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Jean Luther, the youngest daughter of the prestigious Luther Clan, is both a rising swordswoman and the Emissary of Light, chosen by the goddess Celeste. After graduating from the Luther Academy, she is required to undergo a two-year assessment as an Envoy Knight, an elite order of Transcendent Master swordsmen loyal to the clan.

Upon her return, Jean is thrust into a brutal succession war for the Patriarchy of the clan. She embarks on a perilous journey to become the strongest swordsman in the world, accompanied by her divine guardian—a powerful dire wolf named Whitney.

LIGHTBEARER: THE CHRONICLE OF JEAN LUTHER

Chapter 85 – Four Dukes, Four Blades

The skies over Vermillion Spire roared with fury.

Jean, Kael, and Whitney raced across the rooftops as iron thunder rained down—ballista bolts tipped with aura-shattering steel. The Iron Empress had awakened her wrath, and with it, her Four Ducal Guardians.

Each one a sword sharper than nations.

From the clouds descended Duke Rhaegor of House Flameward, wielding twin sabers ignited by inner fire. His aura burned red-hot, blistering the sky itself.

To the north emerged Duchess Valeia of House Thornsong, her blade curved like a crescent moon, dancing on the wind with poison in every step.

To the south charged Duke Korran of House Dreadmaw, a towering brute clad in obsidian armor, each strike like thunder splitting mountains.

And from the shadows, unseen yet known, Duke Veyr of House Nocturn, the ghost of the battlefield—silent, cold, precise.

"They want to make an example of us," Jean said.

The battle exploded over the Spire's bridges.

Jean met Rhaegor head-on, Luxclade clashing against flame-born steel. Aura screamed in the air as light and fire collided. Jean spun, slashed, ducked—driven not by rage but by clarity.

Behind her, Whitney leapt onto Korran's shoulder, teeth snapping against plated steel. The Duke roared and fell backward, crashing into a pillar.

Kael, though weakened, called on a sliver of moonlight—his goddess's breath returned in crisis. He moved like a whisper, blade carving crescent arcs that disarmed Valeia mid-spin.

Only one had not yet shown himself.

Jean paused mid-duel, eyes narrowing.

Pain lanced across her ribs as a dagger sliced through aura.

Jean fell to one knee, but not down. She twisted, light erupting from Luxclade in a blinding arc that seared the shadows.

Kael dragged her to her feet. "They'll regroup."

Jean's hand pressed to the wound. "Then we don't let them."

"Tell me what you saw. The First Emissary. The gods."

"In my dreams, the Moon showed me the beginning."

"A thousand years ago… the First Emissary led the gods' will. But he defied them. He saw what they truly wanted—dominion, not deliverance. So he vanished."

"He sealed the gate to the divine realm. Hid its key. The gods have been using Emissaries to find it ever since."

"We're not warriors to protect the world. We're keys."

"And someone among us will open the gate again. Willingly or not."

As the Iron Empire reeled from the chaos, Jean looked into the burning horizon.

"This war," she whispered, "is bigger than swords and dragons."

CHAPTER 85. FOUR DUKES, FOUR BLADES.