Chapter 884 - 883

Eden strode toward the throne.

It was a massive semicircular structure. The alcoves lining its high back were packed with sophisticated sensors, displaying ever-shifting images of distant tomb worlds and fleets.

The throne, a symbol of a Phaeron's authority, was constructed from blackstone, living metal, and crystalline filaments. Its back spread outward like the wings of a great bird, glowing with ghostly green energy.

It was connected to the energy reserves beneath the Phaeron's Pyramid. Conduits extended from its base, forming one intricate pattern after another across the floor.

The moment Eden sat down, restless energy flared across the entire throne. Ripples of lightning raced through its circuitry, sending wave after wave of energy pulsing outward.

"We await your command, Sun of Pharaxis, sole Divine Emissary of the Sacred Soul Cult, and rising light of the Necrontyr Empire," the Royal Warden intoned.

His cortical field stood ready to receive his master's will at any moment.

At the same time, Fahra, Zahndrekh, and every other Overlord gathered before the throne bowed slightly in submission.

Eden inclined his head and activated the Phaeron's command pulse array.

Energy surged through the cables, bathing him in jade-green light.

Fine arcs of lightning leaped across the chamber. They passed from one Canoptek Spyder to another, then from one Necrontyr to the next, until they enveloped the entire planet.

In the end, they spread across the whole star system.

At Eden's command, the boundaries of space and time collapsed. The great Phaeron's will connected with one protocol-bound unit after another.

Countless beings offered him their submission.

That was what it meant to become a ruler of the Necrontyr. The pulse energy could stretch and reshape his will, granting him an intoxicating sense of absolute control and conquest.

It was the power of gods.

The Necrontyr had stolen from the gods the power to control all things, a power capable of intoxicating even the most ambitious ruler.

"Not bad. Unfortunately, it still falls a little short of being a true god."

Eden was no stranger to such a sensation. He was a genuine deity with tens of octillions of devout followers. His will alone could alter the fates of countless lives.

Even so, the control he now wielded filled him with excitement. No god could refuse the opportunity to acquire more power, especially when the potential believers were of such exceptional quality.

Followers like these would be enough to provoke an all-out war between gods.

"I am Charles Ramses, master of this dynasty and Emissary of God. From this day forward, all of you shall be subjects of the Ramses Dynasty. You will obey my protocol directives without reservation!"

Eden's will flooded the cortical fields of every protocol-bound unit.

They had neither the authority to refuse nor the option of disobedience.

If they attempted either, their ability to act would be stripped away, and they would be teleported back to their tombs to resume their slumber.

The same applied to Fahra, Zabok, and Zahndrekh's armies. All of them had now been incorporated into the Ramses Dynasty, becoming Eden's vassals.

The Sacred Soul Cult would serve as the sole religion of the Ramses Dynasty, occupying a position similar to the Imperial Creed and reinforcing the dynasty's rule.

Through the throne's vast sensory network, Eden could see ghostly green fleets scattered across the star system, enough vessels to fill an entire minor star system.

Those ancient fleets of living metal surrounded the system's star, radiating an aura of terror. By some mysterious means, they were drawing energy directly from it.

The Necrontyr had obtained from the C'tan the ability to devour the energy of planets. Through the power of their technology, they could destroy, drain, or even imprison stars more than a million times larger than ordinary worlds.

It was terrifying.

And now, all those fleets of living metal answered to him.

Unless Phaerons and Overlords such as Zahndrekh rebelled, paid the necessary price, and reclaimed their command protocols, Eden's rule would remain unshaken.

This military force alone was enough to launch several invasions of Holy Terra in the old Imperium.

Humanity could only be considered fortunate. The Necrons' internal disputes and divisions had left them no time to concern themselves with mankind.

"We can begin visiting the territories of other Necrontyr dynasties now. We'll win over more supporters and absorb even more military forces..."

Eden raised his gaze toward the dark void.

The ghostly green flames burning within his eye sockets blazed so fiercely that they seemed ready to leap free.

"I wonder how things are progressing on humanity's side. If everything is going smoothly, they should be able to help me accomplish this far more efficiently."

In terms of quality, the New Imperium's fleets could not compare to those of the Necrontyr. In terms of sheer numbers, however, they were terrifying.

Even Eden, the Emperor of the Imperium, had no idea how many naval fleets humanity could field once its full potential was unleashed.

Those would not be the same fleets used by the old Imperium, either. They would be new-pattern Imperial Navy fleets incorporating vast quantities of xenos technology, including that of the Necrons.

If humanity's armies could draw the attention of the Silent King and Imotekh the Stormlord toward the frontier, leaving them no time to deal with internal affairs, Eden would have a much easier time "campaigning for votes" and swallowing more Necrontyr dynasties.

...

The core district of Dawn City.

The Royal Court.

The sky was a flawless expanse of blue.

Under the gentle sunlight, a faint radiance shimmered across the Royal Court's towering white marble walls.

Unlike the colossal towers beyond its boundaries, the Royal Court consisted primarily of fortresses and soaring spires. Its overall design was slightly archaic, yet filled with majesty.

Its building materials had been gathered from Urth, Holy Terra, Ultramar, Chogoris, Baal, and many other renowned civilized worlds of the Imperium, symbolizing the unity of mankind.

The Secretariat District of the Royal Court.

Several administrative officials hurried along a walkway paved with fine white gravel.

A gentle breeze passed over them, carrying an indescribable coolness and the fragrance of vegetation.

Environmental simulation systems and extensive greenery allowed this section of the Webway to enjoy weather comparable to that of any garden world.

The officials, however, were in no mood to appreciate it.

An important meeting was underway, and they were responsible for delivering information from the front lines.

For days, a relentless stream of bad news had arrived from the Pariah Nexus and its surrounding territories, casting the entire Royal Court into an atmosphere of tension.

Even the dullest observer could tell that something momentous was about to happen.

At every moment, countless streams of information passed through the Royal Court and crossed the galaxy, reaching every region of the Imperium and even its most distant frontiers.

High-ranking nobles, merchant guilds, major conglomerates, and forge worlds had all recognized the approaching change. Each was quietly making preparations for whatever might follow.

To them, every major change or adjustment within the Imperium meant the redirection and redistribution of countless policies, resources, personnel, and technologies.

It represented both challenge and opportunity.

Their fortunes were closely bound to the Imperium's development, and none of them wished to miss what was coming.

Nor could anyone remain unaffected, not even the most ordinary Imperial citizen.

Of course, all of it would ultimately be decided by the Royal Court and its master, the Savior and Emperor of the Imperium, Eden Grant.

His will would shape the destiny of the entire human race.

Yet since the Savior had departed for the Pariah Nexus, some time had passed without any new commands from the Emperor.

Everyone was waiting.

A holographic projection at the center of the stone table displayed a flickering map of the galaxy, its surface covered in densely clustered red markers.

The crimson glow illuminated each participant, making their faces appear especially grim.

"Lord Regent, we cannot continue waiting like this!" declared Yari, one of the marshals of the Ministry of War and commander-in-chief of the Tempest Army Group. His expression was dark, with barely restrained anger smoldering beneath it. "That damned xenos veil continues to expand. The Imperium has already lost too much territory, and countless human worlds have fallen!"

He pointed at the red markers.

"The situation is growing worse by the day. We will lose even more regions. Humanity cannot continue retreating, and we certainly cannot allow the Necron xenos to continue running rampant!"

Every red marker on the map represented an area affected by blackstone pylons and the abominable xenos veil.

Under the Royal Court's current strategy, humanity was withdrawing from all those marked regions to protect human souls from the veil's influence.

More troublesome still, every irradiated region surrounding those red zones could be affected at any moment, necessitating evacuations on an even greater scale.

That meant tens of quadrillions of evacuations. Countless Imperial citizens would be forced to abandon their homes while the Pariah Nexus swallowed the surrounding territories.

"Marshal, there is no need to be so impatient," the Minister of Economic Affairs explained. "The evacuated territories are all frontier regions. Their loss will not affect the Imperial economy to any meaningful degree. The overall impact is negligible.

"Every evacuated Imperial citizen has received suitable resettlement. They have not lost their homes. They have simply moved elsewhere to continue their lives. In fact, the living conditions of many citizens have improved.

"For the Imperium, this is not the proper time to launch an all-out war. We require more time to prepare, and nothing is more important than stability.

"If we continue accumulating strength, we will be able to unleash far greater power when war finally comes..."

The Royal Court's original purpose in adopting this policy had been to temporarily avoid direct conflict with the Necrons. That would prevent the battlefront from becoming too extended while allowing humanity to concentrate its forces and await a better opportunity.

It followed a principle once proposed by the great Savior himself: exchange territory for time.

The Minister of Economic Affairs did not want a war to begin now. It would place considerable pressure on the Imperium and interfere with the implementation of several economic policies.

The financial faction's officials had little fondness for large-scale warfare.

Furthermore, the populations evacuated from the frontier could alleviate labor shortages in more developed regions. Their comparatively inexpensive labor would promote further prosperity throughout those territories.

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

The policy protected Imperial citizens on the frontier from the threat of war while contributing to the Imperial economy. Aside from a small number of dissatisfied citizens, most were pleased to relocate to more developed regions.

They were not only assigned better homes, but also given better employment.

As long as they worked hard enough, they could accumulate sufficient credit points to earn the right to remain in those developed territories permanently.

"I support the Minister of Economic Affairs," the Minister of Foreign Affairs said. "Unless the situation undergoes a major change, we should refrain from recklessly starting a war."

"Get the hell out of here!"

Hot-tempered Yari slammed his hand against the table.

"You people spend every day mingling with xenos. You have no right to discuss this matter!

"My position remains unchanged. We cannot wait any longer. We must contact His Majesty immediately and implore him to issue the supreme war directive!"

The veteran statesman silenced the foreign minister with his roar.

He had never liked a man whose entire profession revolved around conducting diplomacy with xenos.

Like many members of the financial faction, that minister constantly preached that humanity should preserve peace and maintain economic prosperity.

They adopted relatively friendly attitudes toward xenos, preferring to manipulate alien species through institutions and financial systems so they could contribute to the Imperium's development.

That stance had long provoked dissatisfaction among the radical war faction, whose support came primarily from the Ministry of War.

The war faction generally believed that humanity needed to strike the xenos hard enough to force them into submission. Any species that posed a serious threat should be exterminated completely.

Naturally, if circumstances permitted, it would be preferable to exterminate every xenos species.

That was the only way to guarantee humanity's survival!

"You... You... How crude!"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs turned scarlet and began to stammer.

He no longer dared to speak loudly. Instead, he muttered that Yari understood nothing about diplomacy or the contributions the foreign ministry had made to the Imperium.

After all, the minister was physically present at the meeting, and that brute Yari looked ready to rush over and punch him.

Similar incidents had happened before.

He had no intention of brawling with a barbarian.

"Yari, there is no need to be so rude," Claudi, the Minister of Public Order, said slowly. "This is a place where people are permitted to speak. It is not anyone's personal dictatorship. Everyone present has the right to express their opinion."

Claudi was also one of the core officials who had risen from Urth, so he did not fear Yari's authority.

He likewise believed that the time was not yet right to begin the war.

Within this meeting hall, no one except the Savior and the Imperial Regent who carried out his will possessed the authority to decide everything.

Everyone else had the right to speak.

"Everyone, it is not that the Ministry of War is determined to start a conflict without cause," said Keith, another Imperial Marshal and commander-in-chief of the Imperial Navy. Compared to Yari, his tone was much more moderate and his manner impeccably courteous. "Circumstances are forcing our hand. If we continue retreating, the Imperium risks losing its fighting spirit.

"Furthermore, according to our assessment, the time for total war has arrived. The situation justifies taking the risk of contacting His Majesty the Savior."

Anyone familiar with Keith knew that no one in the Imperium was more enthusiastic about glassing xenos worlds.

He dropped Cyclonic Torpedoes as though they cost nothing!

"I object.

"His Majesty is still inside the Pariah Nexus. Any attempt to contact him could produce unforeseen consequences," another minister from the financial faction said.

He particularly disliked the Imperial Navy's commander-in-chief.

Receiving planets after Keith had finished burning them was an excruciating experience. It was an appalling waste of valuable resources.

The man fought too crudely and caused far too much destruction!

The exchange continued until the radicals led by the Ministry of War and the conservatives led by the Ministry of Civil Affairs were shouting at one another.

The meeting grew increasingly heated. Several participants had already begun rolling up their sleeves and looked moments away from exchanging blows.

Some of the civil ministers had also been tempered by war. After suffering defeats in previous brawls, they had committed themselves to regular training.

They might actually stand a chance this time.

Naturally, weapons were prohibited inside the meeting hall. It also contained an emergency treatment room and relic-grade restoration devices, ensuring that no one would be in serious danger even if a fight broke out.

That allowed the meeting's participants to brawl to their hearts' content whenever emotions ran high.

It had become one of the finest traditions of the New Imperium's Royal Court.

As for Popov of the Ministry of Logistics, he sat to one side with the other centrists and enjoyed the spectacle.

He was responsible for storage and transportation, so he had no particular ideological preference.

Whether the Imperium went to war or remained at peace, his job would remain the same. He would stockpile supplies and transport them wherever they were needed.

Besides, he was no expert on whether the Imperium should begin a war. The decision involved far too many considerations.

It was better to let the professionals argue over it.

They would reach some sort of conclusion eventually.

At the head of the meeting hall, Roboute Guilliman, Jaghatai Khan, Rogal Dorn, and several other Primarchs occupied the central seats in the form of holographic projections.

None of them had spoken.

The Primarchs held an unusual position within the New Imperium.

They were treated somewhat like vassal kings under the Royal Court's supervision. Ordinarily, they did not participate in the Imperium's political affairs or decision-making. They attended meetings as elder statesmen and provided advice whenever it was requested.

In gatherings like this, however, they rarely spoke.

That did not mean the Primarchs' influence over the Imperium had diminished.

They could communicate directly with the Savior and Emperor of the Imperium, allowing them to influence Eden's decisions personally.

Among all the Primarchs present, Rogal Dorn, the council's newest member, listened with the greatest attention.

He was even taking careful notes.

After listening for a while, Dorn gained a general understanding of both sides' positions and the source of their disagreement.

The radicals believed that humanity's dignity and territory were inviolable.

The Necron xenos had grown too brazen. They had to petition His Majesty the Savior to mobilize the military, employ every available weapon and method, and scour every inch of the Pariah Nexus clean to eliminate the threat forever.

The conservatives believed that humanity had to preserve public order and economic development at all costs.

The time for a full-scale offensive had not yet arrived. Humanity should continue using the time it had gained to accumulate strength, then launch a total war at the proper moment.

With irresistible firepower, humanity would completely destroy xenos rule and seize all alien territory and property. Those spoils would compensate mankind for its losses and promote the Imperium's continued progress!

As the argument intensified, the atmosphere in the meeting hall grew even more feverish.

Several officials cast aside all concern for appearances and began wrestling with one another.

Yari, commander-in-chief of the Tempest Army Group, threw punches to both sides with magnificent ferocity...

(End of Chapter)

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