Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 2077: The time is drawing near

About 40 minutes remain until the official start of the Radiant Branch. During their meeting with Fromund and Arayna, Adam and Silvana managed to explain their theory to them, and the same happened with Alexia and Louis.

They saw no point in hiding it, since, given their power levels, they would face these problems very soon anyway.

It didn’t matter whether they managed to reach the Second Circle or not. If their theory was correct, the Befallen Crown would try to kill them either way.

They had all been on missions together several times and were, in essence, friends. Sure, Adam’s relationship with Fromund and Alexia wasn’t on the same level as with Silvana, but that was to be expected, after all, she was his Operator.

Fromund and Arayna took the situation in stride, while Alexia was ready to rush into battle right then and there.

"W-What?" Alexia exclaimed indignantly, but before she could say anything, Louis tugged at the hem of her jacket.

"Tshh. I don’t think we should draw attention to ourselves right now. This isn’t the best time to be loud." Louis put a finger to his lips.

In any other situation, Alexia would have argued with him and gone about things in her usual boisterous way anyway, but not now.

"Right, you’re right." She nodded deeply and returned to her seat.

Adam smiled to himself.

’Look at her, it seems even she’s grown up a bit, doesn’t she?’

Then, Alexia glared at Adam over her shoulder.

"So, how sure are you guys about this?"

Adam and Silvana exchanged glances as Silvana decided to answer.

"Considering what we heard from Joarx and the fact that the others immediately rushed to change the subject, we’re close to 100 percent sure. Also, it makes sense. I mean, becoming a Second-Rank Phantom is a great achievement, but look around."

She ran her hand across the table and then along the banquet hall.

"Everyone at this table has a chance to become the next Second Rank Phantom, and to be completely honest, for us it’s only a matter of time. The same is true for every Present Star and many of the Future Stars. So... Why don’t we see any young Second Rank Phantoms?"

Silvana glanced at the side where Kogen was sitting.

"He’s the only exception. And, if our theory is correct, then during the Zero War, the Befallen Crown will do everything in their power to kill him, too."

Alexia nodded several times with a deep frown as she leaned forward.

"Hmm..."

She thoughtfully rubbed her chin with a complex expression.

"Let’s say you’re right, and let’s say all three of us become Second Rank Phantoms a month before the Zero War. What’s stopping all of us from surviving?"

It was a strange question, as Fromund and Arayna looked confused.

Alexia quickly added to her question:

"I mean, we won’t be strong enough to survive against the Ascended Lords and True Lords, but what’s stopping us from just hiding out at the Citadel? They can’t get past all the defenses here, no matter how strong they are."

Now, Fromund’s eyes widened, and Arayna’s expression changed.

Strange as it may seem, Alexia had decided to voice what none of them had dared to think.

"Damn..." Adam muttered, shocked. "Alexia’s right. Even if all the True Lords of the Befallen Crown attacked the Citadel right now, they’d lose. If that weren’t the case, they would’ve done it long ago. How are they supposed to kill all the new Second-Rank Phantoms under these conditions?"

Before any of them could say anything, a tall shadow appeared behind them, and a deep voice rang out:

"Because they can."

All six of them spun around to see a man in a long black coat, not as somber as Kogen’s, but more serene and elegant, like the fabric of a starless night.

The man had pale, almost snow-white skin and a clearly weary expression. His eyes were black, not brown or dark brown, but pitch-black, just like his hair, which fell in sharp tips just below his eyebrows.

The man exuded a calm aura, but a single glance at him was enough to realize that he was powerful.

None of them knew who this man was, so he decided to introduce himself.

"Before you have any questions, I’ll answer the first one myself."

The man’s voice grew even deeper, and his gaze grew colder.

"My name is Karos Valthorn, and I am the head of the Valthorn Family, the second family of the Twelve Branches."

Silvana and Arayna both gulped at the same time.

Each family had its own wing, but this rule did not apply to the first four families. The first wing was larger than the others and spacious enough to house four families at once.

Everyone knew that the Alderran Family came first. Their distinguishing features were white hair and crystal-like eyes.

But the Valthorn Family was right behind the Alderran Family. Their hair and eyes were pitch-black, a calm yet dangerous color that stood in stark contrast to the Alderran Family.

What shocked Adam and the others was not only the fact that such a person had decided to join their conversation, but that none of them had sensed Karos’s presence. That man had simply appeared behind them. He had overheard their conversation and decided to act.

Then, Karos looked around as his calm gaze fell on Joarxa, who was standing in the distance, arguing with Kogen about something. They were butting heads with each other, and it seemed as though they were on the verge of a fight.

What were they arguing about?

Of course, it was about which appetizer went best with champagne and whether whiskey was better than Kogen’s favorite soda. The usual stuff for some of the world’s strongest Phantoms.

"Let me guess. You built your theory based on what Joarxa said? She never pays attention to what she says."

Adam nodded.

"Yes."

Silvana nodded as well.

"So... If you heard everything, does that mean our theory is correct?"

Karos gave her a long look before answering:

"Almost. It’s even worse."