As Karl's various powers entered La's body, pain immediately appeared on her face.
The process of separating a Phoenix Force fragment from its host was far from pleasant.
Yet despite the agony, she merely clenched her teeth and endured it silently.
Not a single cry escaped her lips.
Ten minutes later, Karl finally located the fragment.
It was hidden deep within her soul.
Using the Mind Stone, the Self Stone, his own psychic power, and several auxiliary abilities, Karl carefully wrapped around the fragment and slowly began extracting it.
The process took another ten minutes.
By the time it was finished, La's royal robes were completely soaked with sweat.
The fabric clung tightly to her body, outlining her mature and voluptuous figure.
Many of the soldiers below subconsciously swallowed hard.
Yet no one dared raise their heads for long.
Karl paid no attention to any of that.
His focus remained entirely on the fragment floating before him.
The instant it emerged from La's body, the fragment reacted.
Like a lost child returning home, it transformed into a streak of fiery crimson light and flew directly toward the Black Phoenix.
Upon contact, it merged into her body.
Boom!
Scarlet flames erupted around the Black Phoenix.
She slowly closed her eyes.
Vast Phoenix energy enveloped her entire body.
The Phoenix Force within her immediately began resonating with the newly acquired fragment.
Her aura steadily rose.
The surrounding space started trembling.
Reality itself seemed slightly distorted by the presence of the cosmic force.
Seeing this, Karl immediately intervened.
He used his power to suppress the expanding energy fluctuations and confined them within a limited area.
Otherwise, the entire planet might have suffered catastrophic consequences.
As he observed the Black Phoenix, Karl could clearly sense her increasing strength.
Unfortunately, the fragment was still insufficient.
Although it was larger than the fragment he had previously obtained through the System's sign-in reward, it still could not push her into true single-universe territory.
Nevertheless, the increase was substantial.
A few moments later, the Black Phoenix opened her eyes.
A trace of pleasant surprise appeared within them.
Karl simply smiled.
Then he raised a hand.
Green energy flowed from his palm into La's body.
The Life Gem's restorative power rapidly replenished the soul energy and psychic strength she had lost during the extraction process.
At the same time, minor physical ailments accumulated over years of stress and exhaustion were repaired.
Even her soaked clothing was instantly dried by Karl's energy manipulation.
Only after confirming that she had fully recovered did Karl prepare to leave with Ganata and the Black Phoenix.
"My lord."
La suddenly spoke.
Karl paused.
"If you have time, may I invite you to stay in my palace for a few days?"
"I have no ulterior motives."
"I merely wish to show you the customs and culture of Kala."
"Of course, if it inconveniences you, please forgive my presumption."
After noticing the slight confusion on Karl's face, she hurriedly explained.
At the same time, she formally introduced herself.
"My name is La."
Karl looked at her calmly.
After a brief moment of thought, he nodded.
At the moment, returning to the warship would accomplish little.
Vastness had yet to discover another Phoenix Force fragment.
There was no immediate urgency.
Furthermore, May, Raven, Pietro, Peter, and the others were still exploring the planet and likely would not return anytime soon.
Staying for a few days would not hurt.
More importantly—
Karl was curious.
He wanted to know what this woman was planning.
After losing the extraordinary power that had enabled her rise to the throne, she had not shown anger.
She had shown no resentment.
No hatred.
No dissatisfaction.
Instead, she had calmly invited them to stay.
Such composure was unusual.
This woman was clearly far more intelligent than she appeared.
...
Over the following hours, La personally guided Karl and the others through the palace.
She arranged luxurious accommodations for them and ensured that every need was met.
That evening, Karl, Ganata, and the Black Phoenix sat together in a lavish reception room drinking tea.
All three wore faint smiles.
Meanwhile, La had already begun gathering information about them through her subordinates.
Unfortunately for her—
She had no idea whom she was dealing with.
With their current power levels, even if someone spoke on the opposite side of the planet, Karl and the others could hear every word with perfect clarity.
To them, distance was meaningless.
Therefore, Karl quietly listened while enjoying his tea.
He was interested in discovering what this remarkably composed ruler intended to do.
After all, she had displayed extraordinary self-control.
She had neither groveled nor acted arrogantly when facing him.
She had shown neither fear nor panic.
Even after losing the source of her power, her expression had barely changed.
Such a person was certainly not simple.
...
"When did they appear?"
La asked.
"They seem to have arrived recently in the northernmost city."
According to the reports, it isn't just three people.
"It's an entire group."
The subordinate respectfully answered.
La nodded.
"Very well."
"You may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The servant bowed and departed.
Soon afterward, silence returned to the throne room.
La leaned back and sighed softly.
Originally, she had hoped to investigate Karl's origins personally.
Now she no longer possessed that capability.
After losing the Phoenix fragment, many of the extraordinary advantages she had relied upon had disappeared.
Previously, she could sense malicious intentions.
She could detect potential rebels.
She could uncover conspiracies before they formed.
Anyone who threatened her rule could be quietly eliminated.
That was how she had maintained control.
Now all of that was gone.
The loss of power left her feeling exposed.
For the first time in years, genuine fear had begun creeping into her heart.
She understood her own situation very clearly.
She was not a warrior.
She was not physically powerful.
Compared to the naturally massive natives of Kala, her physique was unimpressive.
Many factions had opposed her rise from the beginning.
The only reason they had remained obedient was because of the mysterious power she possessed.
Now that power was gone.
Even though she still controlled the ministers and generals closest to her, she could not control everyone.
The farther regions of the planet had always been difficult to govern.
Some cities had only obeyed because they feared her supernatural abilities.
Without those abilities, rebellion was inevitable.
That was one of the reasons she had invited Karl and the others to stay.
She needed time.
Time to stabilize her rule.
Time to determine her future.
At that moment, anxiety completely filled her heart.
Yet she had never allowed any of it to show.
Because she knew exactly what would happen if she lost.
For a female ruler, failure often carried consequences far worse than death.
...
Meanwhile, Karl quietly observed everything.
He found the situation increasingly interesting.
Over the next several days, La personally accompanied Karl and the others throughout the capital.
She introduced them to local customs.
She guided them through markets, temples, festivals, and historic districts.
She even arranged for them to sample traditional Kala cuisine.
Most of the dishes possessed flavors that were...
Difficult to describe.
Even Ganata looked conflicted after tasting some of them.
Nevertheless, the experience was enjoyable.
The citizens and soldiers were equally shocked.
No one could remember the last time their ruler had personally accompanied guests around the city.
...
On the third day, Karl was suddenly approached by one of La's maids.
"Your Majesty requests your presence."
Karl raised an eyebrow.
His curiosity immediately increased.
Without asking further questions, he followed the maid.
However, their destination was not the throne room.
Nor was it the main hall.
Instead, they headed deeper into the palace.
Toward the private residential quarters.
If Karl remembered correctly—
This area contained La's personal chambers.
Eventually, they arrived outside a lavish room.
The maid opened the door.
After Karl entered, she silently closed it behind him before departing.
Karl slowly walked forward.
Soon, he saw La.
She was reclining gracefully upon an exquisite golden couch.
A flowing pink robe draped over her body.
Her dark hair had been gathered into a simple bun secured by a single pearl hairpin.
As she raised her hand to brush aside a strand of loose hair, the pearl trembled gently.
A palace lantern nearby cast a warm glow across the room.
The light reflected from both the lantern and the pearl ornament, enhancing her already remarkable beauty.
For a brief moment, the entire scene appeared elegant, graceful, and utterly captivating.
...
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