Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1493: Red Ear

“The Queen’s assistance?” Adam blinked, stunned. He doubted his own ears for a moment.

In Adam’s experience, Queen Elisa was the most enigmatic Phantom he had ever encountered. Although she shared his nature as both a human and a Phantom, he found it difficult to grasp that a being of her caliber truly existed.

She was the sole reason the Citadel, or at least its First Ring, had endured the World Wipe. Beyond that, Adam was convinced that Queen Elisa was a founding architect of the civilization that he and millions of others called home.

Beth gave a firm nod.

“The technique I am describing is applicable at any time, under any circumstances, and in any location. However, it would be sheer negligence to ignore Queen Elisa’s aid when the chance is right in front of you.”

Adam had actually received help from Queen Elisa once before during the forging of the Second Key. Had he followed the traditional path, linking every star to fashion the key's form would have occupied a millennium of his life.

While Adam had discovered a method to accelerate the task, the process only truly shifted when he fell under the sway of Queen Elisa’s aura.

In that state, time seemed to freeze. By battling manifestations of former rivals like the Plague Reaper, Adam managed to complete the Second Key with incredible speed.

Whether this was a unique power of Queen Elisa or simply a byproduct of the aura permeating the heart of Heaven Island remained a mystery to him. Regardless, he had spent years locked in combat with monsters until the Second Key was finally realized.

Now, Beth was advising a return to Queen Elisa to seek her favor once more.

“Hold on a second!” Alexia shouted. “You expect me to enter that bizarre trance again? I looked like a withered mummy when I finally walked off Heaven Island! I had to gorge myself like a pig for an entire month just to get my weight back!”

Adam’s gaze sharpened.

“So Alexia endured a similar ordeal? Douglas mentioned the side effects shouldn't normally be that extreme. But if Alexia had to link thousands of stars—and knowing her volatile nature—I can't blame her for taking the same path I did. Given the choice, I’d do it again.”

Beth shook her head dismissively.

“As I mentioned, the Queen’s help isn't a requirement; it never has been. It simply serves to bypass the struggle and save massive amounts of time. Look, both of you have grown significantly since our last meeting. I won't deny your progress. However...”

Her green eyes grew dark, and for a fleeting second, a terrifying aura flared around her like a shadow-flame.

“Do you truly comprehend the gulf between yourselves and Queen Elisa? If she abandoned her post as the Citadel’s shield to step onto a battlefield, she wouldn't even need to strike. Simply walking past you would allow her aura to shred your flesh and bone into a bloody pulp.”

Adam and Alexia looked at each other. They weren't intimidated by the description, knowing Queen Elisa was a protector of humanity and their ally. Without her presence, the First Ring would have crumbled during the World Wipe.

“Ahem,” Louis cleared his throat. “If I'm following this, Adam and Alexia need to identify where to obtain their specific conditions, and they already possess the tool to do so, correct?”

Beth nodded in agreement.

Louis went on. “To achieve this with maximum speed and efficiency, the Queen’s help is ideal. But if she weren't available, they could still manage on their own.”

Beth nodded again, tilting her head toward Louis.

“A man with a brain. That’s exactly what you two idiots are failing to grasp.”

“Pffft!” Adam snorted, crossing his arms defiantly. “I understood perfectly. I was just hoping things wouldn't be this complicated, but this works. How long would it take to find our conditions without her?”

Beth hesitated, her eyes shifting between Adam and Alexia.

“On your own? Anywhere from a few days to several weeks. But with the Queen’s intervention? You’ll have your answers in seconds.”

Tap.

Silvana placed a hand on Adam’s.

“Heaven Island is the right choice. We need to save time, and it would be a waste to turn down such an advantage.”

Beth gave a casual shrug.

“There’s nothing interesting there anyway. It’s just the Queen and some Gamma Division squads acting like they’re busy.”

“Ha!” Alexia let out a mocking laugh. “Maybe it’s boring for you. Exactly how many times have you been there? For that matter, how old are you really?”

She leaned in with a wide, provocative smirk, looming over Beth.

“I bet you’re old enough to be my great-grandmother!”

While Damien might have laughed at the jab, Beth was not so amused.

Cling.

Beth reached out and snatched Alexia by the ear, yanking her sideways like a mother disciplining a bratty child.

“Ow! Hey! Dammit! Let go!”

Alexia struggled to pull away, but Beth only tightened her grip, twisting the ear until it was bright red. Despite the searing pain, Alexia ground her teeth and stayed her hand; she wasn't foolish enough to actually start a fight with Beth.

Whoooooooosh.

A sudden, chilly breeze swept in from the balcony, blowing across the table.

Beth looked up as Adam’s family and Damien approached. Damien, Gary, and Leona were loaded down with grocery bags filled with supplies and alcohol. Trici followed behind, clutching various boxes of candy and soda cans.

Leona usually restricted Trici’s sugar intake, but she had stood no chance against the combined persuasion of Trici and Damien.

“Hey! We’ve returned!”

Damien waved, completely unfazed by the sight of Beth holding Alexia captive by the ear.

“I assume they’ve grasped the situation?”

Beth nodded.

“Yes. Everything is handled.”

She answered calmly, though she didn't let go of Alexia’s ear. She clearly intended for the younger woman to endure the sting a bit longer.

Damien grinned.

“Excellent!”