Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 96: The seal

Jasper moved with deliberate care, drawing the blankets snugly around Rory and adjusting the curve of his tail so it rested perfectly beneath her arms. She instinctively tightened her hold, cheek brushing against the smooth scales as her breathing evened out. Only when he was certain she was comfortable did he allow himself to pause.

Tomorrow, he would return to his clan.

What had happened earlier could not be ignored, brushed aside, or delayed. The elders would demand answers—and this time, he would not offer them excuses.

Jasper lingered beside Rory a moment longer, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the faint crease between her brows finally smoothed away. Just as he began to close his eyes, a subtle ripple of ability brushed against his senses.

From the desk.

A thin streak of blue light slipped through the open window, vanishing silently into the night.

Jasper’s gaze flicked back to Rory. She didn’t stir.

Carefully, he rose and followed.

...

Outside, Yuel stood leaning against the trunk of a massive tree—its girth so wide that three adults locking arms would struggle to encircle it. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting pale shadows over his composed figure. When Jasper approached, Yuel adjusted his glasses with an unhurried motion.

Rory had already revealed Yuel’s true identity—the Divine Tree given form, ancient and sentient.

There was no need for pretense between them.

"What did you bring me out here for?" Jasper asked quietly, his voice low and controlled as he faced Yuel beneath the muted canopy.

Yuel idly rolled a fallen leaf between his fingers, his movements unhurried, his tone light—almost conversational, as if they were discussing something inconsequential.

"The elders of the Violet Obsidian Clan secretly nurtured Nae Mandian," he said. "Forced growth. An unstable foundation." His eyes flicked up briefly. "He reached Rank Ten—but his strength was hollow. Power without roots never lasts."

A faint curve touched Yuel’s lips.

"Prince Vincent reduced him to ash with a single strike."

Jasper didn’t react. He wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

"But don’t misunderstand," Yuel continued, the levity draining subtly from his voice. "Their ambition didn’t die with him. The Violet Obsidian Clan still covets the Interstellar Hunter Alliance—and they still want it taken from you." He let the words settle. "What happened today can happen again."

He finally lifted his gaze fully, eyes sharp and assessing. "So," he said calmly, "what’s your plan tomorrow?"

Jasper didn’t hesitate. He had already made his decision.

"I spoke with Nix," he replied. "I’ll bring Matt Slade with me. With his backing—and the Ravaryn influence behind him—I can suppress the two Rank Ten elders long enough."

His voice hardened, resolve crystallizing into something cold and lethal.

"I’ll break through to Rank Ten soon," he said. "And when I do, I’ll kill them."

Dead enemies did not scheme.

Yuel let the leaf fall and studied him, blue eyes steady and unblinking. "That’s still too merciful. Intimidation alone won’t crush the ambition of old serpents."

Jasper knew it. But time was his greatest constraint.

On advanced systems like A-49, Rank Seven and Rank Eight Dragon Kind could be hired—provided the price was high enough and the incentives carefully chosen. Rank Nines were already rare enough to be whispered about. Rank Tens, however, were almost never mercenaries. They were clan elders—creatures bound not by contracts, but by bloodline, history, and legacy.

Matt Slade was the sole exception.

And even he was only available because of Nix.

"If I had more time," Jasper muttered, fists clenched tightly at his sides, frustration simmering just beneath his skin, "I’d break through already."

Yuel stepped closer and placed a hand on Jasper’s shoulder. His grip was firm—not restraining, but grounding, steady enough to anchor him.

"Don’t rush your breakthrough," Yuel said evenly. "It will come." His gaze sharpened. "What I’m offering you is a way to cripple the clan now."

From within his sleeve, he produced a fire-red command seal. The sigil pulsed faintly with restrained authority as he pressed it into Jasper’s palm.

"A Rank Ten Dragon Kind powerhouse arrived on A-49 two days ago," Yuel said calmly. "Officially, he’s here on vacation."

Jasper’s breath caught.

"Bring him with you," Yuel continued. "With him and Matt Slade at your side, you’ll have the strength to eliminate both elders outright."

Jasper stared down at the seal, its weight suddenly immense.

"After that," Yuel went on, his tone cool and precise, "invoke Prince Vincent’s authority. Issue a direct order: every male of Rank Five and above in the Violet Obsidian Clan is to report to the outer battlefield within three days."

He paused.

"Let them fight the Chitinids."

It wasn’t the cruelest solution imaginable—but it was the most efficient.

Why allow ambition to rot and fester in the shadows, when it could be burned away cleanly in the crucible of war?

Yuel tilted his head. "You have an older brother serving under Prince Vincent, don’t you? Since you don’t intend to manage the clan yourself, let him take control once the dust settles."

Jasper stared at the seal in his hand.

The Infernal Firebird Command Seal.

With it, any Dragon Kind below Rank 9 could be deployed to the outer battlefield without resistance.

"How do you have the prince’s command seal?" Jasper asked quietly.

Yuel replied without hesitation, perfectly sincere. "He dropped it. I picked it up."

Jasper didn’t believe him for a second—but belief was irrelevant.

This seal would strip the Violet Obsidian Clan of its future strength for generations, leaving Jasper free to rise without threat.

His grip tightened. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Only one concern remained. The Rank 10 Dragon Kind might refuse.

Jasper mentioned Rory’s existing arrangement with Paros.

"I know," Yuel waved it off. "Whatever bond exists between Rory and Paros remains intact. As long as it isn’t dissolved, she is still his huntress. He won’t refuse."

A pause.

"In that case," Jasper said quietly, resolve settling into his bones, "I’ll leave now."

He didn’t return to the cabin.

With the command seal secured, Jasper moved through the darkness toward the coordinates Yuel had given him—already preparing for the confrontation that would decide the fate of his clan once and for all.