Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 2072: An alcoholic who talks too much

Adam knew about all the families of the Twelve Branches, but he had far more information about some than others.

Obviously, he knew the most about the Rouzet Family. After all, he’d intervened at their wedding and even fought to protect one of their members.

The same was true of the Marzo and Alderran Families. He didn’t know much about them, but he was acquainted with some of their members.

Adam knew a little about the Wurhen Family and the Noukx Family, but he knew no one beyond Erik and Kogen in their families. Skara had only just appeared.

In the end, Adam knew something only about five families: the Rouzet Family, the Marzo Family, the Alderran Family, the Wurhen Family, and the Noukx Family.

But there were twelve families. That meant there were seven more great families, each with their own history and problems, that Adam had never even encountered. The Pereit Family was one of those seven families.

All Adam knew about them was that their members had yellow eyes and hair – that’s it. However, in this case, that wasn’t useful information, since every family had its own unique color.

“Joarxa Pereit?” Adam tilted his head in confusion. “She’s an alcoholic and the head of the Pereit Family?”

Farla nodded deeply.

“Ironically, the Pereit Family hates that this woman is their leader. Look over there.” Farla pointed to one of the tables off to the side.

Adam turned and saw a group of yellow-haired people. They were from the Pereit Family. They were dressed the same as Joarxa. The women wore black leather outfits, not as aggressive as Kogen’s, but not as refined as those of the Rouzet Family.

Beneath the black leather was bright yellow fabric that was visible with every slight movement.

Unlike Joarxa, her elders carried themselves with elegance, like true members of high society. They spoke softly, moved gracefully, and looked impeccable.

“Joarxa doesn’t care about her family. Considering that Lagred is here, you should have already realized that this is a common occurrence.” Farla’s eyes darted toward Lagred, who merely shrugged nonchalantly.

Adam nodded, and Farla continued.

“Thus, the elders run the Pereit Family. To their credit, over the past hundred years, the Pereit Family has changed significantly. All their members are well-versed in etiquette, their manners are top-notch, and they try to resolve all issues like seasoned businesspeople. But…”

Adam smirked.

“Of course there’s a ‘but’ here.”

Farla sighed heavily.

“At the same time, their firepower has declined. I’d say that right now they’re one of the weakest families. The elders don’t see this as a problem. They say these are temporary difficulties and their family has simply been unlucky when it comes to exceptional talents.”

“Pffft. What nonsense.” Kogen snorted, interrupting Farla. “They’re just idiots who don’t understand that real warriors don’t care about etiquette, manners, and other bullshit.”

Strangely enough, Farla didn’t deny it.

“Yes. The Pereit Family, or rather, some of its members, understand this as well. These members have stopped obeying the elders and decided to follow Joarxa, or rather, to follow her lifestyle.”

Adam leaned forward.

“Which is?”

Farla’s eyes lit up.

“To fight, fight, and fight some more. Joarxa does whatever she wants because, up until now, she’s done whatever was necessary to win. Even though the Pereit Family is one of the weakest families right now, Joarxa is very strong, and her abilities are terrifying.”

Whooooooosh!

With a gust of wind that blew the glasses off the nearest waiter’s tray, Joarxa appeared right next to them. Her movements were sharp and swift, drawing everyone’s attention.

Osana gulped. She was the weakest one here. She had only recently reached the K4 Level. Adam, Skara, and Baren were stronger than her. Even Andreas, Douglas, and Farla could defeat her in a fight. They were the Touched Humans, but given their age, they would have enough strength to do so.

Everyone else here was a Second Rank Phantom.

The combined strength of their small group would be enough to destroy several clans made up of numerous Lords, even if there were a few True Lords among them.

“Blah…” Joarxa let out a low growl before taking another sip, completely emptying the bottle of wine.

“What kind of gathering is this? Why are you all here?”

Her eyes swept over the group.

She was right, nowhere else in the banquet hall were so many people gathered at once as they were here.

Erik smiled.

“Hello, Joarxa, you look great.”

“Pffft. Cut the crap. I haven’t slept in the last two days. I can’t look good.”

She looked down at her outfit.

“If it weren’t for my Operator, I wouldn’t have worn this crap, I’d have come here in some rags. You know me.”

“Sure, and I’m glad you’re staying true to your principles. Hahaha, without you, the Pereit Family would lose all its charm and become much weaker.”

“Huh.” Joarxa smirked. “I could say the same about you, Erik.”

Tap. Tap.

Erik’s hands fell on Skara and Adam’s shoulders.

“We’re gathered here for our newbies, for our Stars.” He nodded toward Baren. “He’s on the list too. I just can’t reach him.”

Before Joarxa could say anything, Kogen waved his hand.

“Nah. She’s not ready yet.” He pointed at Skara. “She needs a few tough fights to get to where these two are.”

Just then, a waiter walked past their group, carrying several bottles of champagne.

Joarxa’s eyes darted toward the young man. She could smell the alcohol as keenly as a shark smells blood.

“Come here, boy.”

“Y-Yes!” The waiter flinched and approached.

Joarxa grabbed a random bottle and, without hesitation, smacked the guy on the butt.

“Get out of here before I get in a playful mood.”

Not wanting to test whether she was serious, the young man quickly ran off to another table.

“Hahahahahah!” Lagred laughed. “Joarxa, I haven’t seen you in so many years, and you haven’t changed a bit.”

She opened the bottle, took a few deep swigs, and looked at Adam.

“You… Adam Vinter, right?”

Adam blinked.

“I’m surprised you know me.”

Joarxa smirked.

“Don’t get too big for your britches. It’s all thanks to my Operator. He told me there’d be someone interesting at that Radiant Branch. But you’re not the only strong fighter here, are you?”

Her gaze fell on Baren, who had remained calm from the very beginning. Though, he was pondering what Adam had said after their handshake.

When Joarxa looked at him, he just nodded in acknowledgment. Unlike Adam, who had come here out of curiosity, Baren was here to make his intentions clear.

He wanted to show the Citadel’s leadership that he would be the next Second Rank Phantom.

“I don’t care,” Adam said suddenly.

“Hmm?” Joarxa tilted her head. “What does that mean?”

Adam spread his arms wide.

“I came here because I was invited and persuaded to do so. If it weren’t for the Radiant Branch, I’d already be a Second Rank Phantom.”

Lagred and Erik exchanged glances. That was a bold statement, especially in front of Joarxa.

“Huh, is that confidence or arrogance speaking through you?” Joarxa leaned forward. “Do you even know how many young Phantoms like you appear with every World Wipe? Still, it’s been a very long time since we’ve had a new Second Rank Phantom who could last long enough.”

A jolt of electricity ran down Silvana’s spine as something in Joarxa’s words struck her as odd.

‘Ah? What is she talking about?’

She glanced at Adam.

‘Did you hear that, too?’

Adam’s expression darkened.

‘Yes… Shit.’

The others also noticed the change in the atmosphere, especially Douglas, Farla, Erik, and Lagred, who hurried to defuse the situation.

“Hey, Joarxa, I think you’ve had enough to drink today.”

Erik smiled and walked over to her. He draped his arm around her shoulder.

“How about we check out what snacks the Alderran Family has prepared this time?”

“Huh? What’s gotten into you all of a sudden? Since when have you started caring about their snacks? They’ve always been just average – I doubt anything’s changed.”

Sip.

Joarxa took another sip and shrugged.

“Though, I don’t mind. I wouldn’t say no to something sweet.”

Douglas looked at Adam.

“Ahem.” He coughed, preparing to speak. “Adam, what Joarxa said isn’t—”

Before he could say anything else, Adam grabbed Silvana’s hand and walked toward the entrance.

“Excuse us, but we need to step aside. My friend, whom I’ve been waiting for so long, has arrived!” Adam smiled innocently, almost like a child.

Turning around, they saw a tall young man walking alongside a girl. The young man had blue eyes and crimson hair.

He wasn’t a member of any of the great families, but Adam knew him well.

It was Fromund, and there was one thing Adam could thank him for right now.

‘Good. He arrived just in time.’

Silvana gulped as she walked with Adam to meet Fromund and Arayna.

‘Yes. We need to think this through… think it through very carefully.’