Chapter 1101: The Mark of the Defeated
Chapter 1101: The Mark of the Defeated
According to Manina's understanding, Yunzhong Mudi was a formidable adversary, reaching the pinnacle of the Seventh Rank and serving as a key member of the Blue Star's core decision-making layer. If one were to rank the importance of every human on Blue Star, he would undoubtedly be in the top twenty.
So, why would such a powerful figure choose to commit suicide? And when Yunzhong Mudi said the words "future meeting," he seemed to be in a state of profound relief. What could this mean?
"Chiluan, help me analyze Yunzhong Mudi's suicide. Try to understand his mindset," Manina instructed the AI.
"Understood," Chiluan responded and began its calculations.
A few seconds later, Chiluan's voice rang out again: "Your Majesty, based on my analysis, Yunzhong Mudi's suicide was very likely due to the 'Defeat Tendency.'"
Manina's eyes narrowed. "The 'Defeat Tendency'? The same one that gave me a headache a few days ago?"
"Exactly."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely, with a probability over 90%." Chiluan's voice was cold and detached. "I can see the internal conflict in Yunzhong Mudi's mind, which matches the behavior pattern of those with the 'Defeat Tendency.'"
"Moreover, they had the promise of resurrection from the planetary-level powerhouse, Emperor Xin. If they won the war, they could come back to life. Yunzhong Mudi, along with a group of his fellow sufferers from the 'Defeat Tendency,' chose to seek liberation through sacrifice."
"However, this is all speculation. Your Majesty, I request permission to send out probes to search the ruins of the first line of defense. We might find some residual data there to confirm this."
"Alright, once the chaotic spiritual energy there is handled, send the probes," Manina agreed.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully and muttered, "If it's true as you say, this could get interesting!"
The idea that Blue Star humans could also develop the 'Defeat Tendency' was something Manina hadn't considered.
So, where did the 'Defeat Tendency' on Blue Star come from? Both sides in the conflict had this debuff, which didn't seem like a coincidence. And the high probability that their own side's 'Defeat Tendency' wasn't a trick by the Blue Star humans, because they certainly wouldn't harm their own.
So, what was this thing?
Could it be...
Manina paused, then looked up at the sky, specifically the southwestern direction. In that area of the low orbit, the Holy Silver Federation's forces were stationed.
He muttered to himself, "If the 'Defeat Tendency' comes from the Dark Energy Rebellion, then everything makes sense. They must be the ones behind it."
With this thought, he instructed Chiluan again, "Chiluan, contact the Holy Silver Fleet and inquire about the 'Defeat Tendency.' Notify me immediately if they respond!"
"Understood!"
...
Chiluan sent a beam of electromagnetic signals to the Holy Silver fleet, storing the information they wanted to ask within the signal.
In the past, they had never sent signals to the Holy Silver Fleet; this was the first time.
They didn't know if the Holy Silver Fleet would respond, so they could only try and see.
However, their concerns were unfounded.
After about three minutes, Chiluan received a reply.
It immediately reported back to Manina, "Your Majesty, the Holy Silver Federation has responded. They confirmed that the 'Defeat Tendency' is indeed a method used by the Dark Energy Rebellion. The full term for this method is—'Mark of the Defeated.'"
"The 'Mark of the Defeated'?" Manina was taken aback.
Although he didn't fully understand it, it sounded powerful.
"Correct," the AI Sye Blue responded. "The 'Mark of Defeat' is a mental attack used by the Dark Energy Insurgents.
According to the response from the Holy Silver Fleet, the war between Lord Dixin and the Dark Energy Insurgents began the moment he arrived on Blue Star.
Over the following months, both sides engaged in numerous probing attacks, including several small-scale skirmishes.
However, all these battles took place in deep space, so they didn't affect the battlefield on Blue Star, which is why we were unaware of them."
"Hmm... continue," Manina said, frowning.
Sye Blue continued, "About 40 Blue Star days ago, the Dark Energy Insurgents used a special attack called the 'Mark of Defeat.'
The 'Mark of Defeat' is a mental assault. Once it contacts a target, it invades the target's brain and implants itself in their consciousness, forming a subconscious influence.
For example, if our high-tier experts are invaded by the 'Mark of Defeat,' they will start to think that their side is bound to lose, leading to feelings of despair, panic, hopelessness, and a complete collapse of confidence. In severe cases, it can even cause total mental breakdown!
The 'Mark of Defeat' was primarily used by the Dark Energy Insurgents against the Holy Silver Fleet. Many of the fleet's god-tier experts have had their mental awareness invaded, resulting in a severe 'defeatist tendency.'
However, a small portion of the 'Mark of Defeat' missed the Holy Silver Fleet and was carried by the psychic energy surge into the main battlefield on Blue Star. This resulted in the infection of both Blue Star humans and us, the Skrulls, causing a significant number of 'defeatist tendency' cases on both sides.
That's the general situation."
"Oh... I see!" Manina exclaimed, realization dawning on him.
Now everything made sense.
It was a case of collateral damage from a conflict between higher powers.
He sighed, "I wondered why the 'defeatist tendency' appeared so suddenly. It turns out it was the Dark Energy Insurgents!"
Manina's voice was loud, and the surrounding Skrull high-tier experts immediately heard him.
Upon hearing this, the Skrull high-tiers were shocked. They looked at Manina with surprise.
So the recent 'defeatist tendency' was due to this! It was the Dark Energy Insurgents' doing!
However, after the initial shock, fear quickly set in.
To say they weren't terrified of the powerful enemy, the Dark Energy Insurgents, would be a lie.
All they could do was hope that the Holy Silver Fleet would defeat this terrifying foe.
Manina quickly realized he had lost his composure.
This information couldn't be spread now. The term "Dark Energy Insurgents" would definitely cause widespread panic if it got out.
So he instructed the surrounding high-tiers, "Everyone, keep what I just said confidential. Not a word of it can get out, understood?"
"Understood, Your Majesty," the high-tiers responded.
Manina nodded and continued to question the AI Sye Blue, "Sye Blue, has the Holy Silver Fleet mentioned how to remove the 'Mark of Defeat' once someone is infected?"
"No, they haven't," Sye Blue replied. "According to them, about a third of the Holy Silver Fleet's soldiers have been corrupted by the 'Mark of Defeat,' and they have no solution.
Only a few god-tier experts with extremely strong mental power or exceptionally firm willpower can break free on their own. For those below the god-tier, there is virtually no way to counter it."
"Nothing can be done for those below the god-tier?!" Manina exclaimed, his frown deepening.
(End of Chapter)
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