Ch. 176..180: Interstellar_ Return of the Villain Chapter 176-180

Chapter 176: Sis Marvel Is Mine

Somewhere in the endless void of space, Liliana stood beside the chair. She held her head down, feeling the sharp sting of Blackheart’s taunting laughter echoing in her mind.

"Turns out you people are just like us," he scoffed.

The voice in the phone didn’t seem pleased with the comment. "You can have her; I just wanna see the dead body..."

"I get it, I get it... keep the civilians out of this, right? Easy." Blackheart scratched at his ear, cutting off the communication with a flick. Then he lounged back in the chair, casually pulling Liliana onto his lap. "Did you catch that?"

"Daddy, those people are sketchy. What if it’s a setup?" she expressed her doubts.

He tightened his grip on her chin, his fingers almost digging into her skin.

"Listen up, Sis Marv is mine!" Blackheart licked her ear, his voice dripping with possessiveness. "I’m not settling for just you. Push those thoughts aside, got it?"

Frustration sparkled in Liliana’s eyes. Leaning against him, she softly replied, "I get it. I’ll help you find her." But the real concern nagged at her—would Lyra really bow to him?

A sly smile played on Liliana’s lips, hidden from Blackheart’s view.

...

To Lyra, any problem that could be tackled with brute force wasn’t a real problem. But after Captain Baird figured out the gap in their power dynamics, he decided to lean into his authority and wield it like a weapon.

He slapped punitive laps on her for not hitting the mark during drills. Then he forced her to scrub the toilets and clean the dining areas, grasping at any excuse he could muster.

Even though robots usually handled those chores, he insisted she do it herself, which only ruffled the automated helpers’ circuits.

Whispers circulated about his motives, and Kail even squared off with Baird, but that didn’t change the fact that Lyra was in his crosshairs.

She flat-out refused help from Thierry and the others, saying, "You’re interning; just do it right."

While he targeted her, Baird still managed to train the other interns well.

Zinnia, worried for Lyra, chimed in, "But he won’t even let you on a mission!"

Space pirates were lurking, patrols scouring nearby human settlements, and some remote towns remained under tight security.

Interns typically teamed up with veterans after a short adjustment period, while those sent out for reconnaissance had already traveled far across Demetra’s hemisphere.

Meanwhile, Lyra hadn’t even stepped off the military base. After a quick sweep under the watchful gaze of the robots, she carefully placed the vacuum out of reach, making sure it wouldn’t be mistaken for trash.

"I’m gonna grab a bite," she declared.

Zinnia stomped her foot in frustration, while Vikie sighed, "She knows what she’s doing."

And Lyra really did feel no rush. If Ansel planned to confront her, he wouldn’t do it at the base—not in his territory. He was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Then, on the seventh night at Demetra, it seemed that moment had arrived.

In the dead of night, Baird called everyone to a helicopter, declaring they were heading miles away to secure a small town—a vital trading hub for veggie merchants and farmers.

Kail’s Alpha Squad 09 was tagging along.

"Lyra, you and I are on perimeter duty for the market!" Baird ordered.

The outskirts were often the most perilous zones. Lyra shot him a glance but chose silence.

Not too far off, Kail was all ears, brow knitted as he wrapped up personnel assignments and made his way toward the perimeter.

Everyone was suiting up in their uniforms, armed with particle guns. They quickly took their places after getting their hands on the mecha’s Space Buttons.

Before dawn broke, the area was alive with hustle and bustle.

Nearby, vegetable farmers rolled in, unloading truckloads bursting with vibrant greens and colorful produce.

After confirming their identities, they were given the green light to enter.

Soon, the place overflowed with goods ready for market, as merchants arrived in large refrigerated trucks and even spaceships to load up their cargo. The open ground transformed into a lively marketplace, pulsing with energy.

Lyra stood at the edge, observing a lively old lady bartering with a merchant. "No way! A truckload has to be at least a thousand; otherwise, I’ve wasted two months of hard work!" she insisted, glaring. "Look at my back; it’s still aching!"

"Hey, don’t try to pull one over on me! Everyone knows it’s all grown by robots!" the merchant shot back.

Most customers were familiar faces, quickly hammering out deals, while others got into heated arguments, faces flushed with passion.

This vibrant scene was new to Lyra, offering her a glimpse into the colorful tapestry of the world around her.

Thierry and the other interns patrolling nearby sidled over, handing her a large, ripe tomato. "Hey, an old guy gave this to us; it’s super tasty!"

The old lady, overhearing, piped in, "My tomatoes are way better!" She eagerly pulled a few from her truck, handing them over with a grin. "Come on, I know you guys! You were amazing in the ATM... or something... My great-grandson even wants to join your military school!"

The merchant, ready to protest that she had already sold to him, fell silent when he saw the young faces surrounding her.

Zinnia gasped, "You look so young! And you have a great-grandson?"

The gray-haired woman, dressed in work clothes, winked playfully. "My grandson’s just as handsome as these two lads!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd, creating a moment of warmth amid the chaos.

Just then, Baird spotted the group of interns and barked, "What are you all doing? Lyra, get moving!" Though he was unsure why Lyra was given a task today, Baird recalled Ansel’s earlier advice: keep her on her toes.

The laughter faded, and as Lyra prepared to leave, something caught her eye. Suddenly, she shouted, "Into the town!"

Thierry and the others didn’t question her psychokinesis for a second. In unison, they yelled, "Everyone, get into the town!" The crowd started to stir, growing restless.

Baird, clearly frustrated, marched over with clenched fists. "What’s going on here?"

Ignoring him, Lyra’s gaze was fixed on the distant mountains. "They’re coming," she announced, raising her hand.

In an instant, dozens of enormous shields materialized, towering twenty meters high. Those caught up in transactions froze, staring up in stunned silence.

Then a laser beam shot out—

It shattered the shields, casting a crimson glow on the frightened faces in the crowd.

Just then, some gleaming silver metal expanded, deflecting the light waves.

Yet the searing heat made everyone’s hair stand on end.

Lyra’s Schedar took on a spherical shape, revealing a fan-shaped melted area on the ground before the crowd.

Baird’s expression hardened as he leaped into the mecha, amplifying his voice to bellow, "Everyone, get into the town now!"

Even the slowest person could sense the chaos erupting. People scrambled toward the town, some tripping and falling, getting trampled in the frenzy.

Baird quickly organized the teams. "Groups Eleven to Twenty, maintain order! Groups One to Ten, hold the rear!"

He turned to the interns, "Everyone but Lyra, head back!"

Chapter 177: Lyra Out

"What do you mean, everyone but Lyra?" Zinnia shouted, clearly exasperated. ’Are they really plotting amidst this chaos?’

Lyra pushed her aside, "I need to stay and treat the injured. You all go first."

"Lyra..."

Thierry pulled her toward the entrance. "We need to save people too!"

The crowd was too thick, and their presence would only slow her down.

After quick thinking, Thierry quickly scooped up the old lady next to him in the mecha and sped toward the town.

The soldiers piloted uniform D-class white mechas, swiftly forming a defensive line.

Suddenly, several warships soared over the mountains, sending chills down everyone’s spines—space pirates!

Kail rushed over, opening the mecha’s cockpit. "Sis, get inside!"

"I wish I could," Lyra replied, pulling off her empty Space Button and tossing it aside, standing exposed among the mechas.

Kail seethed, "Baird? You did that? How dare you?"

"Not my problem!" Baird shot back, anxiety creeping into his voice as he stared at Lyra.

After decades in the military, he felt a sinking sensation—these pirates were after her. ’Did Vice Admiral Shedd know this when I assigned her to the mission?’

Just then, the opticomputer blared an update: evacuate residents, and reinforcements were on the way.

Baird sighed with relief; it looked like wasn’t sending them to accompany Lyra to her doom after all.

Numerous fighters and mechas launched from the small warships, racing toward them.

"Prepare for battle!" Baird commanded. The frontline mechas took to the sky, intercepting the enemies to buy precious time for the civilians to escape.

On the ground, Thierry and his group continued to assist the injured. Panic washed over them when they glanced back. "Why doesn’t Lyra have a mecha?"

Zinnia cursed, "F*ck ’em! I knew it! Sending her out like this spells trouble!"

"Clearly, Vice Admiral Shedd must have known the space pirates were coming—maybe even colluded with them," Helion’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

"That can’t be! Vice Admiral Shedd would never work with space pirates..." Thierry argued, but his words were cut short as a laser beam struck nearby, hitting a fleeing group.

In an instant, bodies were reduced to ash in the searing heat of particles.

Seeing such devastation again after Wyrmtrace rattled Thierry to the core.

"Damn it, I’m going to crush those bastards!" Zinnia yelled, tears brimming in her eyes. She was ready to charge toward the front lines.

Thierry quickly restrained her mecha, "First, save the people. We can’t afford to lose anyone else."

The numbers of the vanguard teams paled against the space pirates, and some enemies breached the defenses, hovering ominously over the marketplace.

Ruthless laser beams rained down.

Amid the chaos, a green energy shield expanded like stars lighting up the night sky, intercepting the attacks with deadly precision.

Someone clad in silver armor rushed toward them. "Why aren’t you moving?" she asked.

"Lyra, where’s your mecha?" Zinnia asked as they retreated further.

"I don’t have one. Ansel assigned me this mission out of the blue; running into the space pirates can’t be a coincidence," Lyra replied flatly, further sinking everyone’s spirits.

As they approached the entrance to Aegis Shield, the gravity of their situation hit them hard. The once-glorious image of the military shattered before their eyes.

Lyra casually tossed a healing orb to a wounded civilian, ready to leave, when Thierry called out, "Where are you going, Lyra?"

"An old friend of mine is here. I need to say hello," she replied, her gaze locked onto the unmistakable dragon claw insignia emblazoned on the mothership.

Thierry, grappling with the collapse of his beliefs, stammered, "Or... maybe they’re not here for you."

Just then, a booming voice echoed from above, cutting through the tension. "Sis Marv! Lyra! I know you’re here, come out!"

Blackheart stood in the transparent command chamber, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he clutched a microphone. "A measly level-4 Aegis Shield won’t stop me. If you know what’s good for you, come out now, or I’ll take everyone down with you!"

It felt like a slap in the face, raw and cruel. While the military training location wasn’t a secret, how could Blackheart pinpoint her presence with such accuracy?

What shocked Thierry and the others even more was Baird’s reaction: "Lyra, I order you to come out!"

The interns stared in disbelief, and even some of his own men were taken aback. "Sir, what are you talking about? We’re all still alive. Why should we hand over an intern to space pirates?"

"Exactly! We should fight back!" another intern shouted.

"And what about the townspeople?" Baird shot back, his voice firm. He scanned his team, weighing the consequences. "Are we really going to sacrifice everyone for one intern?"

At that moment, Blackheart’s voice boomed again from above, "Stop stalling! You won’t wait for reinforcements. You have three minutes. If Lyra isn’t handed over, I’ll flatten this town!"

Baird shoved Lyra toward the chaos. "Why aren’t you moving?"

Silence fell over the group.

Suddenly, a purple mecha charged forward, knocking Baird down, cockpit and all.

"Baird, are you in cahoots with the space pirates? How else would they know she is here?" Kail shouted, banging on his controls.

Baird pushed Kail’s mecha aside, fuming. "What nonsense are you spouting? The Blackheart Legion is everywhere; it’s only natural they crossed paths with us!"

Baird glared at the young man, his disdain evident. He looked down on Kail since the first day they met. He believed that if Kail hadn’t been Ansel’s grandson, he would never have ascended to a vanguard leader so quickly.

The once-bustling marketplace lay in ruins, vegetables and vehicles strewn haphazardly across the ground.

Countless people who had been haggling just moments ago were now unrecognizable, victims of the chaos.

"Lyra..." Zinnia was on the brink of tears. "What a mess!"

Lyra turned to her young comrades. "Once I get over there, watch for my signals and run toward me."

The four understood she had a plan.

Kail nodded eagerly, "I’ll go too."

Meanwhile, Baird thought he was following Ansel’s orders. As he envisioned a promotion, a smug smile creeping across his face.

With countless eyes on her, Lyra stepped into the devastated area. Once she reached a safe distance, she caught sight of the cannon protruding from the mothership and waved behind her.

Thierry and the others immediately piloted their mechas toward her.

In that split second, a high-caliber electromagnetic cannon blazed across the bright sky, striking the town behind them.

They froze in shock.

When they turned back, the town had vanished, obliterated in an instant.

Aegis Shield, the houses, the people, the soldiers—everything melted away in that massive surge of energy.

The acrid scent of smoke hung heavy in the blinding sunlight.

As they searched for Lyra, they found her eerily calm, as if she had seen this coming.

Suddenly, without warning, a tranquilizer dart struck her back. She slumped down, her body going limp as a battle mecha with metallic claws swooped down to seize her.

Panic surged through Thierry and the others, but it was too late; they could only stand in horror as their friend was taken away, swallowed by the chaos.

Chapter 178: Silver Egg Again

Ansel and Leandro arrived at the scene, but instead of the bustling market that once stood, they were greeted by a charred wasteland.

The town had been reduced to a massive crater, still smoking.

The devastation was overwhelming, and the air was thick with the remnants of destruction.

Ansel’s expression hardened as he surveyed the ruins. But when his eyes caught sight of a few survivors huddled near the crater’s edge, a flicker of something cold flashed in his gaze.

Several interns stood among the survivors, their faces blank with shock and disbelief. Whatever ideals they once held had been shattered in the wake of this disaster.

When they saw Ansel and Leandro approaching, the interns’ eyes darkened with resentment, barely masking the anger boiling within them.

"Vice Admiral Shedd, I hope you’re proud of yourself," Thierry rasped, his voice raw like he’d been screaming for hours. "You sent Lyra out on her first mission, and she had no mecha to protect herself when she faced space pirates."

He paused, the weight of his next words heavy. "It’s worse than that, though. The pirates knew Lyra was here before they even showed up. You don’t really believe that’s just some freak coincidence, do you?"

Leandro’s usual cool demeanor cracked under the force of the accusation, while Ansel remained composed, his face revealing nothing of the tension that had settled over them.

He hadn’t expected any survivors, but he wasn’t about to let that shake him.

"What are you insinuating?" Ansel snapped, his voice sharp and commanding. "Get the medics over here—these interns need immediate psychological help!"

But Leandro wasn’t letting it slide. "Hold up, Vice Admiral," he interrupted, not allowing Ansel to shift control so easily. "This attack wasn’t random. There’s a traitor in the ranks."

Ansel’s eyes narrowed. "These interns are under my command. They’re none of your business," he replied icily, making it clear he wasn’t about to let Leandro meddle in his affairs.

Leandro met his gaze head-on, brushing some hair out of his face as the wind whipped past. "While we’re on Demetra, we play by my rules. Hundreds of thousands lives were lost here, Shedd. If we don’t find out who betrayed us, that blood will be on me." His eyes lingered on Ansel for a moment, the tension between them thickening.

"And another thing," Leandro continued, his tone firm. "We need to recover Lyra’s communicator. It could be the key to tracking Blackheart’s base."

With that, Leandro turned and walked away, his strides purposeful. Dark thoughts swirled in his mind. If Ansel was involved, Leandro wouldn’t rest until the truth came out—and there would be no mercy.

Yet, there was a significant issue at hand.

Demetra’s satellite network had been obliterated by Blackheart’s forces, leaving them blind and unable to trace where the pirates had escaped.

The following morning, the tech team delivered bad news. "We’re still unable to track Lyra’s communicator. It’s probably being jammed—or worse, it may not even be connected to the base anymore."

Leandro, who had been quietly trimming roses in the garden, froze. His hand slipped, ruining the delicate flower in front of him.

He cursed softly under his breath, trying to maintain his composure.

The tech officer continued, his voice tense. "Sir, there’s also mounting pressure from the public. Online chatter is exploding, and families of the victims are preparing to take legal action against the military. Should we try to quiet the outrage?"

Leandro sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Let them talk. They have every right to be angry. We failed to protect them, and..."

His voice faltered as he recalled the image of the ruined town, the smoldering crater where so many lives had been lost. Guilt weighed heavily on him.

"As if Blackheart wasn’t enough, there’s another threat lurking in the shadows," his adjutant added, his frustration evident.

Leandro set the clippers down and looked up at the clear sky. "Maybe... just maybe, that girl could be our chance."

If Blackheart hadn’t killed Lyra outright, that meant she had some value to him. The real question was how long she could survive in his hands and how far she could push the limits.

"Keep those four interns safe," Leandro said after a pause, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "They might end up being more important than we thought."

As the weight of everything settled on his shoulders, Leandro’s mind raced. If Ansel was in league with Blackheart, this wasn’t just about taking out Lyra.

But if Ansel thought he could play this game on Leandro’s turf, he was in for a rude awakening. The battle was far from over.

...

In the endless void of space, a massive warship carved its way through the darkness, like a lethal predator in pursuit.

Just beyond its reach, a team of astronauts meticulously worked along the ship’s perimeter, disabling the stealth satellites that had been tracking their every move.

Their mission completed, they reported back to Blackheart, "Just as we suspected—Ansel, that slippery old fox, planted a tracker on us," one of them said, confirming their suspicion.

Blackheart, gripping a goblet of liquor, downed it in a single motion, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

His thoughts kept returning to Lyra, the woman who had defied him more times than he could stomach.

The urge to finally put her in her place was overwhelming.

He stormed toward the prison where she was held, his mind racing with increasingly twisted ideas of how to break her. ’How should I make her suffer this time?’

The thought of lashing her, watching blood drip from her defiant body, tempted him.

Perhaps even tearing off her clothes, humiliating her further. But no, that would be too easy, too fleeting.

Keeping her alive, forcing her to continue in that military uniform she wore with such pride, while she unwillingly revealed the secrets of the Core’s technology—that would be far more satisfying. Yes, death would come later.

As anticipation swelled in his chest, he reached her cell, where the devices in place ensured her superpowers were nullified.

"Is she awake?" he demanded.

His guard hesitated, stammering. "She should be, but..."

"But what, you fool?" Blackheart snapped, already losing patience.

Swiping his crystal card, he opened the cell door. The thick metal slid aside, revealing something unexpected.

In the middle of the room sat a massive silver egg, gleaming ominously under the dim light.

Blackheart’s momentary surprise quickly turned into a twisted grin. "So, Sis Marv, you think hiding inside this thing will save you?" he sneered.

The egg gave no response, silent and still. If he hadn’t been there to witness Lyra’s capture himself, Blackheart might’ve thought this was some sort of elaborate decoy.

But he wasn’t easily fooled. Snarling, he unleashed his fury, transforming his hands into massive dragon claws and slashing at the metallic shell.

His strength, capable of tearing through mechas, left not a single mark on the egg.

As he paused, catching his breath, thin, razor-sharp blades suddenly shot from the egg, slicing through the air with blinding speed.

They cut shallow wounds into Blackheart’s body, forcing him to retreat, seething with rage.

He stormed back to the command room, his mood dark and dangerous.

When Liliana saw the look on his face, she felt a knot of fear tighten in her stomach.

The others in the room quickly turned their attention back to their tasks, pretending not to notice the storm brewing in him.

"Where were you hiding, you useless brat?!" Blackheart bellowed, his eyes locking onto Liliana.

She approached with a sly smile, trying to ease the tension. "Daddy, let me—"

Before she could finish, he struck the cup from her hand, sending it crashing to the floor.

In a flash, his hand closed around her wrist, yanking her into a chair.

With a cruel grin, he ripped at her clothes. The sharp crack of a whip cut through the air, striking her skin.

Liliana’s eyes widened in pain, but deep within them, hatred simmered, masked by her outward submission.

Meanwhile, inside her cell, Lyra remained within the safety of her silver egg.

...

The door opened and closed again, and soft footsteps approached.

Quickly concealing her Schedar, Lyra tensed as Liliana, trembling and wounded, rushed into her arms.

"It’s all your fault," Liliana pouted theatrically. "Look how badly I’ve been hurt because of you!"

Lyra’s fingers moved through Liliana’s red hair, her touch brushing against fresh blood.

With a slight frown, Lyra healed the wounds with ease, then pushed her away. "What are you doing here?"

Liliana clutched at the torn straps of her dress, making a half-hearted attempt to cover herself before dramatically flopping onto the bed.

Her expression was teasing, a sharp contrast to her earlier distress. "You know, when I was little, I was locked in here for two months. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have come back."

Lyra crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "Because you fought back?"

Liliana flicked her hair over her shoulder with a seductive smirk, crossing her legs. "Back then, I had two sisters. They resisted him, too. But they died for it."

Her lips curled into a mocking smile, the bitterness evident. "Idiots, really. They survived being sold by human traffickers only to throw their lives away so easily. They should’ve known better."

Chapter 179: Her Story

Liliana wasn’t Blackheart’s biological daughter. She had been a trophy—one of three girls captured in a brutal ambush against rival slavers.

All three were meant to fetch a high price in the underground market, beautiful and brimming with potential. Their memories were erased to forget their families and former lives.

At first, Blackheart treated them like prized possessions. They dined on gourmet food, wore luxurious clothes, and were addressed with respect, as if they were young noblewomen.

The girls, naive and brainwashed, believed Blackheart was a rough man with a hidden heart of gold.

But that illusion shattered as they grew older. When their bodies began to mature, so did Blackheart’s dark, twisted desires.

"He loves to play these kinds of sick games," Liliana said with a smirk, though her voice held an undercurrent of bitterness. "In the sixty or seventy years he’s been doing this, I’m the only one who survived long enough to grow up. I even became one of his deputies. Impressive, right?"

Her smile was a cruel, mocking thing, as though any pride in her position was long dead. She had learned that survival was the only real victory, even if it came at a terrible price.

Sitting on the bed, her bare feet swung playfully, but there was nothing innocent about it. "You, my little angel, are the first grown woman he’s ever been interested in right from the start."

Lyra’s expression didn’t change. Her eyes remained cold, detached. "If you’ve said your piece, leave."

Liliana found herself drawn to that indifference. It was precisely what made Lyra so compelling—untouchable, unaffected by the horrors that had broken so many others.

With a sigh, Liliana leaned in closer, resting her head on Lyra’s shoulder.

"If only you were a man," she whispered wistfully, her tone heavy with longing and a sadness that even she couldn’t quite explain.

Years of abuse had twisted her understanding of affection. The only way she knew how to love—or even feel close to someone—was through physical touch, intimacy that had long since lost its meaning.

"Daddy wants me to convince you to step out of that elastic metal of yours," she said softly, her fingers brushing against Lyra’s arm in a pleading gesture. "Just obey him. If you do, it’ll save me from suffering even more."

"I won’t," Lyra replied without hesitation. Her voice was as steady as ever, though she suddenly coughed, covering her mouth as she tried to suppress it.

Liliana’s face fell for a brief moment, but she quickly leaned in, pressing her lips against Lyra’s in a sudden kiss.

When she pulled back, her expression was soft, submissive, her face reflected in Lyra’s dark, unwavering eyes.

With a small hum, she stood up and left the room without another word.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Lyra wiped her mouth and retreated back into the protective confines of her silver egg.

Meanwhile, Blackheart sat in his command room, his eyes glued to the surveillance footage.

Fury bubbled within him, barely held back. His fist slammed down on the table as he abruptly stood and stormed off toward Liliana’s quarters.

The moment he entered, a strange scent hit his nose. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he crossed the room in a few long strides and grabbed Liliana by the arm, yanking her close.

"You hiding herbal plants from me?" he snarled, his grip tightening.

Liliana winced in pain, but her voice remained steady. "I was just taking medicine, Daddy."

On the vanity beside her bed, an untouched bowl of herbs sat in plain sight.

"We’ve been floating out here for so long," she explained, pouting. "I ran out of my regular medicine, so I had to brew something from plants."

To prove her point, she lifted the bowl and took a careful sip, her eyes meeting Blackheart’s without flinching.

For a moment, he hesitated, unsure of whether to believe her. Then, with a sneer, he tossed her back onto the bed.

"Liliana," he growled, grabbing a fistful of her hair, forcing her to look up at him. "You’ll never escape my control. I don’t care how grown up you think you are—you belong to me, and you always will. Understand?"

Liliana forced a sweet smile, though her eyes held a trace of loathing. "Of course, Daddy."

"Good girl," he said, patting her cheek in a condescending manner. "We’ll be arriving at the base soon. Get Sis Marv out of that egg, or I’ll make sure you regret it."

"I’ll try," Liliana replied lightly, her voice hiding the contempt burning beneath the surface.

After Blackheart left, she pulled a small, damp green plant from beneath her pillow. It radiated a soft, comforting energy, and Liliana clutched it as though it were the only thing tethering her to sanity.

Meanwhile, Blackheart’s warship descended toward a distant, desolate planet.

Across the galaxy, under the cover of night, Thierry received an anonymous message that made him stop in his tracks. His mind raced, and he wasted no time.

Tossing his blankets aside, he hurried out of bed and rushed to find Leandro’s men. Though it was late, he didn’t care.

Together, they went straight to Leandro’s quarters, where the Vice Admiral was about to turn in for the night.

"Sir, we’ve just received a message from Lyra!" Thierry exclaimed, breathless with excitement.

Leandro, halfway through pulling on his uniform, paused for only a second. "Are you sure it’s really her?"

"Almost certain," Thierry replied urgently. "Lyra’s unit has a private communication system based on Wyrmtrace. Blackheart shouldn’t be able to block it."

They didn’t waste another moment, practically sprinting to the tech department. It didn’t take long to confirm the message’s origin—it was traced back to Voidstar No. 1.

"That bastard’s hiding there, just as I thought!" Leandro growled, slamming his hand on the table. But his fury quickly gave way to concern, and he frowned. "We might not be able to land there."

Voidstar No. 1 was nothing like its barren sister planet, Voidstar No. 2.

While Voidstar No. 2 had a desolate landscape with minimal activity, Voidstar No. 1 had developed small, habitable settlements—though not the kind any law-abiding citizen would want to visit.

Its lack of resources meant it never grew into a large city, but it became a perfect breeding ground for space pirates and criminals. Its surrounding asteroid belts made it impractical for major development, but ideal for those looking to hide in the shadows.

While Voidstar No. 2 maintained shaky connections with the Alliance through Snakehead, Voidstar No. 1 was completely isolated—a chaotic stronghold of lawlessness.

It was larger, far more dangerous, and filled with complex, rival factions. Its relationship with the military was volatile at best, openly hostile at worst.

Several military campaigns had been attempted over the years to root out the criminals, but each time, the pirates vanished into thin air before any real battle could begin.

And if the military tried to establish a base there, the local forces united to crush them.

After repeated failures, the military had given up. Voidstar No. 1 was left to rot as a lawless wasteland, a notorious haven for criminals.

And now, hearing that Blackheart had set up his base there, Leandro felt the full weight of the situation.

"If we charge in guns blazing, we’ll provoke every pirate and criminal faction on that rock. It’ll be a disaster," he muttered to himself.

Just then, Ansel entered the room, having been informed of the news. "Did you locate Blackheart?" he asked, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

The thought of Blackheart slipping through his fingers again—robbing him of a major victory—was infuriating. Still, at least the potential of getting rid of Lyra offered him a small consolation prize.

Leandro looked at him, slightly annoyed by Ansel’s visit, but he eventually gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"Yes, we found them on Voidstar No. 1," he said, pausing before adding with a hint of satisfaction, "You’ll be pleased to know your granddaughter is still alive, Vice Admiral Shedd."

Ansel’s face tightened at the mention of Lyra, and Leandro couldn’t help but enjoy the small jab. He continued, keeping up the appearance of cooperation, "Since I’m responsible for protecting Demetra and keeping the Broken Blades Pirates in check, how about you take the lead on this one?"

Ansel gave him a sharp look, his mind quickly processing the situation.

"Given that the higher-ups have ordered us to work together," Ansel began, "we should approach this carefully. This isn’t a mission to rush into."

Voidstar No. 1 was a hornet’s nest, and Ansel had no intention of being the one to stir it up. It was far too risky, and despite the opportunity to strike at Blackheart, the prospect of dealing with the chaos of Voidstar No. 1 made him hesitate.

Thierry, who had been standing nearby, felt a cold wave of disappointment wash over him.

Even with Lyra’s life hanging in the balance and Blackheart’s hideout exposed, these two were still more focused on maneuvering for their own interests than the mission itself.

Thierry had hoped that once Blackheart’s location was revealed, it would be a straightforward matter of saving Lyra and crushing their enemies. But the selfish agendas of men like Ansel and Leandro were always in the way.

Ansel, making his excuses, left the room, muttering that they would "discuss further options tomorrow."

As he departed, Thierry’s opticomputer buzzed with a new message.

"Tell Leandro to send in support quietly. I’ll handle the rest."

The message was from Lyra herself. She had clearly anticipated that the military wouldn’t opt for an all-out assault.

Leandro read the message, his irritation fading into a strange calm. He smirked. "Does she seriously think she can take down Blackheart’s entire army on her own?"

Thierry, his voice tight with frustration, responded, "Lyra always has a plan. Since she’s reached out, the least we can do is support her efforts."

Leandro gave a nonchalant shrug. "Fine."

But he didn’t miss the anger in Thierry’s tone, and with a knowing smile, he added, "You’re still young, full of fire. Someday, when you reach my position, you’ll see things differently."

Thierry had enough. His voice rose with sharp defiance. "I will never become like you. My only purpose is to protect this nation, and I’ll make damn sure nothing like what happened at the marketplace ever happens again!"

Without waiting for a response, Thierry turned and marched out, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

Leandro was momentarily taken aback by the intensity of Thierry’s glare. He chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head.

"He’s the naivest Whyte I’ve ever come across, isn’t he?" he muttered under his breath, his amusement barely concealed.

With a sigh, Leandro leaned back in his chair, the weight of years—and countless battles—settling over him like an old coat. ’Foolish boy,’ he thought, his smile edged with pity. ’Every man who holds power once had those same dreams in his youth.’

’In the end, to last in this game, you need more than just a good heart. You need to be willing to do what’s necessary,’ Leandro reflected. Thierry’s youthful idealism might get him through for now, but in time, the boy would either learn the hard way, or be swallowed whole by the same universe he sought to protect.

Chapter 180: Last Dance

Lyra lay still inside the egg, and she was carried into a bleak, windowless room that seemed more like a tomb than a prison.

The moment the guards left, the assault began.

First, the scorching heat rolled in, waves of fire licking the metal shell.

Then came the violent crackle of lightning, zapping the surface, followed by the deafening roar of the warship’s cannons.

But the egg? It stood firm, shrugging off each brutal attack like it was nothing.

Around Lyra, the annoying hum of cutting machines filled the air, their sharp teeth gnawing at the steel. But even those ferocious blades couldn’t pierce through. They were loud, obnoxious, but completely useless.

"No point, sir."

The man gripping the cutter looked up at Blackheart, fear oozing from every pore as he trembled under his leader’s gaze.

Blackheart didn’t even hesitate. With a savage swing of his clawed hand, the man’s head was gone—clean off.

Blood sprayed, splattering the horrified crew who stood frozen, pale as ghosts.

Panting with rage, Blackheart barked at his men, "Where the hell’s Liliana?"

"She... uh, she’s off delivering supplies to the Broken Blades," one of them stammered, shaking under his captain’s murderous glare.

The crew owed everything to the Broken Blades. Without that brutal pirate faction’s protection, they never would’ve survived on Voidstar No. 1.

But that safety came at a steep price—a third of every raid went to them, no exceptions. Even their latest score from Demetra had to be sliced up, though it was supposed to be a joint mission.

Liliana slinked back late that night, exhaustion dragging her down. Her heavy steps only pissed off Blackheart more. He scowled as she walked in. "Sis Marv didn’t rough you up again, did she?"

Liliana rolled her eyes, slipping into his arms with a lazy sway of her hips. "Oh please, when hasn’t she? That witch can’t seem to keep her hands off me."

Liliana wasn’t exactly new to being treated as a tool for Blackheart’s deals. Hell, back in the day, he’d regularly thrown her to his men as a "reward."

But tonight, his mind was elsewhere. He traced her waist absentmindedly, muttering, "Think you can make Sis Marv bow to us?"

She twirled a strand of her fiery red hair between her fingers, stifling a yawn. "The only thing that woman bows to is money. And you’re running short on it."

Blackheart’s temper flared instantly. He shoved her to the ground with a snarl. "That’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever said!"

His boots stomped furiously as he paced, his mind spinning with frustration. "There’s no way that girl will last in that thing for seven damn years without food or water!"

Liliana calmly adjusted the high slit of her dress, covering her legs as she stood back up. "Well, I might have an idea," she purred, "but it’ll take a few days before I can try."

He snapped back at her, his patience thin as paper. "Why wait?"

Before she could answer, the floor beneath them rumbled violently. The walls trembled, sending pirates into a frenzy. "Is it an earthquake?!"

They scrambled outside, but as quickly as it came, the tremor faded.

Blackheart cursed under his breath, his nerves already hanging by a thread. "Nothing’s going right today! Why the hell didn’t the environmental monitors pick that up?"

One of the crew tried to explain, "It was a localized quake, sir. It ended as fast as it started."

But Blackheart wasn’t having it. Another poor soul met their end under his merciless claw, rage boiling over.

Liliana stepped forward, her scarlet dress swaying like flames in the dim light. "Daddy, don’t lose it over nothing," she said in a low, soothing voice, casting a glance at the terrified crew.

Without a word, they scrambled to vanish from sight, obeying her silent command.

Blackheart shoved her away with a snarl. "Just handle it! I won’t be so forgiving if this plan falls apart." He stormed out, his heavy steps echoing like thunder through the base.

Liliana stood her ground, her fiery hair and dress glowing against the cold steel floor, as if she was surrounded by dancing flames.

The blood at her feet, from those freshly killed, seemed to pulse and swirl in a dark, twisted rhythm.

Three days later, Liliana made her way to see Lyra. No one knew what was said between the two women, but when Liliana reappeared, she delivered shocking news—Lyra had agreed to meet with Blackheart.

The announcement sent a thrill of excitement through Blackheart, and he practically bolted to the meeting room.

Inside the stark, empty space, Lyra sat quietly, sipping water. She looked frail, her body drained from days without food.

But her eyes? They still held a fierce fire of rebellion. That cold, defiant gaze made Blackheart’s fingers twitch with anticipation.

Liliana glided in behind him, carrying a tray of food, her expression bored as she muttered, "I worked hard to get her out of that egg. Don’t screw it up by getting all worked up, Daddy."

Blackheart’s eyes remained locked on Lyra as if sizing her up, a predator circling its prey. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he ordered, "Get out."

Liliana pouted playfully; she let out a soft hum before shimmying out of the room. The seductive rhythm of her walk lingered in the air.

Just before the door closed, she turned her head ever so slightly, catching a glimpse of Lyra’s gaze—deep, mysterious, and cold as ice.

With a flick of her hair, Liliana handed her communicator to the squad leader standing nearby. "In Daddy’s name, gather everyone here."

The man didn’t hesitate. "Yes, ma’am," he replied, quickly sending out the call without so much as a question.

Back inside the room, Blackheart stepped toward Lyra, his hulking frame casting a shadow over her.

She sat still, her face emotionless, eyes cutting right through him.

"So, you’ve finally decided to submit?" Blackheart sneered, grabbing her chin roughly and forcing her to look up.

His brutality simmered just beneath the surface, waiting to erupt. His grip tightened as if testing her, daring her to break.

Lyra’s gaze never wavered. "Do you remember years ago, Blackheart? When you stormed into my clinic like a rabid dog?"

A wicked grin curled on his lips. "You should’ve stayed put when I gave you the chance. But no, you ran, and now you’re paying the price."

Lyra’s voice remained calm, though a flicker of something dangerous flashed in her eyes. "Yes, I remember. It hurt, quite a bit actually."

As she spoke, a faint glow flickered at her waist. Her Space Button activated, and in an instant, a sleek, elastic metal armor unfolded, wrapping around her body.

Blackheart’s eyes flared with fury, his form shifting as scales sprouted from his skin, morphing him into a monstrous, draconic humanoid.

Just as his transformation completed, a silver blade came slicing toward him.

He reacted instantly, swiping his claws to block the attack, but not without a cost—his middle toe was severed clean off, blood spraying across the metal floor.

A guttural roar of rage tore from his throat, his wings unfurling from his back as his beastly form took over. His voice rasped with fury. "You’re dead, Lyra!"

In a blink, he launched himself at her, his speed terrifying.

Lyra swung her blade again, but he dodged with ease, his movements too fast.

Before she could react, he slammed his foot into her chest, sending her crashing into the wall with enough force to splinter the steel. Cracks webbed out around her like a fractured mirror.

Blackheart hovered above her, his wings beating menacingly. His draconic form was the peak of his power, combining his beastly strength with flight.

He was nearly unbeatable—at least, for anyone in their right mind.

Lyra, weakened by days of confinement, stood little chance.

With a cruel smirk, his fanged face leered at her. "What makes you think you can stand against me?"

Coughing, Lyra wiped the blood from her lips and sighed heavily. "I’m tired of fighting, honestly."

Her words hung in the air, but Blackheart only laughed—a deep, mocking sound. "Oh, giving up now, are we? Too bad it’s far too late for that!" He beat his wings harder, creating gusts of wind that forced Lyra to her knees, barely able to keep herself upright.

Just as he was about to strike again, the ground shook violently beneath them.

The lights overhead flickered erratically, casting wild shadows across the walls. The entire base trembled with a force far greater than before, and even Blackheart, in his heightened form, could feel the oppressive weight of it.

Outside the room, Liliana stood drenched in blood, her once pristine dress now soaked through, clinging to her body.

Blood dripped from her hair, and at her feet, a pool of crimson spread wider with each second.

Her subordinates stood around her, their faces pale, trembling with fear. One of them raised a shaky finger, pointing behind her. "M-miss Liliana? What... what is that?!"

Liliana slowly turned, her gaze falling on a massive purple creature tearing through the base, her golden, vertical eyes gleaming with malevolence.

A level-eight wyrm. Her monstrous form dwarfed everything around her as she wreaked havoc.

Liliana carelessly discarded the severed head she’d been holding, sighing as she muttered, "So, this was your plan all along?"

Suddenly, green energy shields appeared, forming steps in the air, and a figure descended gracefully.

A woman with beautiful hair and cold eyes floated down, dragging an unconscious, battered man with her.

It was Lyra.

She flung Blackheart’s mangled body to the ground, his broken form landing with a sickening thud in the growing pool of blood.

"He’s still alive," the woman stated flatly.

Blackheart lay gasping, barely clinging to life. His eyes darted around in terror, taking in the pile of mutilated corpses nearby.

Liliana knelt beside him, her blood-soaked form eerily calm.

She leaned in close, her voice a quiet whisper. "Daddy, how did you get hurt so badly?" Her fingers traced his chest as she spoke, pressing gently against his wounds.

"Such a mess... it almost makes me not want to drag this out," she murmured, her tone mocking.

Blackheart’s body convulsed in agony as he watched her lick the blood from her fingers, her lips curling into a smile.

"Let me, your good girl, give you one last dance."