CHAPTER 74: The Shadow of the Solari Dynasty
(ARC 5: THE CENTENNIAL ASSEMBLY & THE CENTRAL GALACTIC EMPIRE)
The Grand Celestial Docks of Aethelgard rested atop a floating continent suspended five thousand miles above the primary planet's surface.
As The Sterling Sovereign docked smoothly at the high-tier berth reserved for sovereign factions, the imposing size and flawless cosmic adamantite hull of the vessel drew the immediate attention of hundreds of imperial noble clans already gathered for the assembly.
Dressed in his dark dragon-silk coat, Gabriel walked down the landing ramp, holding Evelyn’s hand gently in his. Behind them walked Ethan and Elena, flanked by twenty dragon-scale armored guards from the Pentagon Association.
Grand Elder Arion personally escorted the Sterling family toward the Grand Starlight Pavilion—a breathtaking palace carved from white star-jade and suspended amidst floating gardens.
"Sovereign Gabriel," Arion explained quietly as they walked through the grand corridors, "the Centennial Sovereign Assembly officially convenes in two days. Representatives from over ten thousand star systems have arrived, but the true power rests within the Seven Primordial Clans."
"And the Solari Dynasty?" Evelyn asked, her dark eyes sharp and perceptive.
Arion’s expression grew serious. "The Solari Dynasty is currently the chair of the Primordial Council. Five hundred years ago, when your realm's ancestral spirit veins first awakened, it was the Solari Clan Master who ordered the deployment of the dungeon anchors to seal your world's growth, ensuring no lower-realm commoners could rise to challenge their dominance."
Ethan’s hand tightened around his wooden spear shaft, his dark eyes flaring with a scorching dragon heat. "So they were the ones who kept our world in the dark for five centuries."
"They believed our people were cattle meant to be harvested," Elena said coldly, her azure blade humming softly at her waist.
Gabriel remained calm, his dark golden dragon pupils reflecting the glowing star-jade pillars of the pavilion.
"Five hundred years ago, they held the power to suppress us," Gabriel said softly, his voice rich, deep, and terrifyingly absolute. "Today... they will pay the debt with interest."
That evening, inside the luxurious, star-lit private courtyard of House Sterling’s assigned pavilion...
Ethan and Elena were refining their spatial coordination arrays under the silver moonlight, while Gabriel and Evelyn sat at a marble table near a koi pond filled with glowing spirit-fish.
Evelyn leaned her head softly against Gabriel’s shoulder, enjoying the quiet peace before the upcoming storm. Gabriel wrapped his arm around her waist, gently rubbing her shoulder, pressing a soft kiss against her hairline.
"Are you worried about the Primordial Council, Gabriel?" Evelyn whispered softly.
"Not in the slightest, my love," Gabriel smiled, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "I built an empire from a slum alley to protect you and our children. A gathering of arrogant nobles won't change that."
BZ—ZZZ-T!
Suddenly, the ambient light in the courtyard dimmed slightly.
Out from the shadows near the garden archway stepped a tall figure wrapped in a golden solar cloak. His skin was pale gold, his hair burned like soft golden flame, and his eyes carried the cold, ancient arrogance of a long-standing tyrant.
It was Young Master Solon—the prime heir of the Solari Dynasty and an Intermediate Void Sovereign.
Beside him stood four heavy-armored guards whose bodies radiated the destructive pressure of Late-Stage Void Sovereigns.
"So this is the commoner family from Sector 7," Solon sneered, his gaze sweeping over Gabriel, Evelyn, and the two teenagers. "You caused a scene at the Iron Gate, Gabriel Sterling. My father, the Grand Patriarch of the Solari Clan, is not pleased."
Ethan instantly stepped forward, resting his spear over his shoulder, his eyes locked onto Solon. "If your father isn't pleased, he can come down here and tell us himself. Who sent the dog?"
Solon’s face twisted in rage! "Insolent outer-rim trash! You are standing on Aethelgard soil! A single word from my Solari Dynasty can strip your realm of its sovereign status and reduce your world back into a livestock farm!"
Gabriel didn't even stand up from his chair. He kept his arm wrapped securely around Evelyn’s waist, taking a slow, calm sip of his tea.
He slowly turned his head, his dark golden dragon pupils locking onto Solon’s eyes.
SOVEREIGN REALM — SPATIAL SUPPRESSION!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A invisible wave of absolute, Peak Void Sovereign authority crashed down onto Solon and his four guards!
CRACK!
The marble floor beneath their feet exploded! Solon and all four of his Late-Stage Void Sovereign guards were slammed straight onto their faces, pinned flat against the ground like crushed insects, unable to move a single finger or utter a single word!
Solon’s eyes bulged in pure, suffocating horror as he felt his soul trembling under Gabriel’s effortless, god-like pressure!
Gabriel set his tea cup down with a quiet, gentle clink.
"Tell your father," Gabriel murmured softly, his voice echoing directly inside Solon’s panicking mind like rolling thunder:
"House Sterling does not ask for sovereign status."
"We dictate it."