Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 2066: Banquet Hall

Only four guards stood at the entrance. Given the status of most of the guests, they were there not to provide protection but to gather information.

On the right stood a man and a woman in white robes, while on the left were two guards in black military uniforms.

Strangely enough, those in the white robes were members of the Alderran Family, while the guards on the left were members of the Gamma Division.

"Alright, I’m not really a fan of events like this, but we’re already here." Adam stepped forward as he and Silvana passed through the gates.

When Adam fought against Fromund at the Moon Colosseum, he had to learn a lot about nobles and high nobles.

After all, it all happened because of Osana’s wish. Adam was obligated to help her since she had saved his life during the battle against the Plague Reaper.

Most ordinary people, especially those from the Third Ring and the slums, believed the nobles’ lives were a paradise.

Well, financially speaking, that was true. Any noble from the Twelve Branches, whether a Phantom or a regular human, had free access to millions of credits and could afford luxurious items and any pleasures the Citadel had to offer.

But for those who had never been poor and had been rich from the moment they were born, money was never anything special or desirable.

All the nobles wanted was recognition for their family, and for that, they needed power. The first step toward gaining power was to become a Phantom. The high nobles had a good chance of achieving this thanks to their powerful bloodline, but it still wasn’t a 100% guarantee.

Thus, if a high noble was unlucky, if he lacked a Spark and also didn’t dare to fight a monster to become a Natural Phantom, then, in essence, he was left with no prospects.

Among the Hollow Nobles, those who had failed to become Phantoms had no opportunity to hold the highest positions within the family. Sure, they could remain important members of the family due to certain positions or family ties, but they could never reach the top.

To some extent, this was the reason behind Adam’s curiosity and why he decided to visit the Radiant Branch.

He knew that the competition among the Light Nobles, the Phantoms, was fierce. He had experienced it firsthand at the Twilight Palace. However, Adam wasn’t impressed by their level.

"Hmm... This time, Kamora, Relana, and Gladius will be coming. As far as I understand, they rarely visit the Radiant Branch," Adam muttered as he walked along the stone path, watching the people moving along other paths.

For now, he hadn’t noticed anyone noteworthy. All their auras were weak.

"Silvana, who exactly is supposed to be at the Radiant Branch? I mean, if everyone who was invited were to come?"

Silvana took a moment to answer, gazing thoughtfully at the banquet hall ahead.

"Hmm... If everyone were to come, it would be the heads of the Twelve Branches, the leaders of the Crimson Path, the Dark Order, and the Azure Lotus, perhaps the leaders of the towers in the Lower Ring, though I’m not entirely sure about that.

"There should also be the Knights of the World End and all the other Second-Rank Phantoms who are available right now. Besides Phantoms of such a high rank, there will also be plenty of lower-level Phantoms, and not just K4 Phantoms."

Adam nodded deeply.

"Even if they’re only K2 or K3 level, the high nobles want to show off their talents, right?"

Silvana smiled.

"Yes. Also, there will be the regular people, they’re from the Twelve Branches. Of course, we can’t forget about the Gamma Division. I’m not entirely sure about this either, but I think there should be a few officers like Farla.

"But all of these are just nobles, the top echelons of the Citadel and the government. The real reason the Radiant Branch is being held is the Star Rail. So, there will also be K4-Phantoms here today who, in the eyes of the others, have a chance to become the next Second Rank Phantoms."

"I see..." Adam muttered as they reached the main entrance.

Taking their time, they walked past the carved columns and entered the banquet hall.

For a moment, Adam and Silvana stopped, their eyes widening. The Alderran Family had pulled out all the stops. Since the Radiant Branch was taking place on their grounds, they had poured as many resources into organizing the event as possible.

The banquet hall was enormous, with three chandeliers illuminating the room, hanging from the high ceilings. Numerous tables were laden with food, 9both communal and private, prepared for each noble family, faction, and the Gamma Division, as well as third parties such as the neutral Phantoms.

Since Radiant Branch was known to the general public, the waitstaff consisted of ordinary people, well, almost ordinary, since they were all under the authority of the Alderran Family and knew what they could and couldn’t discuss.

After all, at the Twilight Palace, many tasks were also carried out by ordinary people, and over the long years that this place had existed, there had been only a few problems.

Right now, a crowd of journalists and reporters had gathered near the banquet hall, but the guards had no intention of letting them past the walls, such were the orders of the Alderran Family, and no one would dare disobey them.

All they had access to at the moment was a distant view, rumors, and the moments when another car pulled up to one of the entrances.

Naturally, Adam and Silvana’s arrival at Radiant Branch did not go unnoticed, but they were prepared for this.

Adam’s gaze swept across the banquet hall.

For now, there were more tables and waitstaff than guests. After all, there was still an hour and a half until the official start.

But Adam’s gaze immediately fell on a familiar figure.

He stepped forward as Silvana followed him.

Standing next to one of the tables, choosing an appetizer, was a tall man with light stubble. His hair and eyes were the same color, crimson, which indicated which noble family he came from.

"Erik?" Adam muttered. He hadn’t expected to run into him first of all.

"Oh, you’re already here?"

Erik turned around, a faint smile playing on his face.

"I was just about to introduce you to someone. You could say, your rival."

He waved his hand, pointing toward a girl with long crimson hair and eyes. She was walking toward them, and something about her aura immediately puzzled Adam.

’Wait... Is she just like me?’