Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 2083: Collateral Damage

The Sword & Shield Plan was a simple and effective plan.

Given the current balance of power, it was the best option available to the Stars and the Citadel.

However, even this plan had its flaws.

The Stars would have to fight against the Lords, and even those among them who managed to win and survive would be forced to endure grueling battles. But if they wanted to reach the Second Circle and survive the next World Wipe, they would need to possess sufficient strength to do so.

There was one more thing.

While Karos explained what the Sword & Shield Plan entailed, who among them would be the shield and who would be the sword, he said little about what would happen to the Citadel during the Zero War.

Sure, everyone understood that the Citadel would become the arena for the Zero War when the Befallen Crown attacked, but no one had thought about the details. Well, at least not until Carsian brought it up, he seemed to know exactly what the others were thinking.

Gulp.

Arayna gulped.

Of everyone here, she probably had the kindest heart and the most innocent soul. Unlike Louis and Silvana, who usually hid a dark fire within them, she was pure flame.

“A million… A million people will die?”

Carsian shrugged.

“Yeah, something like that. Though, I have to say that’s still a good-case scenario. Am I right, Karos?” Carsian glanced at him.

Everyone turned to Karos.

He nodded deeply.

“Indeed. To be precise, in the last Zero War, not counting the Stars and other Phantoms – 2,227,685 ordinary people died. Of course, that’s only what we were able to count, and the actual number must be higher, but that’s already enough to be a catastrophe.”

Layra sighed heavily.

“Not only people, but their homes, streets, and entire neighborhoods were destroyed. It’s not exactly morally right, but it’s a good thing the Zero War is happening toward the end of the World Wipe.”

“Hmm?” Silvana frowned. “What do you mean?”

Layra spread her arms wide with an innocent look.

“Look, I don’t wish death on anyone, nor do I wish destruction upon the Citadel, but that’s the situation. The ordinary people who will die in the Zero War are doomed anyway. It doesn’t matter whether they survive or not. A couple of years after the Zero War, the World Wipe will happen, and you know what will happen then.”

Silvana and Arayna lowered their eyes. They understood what Layra was talking about.

Sure, those who managed to survive the Zero War would be luckier than those facing certain death, but soon enough, the World Wipe would bring them the same fate.

“So yeah…” Layra scratched her cheek. “No matter how much damage the Citadel sustains or how many ordinary people die, we can’t prevent this from happening. If we could stop the Befallen Crown whenever we wanted, we would have done so long ago.”

In short, everyone agreed with Layra.

Sure, each of them wished neither the Zero War nor the World Wipe existed, but that was the reality, and they couldn’t deny it.

The only one whose outlook was darker than the others’ was Adam.

While the others were thinking about what awaited them at the Zero War and what kind of enemy they would have to face, Adam had entirely different thoughts running through his mind.

‘Last time, two million ordinary people died? Considering the population of the Upper Ring, that’s… that’s almost 5%, right?’

He looked at Silvana, speaking to her through their shared voice.

She nodded slightly, confirming his assumption.

“Yes, your calculations are correct. I know what you’re thinking, Adam. As soon as the Radiant Branch is over, we’ll talk to Farla or Frida or someone from the Twelve Branches. I think there’s a way to ensure the safety of your family and mine.”

Adam bit his lip as he slowly tapped on the table.

“Alright, 5% isn’t that much, and there’s probably a safe place at the Citadel even during the Zero War. After all, any casualties among regular people and damage to the Citadel are just collateral damage. The Befallen Crown will come to kill the Stars and all the talented Phantoms, not the regular people.”

Tap.

He tapped again.

“But… What next? Even if I survive the Zero War and find a safe place for my family, it’s still a minor threat compared to the World Wipe.”

Ever since the day Adam learned about the World Wipe, many of this world’s secrets had been revealed to him.

However, time and again, it all came back to the fact that the World Wipe would be a catastrophe that would forever change his and Silvana’s lives for the worse.

“Ah…” Adam sighed deeply to himself. “We have to stop the World Wipe no matter what.”

Silvana took Adam’s hand under the table.

“Yes. We’ll do it. That’s exactly why we’re here. We did the right thing by deciding to come here. Anywhere else, we wouldn’t have found this out, at least not in such detail, and certainly not from the family heads.’

Adam turned to Karso.

“Is there anything else we need to know?”

Before answering, Karso glanced at Layra and Carsian, as if seeking their approval.

They just shrugged. They didn’t think it was anything particularly important.

“Well, you’ve already learned more than enough. Though, if it weren’t for Joarxa, this conversation would have come much later rather than now. But perhaps it’s for the best, after all, three of you are the Present Stars, and it’s possible you’ll reach the Second Circle before the Zero War begins.”

He leaned forward as a glint flashed across his black eyes.

“However, you mustn’t forget that the Befallen Crown is already actively preparing for the Zero War. Also, they know that the Radiant Branch is taking place today and that many of you will learn about the coming war. So, after tonight, you’d better be especially careful.”

He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Adam was right earlier. After the Radiant Branch, the hunt will begin across all the Stars.”