Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 332: Snowfall’s Survivors

Chapter 332: Snowfall’s Survivors

The Carrelton family was one of the oldest and most influential in the Alliance.

With deep-rooted connections in both the military and government, they wielded immense power in high places. Their wealth came from privately-owned ore planets under development, while their strength was safeguarded by a Supreme Peculiar, Ezrael Carrelton.

Unlike other families vying for attention, the Carreltons kept a low profile, confident in their power and riches.

Initially, they paid little heed to Wyrmtrace’s secrets, even when Lyra, the ambitious young woman, began probing into them.

However, the discovery of a level-eight energy stone mine shifted their indifference to avid interest. By then, Cohen had taken control of the region, preventing them from intervening.

After years of patience and maneuvering, the Carreltons managed to wrest Wyrmtrace’s profits from LE Energy. But just as they prepared to savor their victory, Lyra returned—not merely as their rival but as a newly ascended Supreme Peculiar.

...

"Sir, what do we do now?"

Ezrael Carrelton stood in the courtyard, leisurely practicing his skills. His gray hair swayed gently as he turned his head toward Reynard, the family head, whose hair was just as white.

In a calm voice, Ezrael replied, "The contract states we owe the remaining payment. Fulfill it."

"But..." Reynard hesitated. For two years, they had avoided settling the balance, intent on keeping the profits they’d eked out despite Wyrmtrace’s frequent invasions. Relinquishing such a large sum now felt like a bitter pill to swallow.

More importantly, the Carreltons weren’t used to conceding. Shielded by Ezrael’s formidable status, they were accustomed to dictating terms rather than bending to others.

Ezrael’s sharp gaze interrupted Reynard’s thoughts. He threw a deliberate punch into the air, causing the space to ripple like turbulent water. But as the ripples reached a certain point, they suddenly disappeared, swallowed by an unseen force.

Before Reynard could fully register what was happening, a graceful young woman landed silently behind them.

Ezrael paused mid-motion, letting out a quiet sigh. "The pet of the Rules, indeed."

Even among Supremes, Lyra’s power carried a uniqueness, an extraordinary presence that was impossible to ignore.

"You... you’re Lyra Shedd?!" Reynard stammered, shrinking behind Ezrael. "What do you want? Don’t think we’re afraid of you!"

Ezrael silenced him with a sidelong glance. "There’s no need for theatrics. I’ve already lost."

Reynard froze, disbelief plastered across his face. Forcing a nervous smile, he stammered, "Miss Shedd, this is all a misunderstanding. I’ll convert the remaining balance into equivalent assets—plants and energy stone mines—by tomorrow. Please, don’t hold this against the Carrelton family."

Old families thrived on adaptability, and Reynard’s quick shift to diplomacy reflected their resilience.

Lyra hadn’t even explicitly demanded repayment, yet they capitulated almost instantly.

Lyra didn’t waste time arguing. "Don’t forget to include the queen bee’s treatment costs," she added.

"Of course, absolutely!" Reynard nodded vigorously, desperate to appease her.

Ezrael Carrelton, one of the Alliance’s most powerful Supremes, second only to Lynn, had surrendered without a fight.

In the face of Lyra’s overwhelming presence, any thoughts of resisting or defaulting evaporated.

Lyra nodded once and departed as silently as she had arrived.

Reynard wiped sweat from his brow, only to hear Ezrael murmur, "Who knows how this world will turn out in the end."

As a fellow Supreme Peculiar, Ezrael was profoundly unsettled by the weight of Lyra’s presence. She hadn’t moved a muscle, yet her mere existence was like an immovable mountain.

Shaking his head, Ezrael sighed. "So be it. A loss is a loss. Why trouble myself further?"

The next day, the Carrelton family dutifully delivered truckloads of goods to LE Energy’s warehouse.

This act sent an unmistakable message: those who had been waiting to see how things unfolded quickly snapped into action. Apologies poured in, compensations were paid, and stolen goods were not only returned but often doubled in value.

Even those who harbored resentment swallowed their grievances when faced with Lyra’s cold, unyielding gaze. Her emotionless stare extinguished any words of protest, leaving them with no choice but to hand over their payments in silence.

Morrison stood off to the side, furiously typing away on his calculator as he tallied the flood of incoming payments.

His hands moved without pause, while his thoughts marveled at Lyra’s unmatched ability to turn the tides.

No one out there could ever make Lyra take a loss.

When the day’s work was done, Morrison cast a satisfied glance at their suddenly swelling accounts.

"What about Wyrmtrace?" he asked.

"No need to bother with it anymore," Lyra replied.

Debbie, who had just returned, nearly leapt out of her seat. "Boss, are you seriously just going to let those scumbags off like that?"

New Central City on Wyrmtrace had been a project Debbie painstakingly built from the ground up.

Over the years, Debbie had grown into a reliable second-in-command alongside Morrison. Professionally, she exuded competence and maturity. Privately, however, she remained as dramatic as ever.

"Oh, boss! You’re finally back!" Debbie cried theatrically, throwing herself into an exaggerated lament. "These years under Mr. Morrison’s iron fist have been unbearable! He’s so jealous of my talent that he’s sent me running all over the galaxy. Look at me! I’m still young, but my hairline is retreating faster than a scared cadet!"

Morrison’s eyebrow twitched visibly at her antics, his expression unimpressed.

"Chloe just called," Morrison said flatly, shrugging on his jacket. "Dinner’s ready at home. Boss, I’m calling it a day."

Debbie huffed at his retreating back. "Go ahead, leave! I’ll just stay here buttering up HER while I can."

Turning back to Lyra, she launched into another theatrical outburst. "Oh, woe is me!" she wailed, her lament undercut by her pristine designer outfit, which spoke of anything but hardship.

Lyra waited patiently for her to finish before asking, "How’s Planet Nagano?"

At this, Debbie immediately shifted gears, adopting a serious demeanor. "Jarven and Lucia have kept operations running smoothly, but Planet Nagano is too close to Snowfall. With everyone afraid the Empire might attack, businesses and residents are relocating to safer planets."

"Tell Jarven and Lucia to prepare for withdrawal," Lyra said firmly.

"Withdraw?" Debbie’s eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Lyra said without hesitation.

Debbie didn’t question her further, nodding and leaving to make the necessary arrangements.

Lyra tapped her desk thoughtfully, her mind preoccupied.

Scarvoci of the Legion of Flaring Stars had shared troubling intelligence: the Stellar Devourers were openly conducting experiments on children within the Empire’s borders.

Despite the glaring nature of these atrocities, the Empire seemed unable—or unwilling—to intervene.

Combined with the recent return of the Phelixes, it was clear that the Stellar Devourers were preparing to unleash their full might.

Debbie returned briefly, hesitating in the doorway. "Boss, there’s one more thing," she said softly. "The people you asked me to find...we’ve located them."

Lyra’s long lashes fluttered as her hand clenched slightly. "Who survived?"

"Zinnia and her brother, Zarek."

Lyra rose to her feet immediately. "Where are they?"

"At a hotel. Would you like me to arrange for them to be brought to your residence?"

Lyra flexed her fingers, as if to steady herself. "I’ll go with you."

...

Years earlier, during the Empire’s large-scale invasion, Conners’ betrayal had caught the Legion Glory and its allied generals completely off-guard.

In their desperate rush to defend Snowfall, Legion Glory had faced the Empire head-on, fighting until only two survivors remained.

Lyra, having sent Thierry to safety, had endured one crushing loss after another. In the invasion’s final hours, she fought alongside Conners in a desperate battle that left her stranded in deep space for three long years.

Her return was laden with grief that had never fully healed, but from the moment she arrived, she ordered an investigation to locate any surviving members of the Legion Glory.

Now, at last, her prayers had been answered.