Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 329: Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Ronin

Chapter 329: Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Ronin

The Legion of Everglow was a legendary army founded and led by Lyra herself, forged in the fires of the Voidstar No. 1 battle.

To them—both in spirit and reality—she would forever remain their leader.

When she donned her military uniform again and stood before the soldiers, some of them couldn’t hold back their tears.

It was as if the three years of her absence had never happened.

Aurelius clenched his fists when he heard the faint sounds of sobbing coming from his regiment.

Three years—he had fought and bled alongside them, yet he still couldn’t compare to her.

Lyra didn’t waste words. After a brief reunion, she ordered everyone to resume their regular training.

Not long after, the summons from the Alliance Military Council arrived.

As they watched her leave, Helion rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Still as stunning as ever."

Vikie shot him a disgusted look. "What nonsense are you spewing now?"

Helion joked, "I was just thinking... I’m even less worthy of her than before. How can someone be so outstanding?"

Vikie smirked. "At least you’re self-aware."

"Doesn’t matter. There’s no one in humanity who’s worthy of her anyway, so I’m not worried." Helion laced his hands behind his head with a lazy grin. "Plus, that little leech Phelixes is finally gone. Now that’s what I call double the celebration."

Vikie gave him a sidelong glance, thoroughly unimpressed. "You’re insufferable."

...

The small conference room felt eerily familiar, though it was missing Conners and Dale. Their seats had been taken over by Leandro.

It was a reunion after three years, and while Lyra’s icy expression remained as unshakeable as ever, the others couldn’t hide their discomfort.

Standing before them was the youngest Supreme Peculiar in history. No one could begin to fathom her current combat power.

"Welcome back, Rear Admiral Shedd," Frederick said first, breaking the silence.

Looking at her, he couldn’t help but recall something Cohen had once said: If we hadn’t put her under confinement, Thierry wouldn’t have died.

If she hadn’t been restrained, she might have had the chance to stop Conners from letting the Empire’s fleet through. But what was the point of dwelling on the past?

Lyra saluted crisply. "It’s an honor for me."

Before being swallowed by the black hole, she had exposed Conners’ true identity and fought to kill him, preventing even greater losses.

Afterward, the Alliance followed Conners’ trail and uncovered a network of traitors embedded deep within their ranks.

However, this did little to reverse the Alliance’s declining fortunes.

Years of war had ravaged the Alliance’s economy and society.

At the war’s start, a kilogram of ordinary rice cost only three astrocredits. Now, it was six.

Prices for essential resources like crystal minerals and electricity had multiplied several times over.

On the streets, solar-powered vehicles were becoming increasingly common.

To put it plainly, the Alliance had already lost key border planets such as Snowfall, Demetra, and both Voidstar No. 1 and No. 2. Their territory had shrunk by nearly a third, and they continued to retreat on all fronts.

The dissolution of Conners’ and Dale’s legions left the military critically short-staffed.

This was the reason why younger officers, led by Cohen and his peers, had risen so quickly.

"Rear Admiral Shedd," Frederick continued, "please submit a detailed report summarizing your whereabouts over these past years. Additionally, we need you to explain the matter of Adjutant Phelixes’s identity."

Lyra’s response was direct and concise. "I rescued Phelixes years ago on Wyrmtrace. His identity was verified at the time by Vice Admiral Cohen Whyte, Vice Admiral Chuck Whyte, and Captain Rymes. I adopted him through proper legal channels."

In other words, even those in charge of verification back then hadn’t uncovered any irregularities regarding Phelixes. She had simply acted within the law.

Yet the Alliance Military Council still harbored suspicions about her and her connection to the Stellar Devourers. No matter what she did, their prejudices lingered.

"His superpower is so unusual—did you really not notice anything?" someone asked sharply.

It was the first time these people, who had quietly supported Conners and other old higher-ups from the shadows, finally confronted her face-to-face.

Most of them were retired veterans—long-lived, thick-skinned, and deeply entrenched in their prejudices.

Lyra glanced at the white-haired elders. "His superpower was tested and verified by the official Alliance inspection agency."

In other words, it had nothing to do with her.

One of the admirals coldly accused her, "But you still bear responsibility for inadequate supervision."

"Yet he never did anything to harm the interests of the Alliance," Lyra replied calmly and firmly.

Ronin, standing with her hands tucked into her sleeves, scoffed coldly. "Maybe Conners only took the fall for him."

The moment her words fell, Ronin felt herself enveloped by an overwhelming, frigid pressure. Lyra’s gaze slid sharply toward her.

"The betrayal of Conners was witnessed by all. I advise you, Supreme Ronin, not to speak recklessly out of prejudice," Lyra said flatly, her voice calm yet chilling enough to send shivers down their spines.

Ronin’s eyes widened. "Are you threatening me?"

"Not a threat. A warning," Lyra corrected, her voice even and unwavering. She stood with her hands behind her back, technically reporting to people positioned above her. Yet her presence far outmatched theirs.

She met Ronin’s gaze directly. "After all, with my current strength, I can sit right next to you if I want, you know."

The room fell silent. Everyone’s expressions shifted.

It was true—Lyra was no longer someone a Supreme could suppress. In fact, she could rightfully be considered the strongest beneath the Overarching level.

Ronin’s arrogance wisely receded. Instead, she abruptly asked a question that left everyone stunned. "You spent three years living day and night with Phelixes. Did you develop a relationship?"

Lyra frowned slightly, wondering how the conversation had turned in this direction. She answered calmly, "No, I have not."

Ronin’s skeptical gaze made her disbelief obvious. A man and woman alone for three years—how could there be no feelings involved?

"I hope you understand that you cannot have children..." Ronin began.

"Supreme Ronin, I believe we’re straying off-topic," Lyra interrupted sharply. "May I ask if I am dismissed?"

Frederick blinked in surprise. He had expected her to ask about military deployments or the council’s plans for her and the Legion of Everglow.

To his astonishment, Lyra’s demeanor remained completely calm.

"For now, stay in Central City and await further orders," Frederick said finally.

Lyra saluted. "Understood. I take my leave."

...

As she stepped out of the council building, the blinding sunlight of Central City hit her face. She narrowed her eyes slightly, adjusting to the brightness.

A group of her subordinates rushed to meet her.

"Ma’am, how did it go? What are their plans?" someone asked eagerly.

"They’re not actually going to disband us, are they?" Aurelius muttered, his brow furrowed.

Helion scoffed. "Are you kidding me? With HER current strength, who would dare suggest such a thing?"

"If Rear Admiral Shedd decides she’s had enough and defects to the Empire, the Alliance would collapse even faster!"

Caleb nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Rear Admiral Shedd is back from the Empire, so the higher-ups might give her the cold shoulder for now. But the moment the enemy’s Supreme Peculiars or Stellar Devourers attack in full force, they’ll come begging for her help."

"More than their prejudices, they fear the Alliance’s destruction," Caleb added. "The only question is, how long can they hold out?"

The group turned to head back to the base when a luxurious motorcade suddenly pulled up beside them.

As soon as they recognized the emblem on the vehicles, everyone instinctively turned to look at Aurelius.

From one of the leading vehicles, Royal Steward Raidor stepped down. Without sparing Aurelius—a former prince—even a glance, he walked straight to Lyra.

He bowed with impeccable elegance and respect. "Rear Admiral Shedd, His Majesty requests your presence."