After receiving Vastness's guidance aboard the warship, La gradually came to understand the basic knowledge surrounding Karl and his companions.
Vastness introduced Karl's power, the identities of everyone aboard the warship, and the relationships between them. It even explained which individuals held the highest positions in Karl's heart, allowing La to avoid making mistakes in future interactions.
The information package also included battle footage.
Among those recordings was the confrontation between Karl, Ganata, and the three Celestials.
As La watched galaxies tremble and entire star systems collapse during the battle, she sat frozen in shock.
Her mouth remained slightly open for several minutes.
Only now did she truly understand what kind of existence her new master was.
The ruler of a single planet?
Compared to Karl, that status was insignificant.
Vastness also taught her the responsibilities expected of a servant and granted her limited permissions aboard the warship.
She could freely access the living quarters, dining areas, recreational sections, and guest facilities.
However, places such as the command center, research laboratories, weapons systems, and core control chambers remained restricted.
Those areas represented the warship's most important secrets.
Meanwhile, the two Skyblade VII warships continued traversing the universe under Vastness's concealment.
At the same time, Vastness never stopped searching for additional fragments of the Phoenix Force.
During this period, Karl also uncovered the reason behind the anomaly within La's soul.
The source was the Phoenix Force fragment.
As the cosmic embodiment of life and psychic energy, the Phoenix Force naturally influenced the essence of its host.
The fragment had subtly altered La's soul over the years, granting it unusual regenerative characteristics and creating the phenomenon Karl had previously detected.
...
One morning, La arrived outside Karl's room dressed in servant attire.
Inside, Karl was resting alongside the Black Phoenix and May.
Although he appeared asleep, his senses remained active at all times.
The moment the door opened, Karl, the Black Phoenix, and May simultaneously opened their eyes.
Even May, whose strength had long surpassed ordinary beings, could easily detect someone's approach.
La quietly entered carrying breakfast and fresh milk.
She carefully placed everything on a nearby table before respectfully standing to one side.
She did not realize that everyone in the room was already awake.
The Black Phoenix and May exchanged glances before looking toward Karl.
Karl merely smiled.
A moment later, he rose from the bed alongside the two women.
La immediately lowered her head.
Without hesitation, she knelt respectfully.
Karl did not tell her to stand.
Therefore, she remained kneeling.
Meanwhile, Karl, the Black Phoenix, and May sat down to enjoy breakfast.
After a short silence, Karl finally spoke.
"Stand up."
La immediately obeyed.
Karl raised his hand.
A flash of golden light appeared.
The next moment, an elegant phoenix-themed robe materialized around her.
Golden embroidery covered the garment, giving it an appearance reminiscent of ancient royal attire.
The design emphasized grace and nobility while retaining the distinctive symbolism of the phoenix.
"From now on, wear this."
"You'll remain nearby and assist when needed."
Karl's tone remained calm.
"Yes, Master."
La lowered her head respectfully.
She showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever.
Instead, she calmly accepted the arrangement.
Karl nodded before returning his attention to breakfast.
Nearby, May and the Black Phoenix understood the situation immediately.
They were intelligent enough to recognize what Karl's decision implied.
However, neither chose to comment.
Instead, they quietly continued eating.
...
In the following days, Vastness finally located another Phoenix Force fragment.
Immediately, the warship altered its course and began traveling toward the newly discovered star system.
During the journey, La remained aboard Karl's section of the vessel.
She gradually adapted to life among beings whose power far surpassed anything she had ever imagined.
At the same time, she was constantly exposed to conversations, experiences, and knowledge from civilizations spread across the universe.
Every day broadened her horizons.
The former ruler of Kala increasingly realized how small her world had been.
...
Eventually, Vastness's voice echoed throughout the room.
[Sir.]
[A Phoenix Force fragment has been detected.]
[Location confirmed: Planet Keli within the star system ahead.]
Karl opened his eyes.
"Seal the star system first."
"Then retrieve all available information regarding the fragment holder and the local civilization."
"Understood, Sir."
Vastness immediately complied.
Soon afterward, detailed information appeared.
Planet Keli possessed a civilization significantly more advanced than Kala's.
It had already entered the pre-nuclear age.
Its governments, industries, and military capabilities had reached a respectable level.
As for the Phoenix Force fragment's host—
Karl paused briefly after reading the report.
The fragment bearer was a woman.
Unlike La, she was not royalty.
Nor was she a political leader.
Instead, she controlled one of the planet's largest criminal organizations.
Simply put—
She was an underworld boss.
Karl stared at the information for several seconds.
Then he shook his head.
Even after collecting multiple fragments, the Phoenix Force's hosts continued appearing in increasingly unexpected places.
He honestly did not know what to say.
A moment later, he stood up.
The mission itself was simple.
There was no need for lengthy negotiations.
This time, Karl intended to proceed directly.
The next moment, he disappeared from the room.
The Black Phoenix and Ganata followed immediately.
Tony and several others also decided to accompany them to observe the situation.
Soon, everyone had departed from the warship.
Only La remained behind, quietly contemplating everything she had witnessed since leaving Kala.
Meanwhile, Karl's group arrived at their destination.
The instant they appeared before the fragment bearer, Karl activated his abilities.
Time froze.
Without hesitation, he began extracting the Phoenix Force fragment from her body.
...
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