Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 335: Ruling The World

Chapter 335: Ruling The World

At the Empire’s frontlines, Iskandor’s eyes snapped open. The commanding presence he was known for was now tinged with an intensity his subordinates had never witnessed before.

"Relay my orders," he commanded sharply, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. "Mobilize every operational ship from every spaceport. Civilian evacuations are to begin immediately."

The officers exchanged stunned glances. One, gathering the courage to speak, asked hesitantly, "Sir... what’s happening?"

Iskandor’s jaw tightened, his expression grim. "The Stellar Devourers have revolted."

...

On this fateful day, a massive black hole appeared above every human settlement across the Empire’s planets.

It was as though a divine being had opened its cold, merciless eye, initiating an unyielding judgment.

Cities—symbols of progress and civilization—crumbled instantly. Towering skyscrapers, advanced robots, and sleek vehicles were all inexorably drawn into the abyss.

Fortunately, the spaceports had been prepared. Numerous ships, fully stocked with supplies, were docked and ready to evacuate refugees.

However, the black hole—summoned by the Stellar Devourers—though smaller than the true behemoths hidden in the cosmic void, unleashed devastation on an incomprehensible scale.

Outside the spaceports, chaos erupted. A teeming sea of desperate people surged, screamed, and fought to escape.

Scenes of looting, violence, and raw panic were accompanied by the sight of debris spiraling upward, consumed by the ravenous void.

The apocalypse unfolded like a grotesque masterpiece.

From the rooftop of a towering high-rise, Westros surveyed the carnage below, a satisfied smirk curling his lips.

...

As the destruction began, Iskandor issued an urgent plea to the Alliance for sanctuary.

Initially, many suspected it was a ruse by the Empire. But when undercover agents embedded within the Empire transmitted corroborating reports and harrowing footage, the Alliance swiftly convened an emergency assembly.

The grand hall swelled with nobles, military commanders, and government officials. This was no longer a matter of borders or politics—it was a matter of humanity’s survival. No one could afford to remain neutral.

"Forget debating whether to grant them refuge," Raphel said with a shrug. "The real issue is, how do we fight these Stellar Devourers? I enjoy a good war, but let’s be honest—we’re outmatched. That’s just the reality."

On a massive screen, the agents’ recordings played in an unending loop.

The scenes were catastrophic: black holes swallowing entire cities, planets dimming as the Stellar Devourers passed, and celestial bodies drifting from their orbits. Collisions triggered chain reactions that rippled through entire star systems.

Against this apocalyptic force, human civilization seemed like a fleeting illusion, vanishing in an instant. A heavy despair settled over the room.

Valeria, assigned as the liaison with the Empire, displayed additional data on the screen. Her voice was somber. "According to the Empire’s reports, the Stellar Devourers have also created experimental beings. These Master Peculiars possess human-level intelligence and the powers of the Stellar Devourers. They are exceptionally difficult to defeat."

The assembly hall, crowded with over a thousand attendees, fell silent—so quiet that even a leave drop could be heard.

Dessel finally broke the silence with a yawn, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What’s the point of all this debate? Just release Lyra already."

Leona, seated near the government delegation, nodded emphatically. "Exactly. At this point, Rear Admiral Shedd is our only chance against the Stellar Devourers."

"She was born under the will of the fundamental rules of the universe itself," Lynn added gravely. "If anyone can intercept the Stellar Devourers, it’s her. She’s humanity’s best hope."

All eyes turned toward Frederick, who sat quietly, his expression heavy with conflict.

"There’s no denying it anymore," Frederick said at last, his voice low. "She’s the only one who can face them. But—" he hesitated. "Lyra is ambitious. I fear that after she defeats the Stellar Devourers..."

"Ha!" Edmund interjected sharply. "And what, exactly, would we have to fear after that? Even if she becomes humanity’s dictator, isn’t that better than total extinction?"

When Aurelius rejected the decree naming him crown prince, Edmund was overwhelmed by a deep sense of dread, as though the very fabric of the world was unraveling.

Even so, he reassured himself with one thought: if Lyra took command of humanity, there might still be room to negotiate the royal family’s survival. But if humanity were to perish entirely, the royal family would perish with it.

With this grim calculation in mind, Edmund fully—almost desperately—committed to supporting Lyra’s deployment to the frontlines.

In truth, the decision to send her back into battle encountered no meaningful resistance. To refuse her deployment would have been to concede defeat, leaving everyone to retreat to their homes, share one last meal with their loved ones, and await humanity’s extinction.

Frederick’s concerns about Lyra’s ambitions were not widely shared. For most, the priority was stark: survival first, leadership later.

If humanity could endure, the question of who held power seemed a distant problem. After all, Lyra couldn’t dismantle every institution or replace every leader.

Resigned to the inevitable, Frederick reluctantly gave the order, summoning Lyra to the frontlines.

At the same time, he approved the Empire’s request to shelter its refugees temporarily on Snowfall.

...

The announcement ignited outrage among the Empire’s military leadership.

"Snowfall was already ours! And it is at the far edge of their territory, they expect us to hold the line there? We’re nothing but cannon fodder to them!"

"Exactly! Even now, the Alliance clings to its prejudice against outsiders!"

Standing by the window of Snowfall’s temporary command center, Iskandor turned to address the room. A faint, unreadable smile graced his lips. "Given humanity’s current numbers, losing a few here and there might not be the worst thing."

His words dropped like a cold blade into the room, silencing the officers. They stared at him, their shock palpable, struggling to process the admiral’s callousness.

Slowly, a dark realization settled over them—Iskandor bore traces of the Stellar Devourer’s genetic code. The thought sent a collective shiver through the group.

Unfazed by their unease, Iskandor’s tone remained calm but commanding. "Prepare yourselves. We’re heading to Elden Prime, the heart of the Alliance’s territory. We’re going to visit the Central City."

With the Stellar Devourers poised to strike again, humanity’s survival depended on forming a unified plan with the Alliance.