Keeping Karl is Useful

"Sacred Knowledge Vault connection successful, initiating Angel Leng's location."

"Location successful, selecting target star."

"Selection complete, initiating stellar energy charging." A familiar and cold voice echoed in Angel Leng's ear.

"Ten percent!"

"Thirty percent!"

"Seventy percent!"

"One hundred percent! Charging complete. Angel Leng, permission granted to execute Heavenly Blade Judgment."

In the blink of an eye, the pleasant voice transmitted into Angel Leng's mind, and the corners of its mouth curved into a smile that, to the Taotie, looked like a demon's.

"Scum, go meet your death god. Fire will cleanse your sins."

As the words fell, a light as dazzling as the sun transformed into a sky-piercing beam, directly striking the Taotie's small warship.

Seeing the light approach, the Taotie stopped their work, their eyes staring blankly out the window.

Meanwhile, the Taotie commander, who had been frozen in the command chair, slowly raised his face, flushed red by the light, and looked at Angel Leng in the distance, saying with a blank expression:

"Roast goose, you really are something, using Heavenly Blade Judgment on my small warship! I @%#...@￥#..."

However, as the last trace of energy from Heavenly Blade Judgment vanished, there was no longer any intact wreckage in front of Angel Leng.

Clearly, the small warship, lacking a light energy barrier, stood no chance against Heavenly Blade Judgment. This weapon was never intended for their class of targets; under the high-energy flames, their warships were more fragile than paper.

"Heavenly Blade Judgment complete, all enemies eliminated."

"Very good, Leng. You may return."

Hearing Kaisha's majestic voice, the angel's expression turned solemn. "Yes, Queen. However, I have some questions."

"Hmm? Tell me."

In the Angel Nebula, within the solemn and majestic Angelic Grand Hall, Kaisha sat on the angelic throne. Hearing Angel Leng's hesitant voice, she seemed to gain some interest and listened quietly to its questions.

"I don't understand your intention for us to keep a constant watch on those guys in the Styx Galaxy. Karl is nothing more than a stray dog who fled in disarray, with only insignificant space-faring civilizations like the Taotie and Giant Wolves under his command."

After saying this, Angel Leng hesitated for a moment before continuing:

"Moreover, they continuously spread the name of death throughout the universe. If I may be so bold, a dozen high-ranking angels could completely eradicate the Styx Galaxy. Why?"

"Why allow them to run amok in the Styx Galaxy, is that it?"

"Queen, forgive me, that's not what I meant." Angel Leng quickly tried to explain.

"It's alright. You're not the only one with this question over the years. There are some things you cannot yet comprehend, so it's difficult for me to explain them to you in detail. Just remember, Karl is never alone, and I need to observe his existence."

"You mean?"

"Alright, compose yourself. Come back. Yan and Azhui need to head to the Chiwu Star System; some interesting things have happened there. Other tasks will fall to you."

"Yes, Queen. For justice, I will not shirk my duty. I will depart immediately."

With a slight flutter of its wings, it transformed into a streak of light and swiftly vanished from its spot.

Seasons passed, leaves fell, and autumn arrived. In a barren galaxy on the other side of the universe, Yuan's village welcomed uninvited guests today.

Several armored soldiers, each carrying a heavy longsword, arrived at the village. Upon arrival, they ordered the village chief to gather everyone except the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled.

"By order of the City Lord, Wusong City will dispatch twelve thousand people to respond to the Kingdom's conscription. Your village has 40 slots to serve the King, for a period of one day."

"Ah, 40 people? Why 40 people? Wasn't it just over a dozen before?" Upon hearing this, everyone present became anxious.

"These are the City Lord's orders; I can't do anything about it."

The leading soldier, unable to bear watching the farmers cry, spoke. He had done this many times and knew the fate of these people.

But he was helpless and could only follow the orders. Otherwise, he would be the one needing pity.

"The one-day period is the City Lord's grace to you. Report to your village chief, and I will come to take you away tomorrow noon."

"But there's hardly anyone left in our village." Ignoring the sorrowful voices from below, the soldier continued to announce the order forcefully.

"Females are not permitted to participate. Males under fifteen years old and over sixty-five are exempt from conscription. Regardless, the numbers must be met, or you know the consequences."

He then looked at them with a grim expression and uttered a cold, heartless sentence: "Apologies, for every person short, one person dies. Heads also count towards the quota, make your choice."

After speaking, he and those behind him quickly left the village, unwilling to look at the scene behind them.

"Everyone go back, make some preparations. Eat, drink, and say your goodbyes to your families." The village chief, who was over sixty-five, looked at his granddaughter beside him and slightly bowed.

"But Village Chief, there's no one left in our village."

"Yes, at this age, even if all the men go, it won't be enough. We'll have to send the children, but they're only around ten years old."

"Wuwuwuwu~~~~"

Soon, the sounds of sorrowful crying rose and fell in the village square.

"Enough! We old folks aren't dead yet, what are you crying about, it's so annoying." Several impatient, white-haired old men responded.

"Grandpa Joel, you're already over sixty, we can't..."

The words were interrupted by the old man's outstretched hand. He and the old men behind him frowned, their expressions unfriendly.

Joel said slowly, "Alright, this isn't your place to speak. Don't we all count on those kids?"

With a casual wave, he brought the four or five people behind him to the village chief's side.

"Village Chief, count us in."

"Yeah, Village Chief. We're already over sixty, we've lived long enough. We can't really let the kids go out there."

"Sigh!" As the village chief, he didn't say much more, just let out a deep sigh. Then, he began to record the situation on the spot.

And soon, a new problem arose. Because their village was truly out of people, even if all the grandfathers over sixty went, they would still be two short.

At this moment, everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Coincidentally, the village chief, who was troubled, saw Yuan quietly watching from the edge of the crowd.

"Come here, child."

"Me?" Yuan pointed a finger at himself.

"That's right."

Yuan didn't think much of it. Hearing the village chief's answer, he slowly walked forward.

"Yuan, it's been quite a few years since Zorya brought you back, hasn't it?" The whole village knew that Zorya had found him, and of course, he knew it himself.

Because Zorya hadn't deliberately hidden it. After all, in these turbulent times, a child growing up healthy was already a luxury.

"Mm, over ten years."

"I'm sorry, the village's situation hasn't been good all these years. I couldn't provide you with a good environment, and today I have to ask you to take up this spot."

He said this, looking apologetically at Yuan.

"You're the only child of that age in the village. The others are still too young and don't meet the standard."

"But even with me, it's still not enough."

"Heh heh, asking you to come up already makes me too ashamed to face Zorya again. And I don't know how many times I've sent people up like this. I should go atone."

As he spoke, he casually waved his hand.

"If those old guys can go, what can't I? I'm just sorry to you. I don't ask for your forgiveness, but I beg you not to blame Zorya.

She didn't have any bad intentions when she brought you back. It's just that circumstances are stronger than people. We never expected the Kingdom to suddenly demand so many people, and all our plans were disrupted."

Yuan fell silent. There was nothing to say. Just like the current villagers had no choice, he also had no choice.

Let alone the fact that he had some feelings for this village where he had lived for over a decade, even if he wanted to run, what could he do about his elderly grandmother?

"I agree, but I hope my grandmother doesn't find out. Just say I went up the mountain to gather herbs and went missing. And in the future, the village can help take care of her."

Hearing Yuan's reply, the village chief nodded.

"I understand what you mean. Going missing while gathering herbs might leave a glimmer of hope, a reason to keep thinking. Don't worry, I'll arrange it. After all, it's not just her; we all have families. Alright, everyone disperse and go home."

After gesturing for the surrounding villagers to leave, the stooped figure, holding his granddaughter, slowly walked towards his home.