Samuel_Mafua_7207

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 96 – The Chains That Burn

The egg pulsed like a beating heart.

Even chained and sealed, the dragon egg radiated a presence that felt almost sentient—watching, waiting. Jean couldn't look away. Every thrum of fire from its core reminded her of the burning skies in her dreams.

"If it hatches," Jean whispered, "this city falls."

Valessia folded her armored arms. "Which is why I've ordered every Grand Artificer and Runepriest in the Empire to reinforce its seals. But something… or someone… is weakening them."

Jean's eyes narrowed. "You suspect treason?"

Valessia's voice was low, but edged with steel. "The Ducal Houses are not unified. The House of Vorn seeks war with your Clan. House Endric courts the Magistery in secret. And one among them may see the dragons not as threats—but weapons."

Silvia stepped forward. "Then we root them out."

Jean nodded. "Start with those who have access to the chamber."

Valessia smirked. "You'll find the Iron Court far more dangerous than any battlefield, Luther."

The investigation began at midnight.

Kaelis scoured the wind currents above the spires, sensing for divine tampering. Silvia followed the trail of arcane sabotage, discovering faint traces of Magistery sigils—illegally inscribed.

Jean, meanwhile, met with the Iron Court under the guise of diplomacy.

They were predators in noble garb. Each duke wielded more soldiers than most kingdoms, and their smiles were sharper than blades.

Duke Endric of the Pale Forge leaned forward, toying with a black ring. "You come here claiming dragons rise, yet ask us to kneel beside a Luther. Bold."

Jean smiled coldly. "I don't ask you to kneel. I ask you to survive."

She met each of their eyes—and in one, she saw it.

But not fear of dragons—fear of discovery.

Duke Vorn was pale, sweating. His aura was oddly muted.

"There's a rite of unsealing hidden beneath the Vorn estate," she said, tossing Jean a scroll with storm-blasted edges. "And a Magistery envoy was seen leaving it two nights ago."

Silvia's hand went to her sword. "Treason confirmed."

Jean turned to Valessia. "What now?"

The Empress's gaze was fire and fury.

"Now," she said, "we remind them that Iron does not break."

CHAPTER 96. THE CHAINS THAT BURN.