Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 901: Is the Queen Alive?

Reinz and Chloe were given the opportunity to be alone for a romantic dinner at the most appropriate time.

For the rest of us, however, the dinner wasnʼt canceled, it was simply moved to another location.

Tap.

The waiter placed a large pizza with puffy edges and thin dough on the table, just one of several dishes at the square table.

Julia and Erik enjoyed the food, though Erikʼs case was much more focused on the appetizers and especially the wine. It was unknown how much the bottle he ordered cost, but Adam didnʼt want to know, he was scared.

He glanced around, watching the people in expensive suits, the waiters watching their every elegant movement, and the crystal chandeliers swaying on the high ceilings.

ʼDamn... This place is fancy as hell,ʼ he thought, ʼHmm... I have more than enough money already, I just stopped thinking about it. I guess itʼs normal for K3-Phantom, yet... Somehow Iʼm still sure Iʼd be surprised at the prices here.ʼ

”Find anything interesting?” Erik glanced at Adam, slowly shaking his wine glass.

”Not really, but... Mr. Erik, thereʼs something Iʼd like to ask you.”

With a slight smile, Erik shrugged, ”Sure, go on. I donʼt plan on going home until deep into the night. I want to give Chloe and Reinz enough time to get to know each other closer, much closer...”

Silvana froze in place for a moment, then continued to eat without giving any sign, although her cheeks were flushed.

However, Adam didnʼt seem to understand what Erik was talking about or didnʼt want to. He was thinking about other things.

”The Void Lake, what is it? Why does Reinz want to go there? And... Why canʼt he do that? I mean, although heʼs not an elder, he holds not the last place in the first great family. It should be something special, right?”

”Hm...” Erik hummed, looking at Adam with a sly grin, ”It depends. Do you want to go there too? I can arrange it, but then the Lower Ring is canceled.”

”No, Iʼm not interested in that and I donʼt think I will be. Iʼm just curious.”

”Good.”

Erik took a sip of wine.

”Because for you, the Void Lake will be useless.”

”Agh?” Adam was confused.

Silvana turned in his direction. Unlike Julia and Erik, she didnʼt understand the reason for that answer.

”Itʼs simple.” Erik waved his hand, ”What happened to you under Queen Elisaʼs space is the effect of the Void Lake, which varies from Phantom to Phantom.”

”Wait...” Adam stammered, remembering his hundreds of fights and countless defeats, ”That... How do you know?”

”I know a lot of things, Adam. Julia knows even more, so... together we know almost everything. In this case, though, I just saw it in your gaze.”

”I see...”

Adam nodded deeply, his look growing darker.

”So it doesnʼt happen to every Phantom, then. In that case, I can see why Reinz is so eager to get to the Void Lake, that place will make him much stronger, though... hundreds of fights, thatʼs a serious test of your mind.”

Silence.

No one said anything, only the sounds of a hall full of guests came from far away.

Then, Adam looked at Erik, his expression serious.

”The Queen... Is she even alive? I mean, I could see her breathing, but she looked more like a statue than a person. Itʼs a strange feeling.”

Erik brought the glass to his nose, inhaling the deep aroma.

”Sure, Queen Elisa is alive. There is no doubt about it. You can believe me. After all, not only me, but no one in the Citadel would lie about something related to the Queen herself.”

”In that case...” Adam muttered as he squeezed his knees, ”How old is Queen Elisa? She looks young, no more than 25, but... sheʼs much older than that, isnʼt she?”

”Well, well... Now thatʼs a question.” Erik laughed briefly, a hint of darkness infused his voice, ”I wonʼt lie to you about the queen, but I donʼt have to answer. Iʼm sorry, but even when you are a K4-Phantom, you will have to work hard to find out that secret. All I can say is that Queen Elisa is not 25 years old, thatʼs for sure.”

Strangely enough, Adam wasnʼt upset.

He had expected a similar response. After all, when he was at Heaven Island, he got more questions than answers.

Silvana always knew more than Adam, but not this time. All she could do was stare at the smirking Erik, trying to read his mind, which was impossible.

ʼAdam, adam... Hah, you should focus on reaching K4-Level. You have more than enough time, but not an infinity.ʼ

Then, Erik looked up, it seemed his gaze was aimed straight at the Heaven Island, invisible from the ground.

...

Because of Erikʼs initiative, they didnʼt get home until the next morning.

Adam had never been to so many bars and restaurants in one night. He felt like he had walked half of the Citadel in ten hours.

Step. Step. Step.

Four silhouettes got out of the car and approached the entrance to the luxurious mansion. It was very different from the others on the same street due to its ancient appearance, red bricks, tiled roof, and massive wooden doors as the main entrance.

As soon as they stepped inside the smell of fresh coffee and pancakes hit their noses.

Julia raised an eyebrow. She wanted to know who had decided to take charge of her kitchen.

Chloe stood at the stove, with a deft movement, she flipped one pancake after another, there was already a whole mountain to her left.

”Khm.” Julia coughed, catching her attention.

”Oh! Youʼre back already!” Chloe said cheerfully.

”Yeah, we are.” Julia nodded. ”Apparently, the evening went just fine. Whereʼs that puppy from the noble family?”

Chloe was about to answer when a silhouette emerged from the aisle - Reinz showed himself. Steam was wafting off of him, his hair wet, and his only clothing was a beige towel tied around his waist.

Startled, Reinz quickly turned around and ran off to his room, holding the towel.

Only Juliaʼs sarcastic comment rang out behind him.

”Hah, nice ass, cute boy!”