Chapter 543

Leon scanned the situation in the preservation hall and, upon seeing six or seven “preservation vessels” with their upper skulls open just like middle-aged adults, couldn’t help but hiss. He felt a tingling sensation at the back of his scalp.

This is… really twisted…

Shaking his head speechlessly, Leon hesitated slightly for a moment before deciding not to interfere with these sub-theatrics of the Artefact sub-bodies. Instead, he activated the [Secret Tail] and sat down at a position towards the back.

“Fean, what are you saying?!”

Before the royal family members below the stage could respond, the queen standing beside the middle-aged man interrupted with a shocked expression: “Didn’t we already agree that such a crazy thing was absolutely unacceptable? How could you…”

“I… I’m sorry…”

It seemed that having his brain removed had affected this body’s ability to display “emotions.” Facing his wife’s angry questioning, King Fean first sighed mechanically, then read out emotionlessly: “The current situation of the kingdom is clear to you. Whether it’s non-renewable energy resources represented by lightning mines or consumable materials represented by floating crystals, they have all been insufficient in recent years. Nearly 20% of factories have shut down, and over sixty thousand people have lost their jobs.

Our contract with the Vandascon Kingdom expires in half a year, and they’re preparing to raise energy prices. From last year, more than twenty mining areas including Cheshire and Black Mountain County have been constantly causing trouble, wanting to shed their mining identities. The current situation of the kingdom is very bleak.

At this time, if there were a stronger ‘Artefact’ that could incorporate the entire kingdom into management and unify the allocation, these losses could be reduced by at least 15%, and up to 35%. The difficulties faced by the kingdom could be greatly alleviated. So…”

“This isn’t about how much reduction!”

Interrupting the middle-aged man’s explanation, the queen angrily shouted with an annoyed face: “Phelia is our daughter! She’s still a teenager! How can you, as a father, say such nonsense?”

“I am not only Phelia’s father, but also the king of the Crocodile Kingdom. And although Phelia is just a child, she is also the princess of the Crocodile Kingdom.”

Slightly lowering his exposed skull, King Fean lowered his tone, seemingly reading out emotionlessly with a sorrowful expression: “A person gets something from their identity and must bear the corresponding cost. I enjoy the power brought by the identity of the king, so I must shoulder the responsibility to maintain the kingdom. And Phelia, who enjoys the benefits brought by the identity of the princess, has the responsibility to bear the costs associated with this identity…”

“She’s still a child! What do you want her to bear?”

The queen angrily said:

“Fean! You make me feel sick! Do you even understand what you’re saying? If Andre knew…”

“If I don’t do this, neither Andre nor Phelia will live to see their 15th birthday!”

“What?!!!”

Upon hearing the words shouted by King Fean in excitement, not only did the queen freeze, but even Leon below the stage couldn’t help raising his eyebrows.

In the dead silence, the middle-aged man with an open skull sighed and then quietly said in a low tone:

“You know, due to the influence of our own bloodline, our bodies are generally weak, but our brains are naturally much more developed than ordinary people.

And the difference between Phelia and Andre’s brains compared to ours is even greater than the difference between our brains and ordinary people’s brains. This extraordinary talent might as well be called a curse rather than a gift from heaven.”

When he got to this point, King Fean paused slightly, then continued in a more oppressive tone:

“The brains of these two children are different from everyone else. Some parts that should complete growth during infancy and then stop developing continue to develop indefinitely, crazily occupying the space of other brain tissues.

Now they’re still young and haven’t shown too many abnormalities, but as their brains continue to develop, it will gradually affect their motor abilities, and even cause loss of vision, taste, and touch.

In the final few years, they will completely lose control of their bodies, lose all perception of the outside world, and can only lie motionless in bed, trapped in an empty cell by their genius brains running wild until they die.”

“This… this…”

After hearing the truth revealed by King Fean, the queen said with a shocked expression:

“So Andre has been falling frequently lately and always says that when he wakes up in the morning, his vision is blurry. Could it be…”

King Fean nodded.

“Andre’s brain is gradually becoming unable to bear the load. With Artefact’s current computing power, it cannot sort out his brain which is hundreds of times more complex than a normal person’s, but… but it can be done with Phelia.

So now the choice is either do nothing and watch the two children slowly… sigh… or sacrifice Phelia to give Andre the chance to grow up healthy.”

“Heavens…”

Upon learning the truth, the queen’s eyes immediately reddened, and she sobbed softly: “Why… why do we have to make such a cruel choice? Moreover… moreover, Andre and Phelia are so good. If he finds out later that he survived at the cost of sacrificing Phelia, the child… the child might…”

“He won’t find out.”

King Fean shook his head and read out emotionlessly: “Just as I initially said, it was my decision as a father, persuaded by Artefact, to sacrifice Phelia for the sake of saving the kingdom’s decline, and it has nothing to do with Andre… Everyone!”

At this point, King Fean made a gesture of removing his crown and then deeply bowed to the silent crowd below the stage.

“While I do this, please don’t stop me, and please keep it confidential forever. Never let Andre know what happened today.”

Without any reaction from numerous Artefact sub-bodies below,

An old man with white hair sighed after a long silence and slightly nodded.

“Fean… you’ve suffered.”

After the old man expressed his stance, four older royal family members nodded one after another.

“There’s no other way.”

“Ah… saving one child is better.”

“But Andre might hate you for life.”

“Perhaps we can say that we forced you to do it, and under pressure from us elders, you had no choice but to agree… Would that make it slightly better?”

“…”

Good job… this matter is entrusted to you…

Hearing this, Leon couldn’t help but stand up and looked at the old man.

No wonder Andre harbored so much resentment, eliminating all members of the royal family. If I’m not mistaken, the entire Crocodile Royal Family probably perished because of your single sentence.

At this moment, the queen who was crying ahead suddenly straightened her posture and smiled familiarly at Leon.

“Mr. Leon.”

With her hands folded on her abdomen and returning to her originally dignified and elegant sitting posture, Queen of Crocodile Kingdom… or Artefact 00, utilizing the queen’s “body,” smiled and asked:

“I wonder if this piece of history from the past satisfies you?”

(End of Chapter)