karen into my own power!"

What Duke Attila said next caused the palace guards to show expressions of surprise.

"So I spread rumors about the Beya Treasure, and while the situation was slightly chaotic, I used a secret identity to contact the Black Flag Alliance and asked them to capture the Beya people for me."

"When the entire Beya people disappear, no one will know their whereabouts. Even the Black Flag Alliance will not know my true purpose."

"The kings of Karen throughout history, despite having the technical ability to live immortal lives, have all been unable to live long because they borrowed the power of the Karen Source. This fate will be broken in my hands."

"At that time, the Kingdom of Karen will welcome an eternal king!"

Duke Attila's words remained calm, except for the last sentence, which was slightly emphasized.

Dr. Xiangyang and Chief Beya were bombarded with these successive messages and were somewhat at a loss. They were so angry that their minds went blank and their expressions became dazed.

Instead, all the palace guards around them quickly reached for their weapons. At their waists were staffs that combined witchcraft and technological power, and also had the authority to mobilize a portion of the planet's defense system.

Duke Attila has even openly admitted to colluding with space pirates, indicating he's prepared to fight to the death. How could they not be on guard?!

However, Duke Attila did not rush to make a move.

"Unfortunately, my original plan was ruined, and before I could figure out how to fix it, I received my sister's invitation."

Duke Attila looked up. "I couldn't figure out her intentions at first, but after sensing your presence, I understand."

"Her schemes are probably similar to mine, and because of your presence, she can now bring me here to confront you without any scruples."

"Haha, my dear disciple, your younger brother seems to be the kind of person who, though often overthinking, dares to show his decisive side once he senses danger."

A figure of a black-haired man in a white robe appeared in the air, holding a short wooden staff inlaid with blue beads in his hand.

The eldest princess of the Kingdom of Karen also appeared beside him.

"Let me introduce myself. I am a magician, and you can call me Hydra."

The man said, "For now... I'll temporarily serve as the logistics minister of the first core."

According to the interstellar calendar, it has been less than 24 hours since Queen Karen passed away.

(End of this chapter)