Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 2078: It’s easier to defend than to attack

Karos was an unexpected guest at their table, but of all the family heads present, he seemed to be the only one who didn’t mind talking more about the problems ahead.

Silvana’s lips trembled.

“It’s even worse? But how can that be? Are you sure you heard everything?”

Karos let out a short, bitter chuckle.

“Huh, do you think you’re the first K4-Phantoms to figure this out? Though, I’ll give you credit for doing it faster than everyone else and getting closer to the truth than the others.”

His gaze fell on Adam.

“I’m sure it’s all because of your connection to Aiden Henk, isn’t it?”

Adam didn’t deny it and nodded.

“Yes. I’m using the information I have to better understand the situation in the world.”

“Sure.” Karos waved his hand. “I don’t blame you. You would have found out about this soon anyway, since the Befallen Crown is going to attack in the next few years, or maybe even sooner.”

Step. Step. Step.

Karos walked over to the nearest table, which was reserved for one of the families. He pulled out a chair and moved it closer to their table. The faint aura that constantly emanated from him made it clear to the others that they shouldn’t approach this table right now.

“True, the Zero War isn’t the end of the world. No one knows if the First Star or the Last Star will ever destroy the entire world when they collide, but even if that ever happens, it certainly won’t be during this World Wipe. The last World Wipe was no different from all the others, and nothing extraordinary has happened in these 250 years.”

For Adam, Silvana, Fromund, Arayna, Alexia, and Louis, a span of 20–30 years was equal to or greater than their entire lifetimes, but for someone like Karos, it was a mere blink of an eye.

“So, your theory that the Zero War is a war to eliminate the new Second Rank Phantoms is correct. The Befallen Crown attacks the Citadel time and time again, and they’ve been preparing for this for all 250 years.”

Crack!

Alexia slammed her fist on the table, fire burning in her eyes.

“What? Then why hasn’t the Citadel destroyed the Befallen Crown yet? They’re nothing but trouble! They’re constantly killing humans and Phantoms and doing everything they can to make other monsters hate us just as much as they do!”

Karos raised his hand slightly, gesturing for her to be quiet.

“Don’t make a fuss, or half the banquet hall will be here soon. Look, every one of you has been on the battlefield countless times. I, and especially my Operator, know everything there is to know about you. So, I know what I’m talking about.”

He folded his hands together and leaned back, relaxed in his chair.

“Therefore, you must know that defending is much easier than attacking. The Befallen Crown cannot attack the Citadel and wipe humanity off the face of the earth. But that works just as well against us.”

Karos continued:

“Sure, we have powerful Phantoms and Queen Elisa with her barrier, but do you think the Befallen Crown has no defensive measures at all? Imagine how many Lords are under their control? How many defensive barriers can they create?”

Silvana bit her lip.

She remembered the conversation about Queen Elisa’s barrier. Her barrier was much stronger than that of other Second-Rank Phantoms, but what difference did that make if the Lords outnumbered us significantly?

Click.

Karos snapped his fingers, pointing at Silvana.

“Here. She understands what I’m talking about. The Befallen Crown’s territory is much larger than ours, even when you factor in the Citadel, the Lower Ring and Upper Ring, the Bastions, and the Spires. Unlike them, we can only defend part of our territories, only the most important parts.”

Arayna nodded, listening to him intently.

She knew that during the World Wipe, none of the Spires would hold out, since there was no one to defend them. The Citadel couldn’t send a Second-Rank Phantom to defend some Spire when the Bastions were under attack.

“So…” Karos paused, gauging their reaction. “I’d say that attacking the Befallen Crown and destroying their territories and army is even harder for us than it is for them to destroy the Citadel. Though none of us will be able to do that.”

Louis nodded deeply. He’d been quiet lately, knowing that everything Karos said was valuable information, but he had a question too.

“You’re right, but why did you say the situation is even worse? What did we misunderstand?”

In response, Karos looked at Alexia.

“I hope you’ll all become new Second-Rank Phantoms, honestly. I, the other heads of the Twelve Branches, and all the other Second-Rank Phantoms will do everything we can to protect you, but I’ve said the same thing to many other Phantoms in your position.”

Adam clenched his jaw, guessing what Karos meant.

“Now, all those Phantoms… They’re dead, right?”

“Right,” Karos confirmed calmly.

Arayna’s face went pale. Fromund’s death had been her worst nightmare, and if Adam, Fromund, and Alexia died, the same fate would await their Operators. Each of them remembered that.

“B-But…” Arayna’s voice trembled. “But why?”

Alexia frowned.

“Yeah. Can’t we just hide at the Citadel?”

Karos narrowed his eyes.

“You can, and you will, but that might not be enough. Look, imagine that the Befallen Crown attacks the Citadel and you’re hiding at the First Ring in the Gamma Division tunnels.”

They all nodded, listening intently.

“Some True Lord wants to kill you. Naturally, someone will rush to protect you. Let’s say it’s me or Frida. Sure, Frida can stop one True Lord, or even two or more, depending on what stage they’re at. But what if there are three or four of them?”

Karos waved his hand, stating what was obvious to him.

“They could all attack Frida together and seriously wound her, but they’re unlikely to kill her. But… they could also split up.”

Silvana’s heart clenched with pain as she realized how this simple plan worked.

“Two will hold Frida off, and the rest will go after us. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

Karos sighed heavily.

“The same situation will play out all over the Citadel. So… you’ll just die. End of story.”