Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1459 - Capítulo 1459: Trinket (Part 1)

The radiant glow Silvana had emitted lingered in Adam’s thoughts for a long while. It wasn't merely her physical appearance that captivated him; rather, he sensed it was her inherent power—a force partially derived from himself.

Their progression was intertwined; as he grew, so did her strength. Adam remained uncertain about what challenges the final stage of the K4-Level held, yet he was aware that an Operator and a Phantom were inseparable. Even a figure like Damien possessed an Operator.

‘It seems every Phantom eventually gains a partner, even if they don't start with one. So, what about her?’ Adam mused, shifting his gaze upward.

“Is there something on your mind?” Silvana inquired.

The two had spent a quiet moment on the bench, hands entwined, before Adam’s attention was drawn to the sky as the sun began its descent toward the horizon.

“That light you gave off... it made me realize that if every Phantom has an Operator without exception, then Queen Elisa must have one as well, right?”

Silvana paused for a few heartbeats before nodding in agreement.

“I’m certain she once had an Operator. However, it is highly probable that their paths split long ago. If Queen Elisa has been shielding us from the World Wipes, she must be over a millennium old. I’m unsure of the circumstances that led to her current state, but I doubt her Operator is still among the living.”

“But...” Adam’s expression darkened as he frowned. “A Phantom’s strength is tied to their Operator. Could she truly reach such heights alone? Protecting the First Ring from a World Wipe requires staggering power. Based on what I've discovered lately, such a feat should be impossible without an Operator's support.”

Silvana rested her chin in her hand, contemplating his words.

“Are you suggesting her Operator might still be alive? Perhaps hiding within the Citadel or out in the Dead Lands?” Adam raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“It’s a possibility. Though, honestly, I can't imagine who it would be. Typically, an Operator starts as an ordinary person before receiving power through their bond with a Phantom.”

In truth, their theories were a mixture of accuracy and misconception.

They were unaware of anomalies like Gladius—an Operator who wasn't even human. Such cases were incredibly rare, born only from highly specific conditions.

Ultimately, the unique connection between Phantoms and Operators could manifest in various ways, particularly when reaching such elevated levels of power.

“Anyway, is it even worth dwelling on?” Adam said, scratching the back of his neck.

Silvana tilted her head in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, if I succeed in stopping the World Wipe, Queen Elisa won't need to protect us anymore. What if she could stop focusing on the barrier and use all that power against the First Star and Last Star instead?” Adam proposed.

“That...”

Silvana looked down, her voice trailing off.

“I’m not certain that’s feasible. Queen Elisa is alive, but her condition is fragile. If she were to leave her crystal, she might perish instantly or be stripped of her strength.”

She shook her head, her grip on Adam’s hand tightening.

“We shouldn't let this weigh us down right now. At our current K4-Level, we lack the influence to uncover the truth.

If we want to solve the mystery of Queen Elisa’s state and her potential Operator, we simply have to get stronger.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that.”

Silvana’s attention soon drifted back to the black box. She had been stealing glances at it for a while, and her curiosity was reaching its limit. She was dying to see what was hidden inside.

“So, are you going to show me what’s in there, or are you just going to keep me in suspense?”

“Haha, this?” Adam laughed softly. “Don't get your hopes too high; it’s nothing world-changing, just a small treat.”

“Oh?”

Deciding not to tease her further, Adam tugged on the ribbon and lifted the lid. To the right lay a small slot holding two teaspoons, while the center was occupied by a stunning dessert shaped like a pink heart.

A cool, shimmering glaze coated the cake like morning frost, its surface so polished it reflected their warped features.

Without waiting for an explanation, Silvana grabbed a spoon, handed the other to Adam, and asked:

“Are we just going to stare at it, or are we going to eat?”

“Haha, I really hope it’s to your liking. Getting this dessert ready was quite the ordeal,” Adam admitted with a grin.

Together, they pressed their spoons into the pink heart from opposite sides.

Beneath the vibrant exterior, they discovered a thin layer of raspberry jelly, followed by rich dark chocolate and a dense, liquor-soaked sponge cake. At the very core lay a light, snow-white cream, as airy as a drifting cloud.

Silvana raised an eyebrow in appreciation, watching the delicate cream tremble before she took her first bite.

Adam followed suit, though his focus wasn't on the flavor. He was watching Silvana intently, far more concerned with her reaction than the quality of the cake.

Silvana’s eyes widened as a symphony of tastes washed over her palate—sweetness, a hint of tartness, and the sophisticated bitterness of the chocolate—all eventually harmonized by the silky cream.

“Well? What’s the verdict?” Adam asked, his own spoon hovering as he resisted taking another bite. He was impressed by the result, but everything had been prepared specifically for her.

Silvana narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at him with a curious expression.

“Did you actually bake this yourself? I assumed you’d picked it up from a high-end bakery, but now... I have a feeling. Call it a woman's intuition.”

“Making the whole thing from scratch would have been too much, but the cream? That was all me.”

Silvana’s expression turned solemn.

“How many times did you have to try before you got it right?”

“About eleven tries, I think. Something like that.”

Hearing his confession, Silvana let out a soft sigh and gave a satisfied smile. To her, the effort he put into something as simple as a dessert was worth more than the most lavish of treasures.