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Chapter 171: Emperor's Glory
When the Lord of Steel fell in sacrifice, his loyal followers would carry his body home, and the common people wept until their voices broke.
"Behold, there lies the Lord of Steel!" they cried. "He gave everything for us and asked for nothing back."
"He sacrificed everything for us. We can do nothing but cry these useless tears."
"There will be more heroes," the Raven said quietly. "The Empire's glory will reach every star in the void."
Meanwhile, across Terra's sprawling cityscape, preparations for the Emperor's return were already underway. The Emperor and His retinue boarded the ceremonial transport, and the vehicle carried them through Terra's endless street networks.
Tree-lined boulevards swept past on both sides while crowds lined the routes, cheering between towering spires.
Wherever the procession went, people raised their voices for the Emperor and showed their devotion and loyalty in countless ways. They celebrated His return and wept for this great Lord of Mankind.
"My son, remember this moment," the mothers said.
They lifted their young children high so the children could see the Master of Mankind with their own eyes. For most, this would be the most memorable moment of their lives since most Imperial citizens would never have such a privilege again. To look upon the Emperor's face even once was fortune beyond measure.
The procession wound through endless crowds and reached the gates of the Imperial Palace. Carved reliefs on the towering portals showed the Emperor with a raven on His shoulder.
The Master of Mankind did not approach the grand entrance but instead climbed steps to a platform carved like a crouching eagle. Malcador and the other High Lords waited there, showing complete reverence as they saluted and stepped aside.
Gilded servo-skulls circled overhead and recorded every moment from multiple angles. Across Terra and throughout the vox-network, this scene was broadcast in real-time, so every gesture reached countless worlds and billions of souls watched.
The Emperor walked to the platform's edge, and from that height, He looked down at the endless sea of humanity. Citizens and soldiers alike stretched to the horizon, then He spoke to them all.
"Humanity's Age of Strife lasted for thousands of years."
The Emperor did not shout or gesture but spoke with calm, apparent authority. His voice had power that reached deep into every heart.
"That terrible time brought human civilisation to the brink of extinction. Humanity lived in despair, they believed such darkness would never end."
"Now that darkness has lifted, and humanity has proven its strength and spirit again. We rebuilt a great nation from the ruins."
"Many might give me all the credit. But I say to you..." The Emperor's voice swelled with power.
"No. This glory is not mine alone. I did not build the ships by myself. I did not fight every battle alone. I did not reclaim each lost world through my effort alone. I could not provide the vast resources this required."
"This triumph belongs to every Imperial citizen. You built this empire. You made the sacrifices. You endured the hardships. You forged the Human Empire with your own hands."
"Without your efforts and sacrifices, human civilisation would have died. This glory belongs to everyone."
"But reconstruction is just the beginning, a great beginning."
"Human civilisation will rise even higher. We will forge a brighter future."
"Human civilisation will be immortal, it will be eternal."
The Emperor pressed the Aquila across His chest.
That simple gesture ignited the crowd's emotions, and tears streamed down countless faces. They copied His salute, raising the sign of the Aquila, and throughout every corner reached by the vox-network, people watching the broadcast rose to their feet and rendered the same salute.
Human civilization had never been so united, and passion surged in every heart, filled with purpose. Their souls were no longer alone since the Emperor had become the bond connecting every human spirit.
Humanity would stand as one and overcome all obstacles while humanity would endure forever.
The chroniclers employed every method to preserve these moments, as this would be the pinnacle of their artistic careers, and such an opportunity would never come again.
After the Emperor's speech, the people held a grand parade, and the celebration lasted for days before the crowds finally went home.
Once the public ceremonies concluded, the Emperor and the Raven made their way to the Throne Room of the Imperial Palace. The Golden Throne was not yet complete, but it had a basic shape and function. Complex machinery formed a pyramid with its surface covered with power runes, and at the top sat two thrones.
"Hey, Malcador," the Raven said, staring at the Golden Throne with confusion, pointing with his wing," Why does this thing have two seats?"
"His Majesty's design specified this," Malcador replied casually. He opened a data screen. "Besides, didn't you look at it when you brought it here?"
He continued, "The Empire has two supreme rulers. So Two Thrones make sense."
The Raven looked at the Emperor. "Big Guy, please don't tell me the other seat is for me."
"What do you think?" The Emperor grinned. "Aren't you touched? Surprised? We built the Human Empire together. I won't take all the glory!"
The Raven stared at the Emperor, and his small head practically radiated question marks. He suspected the Emperor had been channelling some dictator with that rhetoric.
"I think you can enjoy this glory alone," the Raven muttered. "Please remove my Golden Throne. I'm happy standing on your shoulder."
"How can that be?" the Emperor protested. "You're the supreme ruler of the Empire. How can you not have your own throne? Do you hate the design? Should I change it to a bird's nest-shaped throne?"
The Raven said nothing.
'Wuwuwu WAHHH!'
'I really don't want to sit on the Golden Throne!'
'Why is there still a seat reserved for me!'
'Does maintaining a galaxy-level empire only need the Big Guy? Does a universe-level empire need to add one poor, helpless little raven?'
'Sure, I've abused power for personal gain. I colluded with Primarchs and accepted bribes. When visiting other universes, I punched the Time Management Bureau and kicked alien civilisations. I bullied people in restricted areas and tricked little demons. But I don't deserve THIS!'
"It's not about the seat's shape," the Raven said out loud. "I just don't think it's necessary."
The Emperor waved dismissively. "No need for long explanations. You're a ruler of the Empire. You should have a throne like me."
"Come, let's test the Golden Throne's power together. I've used all available knowledge. I even built upgrade modules. If we get useful technology from other universes later, we can add it."
"In the future, the Golden Throne will become the most powerful device in all the heavens."
The Raven watched the Emperor's passionate planning and silently complained.
Later, there will be two mummified corpses on it, one large, one small. The left one will be a ruler of the Empire. The right one will also be a ruler of the Empire.
The Emperor didn't hear the Raven's internal grumbling as he walked toward the pyramid. He wanted the Raven to experience the Golden Throne's power and identify needed improvements.
"Let's just try it," the Raven sighed.
At this point, there was no other choice. Warhammer's predetermined fate had collapsed entirely, and even if he revealed the matter of predestination, no one would believe him. It might even harm Primarchs like Horus and Perturabo since he had worked so hard to bring them back on track.
Speaking out would likely push them toward the enemy again.
When they finally activated the Golden Throne, something extraordinary happened. The Raven and the Emperor took their places on the Golden Throne.
Though the structure remained unfinished, its authority let the Raven enter a state beyond mortal understanding, and energies surged through both their forms. Their eyes blazed with intense light, brilliant as twin suns.
Time and space held no meaning.
The Raven's eyes swirled with mists and runes, and with the Golden Throne's aid, he saw the details of countless events across the galaxy.
Horus was negotiating with a lost human civilisation in the outer reaches of a world called Davin. Complex threads of fate intertwined around that place, but most had become a tangled mess, while many had snapped or balanced on the edge of breaking.
After conquering Davin, Horus had established the Mournival to assist with Great Crusade operations.
Abaddon had earned his place among the Mournival and become Captain of the First Company through military achievement, and he was now Horus's most trusted subordinate.
Loken had recently become Captain of the Tenth Company and befriended several chroniclers. He would later achieve fame while Russ continued his operations with wild abandon.
[End of Chapter]