Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 296: Little Wild Stud

Chapter 296: Little Wild Stud

After taking care of all the pirates, Mandy and Caleb exchanged a brief glance.

Caleb sighed, then arrogantly stepped in front of the villagers. "From today on, you will pay tribute to us, the Venus’ Seashells," he declared. "You’re not to give anything to anyone else."

If not for the cold, emotionless way he had slaughtered the pirates just moments earlier, his current posture—like someone reading from an official document—would have made him look like a pompous lawyer.

To their surprise, the villagers didn’t look scared. Instead, they seemed relieved.

Only paying tribute to one pirate crew was definitely better than being raided by three or four.

In the end, Father Kyle led Shella away. Before he left, his expression was conflicted, as if he wanted to say something but ultimately decided to stay silent.

Mandy furrowed her brow as she glanced at the soldiers, who clearly felt uncomfortable in their pirate disguises. "Looks like Father Kyle saw through our cover, though he didn’t expose us."

"He’s really changed," Caleb said with a sigh. "In the past, he would have been the first to kill those pirates."

"True," Mandy smiled. "I’ll report this to Lyra."

Caleb nodded, but before he could say anything, Mandy asked, "By the way, why did you jump off the roof earlier?"

He adjusted his glasses and muttered, "Sorry, no comment."

...

Meanwhile, Lyra soared through the sky on her hoverboard, her bone-conduction earpiece flashing. "Stay on standby," she ordered, her voice swept away by the wind.

The squad leader, captivated by her beauty, didn’t even catch what she said.

"Up ahead is our base!" he said.

In the valley below, a massive interstellar battleship loomed on the brick-red ground, its front adorned with a statue of Broken Blades. The statue clutched the pirate crew’s flag in one hand.

Around the valley, rows of neatly built red-brick houses stood—bars, restaurants, and fabric shops scattered about.

If not for the cold, menacing expressions of the townspeople, it could have easily passed for a small human settlement.

However, as they approached, an Aegis Shield rose over the town.

Not just any shield—it was a level-seven Aegis Shield.

The squad leader was momentarily stunned.

Just then, Lyra raised a slender finger, pointing at the sky. Instantly, the moisture in the air condensed into ice shards, which fell toward the Aegis Shield.

The hexagonal light blocks of the Aegis Shield cracked open under the impact, creating a gaping hole. Ice crystals mixed with light spots rained down on the town, transforming it into a winter wonderland.

Pirates, who had been going about their business, froze in shock. They were suddenly on high alert, grabbing their weapons.

On top of several watchtowers, dark cannon barrels extended, ready to fire.

A voice crackled over the loudspeakers, the voice of Broken Blade’s: "Quiet, everyone. A distinguished guest has arrived."

On the mountainside behind the town, a tall building opened its doors, revealing a grand terrace. Afternoon tea was already set up on the table.

"Please, come in."

The next second, hexagonal snowflakes formed a staircase in the air.

The closest snowflakes, icy and cold, radiated an intense chill. Broken Blade squinted slightly—that was level-nine power.

A woman descended step by step. Her left leg, perfectly proportioned and beautifully sculpted, emerged from beneath her coat, resembling a fine marble statue.

The click of her high heels on the snow echoed sharply in the air. Her coat fluttered in the wind but remained perfectly in place, giving her an air of effortless grace.

Those on the ground tilted their heads to look up, overwhelmed by the weight of her intense psychokinesis. They felt lightheaded, unable to focus on anything but her breathtaking figure, everything else fading from their sight.

She reached the table and, without waiting for an invitation, sat down confidently. Crossing her legs, she introduced herself with a casual smile. "Hello, I’m Freya."

Behind her, three men and two women stood, radiating an aura of authority, as if they owned the place.

Broken Blade had always thought she only liked handsome men, but when she saw Freya, she couldn’t help but be captivated by her.

"I’m Broken Blade, leader of the Broken Blades, one of the three major pirate crews," Broken Blade said smoothly, sitting down as her eyes drifted over Freya’s flawless, youthful skin and striking beauty.

A handsome attendant lit a cigarette for her and stood behind her, massaging her shoulders.

Broken Blade exhaled a puff of smoke and sneered. "I have to say, what you’re doing is rather indecent."

"Freya"—who was actually Lyra—elegantly sniffed the red tea placed in front of her, then made a face of disdain and pushed it aside. "Indecent? You think I have less experience than you in the pirate business? The strong devour the weak—nothing new about that. It’s as boring as this red tea."

Phelixes, standing behind Lyra, immediately took out a tea set and expertly brewed her a fresh cup of fruit tea.

Helion ground his teeth in irritation. ’This young boy, such a suck-up!’

But just as the thought crossed his mind, he felt a chill as Broken Blade’s piercing gaze swept across his face.

"Devouring the weak? You want to devour me?" Broken Blade scoffed, her shoulder feathers rising of their own accord and shooting toward Lyra.

However, they halted midair, then stiffly fell onto the table.

Lyra picked one up and examined it, immediately understanding something about Broken Blade’s superpower.

"Since you invited me here, I assume you don’t want a fight?" Lyra’s voice was soft, seductive. "To be honest, I haven’t met anyone on my level."

Broken Blade’s hostile expression softened, realizing Lyra was speaking the truth. Despite being the one to initiate the attack, Broken Blade’s feathers had been effortlessly blocked by Lyra’s superior psychokinesis.

"What exactly do you want?" Broken Blade leaned back in her chair, and a sturdier male attendant rushed to support her.

Her hand slid into his shirt, idly playing with his abs.

"Don’t forget, you only have these few leftover soldiers," she added, though they looked quite capable.

Lyra smiled coolly. "We just want to settle down in Voidstar No. 1 and get some revenge."

At the surprised look on Broken Blade’s face, Lyra snorted. "Didn’t they say Lyra Shedd is coming to station her troops? Well, I’m planning to make sure she never returns."

As the mist of the fruit tea swirled in the air, "Freya’s" face twisted slightly, as though preparing for a vengeful encounter in deep space.

Broken Blade’s thoughts shifted. "Miss Freya, your plan is rather bold."

Lyra responded with a confident smile. "Because I don’t like losing."

She rested her hands beneath her chin, her gaze steady. "Broken Blade, I’d like to meet the other two pirate leaders. Could you introduce me?"

"Why do you want to meet them?" Broken Blade asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I want to carve out some territory and build a base. I need to discuss it with a few people before I start construction immediately."

Lyra gave a playful wink, as if it were all just a casual matter to her.

Broken Blade’s gaze deepened. "Carve out territory?"

On Voidstar No. 1, the territory was mainly controlled by the three major pirate crews, along with several level-eight pirate crews. Others, like the Blackheart crew back in the day, had to offer tribute if they wanted to claim any land.

Freya wasn’t here to negotiate—she was here to take over.

"I say, you’re new here, and you’re already acting a little too brazen."

Around Broken Blade, the particles of her superpower began to fluctuate, ready to strike at any moment.

Lyra, however, was unfazed. She casually twirled a lock of her hair around her finger. "If I really wanted to take something by brutality, I wouldn’t be sitting here. Let’s talk this out, so we don’t have to kill too many people."

She locked eyes with Broken Blade.

In the next second, both women vanished from the table, and the fight was on.