Chapter 1342: The Mystery of the Feast (Part 9)

"Your Highness the Prince, I feel sorry for the encounter of your country, but to be honest, no matter how you participate in this matter, even if it is just helping Yondu hunt down the raccoon, it may bring you trouble that you cannot handle."

Schiller looked at Alan with an apologetic expression. He was sure that Alan would not pester him, and would not even further request the Sanctum Sanctorum to help him solve this matter.

Don't look at Alan's current urgent performance, as if he couldn't help but maintain the safety of his country, but in fact, the Doder Federation he mentioned is a multi-tribal alliance. He is just a prince of one of the tribes, and may not even be the kind of important prince who can inherit the throne.

He will show an attitude of "everyone is drunk and I am awake", and must help the Federation solve this trouble. It is nothing more than fighting for some political chips for himself. But if the price to pay for this process is greater than his imagination, then there is naturally no need to proceed.

Sure enough, Alan just showed a regretful expression, completely different from the anxiety before, as if he was just sighing that he had missed an opportunity to perform in front of his father.

Just then, the waiter walked out of the music hall and led the guests to take their seats in order. Alan smiled at Schiller and said: "Thank you very much, sir, thank you for your kind reminder. It seems that we can only endure it. However, I will still visit Earth another day. I still want to experience the service of the Sanctum Sanctorum."

"Of course, the Sanctum Sanctorum welcomes your arrival at any time."

After hearing Schiller's polite reply, Alan turned around and didn't pester him again. But after he turned around, Schiller's serious expression disappeared quickly, but became a smile that was not a smile. His eyes fell on the hair tied behind Alan's head.

This young prince has a thick black hair, most of which are braided and erected behind his head, managed meticulously, but Schiller saw a hair that didn't belong to him on the side of the collar exposed when he walked.

Schiller followed the crowd into the music hall. This is not quite the same as the human music hall. The whole is circular, divided into upper, middle, and lower layers. The center of the ceiling is the band playing, and the side is all seats.

Actually, this is not very conducive to sound collection, but Asgard is a magic civilization after all. They have special methods to perfectly transmit the sound of various music to the audience.

After Schiller walked into the music hall, he scanned the room, stayed on a few people's bodies respectively, and then saw that eye-catching red cloak without accident. Strange also felt someone approaching him, turned his head to look back, and Schiller had already sat beside him.

Asgardian music is not quite the same as human music. Drinking is allowed here. During the interlude, guests can also talk in a low voice. It is more like a social activity than an art appreciation meeting.

After Schiller sat down, he tapped the wine glass beside Strange with his fingertips and said with a smile: "Quit drinking, huh?"

Strange picked up the thin champagne glass, shook the wine in it, and then said: "Quitting drinking also needs to be gradual. I strive to do it without drinking before doing important things. You know, that kind of slightly drunk feeling will affect my use of magic, but it's nothing when resting."

Schiller also took a glass of wine from the waiter's hand, shook his head and said: "Yeah, and then you will find that all time is rest time."

The two reached out and touched the glass. Strange smiled and said: "Seriously, when will you go to Kamar-Taj again to see the progress of our application of magic energy?"

"I'm just an ordinary person, I don't know magic, so don't recite those god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god-god

Alan stared at Shiler with shining eyes. Shiler revealed a smile, patted Alan on the shoulder, and said, "Let's go over there and talk."

The two arrived at a place further away from the crowd and stood in front of a window on the fourth floor of the palace. Shiler looked into Alan's eyes and asked, "You said Yondu and his Ravager team are staying in your galaxy and won't leave. Do you know why he would do that?"

"If we knew, we wouldn't be so troubled." Alan could be described as having a worried look. He pursed his lips and said, "Our galaxy really doesn't have anything worth their attention."

"Then does your galaxy have any other special features? Anything special besides resources or important treasures?"

Alan pondered for a moment and said, "The Centauri system has always been a relatively chaotic place. All the interstellar civilizations there exist in the form of tribes. I'm afraid there are thousands of tribes in the entire galaxy."

"Many of them are just like humans, civilizations that haven't stepped out of their mother planet... Oh, don't be surprised, I've heard of humans too. You are quite famous, especially after the Sanctum's business expanded to the Centauri system. We were all quite surprised."

Alan shrugged, smiled, and said, "Everyone knows the Sanctum is the universe's 'Jack-of-all-trades.' If there's anything strange, finding them is always the right move."

"But I digress. Our galaxy's civilization isn't considered advanced, and we don't have many resources. If I had to name a defining feature, it would be one word: 'Chaos'."

"Due to certain historical origins, there are many strange civilizations and forces here. Some are simply wild and imaginative—you probably can't even imagine them. For example, there is a planet where the plants living on it have intelligence; they can even extend tentacles to travel through space."

"Of course, there are also some unknown dark areas." Alan lowered his voice and said, "This is actually an open secret. Everyone knows it, but the current situation in the Centauri system is actually caused by the three great empires."

Alan looked left and right, as if afraid of being overheard. He rolled his eyes and said, "There are many planets and sectors here that were once testing grounds for the three great empires."

"Because there are many races and a mixed population here, it can be called a 'three-no-zone' (a lawless zone). If something happens, no one cares, and there are plenty of experimental subjects with diverse varieties. So, it makes sense that the three great empires would choose to conduct certain experiments here."

"Of course, there is no shortage of demon gods here, but there are no very famous great demon gods. There are also some strange energy beings that claim to be demon gods, but they don't have their own dimensions; they just huddle in the corners of the universe."

Shiler nodded and said, "Then about when did Yondu go to your place?"

"Two months ago, I suppose." Alan crossed his arms and showed a look of recollection. He rolled his eyes upward and said while thinking, "About two months ago, we discovered a starship that was clearly much more technologically advanced than ours, docked at the starport of the Doder Federation."

"Of course, we aren't advanced enough to have many spaceships coming and going. This starport is only used for docking small ships. At first, we thought that big ship was a transport tool for other advanced civilizations coming to trade, so we didn't pay much attention."

"But one day, someone said they saw the infamous space pirate Yondu at a nightclub on the surface of a planet in the Doder Federation. That was when we realized it was actually a ship of the Ravagers."

"Since Yondu has already gone to the surface of a planet, can't you send people to follow him and see what he's up to?" Shiler asked.

"We certainly did that, but I don't know what's wrong with that Yondu. Usually, these Ravagers come and go quickly; they grab a score and run, never staying. But this time, Yondu doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all. He's been wandering around the various planets of the Doder Federation as if he's on vacation."

Shiler touched his chin and then said, "If the Ravagers are indeed space pirates as you say, then they must be profit-driven and wouldn't waste time on useless things."

"That's what I think too!" Alan stomped his foot and said, "But my father thinks that since Yondu hasn't caused any trouble, there's no need to worry about him. But I know that if we really wait for them to cause some trouble, it will be too late!"

Shiler nodded and said, "I think your view is correct. When things are abnormal, there must be a demon. You said your galaxy doesn't have any treasures or resources worth looking for, so what about people? Could Yondu be looking for someone?"

"Looking for someone?" Alan repeated the word, then paused for a moment, narrowed his eyes, and said with some surprise, "What kind of person would he come here to look for?"

"As you said, the Centauri system is a mix of fish and dragons. Perhaps one of his mission targets is hiding here, which is why he keeps wandering around your federation's territory. It looks like he's on vacation, but he's actually looking for someone."

Alan suddenly realized. He paused, cast his eyes to the side, and said, "That's true. I've heard that these space pirates also take kidnapping and assassination jobs. If their mission target really ran to our galaxy, Yondu might indeed stay here for a while."

But then Alan felt helpless. He spread his hands and said, "But who knows who he's looking for? If he can't find them, will he just keep waiting there? How are we supposed to live?"

"Don't worry yet." Shiler comforted him. He said, "Although we happened to meet here, I'm not alone. Don't forget, the Sanctum is known as the universe's 'Jack-of-all-trades.' Even in the chaotic Centauri system, we can sort out a clue... I'll go back and make a call to ask now."

"Thank you so much." Alan shook hands with Shiler sincerely and said, "Don't worry, I understand the rules. The Federation has also saved up quite a bit of energy. After the God King's wedding ends, I will go to the Sanctum and get the membership card."

Shiler gave him an "OK" gesture, then took out his phone, walked to the other side of the corridor, and dialed the Sanctum's number.

"Hello, it's me, Shiler. I want to ask about the recent movements in the Centauri system. I should have the right to do that, right?... Yes, that's right, just whether there are any strange people or special incidents."

"Yes, I already know the Ravagers' fleet has arrived there. I am investigating why they went there... Is that so? Are you sure?"

"... Okay, I understand. Thank you."

Shiler walked back to Alan, looked into his eyes, and said in a serious tone, "I advise you not to get involved in this matter."

Alan was stunned with surprise. He didn't understand why Shiler was suddenly so serious. Shiler pursed his lips, looked into Alan's eyes, and said, "Yondu is hunting an animal, and that animal is carrying important data."

"Hunting an animal? What animal?"

"A raccoon."

"A raccoon?" Alan repeated Shiler's answer in surprise, but he actually didn't know what a raccoon was.

Alan was a bit indignant and opened his mouth to say something else, but Shiler interrupted him, speaking before him, "The data on that raccoon might involve the secret struggle between the three great empires."

Alan immediately closed his mouth in terror, but he was still worried about the safety of his race, so he said in a trembling tone, "It won't implicate us, will it?"

Shiler turned his head to look out the palace window and said, "You shouldn't ask me; you should go ask that raccoon."

Shiler withdrew his gaze from the palace window, and his eyes fell back on the corpse of the Shi'ar Queen on the ground.

His focus fell on the Queen's face. At this moment, there were three sharp claw marks on that beautiful face, the wounds were a bloody mess, extremely horrifying.