Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1651: Powerful Blood

Silvana felt deeply uncomfortable regarding the unfolding situation. The entire matter involving Gladius, Xyrea, and the blood of Queen Elisa left her unsettled, yet she found herself entirely powerless to influence the outcome.

The most pragmatic approach she could take was to gather as much information about the situation as possible.

She was reluctant to admit it, but deep down, she did not view Gladius as an enemy, regardless of his questionable actions.

'His methods are undoubtedly harsh and erratic, but he remains the only one who aided Adam in this crisis. We still have six years before us, but one must wonder how much longer Adam would have spent searching for the Blood of God? What if Queen Elisa’s blood is the only catalyst that could truly function for him?'

Snap.

Gladius flicked his fingers directly in front of Silvana, shattering her train of thought.

"Hey, have you returned to reality?"

Silvana offered a slight nod.

"Yes... I was simply contemplating. If your intent was truly to assist Adam, could this not have been handled differently?"

She narrowed her eyes in frustration.

"You could have provided an explanation, disclosed your plans to Adam, and outlined the inherent risks. If Adam had possessed a clear understanding that the Blood of God—a core condition for him—was the prize, I am certain he would have consented!"

Sip.

Xyrea took a measured sip of her drink, observing the exchange without intervening.

"I have no intention of offering excuses or detailing my actions to you, Silvana."

Gladius waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "My actions were dictated solely by my own desires. I am not here to conduct a formal briefing like an instructor to raw recruits. My sole goal was for Adam to experience the full potential of his newfound power. That, I have achieved."

"B-BUT!" Silvana stood up abruptly, her palm crashing onto the tabletop. "You refuse to even disclose his location! Where on earth have you sent him?! What if... what if he perishes..."

The smirk playing on Gladius’s lips grew more pronounced.

"What is this? You harbor doubts about him?"

"Agh?"

"Whether you admit it or not, you have already conceded that I am no foe to you or Adam. Therefore, you accept that I did not send him to his doom. I have placed him exactly where he belongs—the Dead Lands—so that he might master his abilities.

"So, if I am not attempting to end him, but you fear he might die, does it imply that you lack faith in his potential?"

Silvana’s lips quivered.

"You... you deceitful scoundrel! You have completely twisted my words! I never suggested such a thing! I am merely concerned for his safety, that is all!" She struck the table with her fist, causing the tea set to rattle.

Far from becoming agitated, Gladius simply reached out to calmly pick up a biscuit and take a bite.

"In that case, join us for tea and await his return. Should you make contact with him, you will find he has grown significantly stronger. That is, provided you believe in him and trust in his survival."

While the response failed to quell Silvana’s frustration, she realized Gladius was correct. All that remained for her was to wait and maintain hope.

Tap.

Silvana settled back into her chair, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.

"Fine, I shall wait. But tell me this much! Where exactly is he? What is the level of danger, and what are the actual odds of his survival?"

Crunch.

Gladius took another bite—an agonizingly slow one that caused a vein to pulse in Silvana’s temple.

"Too many inquiries. Far too many. Simply put, Adam always possesses a path to victory. Survival is a choice he must make, and that would be the optimal outcome for everyone involved. As for his destination... let us call it a unique, life-altering experience for him."

"I understand." Silvana nodded slowly, her gaze drifting to the tea and biscuits. "I cannot derail your manipulative schemes, but you are guests in my home! I expect you to pay for everything you have consumed!"

Gladius’s face brightened with an unexpectedly cheerful grin.

"By all means!"

In a split second, he appeared to her right, holding a smartphone showing the interface of a popular online retailer.

"We can handle those purchases immediately—on my account, of course!"

Silvana was momentarily stunned. She struggled to comprehend how he could pivot so effortlessly from such grave discussions to trivial shopping.

The final blow came when Xyrea interjected.

"When Adam returns, he will be utterly spent. You must prepare a list of necessities, Miss Operator."

Silvana massaged her pounding temples.

'This is some sort of waking nightmare... Adam, I pray you are well. Gladius may act the fool, but he is far more dangerous than he cares to admit.'

...

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Nearly an hour had elapsed since Adam regained consciousness. Yet, instead of investigating the mysterious caverns or descending into the abyss, he remained asleep.

He reclined against the pillar, eyes shut, heart rate slow and steady.

An empty vial lay beside him on the stone, accompanied by a small smear of blood near his lips.

His frame required time to begin the integration of Queen Elisa’s blood. He remained uncertain of the ramifications, yet he had been left with no alternative.

Abruptly, his eyes snapped open—but he did not see the vast cavern; he saw his own Evolution Tree.

"Agh? Did I drift off?" Adam muttered in confusion.

Whoooooosh!

Simultaneously, torrents of blood surged past him on both sides. The vial had appeared to hold only a minor dose, yet now, immense rivers were flooding his consciousness.

"W-What?"

Had this been ordinary water, the volume would have been sufficient to submerge an entire village.

"Queen Elisa... was her blood condensed to this degree? The amount of energy contained within is astronomical!"

Unlike other resources that awaited his command, this crimson tide flowed with singular intent toward Adam’s Nexus.

As the empty vial clattered to the ground, the blood began to dictate which components of Adam’s power would be reshaped.

Adam became acutely aware of this.

"Wait!" He lunged toward his Nexus at the core of the Evolution Tree.

He found himself unable to move any closer.

The crimson blood had formed a volatile sphere around his Nexus, with currents swirling violently inside.

[Blood of God not absorbed.]

[The blood consumed is of an overwhelming magnitude.]

[You must determine how to assimilate this blood before it devastates your internal space.]