[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-emperor-of-the-source":3,"chapter-emperor-of-the-source-emperor-of-the-source-chapter-97":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Emperor of the Source",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1713109,2188,"Chapter 96: The Empire’s Decree","emperor-of-the-source-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>The hours crawled by in tense silence. Then, without warning, the residence trembled as a figure stepped through the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Overseer had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked almost human, tall and regal, but subtle differences marked him as something beyond Earth's race. His skin carried a faint golden hue that seemed to shimmer beneath the lamplight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grand robe of red and gold draped his form, its edges traced with inscriptions that pulsed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not glance at Aurelia, nor at Septimus, nor at the others. His gaze settled directly on Adrian, as though none of the others mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he spoke, his voice was crisp, formal, and utterly devoid of emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By petition of Tharion Drakenholt, sanctioned under Aethelian decree, a life-and-death duel has been approved.\" The Overseer's eyes never wavered from Adrian's face. \"You will present yourself at the Imperial Arena within three hours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pause stretched, heavy with finality. \"Failure to appear will mark you as an outlaw.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words landed like a verdict, not a negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aurelia stepped forward, her essence stirring, voice hard. \"Three hours? That is no time to—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Overseer's eyes flicked to her, cold and cutting. \"Law is not made for comfort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone made it clear that, argument was nothing but wasted breath. \"You stand accused. Defense is immediate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber tensed, every breath sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian stepped forward, his expression calm, his voice steady. \"I accept.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words rang out without hesitation. No fear, no protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Overseer inclined his head ever so slightly, acknowledging a Stellar, nothing more. He turned away without ceremony, his cloak flaring like firelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door shut with a sound. The decision was carved into stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Septimus slammed his staff into the floor. \"Madness! They've cornered us into this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draven roared, fists clenched. \"Three hours? That's not law, it's a bloody execution order!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Patriarch has fought for millennia,\" Lucian said quietly. \"His Domain spans entire moons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian's eyes glowed faintly, threads of gold weaving in his gaze. His whisper sent a shiver through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Threads knot tighter. If he falls, Earth's future falls with him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were helpless against the empire's law. Protest meant nothing here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian's voice cut through their turmoil. \"Hiding only makes us prey, let's face it head on!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news spread like wildfire across the hub's networks. Within minutes, every channel buzzed with the announcement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the streets of Solvaris, whispers grew into waves. A duel of Stellars, so rare that even those who despised the Drakenholt clan felt a thrill at the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds gathered at news terminals, speculating, wagering, hungering for a glimpse. \"When did we last see Stellars fight to the death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Drakenholt compound, their warriors boasted with savage grins. \"Our Patriarch will tear the upstart limb from limb!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make him scream before the end,\" another laughed. \"Show the galaxy what happens to those who cross us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news rippled across star systems under Drakenholt control. In shadowed corners and hidden channels, civilians whispered with trembling hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this Adrian kills him... maybe our chains will break.\" Others spoke with despair, \"Or they'll tighten twice as hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In rival clans' chambers, sly smiles spread like poison. Envoys made hasty preparations, some to watch, others to scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Profit, advantage, chaos, whatever the outcome, they would seize it. \"Either way, Drakenholt bleeds,\" one murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lexarian traders moved swiftly, setting up betting markets before the ink on the decree was dry. Odds were shouted across the commercial districts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An unknown youth against Tharion Drakenholt... imagine if he wins.\" Crystal exchanges hands moved millions in moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Win or lose, the Hub profits,\" a merchant grinned. The arena would be packed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among hushed voices came a dangerous rumor that made hearts race. \"If the boy wins... he could claim the Drakenholt's resources.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Imagine it, an unbound Stellar, a clan's wealth falling into his lap.\" The possibility sent tremors through established power structures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duel was no longer just a matter of vengeance. It had become spectacle, opportunity, and storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hours later, Adrian and others stood before the Imperial Arena's towering gates. The structure loomed impossibly vast, its metallic walls stretching beyond sight in both directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every surface gleamed with inscribed runes that pulsed like heartbeats. The metal itself seemed alien, darker than steel yet somehow luminous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crowds pressed against barriers held back by Imperial guards. Voices rose in a cacophony of languages, species, and dialects that Adrian had never heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at the size of this place,\" Thomas muttered, craning his neck upward. \"How many could it hold?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Millions,\" Aurelia answered grimly. \"When Stellars fight, the galaxy watches.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Septimus drew a long breath, then spoke gravely. \"You must be careful, Adrian. The Drakenholt are not a simple alien race. Their history is carved in fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian's attention sharpened. \"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were once monsters.\" Septimus's voice carried weight. \"Their homeworld was a sea of flame and molten rock, a world of volcanoes and firestorms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael shifted uneasily. \"Monsters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There, creatures they called 'dragons' roamed.\" Septimus continued. \"Over time, some split, some changed, until they became S-rank and evolved into what they are now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words hung in the air like smoke. Adrian felt everyone tense around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humanoid form, yes, but blood still carries the dragon's mark.\" Septimus's eyes grew distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kael's eyes widened. \"Then… they're like demons?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are demons!\" Septimus said firmly. \"But they bent knee to the Empire, and so they were accepted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draven spat on the ground. \"Politics over truth. Typical Imperial thinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For generations, they fought under its banners.\" Septimus ignored the outburst. \"The most dangerous thing is, their entire race is fire affinity users.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For generations, they have created and evolved their skills. It would be extremely powerful than any other Stellar Stage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The revelation sent ripples through the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena's tattoos flickered faintly. \"An entire race with one affinity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian's brow furrowed. \"How is that possible? Affinities are natural soul resonance. How can an entire planet share the same?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Their world is drowned in flame, and so every soul born there resonates with it,\" Septimus said. \"Earth is diverse, our souls find different concepts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On Drakenholt's world, the fire concept saturates everything.\" Septimus gestured broadly. \"Stone, air, even blood. No soul can escape it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth painted their enemy as something beyond normal comprehension. A race forged by their world's essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thus, their kind are born fire-blooded.\" Septimus finished grimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silence fell over them. Even the crowd's roar seemed distant now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Adrian stepped forward. No Imperial representative had come to guide them, no ceremony or protocol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were being treated like entertainment, nothing more. The realization burned in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our enemy is not just this Drakenholt clan.\" His voice carried across their small group. \"Even these empires corner us, and treat us as some kind of plaything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes blazed with determination. \"Today, no matter what, Tharion Drakenholt will die by my hand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words rang with absolute conviction. \"I will show the entire galaxy what humanity can truly do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian's gaze swept across his companions, then toward the arena's massive entrance. \"This will be our Earth's official entry into the galaxy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1215,"2026-06-06T15:05:27.002Z",1,"novelbin.me","b45fcd9f0322264d719a5cbb9df606e9abf2fbf076884a2580fcbcdc540c51f7","emperor-of-the-source-chapter-98","emperor-of-the-source-chapter-96",347,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Femperor-of-the-source-cover.jpg"]