Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 235: Trusting None (1)

Chapter 235: Trusting None (1)

Westros’ obsession with Lyra stemmed from the fact that she was a miracle of his own making.

Her human physiology exceed that of ordinary beings, and even Stellar Devourers rarely reached her level of capability.

Her unique superpower, Vitality Glow, granted her not only incredible healing abilities but also devastating offensive power.

Lyra’s parents, wrapped up in the process of her creation, had no idea just how extraordinary she truly was.

It wasn’t until Robin and Isadora were created that Benedict knew about the truth.

After Tyro and Seren’s deaths, Benedict had been tasked with secretly protecting Lyra. This was why Ansel couldn’t just kill her outright; he resorted to the underhanded tactic of using Soul Spikes, never imagining she would survive.

As the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place, Lyra accepted the harsh truth with a calm resolve. She turned to Robin, the one who had laid everything bare for her. "So, what do you want from me?"

Robin opened a safe and started gathering a pile of documents, copying various data files. "I want you to join me in presenting this evidence."

Lyra took the copied materials from him, spinning them thoughtfully between her fingers. "Are you really going to betray your origin and take the side of the Alliance?"

"Betray?" Robin frowned, his demeanor surprisingly steady. "I was born in the Alliance, protected by the military, and I’m a legitimate resident. What’s this betrayal talk about?"

For him, choosing to be a respected officer in the Alliance over being a mere tool in an experiment was a straightforward decision.

"If Isadora had your clarity, she wouldn’t be in such a dire situation," Lyra said, glancing at Isadora, who was clutching her chest with blood seeping through her fingers. A trail of crimson marked her path, stark against the backdrop of her brief, blood-soaked twenty-nine years.

"I’ve sacrificed too much for that damned family mission. If I had a chance to break free, I’d give anything for it!" Isadora’s voice dripped with cold resolve, peeling away the facade of the proud noblewoman she had tried to be.

Instead of jealousy, Isadora felt a deep envy toward Lyra’s life, one free from the chains of familial obligation and the need to please men.

Lyra’s freedom to pursue her own desires and fight for herself was something Isadora had admired since they first crossed paths.

Lyra studied her for a moment, weighing her words. "You do have a place to go now, but from here on, your life will be one without a home."

"A life without a home is a life of freedom," Isadora replied, her eyes sparkling with newfound hope.

With a decisive gesture, Lyra set Isadora on her path, freeing her from the shackles of her past.

Outside, the battle had concluded. Following Westros’ escape, the Empire’s Supreme had also fled through a black hole passage.

As Lyra and Robin emerged with the evidence, they found Valeria awake. Upon hearing that Lyra had fought fiercely to save her, Valeria solemnly patted her shoulder. "I’ll remember this debt, young lady."

However, Lyra’s deep, piercing gaze held Valeria’s attention, prompting her to add, "I want to exchange this debt for the answer to two questions."

Valeria’s eyes flicked to Robin, then back to Lyra, curiosity piqued. "What questions?"

"First, did the upper echelons of the military already know who I was?"

Instead of posing a question, it felt more like a declaration, as Lyra had already pieced together the truth. She sought the affirmation that would confirm her suspicions.

Valeria sighed, her expression heavy with concern. "You are the clearest evidence of your parents’ crimes. With the Stellar Devourer genes in your makeup, you should have been under strict oversight by the Alliance. But the admiral rejected that proposal, allowing you a chance to live freely."

After a moment, she lit a cigarette, letting the smoke swirl around them like a curtain. "Though it may sound inappropriate, now that you know the truth, I advise you to cherish this opportunity."

Valeria understood Westros’s obsession with Lyra and the dangers she faced if she chose the wrong path.

Lyra stayed silent for a beat, mulling over Valeria’s words before pressing on. "What exactly is the Stellar Devourer?"

Valeria’s demeanor shifted as she looked up at the vast sky. "To put it simply, they’re advanced life forms capable of controlling black holes and devouring everything in their path." She turned back to Lyra, concern etched in her features. "Humanity has explored the interstellar universe for thousands of years and encountered alien civilizations, but all that remains of them are ruins—destroyed by the Stellar Devourers."

"That’s why we call them Stellar Devourers," the Supreme interjected, arms crossed. "They embody annihilation itself."

"Essentially, they represent the force of obliteration," Lyra mused, connecting the dots. Her own superpower, represented by Vitality Glow, stood in stark contrast to the destructive force of the Stellar Devourers.

As soldiers arrived to assist the Supremes, they quickly set to work, their first task being to recover the bodies from the battlefield.

Valeria’s hand trembled as she held her cigarette, her eyes drawn to the gruesome remains before her.

The council’s demand for secrecy weighed heavily on her; she couldn’t divulge how perilous the mission had been for the young ones. She had done her best to protect the Special Forces, yet the outcome was tragically dire.

Silver strands of her hair whipped around in the bloody wind as she turned to Lyra. "I’m sorry I couldn’t save them."

"You don’t need to apologize to me; I’m not the one who died," Lyra replied, her expression devoid of emotion as she surveyed the corpses.

Valeria shivered, sensing the chill emanating from Lyra, especially following Ansel’s death. ’Is it the Stellar Devourer genes that made her so cold-blooded? Will the admiral’s painful decisions yield any real reward?’

The evidence before them left little room for rest. Valeria quickly tied back her loose hair, gearing up to capture Kritt herself, while Robin and Lyra were tasked with apprehending members of the Calvin family.

As they moved into action, the two Supremes took on an air of detachment, launching themselves into the clouds and vanishing from view.

Others watched in awe, momentarily blinded by their speed; the ordinary soldiers couldn’t keep pace with their psychokinesis.

Lyra watched them disappear into the sky, feeling the power of the elements swirl around her. ’Is this the nature of advanced Peculiars? Able to break free from the bonds of gravity, wielding strength capable of shaking entire planets?’

Lynn walked for a bit before abruptly turning back. "What’s with that little girl staring at us?"

The middle-aged man chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "How could she? We’re Supreme Peculiar! No matter how strong she thinks she is, her psychokinesis can’t touch ours!"

It was a funny notion. The divide between the Supremes and those of lower ranks wasn’t just about numbers; it was a vast chasm. After all, there were billions in the Alliance, yet fewer than ten Supremes.

"I actually think she has a deep understanding of the source of power," the man mused.

"And what if she does? She’s still only at level eight."

"Fair point."

As they continued their light banter, they gradually drifted away. Meanwhile, Lyra was already off on her own mission.