The Emperor leaned back on his throne, the light of the banquet hall dimming as laughter and music faded into background hums.
From the side, one of his imperial envoys approached quietly and bowed.
The Emperor's fingers flicked once, and an invisible shimmer pulsed outward, a barrier, seamless and soundless, encircling them both.
No one would hear this conversation.
"Speak," the Emperor said.
The envoy inclined his head. "Your Majesty, I have spoken with the Patriarch of the Origin Clan as you commanded."
"And?"
The envoy's jaw tightened. He hesitated, then continued, "He… refuses to offer Aethelia any exclusive benefits. His trade terms are the same for all empires and clans. Equal."
The Emperor's expression did not change, but the light around him seemed to dim.
"Equal," he repeated slowly, the word thick with disdain. His fingers drummed once against the armrest. "He stands in my hall, raised by my empire, blessed with my protection, and calls himself equal."
The envoy bowed lower, silent, waiting. Sweat beaded along his temple.
The Emperor's gaze shifted toward the far end of the banquet hall. Across the tiers of nobles and envoys, Adrian sat calmly at his table, speaking with Varik.
Unaware. Unbothered.
The Emperor's lips pressed into a thin line. His expression remained composed, but beneath that royal calm burned a quiet fury.
"Just because he created a new method of teaching, he believes himself the galaxy's gift," the Emperor murmured. "He believes he has become irreplaceable."
The envoy lowered his head further. "Shall I open direct pressure, Majesty? Restrict distribution channels?"
The Emperor raised a hand, halting the suggestion. "No. If we force him, the other empires will shield him."
He paused, his gaze never leaving Adrian's distant figure. A slow, cold smile curved his lips.
"Let's show him the true face of the galaxy."
The envoy looked up, confusion flickering in his eyes. "Your Majesty's orders?"
"Release the Patriarch of the Emerald Serpent Clan from the frontlines."
The envoy's eyes flickered in alarm. His breath caught. "Veythar?"
The Emperor nodded once. The smile remained.
The envoy hesitated, voice dropping to a whisper. "Veythar is… unhinged. And he is one of the strongest in the galaxy, wielding two essences."
He swallowed. "Based on the reports, he already wants to get out of the frontlines. If we let him now, then the Origin Clan would not even have enough time to grow and handle such a strong one."
The Emperor's fingers stilled. His gaze turned sharp.
"Veythar will not stop until it's destroyed."
The Emperor's smile returned, cruel and knowing.
"That is the point."
The envoy's breath stilled. Understanding dawned in his eyes.
The Emperor leaned forward slightly, "Let him rage. Let Adrian witness the reality of this galaxy. Let him watch his clan burn, his people killed, his power stripped bare."
"When he stands broken, we will save him. Kill Veythar when he's served his purpose. Bring Adrian to me, broken and grateful."
He leaned back again, the throne seeming to absorb him into shadow. "Then we will rebuild him… as Aethelia's own."
The envoy bowed deeply, eyes gleaming with obedience. "As you command, my Emperor. I will see it done."
The barrier around them hummed faintly, holding their words within its invisible cage.
"Ensure he does not die," the Emperor added. "The technique that creates those spheres belongs to Aethelia now."
The envoy's lips curved faintly. "Of course, Majesty."
With a final bow, the envoy turned and vanished into the dim corridors beyond the dais.
The Emperor's gaze returned to the far end of the hall. Adrian still sat there, speaking calmly with Varik, unaware of the storm gathering around him.
"So confident," the Emperor whispered, almost fondly. His smile widened. "Let's see how long that spark burns once the storms come."
He raised his goblet, took a slow sip of wine, and savored the taste.
Then he rose from his throne. The nobles nearest the dais immediately stood, bowing as the Emperor descended the steps.
His robes trailed behind him like liquid light. Guards parted without a word.
The Emperor walked through the grand archway, leaving the banquet hall behind.
...
Hours later, as the banquet drew to its end, nobles and patriarchs began to depart. The great hall slowly emptied, leaving attendants to collect trade offers and half-finished contracts.
Varik managed the final exchanges, coordinating the last envoys who sought minor trade arrangements. Adrian watched calmly, already understanding the subtle games, the thin smiles, and veiled hunger behind every word.
Adrian rose from his seat, and they too departed. They were escorted to the docking platforms.
Adrian felt the quiet hum of the palace fade as they approached their ship.
Then, his Node vibrated softly.
A holographic message flickered to life, pale blue light casting shadows across his features.
Kaelith's calm voice flowed through the transmission. "There is something you should see. Meet me at these coordinates."
Adrian's brow furrowed slightly. He had already agreed to meet her privately after the banquet, but the urgency in her tone suggested something more.
Adrian glanced at the location. It was still within the docking perimeter, in one of the private hangar bays reserved for clan patriarchs.
He showed the coordinates to Varik. "Stay here. I'll return shortly."
Varik's eyes narrowed, concern flickering there. "Alone?"
"She's not a threat." Adrian's tone carried certainty.
Varik nodded, though tension remained in his shoulders. "I'll prep the ship."
He departed, walking along the quiet docking corridors.
The private hangar was dim, half-lit by flickering rune lamps.
And there she stood, Kaelith Duskbane, surrounded by a few of her warriors.
Her silver eyes gleamed in the half-light. She dismissed her guards with a gesture.
When she saw Adrian, she inclined her head. "You came."
"I said I would," he replied simply.
She smiled faintly. "Few in this hall keep their word so easily."
Adrian stepped closer. "You didn't summon me here for pleasantries, right?"
Then she motioned toward a projection hovering beside her, a slow, rotating image of a planet, blue and green.
"My scouts found this during our approach to Aethelia Prime," she said. "A human world. Primitive, no cultivation, no essence. Forgotten."
Adrian's brow furrowed. The planet turned slowly in the holographic light, clouds drifting across oceans.
"A human world?" His voice carried quiet disbelief.
She replied, "Yes, it's located within the Aethelian territory. I cannot claim it, nor can the Volkrith Empire interfere. But you can."
Adrian studied the projection. The planet hung there, silent, fragile, alive. Cities dotted the continents, small and scattered, unaware of the galaxy beyond their sky.
The kind of place that could vanish in a second if a passing clan or demon swarm found it. It reminded him of Earth.
"You care for a world that isn't yours?" he asked.
Kaelith's tone softened, "I came from one too. Forgotten, left to burn. I won't let another end the same way. If I can't save it, maybe you can."
For the first time since the banquet began, Adrian smiled, genuinely. The Source seed within him hummed in approval.
"Then I will."
A small smile flickered across Kaelith's lips. Relief softened her features.
"Good. I'll escort you there. My fleet's already prepped."
She turned toward her ship, a sleek vessel bearing Duskbane insignia across its hull.
"Follow my fleet. I'll lead you there."
Adrian returned to his ship and nodded to Varik. "New course, follow the Duskbane signal."
Varik, though surprised, obeyed without question. His fingers moved across the console, locking onto the transmitted coordinates.
The engines flared, and both fleets rose from the docks, slipping beyond the throne world's gravity. The massive planetary shield formations parted before them, recognizing their clearance codes.
Stars stretched into lines as they accelerated. The Duskbane fleet moved ahead, three sleek warships cutting through the void.
As their ships started their journey, the first ripple of the Emperor's plan had already been set in motion, far across the stars.
In a fortress carved from volcanic stone, a message arrived.
Veythar opened his eyes.