CHAPTER 72: The Gates of Aethelgard
(ARC 5: THE CENTENNIAL ASSEMBLY & THE CENTRAL GALACTIC EMPIRE)
Aethelgard, the capital world of the Central Galactic Empire, was not a mere planet. It was a sprawling Super-World five hundred times the size of an ordinary star system, enveloped by seven concentric rings of artificial moons, orbital fortresses, and floating palace islands.
At the outermost ring, known as the Iron Gate of the Seven Stars, hundreds of foreign diplomatic vessels from across the galaxy waited in disciplined, miles-long queues to receive entry clearances from the Central Imperial Guard.
When The Sterling Sovereign glided out of spatial transit, its imposing six-mile frame and distinct dark-iron dragon crest instantly drew the attention of nearby star-captains.
"Look at that flagship!" an alien envoy whispered, leaning out his viewport. "That's no ordinary diplomatic transport... that vessel was built for total fleet destruction!"
"That must be House Sterling from Sector 7... the ones who wiped out the Vorathian Armada and flattened Warlord Malakor!"
BZ—ZZZ-T!
A hundred-meter patrol vessel clad in solar-gold armor detached from the Iron Gate, floating directly into the path of The Sterling Sovereign.
A projection flickered onto the main bridge screen of House Sterling's flagship, revealing a tall, arrogant officer wearing the golden sun crest of the Solari Dynasty.
"Unidentified vessel from the outer rims!" Officer Kael of the Solari Imperial Guard shouted, his voice laced with unearned superiority. "State your registration index and prepare your crew for mandatory mana-binding and tribute inspection before entering the Aethelgard ring!"
On the bridge deck, Ethan crossed his arms, leaning against his spear shaft with an amused grin. "Mana-binding? Tribute inspection? These guys really love their paperwork."
Elena walked up to the communications console, her voice cool, clear, and sharp. "This is The Sterling Sovereign, carrying Sovereign Master Gabriel Sterling of the Sterling Empire. We are attending the Sovereign Assembly by direct summons. We do not submit to mana-binding or tribute inspections."
Officer Kael’s face twisted into an ugly, sneering grimace. "A primitive realm from Sector 7 dares refuse Solari protocol?! You are outer-rim commoners stepping into the Imperial Capital! If you do not lower your shields and surrender your storage arrays within ten seconds, your vessel will be fired upon by the Iron Gate batteries!"
Inside the upper suite, Gabriel took a quiet sip of tea served by Evelyn. He didn't stand up. He didn't even look toward the screen.
"Ethan," Gabriel said softly, his voice carrying through the ship's internal array.
"On it, Dad," Ethan replied on the bridge, his dark golden dragon pupils instantly flaring with divine heat.
Ethan took a single, heavy step onto the forward deck plate.
VOID-DRAGON SOVEREIGN DOMAIN — LOCALIZED BLAST!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A concentrated beam of golden dragon pressure shot straight out from the bow of The Sterling Sovereign, slamming directly into the Solari patrol vessel!
CRACK-SHATTER!
The patrol vessel's golden energy shields shattered like brittle glass in half a second! The hundred-meter warship was shoved back five miles through space, its hull plates groaning, its engines stalling as every alarm system aboard blared at maximum volume!
Officer Kael collapsed onto his bridge floor, gasping for air, his eyes wide in utter, paralyzed shock as the projection screen flickered with static!
Gabriel walked slowly onto the main bridge deck, his dark dragon-silk coat fluttering softly, his arm wrapped around Evelyn’s waist. He looked through the viewport at the massive Iron Gate fortresses ahead, his dark golden dragon pupils shining with absolute, emperor-level dominance.
His voice broadcasted across the entire Iron Gate sector, resounding directly in the minds of thousands of imperial guards and visiting envoys:
"House Sterling does not kneel at the gate," Gabriel declared calmly.
"Open the path... or we break it."