Chapter 92 – The Emissary's Oath
The Luther Clan estate was quieter than it had ever been.
The blood duel was over. The throne, untouched.
And Jean—no longer just the Emissary of Light, no longer just the youngest daughter—was now the chosen successor by will of strength, spirit, and unity. Yet she had refused the ancient seat. That alone shook the pillars of tradition.
In the High Hall, a new banner was unfurled: a silver wolf crossing a radiant sword, surrounded by a ring of starlight.
Her symbol.
The new face of the Luther Clan.
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Jean stood in the ancestral chamber where the statues of past Patriarchs loomed in judgment. Her gaze fell on the one at the center: Martin Luther, founder of the clan, the only man to ever wound the Dragon Lord Antares.
She knelt.
Whitney padded beside her, quiet.
Silvia stood behind, arms folded. "They'll resist you," she said. "Not just Charles. The traditionalists. The council. Half the Envoys. Even the world."
"I'm not afraid of resistance," Jean said.
Silvia gave a small smile. "You should be."
Jean rose and placed Luxclade at the foot of Martin's statue. "Then I'll let the light in me burn brighter than their fear."
She turned—and the room darkened.
A celestial wind swept through.
The sigil on her back ignited.
And suddenly, the world fell away.
---
Jean stood in a field of stars.
In front of her: Celeste.
The goddess was radiant. Not beautiful like a queen—beautiful like judgment made flesh. Her eyes were suns. Her voice: an endless chord.
"You have taken the path few dare to walk, Emissary."
Jean bowed her head. "I do not seek power for myself. Only to guide."
Celeste extended a hand.
"The time of dragons approaches. Antares stirs. His wounds have almost healed. Already, flame-kindred awaken across the skies of the eastern continent. The other gods prepare their emissaries. You must be ready."
Jean nodded. "Then give me your next command."
Celeste touched her forehead.
"Find the Tear of the Sky. It lies beyond the Iron Empire, in the ruins of the forgotten city—Valemorra. Within it sleeps one of the Seven Celestial Keys. You must awaken it."
"And if the dragons find it first?"
Celeste's voice rang like thunder.
"Then the world will burn."
---
Jean returned to the chamber in a flash of light, breathing hard.
Silvia looked at her. "A vision?"
Jean nodded. "We're going to the eastern frontier."
Silvia raised an eyebrow. "The Iron Empress rules those lands. That's enemy territory."
Jean gave a grim smile. "Then let's make some introductions."
Whitney howled softly.
The war against Antares had not yet begun.
But the first move had been made.
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